While we have been sharing content, watching tutorials, and streaming our favorite music videos on YouTube for a decade-and-a-half, this American video-sharing giant took its platform to a new level just a few years ago with its rollout of YouTube TV.
YouTube TV is an American live TV streaming service that provides unlimited DVR storage and on-demand content from more than 85 channels.
There’s only one small problem: YouTube TV is currently only available in USA.
And, due to geo-restrictions, you cannot watch YouTube TV outside the US.
If you try to access YouTube TV from overseas, the following error message will appear on your screen:
“Sorry, but YouTube TV is not available in your area just yet.”
But there’s no reason to cry over missed shows. With a reputable VPN service, you can get around these annoying geo-blocks and watch YouTube TV outside the US in no time!
In a Hurry? Here's How to Watch YouTube TV Outside US
The “YouTube TV VPN Proxy Server Detected” