How to watch UK TV in the USA and abroad in 2026
Our in-house cybersecurity experts and journalists, renowned for major reports like The Mother of All Breaches, conduct transparent, unbiased VPN testing and in-depth analysis.
With 750+ articles crafted based on real-world research, we empower readers to make informed purchasing decisions through first-hand expertise.
Learn more
If you live in the UK or have travelled to the country, you know how rich British streaming content is. Whether it’s BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, or Channel 5, you can access great movie titles, drama series, reality shows, documentaries, and sports events. Well, you don’t need to be physically located in the UK to enjoy this content. With this guide, I demonstrate how to watch UK TV in the USA and anywhere else.
All you really need to watch your favorite British content from abroad is a good VPN. Aren’t all VPNs the same? Unfortunately, no. In fact, only the best ones can offer servers in the UK and bypass geo-restrictions. I’ve hand-picked my top 3 VPNs for watching UK TV from abroad. But before we get to that, let’s go over the basics of using one.
How to watch British TV in the USA with a VPN
- Choose a reliable VPN with UK servers – I recommend NordVPN, now 75% OFF
- Download and install the VPN on your preferred device
- Connect to a UK server to bypass geo-blocks
- Log in to a UK streaming service if you already have an account or use a valid UK postal code to register
- Start streaming and enjoy your favorite British content
Why do you need a VPN to watch UK TV in USA?
UK TV is often subject to geo-blocks because the content must comply with regional licensing restrictions and laws. As a result, you need the best VPN to watch UK TV if you are outside the country.
With the right VPN, you can overcome geo-restrictions, connect to a UK server, and gain a British IP address. This makes it seem like you are accessing the streaming platform from within the UK. In short, by using a VPN with UK servers, you will gain access to UK TV from the USA or anywhere else.
Best VPNs to watch British TV in 2026
When it comes to watching UK TV, here are 3 great VPNs that will not only offer you access to British TV but will also keep you safe and anonymous online. All options offer free trials and a 30-day money-back guarantee for risk-free testing.
- NordVPN – best VPN to watch UK TV in the USA overall
- Surfshark – budget-friendly VPN to watch British TV in the USA
- IPVanish – great VPN for watching UK TV abroad
Interested in more options? Check out our guide detailing the best VPNs for streaming.
1. NordVPN – best VPN to watch UK TV in USA in 2026
| Based in: | Panama |
| Servers/countries: | Thousands of servers in 224 locations |
| Unblocks UK Netflix: |
✅ Yes
|
| Current deal: | Get 75% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
NordVPN is the best VPN for watching British TV based on my personal experience and in-house testing. It offers 440+ UK servers, so you will always have reliable access to UK TV content.
Among the numerous NordVPN benefits are fast connection speeds. In fact, during our internal testing, it managed to retain around 91% of the original internet connection speed. Beyond that, NordVPN offers excellent security features and advanced encryption to keep you anonymous online.
Pricing starts at $3.49/month, but you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 3-day free trial to test NordVPN risk-free.
2. Surfshark – great VPN to watch British TV in USA on a budget
| Based in: | The Netherlands |
| Servers/countries: | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Unblocks UK Netflix: | ✅ Yes |
| Current deal: | Now up to 85% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE |
Surfshark is a wallet-friendly VPN that promises rapid streaming speeds. During in-house tests, it retained around 89% of the original speeds. Plus, it is one of the cheapest options in 2026 (from $2.49/month), and with the special Surfshark promo code "OFFCN", you can save extra on your subscription. With unlimited simultaneous connections, 440+ UK servers, and a wide range of security features, it is a brilliant option for streaming UK TV.
As described in our Surfshark VPN review, the provider keeps you anonymous with its dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It ensures your devices are well protected with AES-256 encryption, an automatic malware scanner, and an ad blocker.
3. IPVanish – well-rounded VPN for watching UK TV abroad
| Based in: | United States |
| Servers/countries: | 3,400+ servers in 112 countries |
| Unblocks UK Netflix: | ✅ Yes |
| Current deal: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish |
IPVanish is a versatile VPN service capable of unblocking UK TV services anywhere abroad. It offers a solid fleet of servers, including 240+ servers in 6 UK locations. Most importantly, you won’t have to worry about connection speeds because, as detailed in our full IPVanish review, it uses WireGuard, a cutting-edge tunneling protocol. We found this VPN’s speed retention around 90% during the latest tests.
