How to Watch Canadian TV in the USA in 2025
Missing your favorite Canadian TV shows while in the US? You’re not alone! Whether it’s hockey games, news, or popular series, being outside Canada can make it tricky to access the content you love. That’s where a VPN (virtual private network) comes in.
I personally tested several of the most popular VPN services to find out which ones actually work best for streaming Canadian TV in the United States. After hands-on testing, I’ve narrowed it down to the top three providers that delivered the best results – so you can start watching without the hassle.
How to watch Canadian TV in the USA with a VPN
- Pick a VPN service with servers in Canada. I suggest NordVPN, which offers around 300 servers in Canada
- Download and install the VPN software on your device
- Log in to the app and connect to a server in Canada
- Open any Canadian streaming service you want
- Watch Canadian TV no matter where you are
Top 3 VPNs for unblocking Canadian TV
- NordVPN – fastest VPN for unblocking Canadian TV anywhere
- Surfshark – most affordable VPN to watch Canadian TV
- IPVanish – well-rounded VPN for Canadian TV
How a VPN unblocks Canadian TV
When you’re outside Canada, watching your favorite Canadian TV channels becomes much more difficult than it should be. This is because most Canadian streaming services, such as CBC Gem, CTV, and Crave, use geographical restrictions to limit who can view their content. These services check your device’s IP address to determine your location, and if they see you’re not in Canada, you’ll probably run into an error message or find that certain shows just won’t play.
These geo-blocks aren’t unique to Canadian TV, either. Almost every major streaming service across the globe – including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu – have similar restrictions to comply with licensing agreements. If you try to access Canadian Netflix from the US, for example, you’ll only see the US library, which means you might miss out on exclusive content available back home.
That’s where a high-quality VPN comes in. A VPN works by masking your actual location and assigning you a Canadian IP address, allowing streaming services to perceive you as being in Canada. This simple solution unlocks access to all your favorite shows, news, and live events from anywhere in the world.
In addition to unblocking Canadian TV, a VPN offers several other essential benefits. It helps secure your internet connection by encrypting your data, making it much harder for hackers, snoopers, or advertisers to track your online activities. This is especially important if you’re using public Wi-Fi, where your personal information could be at risk.
Best VPNs for watching Canadian TV anywhere
I tested numerous VPNs to identify the three most effective ones for unblocking Canadian TV from the USA or other locations worldwide. My selected providers offer swift speeds for lag-free streaming, many servers across Canada, and affordable prices. Naturally, they also include other excellent benefits, which I will cover in more detail in the following sections.
1. NordVPN – most effective VPN for unblocking Canadian TV abroad
| Server network: | 9,200+ servers in 137 countries |
| Supported devices: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Works with Canadian TV: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Get 75% OFF NordVPN + 3 months FREE |
When it comes to streaming Canadian TV from the USA, NordVPN stands out as the top pick. One of the main reasons is its extensive network of servers, including numerous options in major Canadian cities such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
What really makes NordVPN ideal for unblocking Canadian TV is its strong track record of bypassing geographical restrictions. During my own tests, NordVPN had absolutely no trouble accessing popular Canadian services like CBC Gem, Crave, and CTV. Shows loaded quickly and streamed in high quality, with little to no buffering – something that can’t always be said for lesser VPNs. Even live sports on Sportsnet worked seamlessly, which was a pleasant surprise.
NordVPN is also packed with features that help make your streaming experience easy and secure. It offers some of the fastest speeds of any VPN, allowing you to watch your favorite shows in HD without interruptions. Its user-friendly apps are available for all major devices, including smart TVs, phones, and computers, making it simple to get started no matter what you’re watching on.
Overall, thanks to its reliability, speed, and security, my personal testing proved that NordVPN is the best way to unlock Canadian TV content from the USA. If you don’t want to miss a single episode or game, NordVPN is the safest bet out there.
Read our complete NordVPN review to learn more about this provider.
2. Surfshark – best VPN for unlimited devices
| Server network: | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Supported devices: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Works with Canadian TV: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Get Surfshark, now 85% OFF + 3 months FREE |
If you’re looking for a more affordable way to stream Canadian TV in the USA, Surfshark is a solid alternative. One of Surfshark’s most significant selling points is its budget-friendly pricing, making it a great choice for those who want to unlock Canadian content without breaking the bank. With just a single subscription, Surfshark even lets you connect an unlimited number of devices at once – a rare perk that’s perfect for families or sharing with friends.
In my tests, Surfshark reliably accessed most major Canadian streaming services, including CBC Gem, CTV, and Global TV. It's straightforward to use and offers all the key privacy protections you’d expect from a modern VPN, allowing you to stream safely and anonymously. However, compared to NordVPN, Surfshark has a smaller selection of servers, which sometimes means you may encounter crowded servers or occasional slowdowns – especially during peak streaming hours.
While Surfshark’s speeds are generally good, they weren’t quite as fast as NordVPN in my experience. There were occasional moments of buffering or longer load times during high-traffic periods. Still, if your top priority is saving money while still being able to access Canadian TV in the US, Surfshark is hard to beat for value.
