NBC, or National Broadcasting Corporation, is among the most popular US TV channels. It broadcasts multiple shows, such as The Voice, Brilliant Minds, People’s Choice Country Awards, Chicago Med, Chicago PD, and more. It even has the latest sports events, like NHL Live.
However, streaming is free if you are in the US and have a TV provider, and NBC isn’t available in the UK or any other country outside the US. This is due to copyright laws, so the only way to access its content outside the US is with a US IP address.
Luckily, you can bypass this issue and the geo-restrictions with a straightforward solution – a reliable VPN service. The VPN will hide your actual IP address, provide you with a new one, and let you stream NBC in the UK. However, keep in mind that streaming its content is available via some streaming services, like Peacock, where you need to pay a subscription.
So, if you want to learn more about how to watch NBC in the UK, the best VPN providers, and things you can watch on this channel, continue reading my guide. Let’s dive in.
How to watch NBC from the UK with a VPN
- Select a reliable VPN that works in the UK. My #1 choice is NordVPN, now 74% off
- Download and install the VPN app on your preferred device
- Create an account or enter your login credentials
- Open the VPN app and connect to a US server
- If you have a US TV provider, then go to NBC.com and link it
- If you don’t have a US TV provider, log in to one of the streaming services that have NBC, like Peacock
- You can now start streaming NBC live from the UK
Why do you need a VPN to watch NBC
NBC is available only in the US, so if you’re in the UK, you won’t be able to access any of its content. This is due to copyright laws and broadcasting rights. So, if you try to open the NBC website, this is the only thing you’ll see:
Another way to watch NBC is via streaming services. Currently, NBC content is available via NBC.com if you have a TV provider or on streaming services, including Peacock, Xfinity, DirecTV Now, Dish, Sling, Spectrum, Fubo, and YouTube TV. However, being outside the US will also be a hurdle. You can watch NBC content through the streaming service only within the US. This means you need a US IP address to access it from the UK or anywhere else.
However, you can easily overcome this issue. By using a trustworthy streaming VPN with robust protection against IP leaks, you can switch your location to the US. All you have to do is select a US server, and the VPN will hide your actual IP address and provide you with a US one. Afterwards, you’ll be able to access NBC.com and other US streaming services, like Peacock, and watch your favourite shows from the UK.
If you don’t have a US TV provide and choose to watch NBC via a streaming service, don’t forget you’ll need a subscription. The Peacock Premium plan which includes current NBC shows, costs $7.99/month (around £6.27) or $79.99/year (around £62.80). And if you want to watch live local NBC channels, you can go for the Peacock Premium Plus plan, which costs $13.99/month (around £10.99) or $139.99/year (around £109.95).
Besides accessing geo-restricted content, including NBC, a VPN offers other benefits. It encrypts data and hides online activity from your internet service provider (ISP) and third parties. This helps you stay safe and private while streaming.
Best VPNs to watch NBC in the UK
Although a VPN helps you bypass the NBC geo-restrictions, it doesn’t mean that you can use any VPN service. In fact, not all VPNs are able to solve this issue. Due to this, I decided to review different VPN providers and find the best VPN to access NBC streaming services.
- NordVPN – the best VPN for watching NBC in the UK in 2024
- Surfshark – VPN provider for watching NBC with high-end security features
- PureVPN – easy-to-use VPN that unblocks NBC in the UK
Now, let’s move on to the detailed list to learn what each VPN provider offers.
1. NordVPN – the overall best VPN to watch NBC services in the UK
| Based in: | Panama |
| US servers: | 1,970+ |
| Unblocks NBC: | ✅ Yes |
| Best deal: | Get 74% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
NordVPN is the #1 provider on my list to watch NBC services in the UK. It comes with 6900+ servers worldwide, including 1970+ in the US. I had no issues accessing NBC.com and other streaming sites, like Peacock TV, with NordVPN from the UK.
Number of servers. NordVPN has a wide server range that counts 6900+ servers in 111 countries. The best part is that over 1970 of them are in 16 US locations, meaning you can access NBC within seconds. Additionally, some servers are obfuscated, so you won’t need to worry about revealing that you’re using a VPN.
Security. Another fantastic aspect of NordVPN is its security. NordVPN will provide you with an ultimately safe experience, as it employs AES-256 encryption, a customisable kill switch, anti-malware protection, and protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks.
Speed. NordVPN is the fastest provider on my list. More precisely, it retained 90% of the baseline speed when we tested it. So, streaming is not an issue for NordVPN, and you’ll forget about lags and buffering.
Supported streaming services. NordVPN can unblock numerous streaming services. One of them is NBC.com, but it also bypasses the geo-restrictions of Peacock, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, CNN, BBC iPlayer, and more.
Price. If you want to save money, you can count on NordVPN. Its 2-year plan prices start at £2.29/month, but that’s not all. If you’re still unsure, you can try it out using the 30-day money-back guarantee and then make a final decision.
2. Surfshark – VPN provider for unblocking NBC with a unique IP address
| Based in: | The Netherlands |
| US servers: | 600+ |
| Unblocks NBC: | ✅ Yes |
| Best deal: | Now up to 87% OFF Surfshark + 4 months FREE |
Another excellent VPN for unblocking NBC is Surfshark. This popular provider comes with hundreds of US servers, excellent speeds, and high-end security features.
