How to watch CTV in the USA in 2026
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CTV is the largest privately owned TV network in Canada. However, it is unavailable to watch outside of Canada, including in the US, depriving many people of good-quality movies and TV shows.
Luckily, there is a solution to this problem – using a VPN. A quality VPN changes your IP address to a Canadian one and unblocks CTV with no trouble. Besides, the best VPNs also offer advanced security features for your online safety. And if you only want a VPN for a short period of time, you can take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee that many VPN providers offer.
Below, I explain how to watch CTV in the USA with a VPN and offer some troubleshooting tips in case something doesn’t work out. I also suggest some of the best VPNs for CTV.
How to watch CTV in the USA with a VPN
- Choose a VPN with servers in Canada. I recommend NordVPN, now 75% OFF
- Download and install the VPN
- Connect to a server in Canada
- Go to the CTV website or app, sign in or create an account, and start watching
Why do you need a VPN to watch CTV in the USA?
CTV is a Canadian TV network with loads of great content. However, it’s only available to watch in Canada. This is because CTV must comply with distribution rights, licensing agreements, and copyright laws. That said, if you attempt to watch CTV from the US, or anywhere else outside Canada, you’ll be blocked by the error message.
Fortunately, there’s an easy workaround – use a quality VPN. A VPN allows you to access CTV from anywhere in the world. All you need to do is download and install the app and connect to a Canadian VPN server to change your IP address. Then, you can access CTV from outside Canada on virtually any device.
That’s not all – besides unblocking CTV and numerous other streaming services, a VPN is also a useful personal security tool. It encrypts your traffic and hide your browsing activities from third parties. The best VPNs even include such features as ad and tracker blockers and block malicious websites.
Best VPNs to watch CTV stream online
- NordVPN – the best VPN for watching CTV anywhere
- Surfshark – fast and affordable VPN for CTV
- Proton VPN – excellent provider with strong security
We tested numerous VPN providers and picked out our top three VPNs that can give you access to CTV from the US and other countries. We also made sure our recommendations had strong security features, fast speeds, and the ability to unblock other region-restricted content.
1. NordVPN – the best VPN for watching CTV anywhere
| Based in: | Panama |
| Servers/countries: | 9,500+ servers in 149 countries |
| Unblocks streaming sites: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Get 75% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
NordVPN is the best VPN for CTV – you can unblock the site from anywhere in the world without any issues. NordVPN has more than 9,500 international servers, which include more than 300 servers in Canada. You will have no trouble finding the best server to unblock CTV and any other streaming service, no matter where you are.
As described in our NordVPN review, the VPN is by far the most secure VPN provider you could find. Not only does it use next-gen encryption to protect your data, but it also offers numerous online security features. With NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro, you can block ads, trackers, and malicious websites. Besides that, NordVPN is also the perfect VPN for torrenting.
Prices for NordVPN start from $3.49/month. Android users can get a 3-day free trial through the Google Play Store, and there’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee available on all platforms to try it out risk-free.
2. Surfshark – fast and affordable VPN for CTV
| Based in: | The Netherlands |
| Servers/countries: | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Unblocks streaming sites: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Now up to 85% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE |
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly and fast VPN for CTV, Surfshark is one of the best. You can get an even lower price using the Surfshark promo code: OFFCN, great for budget-conscious users. It offers over 4,500 servers worldwide, including 150+ servers in Canada. You can use it to effortlessly unblock CTV and many other streaming services. The lightning-fast speed of Surfshark ensures that the stream doesn't buffer, and video quality is top-tier.
From the security standpoint, Surfshark is near-perfect: it offers advanced encryption for your data, and numerous other online security features, such as an ad and malicious site blocker, split tunneling, and specialized servers.
As discussed in our Surfshark review, the provider’s prices start from just $2.49/month. You can also get a 7-day free trial on mobile devices, and a 30-day money-back guarantee – that’s plenty of time to test the VPN yourself.
To find out more, read our Surshark review.
3. Proton VPN – reliable VPN for watching CTV
| Based in: | Switzerland |
| Servers/countries: | 20,300+ servers in 148 countries |
| Unblocks streaming sites: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Get up to 70% OFF Proton VPN |
Proton VPN is a secure, affordable, and fast VPN for unblocking CTV. It has over 20,300 servers in 148 countries, including 849 servers in Canada with dedicated options in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Accessing CTV with Proton VPN is easy, and the streaming quality never goes down.
