How to Watch Foreign TV Channels? Full Tutorial for 2026

Watching foreign TV channels is often impossible due to persistent geo-blocking. The main culprit is licensing agreements that allow channels to broadcast in their respective regions. While ZDF works only in Germany, SRF works only in Switzerland. Similarly, ABC works in the USA, while BBC is a UK-exclusive channel.

Fortunately, you don’t have to switch countries and move around like a nomad. The good news is, you can watch foreign TV channels by modifying your virtual location. Using a VPN lets you change your IP and appear elsewhere. In return, you unblock foreign TV channels and access their content anywhere.

Why are Foreign TV Channels Geo-Restricted?

A TV channel from the US has broadcasting rights to display its content only to people in that country. A German TV channel like ZDF will work only in Germany, and so on. This explains why you can’t watch foreign TV channels. If you’re in the USA, you can watch ABC or Peacock TV, but you can’t watch ZDF or Das Erste.

Conversely, people living in Germany can access Das Erste and ZDF, with no access to HBO, Peacock, or ABC. Here’s an example of what happens when you try to access Channel 4 outside the UK. A geo-block.

This perfectly explains why you can’t access and watch foreign TV channels from anywhere. They won’t work because you’re not in their respective countries, where they have the right to broadcast their content.

How to Watch Foreign TV Channels With a VPN?

The solution to this problem is in a VPN. If you don’t know what a VPN is, it’s a service that lets you change your IP address to a foreign country, which changes your online location and lets you bypass geo-blocks. With a VPN, you can get an IP address from a country like the US or Germany and access their TV channels.

When using a VPN for this purpose, you must make sure that it has unlimited data, excellent performance, and many servers in different countries. That way, you can maximize your unblocking potential and watch pretty much any foreign TV channel. For this purpose, we recommend using NordVPN.

This VPN has over 9,200 servers in 135 countries and many city-level locations. It is more than enough for accessing your favorite TV channels. Here’s how to use it in a few simple steps:

1️⃣ Subscribe to NordVPN and Install It

NordVPN isn’t a free VPN, so you’ll need to pay for it in advance. We want to remind you or introduce you to its two-year Basic plan with a 70% discount and three free months, which easily drops the price to about three quid. The plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee if you make up your mind and want to quit.

Subscribe to NordVPN

Click the button above and subscribe to NordVPN with the given discount. This is the most reliable provider you can currently get, so it represents the best solution; later on, we’ll discuss a few more VPNs you can use. After you’re done, install NordVPN, open the app, and sign in with your credentials (email and password).

The provider works on all mobile and desktop platforms, with native apps for Android Smart TV and Fire TV Stick that work flawlessly, so take your pick. Note that it is even possible to configure the VPN on a router.

2️⃣ Connect to a Server in a Foreign Country

Opening its application leads you to a recognizable dashboard that resembles this look:

Now, you’ll need to connect to a server in a foreign country, depending on which foreign TV channel you want to watch. Regardless of the server location, the steps are the same. You simply pick the country from the list (the Countries menu) and connect to it. NordVPN takes virtual seconds to establish a connection.

3️⃣ Watch International TV Shows and Channels Anywhere

All you have to do is go to the streaming platform of your favorite channel and watch it. For example, with NordVPN and an IP address from Australia, you will unblock Australian TV channels no matter your current location. This will allow you, for example, to watch the Australian Open on a free TV channel.

We’ll remind you that this VPN works with all foreign TV channels, not just Australian. The example below showcases the unblocking of Pluto TV outside the USA. Similarly, you can access 10Play, ABC, Fox TV, NBC, BBC, ITV, and countless others if you connect to the right VPN server. Go ahead and give it a spin.

Best VPNs to Watch Foreign TV Channels

Watching foreign TV channels is quite simple, but let’s talk about the best VPNs that will let you unblock a wide selection of TV channels and streaming platforms from different countries.

1. NordVPN: Best for Watching International TV Channels

The best overall choice for watching foreign TV channels is NordVPN. With 9,200+ servers in 135 countries, you’ll be impressed with the variety. Dedicated streaming servers aren’t on the list, but that isn’t a problem because every server is streaming-friendly. NordVPN will work with channels like HBO, ZDF, RTBF, Rai, and others.