Number of servers. Surfshark comes with 3200+ servers in 100 countries across the world. This helps it unblock numerous platforms, including NBC. In other words, all you have to do is connect to one of its 600+ US servers, and you’ll be able to access NBC in no time.
Security. Surfshark also prioritises your online security and privacy. It implements robust security practices, such as encrypting your data with AES-256 encryption, IP and DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and CleanWeb – a unique feature that acts like an ad blocker, reducing the number of malicious ads you may run into.
Speed. Surfshark is equipped with 10Gbps servers, so you can expect blazing speeds and top-notch performance. In fact, Surfshark’s speeds didn’t drop below 86% of the baseline speed on average. Most importantly, I didn’t encounter any lags or buffering, making it suitable for streaming NBC.
Supported streaming services. Surfshark also works with multiple streaming platforms. One of them is NBC, but you can also access Fubo, Peacock, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, CNN, and many others.
Price. Currently, Surfshark is available from £1.49/month, allowing you to use it for two years. What I really appreciate about surfshark is that it allows unlimited device connections. There’s also a 30-day money-back period, which lets you try out the VPN and make the best long-term decision.
3. PureVPN ﹘ straightforward VPN for watching NBC content with numerous US servers
| Based in: | British Virgin Islands |
| US servers: | 1,740+ |
| Unblocks NBC: | ✅ Yes |
| Best deal: | Now 83% OFF PureVPN + 3 FREE months |
Last but not least is PureVPN – excellent at unblocking NBC from the UK in no time. It will also keep your data safe and sound.
Number of servers. PureVPN has 6000+ servers across 65 countries in the world, including 1740+ in the US. Due to this, I was able to unblock NBC effortlessly.
Security. Like the previous two providers, PureVPN has all the necessary security features. More precisely, it offers AES-256 encryption, a robust kill switch that cuts your connection when the VPN fails, and port forwarding.
Speed. PureVPN is slightly slower than NordVPN and Surfshark when it comes to speed, but this doesn’t mean it’s not fast enough. In fact, the provider retained the average of 67% of the baseline speed, which shows it’s a reliable speed for watching your favourite NBC content.
Supported streaming services. One thing you don’t have to worry about is the streaming range. PureVPN can unblock many streaming services, including NBC, Netflix, Hulu, Max, BBC iPlayer, CNN, and more.
Price. Lastly, this provider is very cost-efficient, offering a 2-year plan from only $2.14/month (around £1.69). But the best part is that you can take advantage of its 31-day money-back guarantee before committing long term.
Comparison of the best VPNs to watch NBC
Do you still need to decide which VPN is right for you? After being more or less familiar with the best VPNs for watching NBC, it’s time to put them side-by-side and point out their most relevant features. Check out the comparison table below:
| VPN provider | Our rating | Starting price | Number of global servers | Number of US servers | Speed retention |
| NordVPN | £2.29/month | 6900+ in 111 countries | 1,970+ | 90% | |
| Surfshark | £1.49/month | 3200+ in 100 countries | 600+ | 86% | |
| PureVPN | ~£1.69/month | 6000+ in 65 countries | 1,740+ | 67% |
VPN not working when trying to watch NBC in the UK
Your chosen VPN might sometimes not work when trying to watch NBC in the UK. There can be a few reasons for this, but there’s nothing that can’t be fixed. Let’s have a look at some of the most frequent problems and solutions of how to fix them quickly:
- You may have connected to the wrong server. NBC is available only in the US and doesn’t work in any other country. That said, if you have chosen another server except for a US one, you won’t be able to access it. So, open your VPN, connect to the US server, and try again.
- Your IP might be leaking. If the first solution doesn’t work, your IP address may be leaking. This often happens if the VPN doesn’t have strong protection against IP leaks, and although you’re connected to the correct server, your access is still blocked. Therefore, go for reliable VPNs that have IP leak protection, such as NordVPN.
- The VPN IP might be blacklisted. It’s not uncommon for a streaming service to blacklist VPN IP addresses. So, if you can’t access NBC content, this may be the issue. Luckily, you can solve this by simply switching to another server.
- Your browser cookies may reveal your actual location. Ultimately, browser cookies and cache collect various data about you. So, even if you’re using a VPN, this can cause a problem. To avoid unnecessary hassle, you should delete your browser’s cookies and cache and try again.
What can you watch on NBC?
NBC has a rich library with numerous shows. Therefore, you have a pretty extensive selection range. Some of the best ones that you can watch are:
- Dateline NBC
- Saturday Night Live
- The Voice
- American Ninja Warrior
- Chicago Fire
- Late Night with Seth Meyers
- Modern Family
- The Real Housewives of New Jersey
- This Is Us
- Below Deck
- Love Island
- Night Court
- Weakest Link
In addition, NBC also broadcasts different sports matches and the latest news from America and the world.
Final thoughts
NBC is a popular US channel where you can watch numerous TV shows, news, and sports events. However, this channel is geo-restricted to the US only. In other words, you can’t watch it from the UK or any other country.
Luckily, you can now watch NBC in the UK with the help of a VPN. My recommendation is NordVPN, as it has 1,970+ US servers that will change your virtual location by providing you with a US IP address. Ultimately, it’s very safe, meaning you won’t have to worry about your online security.