People living in France have access to some of the best European TV channels that are, coincidentally, based in this country. On channels like France TV and TF1, you can stream sports events and enjoy a boatload of interesting shows and movies.
However, despite this excellent content, people still want to know how to watch US TV in France. Besides, American TV channels are regarded as some of the best in the world, as they’re home to blockbusters, Netflix shows, live sports broadcasts, and so much more.
Unfortunately, for many users outside the US, watching American TV is impossible unless you are located in this country. That is for those who aren’t reading this article. For those who are… well, consider yourself lucky because you’re going to learn something new today.
In this article, we will show you a straightforward trick to watch US TV live in France and enjoy American channels, even if you’re located in one of the most beautiful countries in Europe.
How to Watch US TV Live in France With a VPN?
- Obtain a VPN subscription. Our recommendation is NordVPN.
- Install the VPN on your device.
- Launch the VPN client and sign in.
- Connect to a server in the USA.
- Watch US TV in France limitlessly.
Why US TV Channels Aren’t Available in France?
When it comes to TV channels and streaming platforms, we’re all aware of the phenomenon called geo-restriction. A geo-restriction is a form of restriction based on the user’s location, which prevents a particular user from accessing a site or platform because he’s located in a foreign country.
In our article about how to unblock websites at school, we explain this thoroughly. For now, it’s vital to mention that US TV channels have a license that allows them to broadcast only inside the United States, and this is, in 99% of the cases, the reason behind geo-restrictions.
Simply put, the channel must adhere to its license and respect its broadcasting rights by NOT showing its content to people outside of a particular region — in this case, the United States. That’s why you can’t watch US TV in France but also French TV channels outside of France!
How to Watch US TV Live in France – Full Tutorial
This can be easily done by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN); for more information, refer to our article explaining the meaning of VPN. A VPN is designed to do several things for you, one of which is to secure your connection by hiding your IP address and applying bank-grade encryption, which prevents your online activities from being tracked.
The second thing, however, is more critical for watching American TV in France. That involves swapping your original IP address with an IP address located elsewhere, which changes your online location and allows you to bypass geo-blocks effortlessly.
It’s clear that you need an American IP address to watch live US TV in France, and with a VPN like NordVPN, you can easily obtain one. This is our recommended choice for this purpose because it offers hundreds of servers in the US across 16+ locations, making it the most reliable option currently available.
Nevertheless, you can watch US TV channels in France by following these three easy steps. Let’s go through them together and see how to do so.
1. Get NordVPN
To gain access to US TV channels in France, you will need NordVPN. Similarly, you’ll need a NordVPN subscription, which isn’t free but offers several benefits. One of them is at least a 70% discount on all 24-month plans, which sometimes include three free months.
Essentially, you’re paying for 24 months and get 27 instead, along with a 30-day money-back guarantee. The latter is significant because it allows you to obtain a refund within the first 30 days if you are not satisfied with NordVPN or no longer wish to use it to watch US TV in France.
Either way, getting this special deal is easy through the button above, and in doing so, you get full access to NordVPN’s apps. You can download and use this VPN on various platforms, including Apple TV, Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, and Linux, among others.
However, we’re using it on Windows with a dashboard that resembles the one shown above. The same dashboard is on all other platforms, so the applications are identical, which makes things much simpler.
2. Connect to a Server in the USA
So, how do you connect to an American server? The easiest way is to open the server list by clicking the Globe icon. After that, you can use the search bar or scroll down the server list until you find the USA. Once found, click on the country or tap it once on iOS or Android to establish a connection.
In a few seconds, you’ll see that something has changed.
Instead of ‘Not Connected,’ the ‘Connected’ message will appear, indicating that the connection is successful. Be aware that on iOS and Android, you may be initially prompted to allow the VPN connection. Once you confirm, you’ll never be asked again in the future.
3. Watch US TV in France
Connecting to a server is 90% of the job finished. But you haven’t yet arrived at the most enjoyable part, which is watching American TV channels in France. We’ll let you pick the one you want and go for it. The screenshot displays NordVPN working its magic on Peacock TV.
You have dozens, if not hundreds, more channels to explore. Bite into the steak while it’s hot, and savor the flavor!
Two More VPNs to Watch US TV in France in 2026
If you find NordVPN undesirable for whatever reason, it’s not the end of the world. Our team has tested hundreds of VPNs, and we’ll promptly review a few more providers that can unblock any US TV channel in France.
ExpressVPN
ExprpessVPN lets you enjoy US TV in France or anywhere else. Thanks to over 3,000 servers and more than 1,400 in the US alone, ExpressVPN’s performance is exceptional. It’s fast, reliable, and secure, making it an all-around package for day-to-day use.