The provider is primarily focused on security, but it works with platforms like Netflix and Prime Video as well, so it can be a streaming powerhouse if you want. Other than that, NordVPN offers Double VPN servers for adding a layer of encryption, plus obfuscated servers that allow it to work in China.

People also like its Onion Over VPN servers for browsing the dark web safely, which work in conjunction with 256-bit encryption and a reliable kill switch. Impressively, NordVPN even offers Threat Protection, which has an ad blocker, tracker blocking, and malware protection for the highest level of security.

NordVPN is pretty affordable, although its renewal costs are higher. Even in this case, we’d say NordVPN is less pricey than most of its rivals. You can check out its cheapest deal below and get a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans. Also, feel free to learn more about this provider in our detailed NordVPN review.

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2. ExpressVPN: Best for Streaming TV Abroad in Full HD

ExpressVPN is another reliable choice for streaming. With servers in 160+ locations, there’s pretty much no TV channel that this VPN can’t help you access. Its servers have excellent performance across the board, thanks to the 10 Gbps infrastructure and its Lightway Turbo protocol that emphasizes speed.

This makes ExpressVPN faster than all other VPNs except for NordVPN, granting a buttery-smooth streaming experience. Best of all, ExpressVPN is fairly simple to use and has identical apps for all platforms. For example, Smart TV users can use it the same way as shown in the tutorial for NordVPN.

As such, ExpressVPN is great for both big and small screens, which makes it very versatile. Unlimited data is another premium feature, allowing you to watch any TV channel without interruptions. All of this is accompanied by the rock-solid security thanks to 256-bit AES encryption, ad-blocking, and tracker protection.

Thanks to a no-logging policy, all your activities are anonymous. ExpressVPN allows for 10 to 14 simultaneous connections and has 24/7 support. With a 70%+ discount and four free months for the 24-month Basic plan, this is an amazing choice for watching foreign TV channels. Check our ExpressVPN review for more details.

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3. CyberGhost: Cheap VPN to Watch International TV Shows

CyberGhost is a cheaper solution, but far from a bad one. We like this VPN for watching Amazon Prime Video overseas and unblocking its libraries effortlessly. However, its dedicated streaming servers are optimized for unblocking foreign TV channels and platforms, letting you access ZDF, ABC, Hulu, HBO, RTBF, ORF, and others.

Due to WireGuard support, CyberGhost is blazing-fast, making the entire experience feel premium. Additionally, the provider has special torrenting servers for P2P activities, although we like even more NoSpy servers that add to the overall privacy. CyberGhost doesn’t put any data limits either and has clients for all platforms.

Based in Romania, it stores no logs of your activities, and you can be sure this is really the case by reading its transparency reports and examining its independent, third-party audit. Finally, it offers seven simultaneous connections and multi-language 24/7 support, all great considering its pretty low price.

We recommend checking out its cheapest deal with a whopping 45-day money-back guarantee. Our favorite plan is the biennial plan, which costs just a speck over two quid and is the least expensive VPN for unblocking content on this list. Read the entire CyberGhost review for more information.

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Can I Watch Foreign TV Channels With a Free VPN?

Yes, you can, depending on the channel you want to watch. If we’re talking about US channels, then it’s unlikely they’ll work properly. These channels can detect VPNs from a mile away and, as a result, block your VPN connection. Some will work, like PrivadoVPN and Windscribe. These VPNs are known to limit your data.

Limits rarely go over 10 GB, and if they do, the streaming prowess is stripped away. These VPNs have merely a few locations, so accessing foreign channels may be impossible. Free VPNs can be short-term options if you can’t afford one. In the long run, you’ll find more luck with NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost.

Watching Foreign TV Channels: Summary

In this article, you’ve learned how to watch international TV channels. It’s all but challenging. When a particular channel is unavailable, you’ll have to use a VPN – preferably NordVPN. This provider has servers in 135 countries, so you can unblock pretty much any TV channel.

However, services like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are more than great as well. With thousands of fast servers across the planet, accessing a variety of channels is a walk in the park. This way, you can even unblock streaming services, betting platforms, and adult sites no matter your location.

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International TV Channels FAQ