How to watch NBC in the UK


NBC, or National Broadcasting Corporation, is among the most popular US TV channels. It airs a variety of hit shows, including The Voice, Law & Order: SVU, Deal or No Deal Island, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. It also covers major live events and sports, like NHL Live.

NBC News can be streamed online for free, but access is limited to viewers in the US NBC isn’t available in the UK due to regional broadcasting restrictions. While some content is freely available with a US TV provider login, full access to TV shows and movies requires a Peacock subscription.

Luckily, you can bypass these geo-restrictions using a simple solution – a reliable VPN service. A VPN hides your actual IP address, assigns you a US-based one, and lets you stream NBC in the UK. Keep in mind that NBC content is also available through streaming platforms like Peacock, which may require a paid subscription.

So, if you want to learn how to watch NBC in the UK, which VPNs work best, and what shows you can enjoy on the channel – keep reading.

How to watch NBC from the UK with a VPN

how to watch nbc in uk with vpn
  1. Select a reliable VPN that works in the UK. My #1 choice is NordVPN, now 76% off
  2. Download and install the VPN app on your preferred device
  3. Create an account or enter your login credentials
  4. Open the VPN app and connect to a US server
  5. If you have a US TV provider, then go to NBC.com and link it
  6. If you don’t have a US TV provider, log in to one of the streaming services that have NBC, like Peacock
  7. 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:

nbc blocked
NBC.com error when accessing from the UK

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.

nbc peacock nordvpn us
NBC content on Peacock accessed with NordVPN

If you choose to watch NBC TV shows and movies, 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.

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

NordVPN banner
Based in:Panama
US servers:1,970+
Unblocks NBC:✅ Yes
Best deal:Get 76% OFF NordVPN + free Amazon gift card

NordVPN is the #1 provider on my list to watch NBC services in the UK. It comes with 7700+ 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 7700+ servers in 125 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, and BBC iPlayer.

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

Surfshark banner
Based in:The Netherlands
US servers:600+
Unblocks NBC:✅ Yes
Best deal:Now up to 87% OFF Surfshark + 3 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 AES-256 encryption, IP and DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and CleanWeb – a unique feature that works like an ad blocker, helping reduce the number of malicious ads you encounter.

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, and CNN.

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

purevpn new
Based in:British Virgin Islands
US servers:Not disclosed
Unblocks NBC:✅ Yes
Best deal:Now 83% OFF PureVPN + 6 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. Thanks 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, and CNN.

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 providerOur ratingStarting priceNumber of global serversNumber of US serversSpeed retention
NordVPN
4.9
£2.29/month7700+ in 125 countries1,970+90%
Surfshark
4.7
£1.49/month3200+ in 100 countries600+86%
PureVPN
4.2
£1.69/month6000+ in 65 countriesNot disclosed67%

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
  • Night Court
  • Weakest Link

In addition, NBC broadcasts various sports events and the latest news from America and around the world.

Final thoughts

NBC is a popular US channel that offers a wide range of TV shows, news, and sports events. However, it's geo-restricted to the US. In other words, you can’t watch it from the UK or any other country outside the US.

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 can change your virtual location by assigning you with a US IP address. It's also highly secure, so you won’t have to worry about your online safety.