ExpressVPN works with over 20 Netflix catalogs and all American TV channels. Moreover, it’s nearly as fast as NordVPN and offers Advanced Protection for blocking ads and trackers. Its Lightway Turbo protocol, which blends speed and security, isn’t found in other VPNs.
Additionally, ExpressVPN comes with easy-to-use apps and even Smart DNS (MediaStreamer) for streaming on non-VPN-supported systems. Users who opt for it will appreciate the inclusion of dedicated IP addresses that can also help overcome geo-blocks.
Through our site, you can get an ExpressVPN coupon and save some of your hard-earned money. Please note that NordVPN remains the better option, as evidenced by its comprehensive features, competitive pricing, high speeds, and more.
CyberGhost
While NordVPN is better than CyberGhost, the quality of this provider remains undeniable. With 12,000+ servers in 100 countries, unblocking American channels is simple. Additionally, CyberGhost provides dedicated servers for streaming, specifically optimized for various platforms.
Apart from ABC, MSNBC, and others, you can also unblock Netflix US! This means you’ll unblock a wealth of series and movies to watch on lazy Sundays. Another benefit of CyberGhost is its support for all platforms, allowing for seven simultaneous connections per account.
This enables you to protect multiple devices simultaneously at no additional cost. Additionally, it’s worth noting that CyberGhost is more affordable than NordVPN and ExpressVPN. While it is slower and does not offer obfuscation, its 2-year plan is excellent, costing around $2 per month.
If you’re interested, check out CyberGhost’s exclusive discount below. It won’t last forever, but while it does, you’ll enjoy a 45-day money-back guarantee that makes everything risk-free.
Watching US TV in France With a Free VPN: Will It Work?
It’s pretty tempting to try a free VPN, especially when you see that most of them offer US-based servers. We won’t lie to you. Some free VPNs will allow you to watch US TV live in France, but because something is free, there are always hidden costs that you don’t see.
Let’s take a free VPN like Windscribe. Windscribe offers US servers, which will work for this purpose, but it provides only 10 GB of monthly bandwidth. Test it out and try streaming online. You’ll see that all the allowed bandwidth will be spent within an hour or two.
Now, you can also try Hola VPN. Hola VPN offers unlimited bandwidth, and it appears to be working perfectly fine, all while providing servers in many countries worldwide. What’s the catch? The catch is that Hola VPN collects logs of your personal information, browsing history, IP address, and everything else.
It then sells your personal data to third-party companies and advertisers, allowing them to track your activities and bombard you with targeted ads. Either way, with free VPNs, there are always compromises in terms of bandwidth, performance, and privacy, despite some of them working just fine.
Now, think about it. Do you want to watch US TV in France that badly, and are you willing to sacrifice your privacy by using a free VPN? Or perhaps you think it’s better to try NordVPN risk-free for 30 days, thanks to its money-back guarantee?
Considering NordVPN’s unlimited bandwidth, fastest speeds, and certified no-logging policy, paying just a few dollars a month isn’t such a bad deal. Keep in mind that NordVPN also works with Netflix US, Japan, and Canada. Meanwhile, none of the free VPNs will unblock Netflix.
Try NordVPN Risk-Free For 30 Days
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that you don’t have to succumb to geo-restrictions and let them dictate what you can do online. As you learned, you can watch American TV channels live in France simply by using NordVPN and getting a US IP address.
Although the solution isn’t free, NordVPN has a significant discount, and it comes with a 30-day refund period to make things easier for you. However, you also gain numerous benefits here, and aside from this, you can protect your privacy, save money on flights, and unblock online bookmakers abroad.
Now, all you have to do is test it and enjoy streaming US television in France — we told you it would be easy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How about we answer a few more questions for you? We assume that’d do the trick.
Is it legal to watch US TV channels in France?
Yes, it’s perfectly fine. You’re going against the channel’s terms and conditions but essentially not breaking any laws. VPNs enjoy millions of users worldwide. Do you think none of them use them to overcome geo-restrictions? You’d be naive to believe that, you know?
Why France doesn’t allow me to watch American TV channels?
It’s not France; it’s the USA that doesn’t allow access to its channels. US TV channels are authorized to broadcast only in the USA, and the story ends there. You can rewrite this story’s ending by pretending to be in the US (using a VPN) or accept it and move on with your life.
Can I watch French TV in the US as well?
Yes, you can, but you’ll need a French IP instead. You can unblock TV channels or streaming services from any country with a simple IP change. Keep in mind that the quality of the VPN dictates this, so the better one you have, the higher the chances. NordVPN is, so far, the numero uno.