Using its dedicated apps, you can effortlessly install IPVanish on any desktop or mobile device. The service also works seamlessly with various streaming devices like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Android TV. Pricing starts at $2.19/month.
How to watch UK TV live in the USA: detailed guide
Here are the steps to help you watch UK TV while in the USA:
- Subscribe to a VPN with UK servers. A trustworthy VPN like NordVPN ensures stable access to UK streaming services. It has 440+ high-speed UK servers that work with ITVX, BBC iPlayer, and more.
- Download and install the VPN app. Before you proceed, the VPN app should be installed on a PC, mobile device, or streaming stick. NordVPN supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV Stick, and smart TVs.
-
Connect to a UK server. Open the VPN, and enter the country’s name into the search bar at the top to find available servers. Once you connect, your IP address will be switched to a UK-based one, allowing you to bypass geo-restrictions.
- Access the desired streaming platform. Visit the official website on your browser or download the app on your device. I tested these instructions with ITVX access.
- Sign up or log in. If you don’t have an ITVX account, create one using a UK postal code. Log in and ensure your VPN connection remains active.
-
Start streaming UK TV. Search for live channels or on-demand shows on ITVX and enjoy UK television from anywhere in the USA.
How to watch UK TV in the USA free
Watching UK TV in the USA is quite challenging because practically all reliable free VPN services lack servers in the United Kingdom. That means you can’t use them to gain a UK IP address and unlock platforms like BBC iPlayer abroad.
A viable alternative for watching UK TV abroad for free is using free-trial VPNs. While temporary, this method allows unmitigated access to a VPN service’s feature set, including all server locations. Thus, you can see if it works on your device with your desired streaming service. Here are some options I recommend for watching UK TV for free:
- NordVPN. This top option for streaming UK TV anywhere offers a 3-day free trial on the Google Play Store. If you don't have an Android device, you can also utilize the 30-day money-back guarantee. Prices start from $3.49/month.
- Surfshark. This worthwhile option offers a 7-day free Google Play and Apple App Store trial. If that’s not suitable, you can opt for the 30-day money-back guarantee. Prices start from $2.49/month.
What can you watch on UK TV?
If you’re an avid TV watcher like me, you’ll enjoy the variety UK TV has to offer, whatever your taste may be. I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite British TV channels and shows below.
| UK TV service | Popular shows and content |
| ITVX | Love Island, The Chase, Unforgotten, Vera |
| BBC iPlayer | EastEnders, Line of Duty, Killing Eve, Blue Planet |
| Channel 4 | The Great British Bake Off, Gogglebox, Derry Girls |
| Channel 5 | Dalgliesh, Home and Away, Dogs Behaving Badly |
| Sky Sports | Premier League, Formula 1, The Ashes, NFL |
| NOW TV | House of the Dragon, Succession, The Last of Us |
Conclusion
The UK TV industry continues to impress a global audience with a multitude of popular shows and movies. Though many UK channels and streaming platforms geo-block this content, it’s possible to watch UK TV anywhere in the world using a VPN.
Based on my research, NordVPN is the best VPN for watching UK TV in the USA. It allows you to bypass geo-blocks and change your IP address, making it appear as if you are based in the UK. Moreover, with NordVPN, you can watch your favorite UK TV while staying safe and private online.
FAQ
How can I watch UK TV online?
You can watch UK TV online using a VPN with UK servers and registering for a streaming service that offers access to UK TV, like BBC iPlayer or Channel 4.
How can I watch UK TV in the USA?
To watch UK TV in the USA, you simply need to connect to a UK server through your VPN. This will mask your IP address and make it look like you reside in the UK.
How can I watch UK TV through a VPN?
To watch UK TV through a VPN, find a VPN with UK servers. Your VPN will change your IP address to a UK one so you can watch geo-restricted UK TV on your device.
Is it legal to watch UK TV with a VPN?
Yes, it is completely legal to watch UK TV and British TV programs with a VPN.
How can I watch British TV for free?
You can watch British TV for free using a suitable VPN with a free trial. It will grant temporary access to its UK servers, allowing you to unblock any UK streaming service you wish. Meanwhile, completely free VPNs aren’t a viable option because they typically don’t have UK servers or simply can’t unblock geo-restricted UK TV websites.