In terms of security, Proton VPN offers advanced encryption to protect your data, along with an obfuscation mode for added privacy when needed. As experts described in our Proton VPN review, the provider’s powerful kill switch and auto-connect feature will help ensure your information remains private at all times.
Proton VPN prices start at just $2.99/month. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to watch CTV with a VPN on your device
You can watch CTV from anywhere in the world on your PC, Mac, iPhone, Android device, or even a smart TV by using a VPN. However, the process isn’t the same for every device. Here, I provide you with easy step-by-step guides that explain how to do this.
Watch CTV on your smart device
You can watch CTV on pretty much any smartphone, tablet, or computer by downloading a VPN. Here’s how to do it:
- Download and install a VPN on your device. I recommend NordVPN, now 75% OFF
- Log in or create an account
- Connect to a Canadian VPN server
- Clear the cache and cookies of your device and/or browser
- Head to the CTV website, or download the CTV app
- Sign in or create an account and enjoy watching CTV
Stream CTV on your streaming device
Unfortunately, the majority of streaming sticks, such as Roku and Kodi, don’t support VPN apps. But all you have to do is connect a VPN to your Wi-Fi, and you’ll be able to watch CTV on your streaming device. Here’s what you need to do:
- Choose a VPN with plenty of Canadian servers. NordVPN is the ideal solution for this, now 75% OFF
- Set up the VPN on your router
- Connect to a Canadian server
- Connect your streaming device to the router via Wi-Fi or an ethernet cable
- Find or install the CTV app on your streaming device, or go to the CTV website
- Log in or create an account to start watching
If you have an Amazon Firestick, you can download a VPN app straight onto your streaming stick.
If you need more help, take a look at these in-depth guides:
- Best Kodi VPNs – stream anything on your Kodi with a VPN
- VPNs best suited for Apple TVs – watch shows from anywhere
- Top VPNs for Roku – get access to any content on your Roku device
- VPNs with the best apps for Firestick – download a VPN straight onto your Firestick
What can you watch on CTV?
From some of the best US shows to exclusive Canadian content, CTV has a lot to offer. Here’s my pick of the best things on CTV that you really shouldn’t miss:
| Title | Genre |
| The Amazing Race Canada (2013-present) | Game show |
| Being Canadian (2015) | Documentary film |
| Canada’s Worst Driver (2005-2018) | Reality TV show |
| Jann (2019-2021) | TV drama |
| MasterChef Canada (2014-present) | Reality TV show |
| Transplant (2020-2024) | Medical TV drama |
| Sullivan's Crossing (2023-present) | TV drama |
| Yes, Chef! (2025-present) | Reality competition |
CTV regularly adds new content to its library. To keep up to date with all the latest releases, check out CTV’s X and Facebook pages.
Conclusion
CTV is one of the most popular TV networks in Canada, with an impressive library of movies and TV shows. But it’s only available to watch in Canada. The good news is that you can still watch CTV if you’re in the USA, Australia, the UK, or anywhere else in the world. All you have to do is use a VPN to connect to a server in Canada.
NordVPN is the best option for CTV – it has over 300 servers in Canada and can unblock virtually any streaming service easily.
Even better, a VPN improves your online security by encrypting your data to keep it safe from malicious hackers. The best VPNs also offer ad and malicious site blockers and other online security features.
FAQ
Is it possible to watch CTV in the USA?
Yes, you can watch CTV from anywhere in the world. All you need to do is download a reliable VPN, such as NordVPN, and use it to connect to a server in Canada. Then, head to the CTV website or app, and you’ll be able to watch all it has to offer, no matter where you are.
What’s the best way to watch Canadian TV in the US?
The best way to watch Canadian TV from anywhere is to use a VPN, such as NordVPN, to connect to a server in Canada. Once you’ve done this, head to the Canadian website or app you want to access, and you’ll be able to unblock all the content you want to watch.
Is it legal to watch CTV in the USA with a VPN?
Yes, it’s perfectly legal to use a VPN to watch CTV from the USA. However, it may go against CTV’s Terms of Service, although you’re very unlikely to be penalized for this.