Read our complete Surfshark review to learn more about this provider.
3. IPVanish – versatile VPN for watching Canadian TV anywhere
| Server network: | 3,200+ servers in 113 countries |
| Supported devices: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Works with Canadian TV: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Get IPVanish 83% OFF |
IPVanish is another strong contender for unblocking Canadian TV, especially if you want a VPN that covers all your devices. Like Surfshark, it’s affordably priced and stands out with its unlimited simultaneous connections, making it a practical choice for families or anyone with lots of gadgets.
In my testing, IPVanish provided reliable access to major Canadian streaming platforms, such as CBC Gem and Crave, with performance generally on par with Surfshark. Daily browsing and streaming felt smooth, and the experience was both user-friendly and straightforward across devices.
The main difference that puts IPVanish just below Surfshark in my rankings is its smaller server network. While this doesn’t impact streaming for most everyday use, it means there are fewer options during peak times, which can occasionally affect speeds. Still, IPVanish handled streaming Canadian TV shows well in almost every scenario I tried.
If you’re looking for solid performance at a great price, plus the flexibility of unlimited device connections, IPVanish is a dependable option for watching Canadian TV from the USA.
Read our complete IPVanish review to learn more about this provider.
How to watch Canadian TV on your device
Installing a VPN is relatively straightforward if you want to stream Canadian TV on your PC or mobile device. However, the process is a bit different if you want to use a smart TV, gaming console, or any other home entertainment system. Thankfully, VPNs offer alternative installation methods to accommodate different user needs, so there’s no need to worry. But there are a few things to consider.
One option is to install your VPN on your home router. Then, every device you connect to your home network will have its traffic routed through the VPN server. Thus, its IP address will change to a Canadian one, and you’ll be able to watch Canadian TV on any device in your household without having to install a VPN app.
Another method is to create a Wi-Fi hotspot using a VPN-enabled device. This is a more flexible approach that won’t impact your entire household. Instead, you can simply connect your usual streaming device to a laptop or smartphone when needed.
Finally, you can use the Smart DNS feature to unblock Canadian TV without using a VPN app. It’s a method of modifying your device’s DNS settings and circumventing streaming service geographical restrictions. All three VPNs I recommend have this feature, although the activation steps will vary depending on which provider you choose.
What to do if your VPN isn’t unblocking Canadian TV
Occasionally, a VPN might not unblock a Canadian streaming service for whatever reason. This isn’t common with the top VPNs for streaming, but it’s worth knowing what to do in case that happens. So, here are a few things you can try if you VPN isn’t working with Canadian TV:
- Use a service like dnsleaktest.com to ensure your IP address or DNS requests aren’t leaking
- Use incognito mode to ensure your residual cookies and browsing history aren’t exposing your real location
- Clear your browser’s cache and cookies if you don’t want to use incognito mode
- Disable various browser extensions that contribute to your online fingerprinting
- Contact your VPN provider’s customer support agents for assistance
The most popular Canadian TV streaming services to unblock with a VPN
Not sure what Canadian TV service to watch with your VPN service? Here are some of my recommendations, along with some top TV shows from those services.
| Canadian TV service | Top TV shows |
| CBC Gem | Schitt’s Creek, Kim’s Convenience, Pretty Hard Cases, Murdoch Mysteries |
| CTV | The Amazing Race Canada, Transplant, JANN, MasterChef Canada |
| Crave | Crave |
| Global TV | Big Brother Canada, NCIS, Survivor, Saturday Night Live |
| Sportsnet | NHL Hockey, Toronto Blue Jays Baseball, NBA on Sportsnet |
Conclusion
Geographical restrictions are frustrating, especially if you just want to relax by watching some interesting TV shows from abroad. Luckily, VPNs make it easy to unblock Canadian TV from the comfort of your home no matter where you are in the world. Moreover, these services grant some excellent security and privacy benefits as well, making them a no brainer in most cases.
However, you can’t just pick any VPN service and expect the best results. After all, some might not be fast enough to ensure a pleasant streaming experience. Others might be incompatible with your streaming device. That’s why it’s crucial to do some research into this topic, and I hope this article gave you all the information you need.
More CoolTechZone VPN guides
Get the best VPN deals:
FAQ
How can I watch Canadian TV for free?
You can watch Canadian TV for free using online streaming services that are available for free or through free trials. You can access such services from anywhere worldwide using a VPN with servers in Canada, such as NordVPN, Surfshark, and IPVanish.
Can I get Canadian TV in the US?
Yes, you can get Canadian TV in the US using a reliable VPN for Canada. It will reroute your connection through Canada, thus granting you access to the country’s online streaming services and online television.
Can I watch CBC in the US?
Yes, you can watch CBC in the US using an effective VPN for Canada, such as NordVPN or Surfshark. These services will grant you a Canadian IP address, which is all you need to watch CBC from the US.
Where can I watch Canadian TV shows?
You can watch Canadian TV shows online on streaming services like CBC Gem, CTV, and Crave. You can access these streaming services if you’re in Canada, or have a VPN with Canadian servers.
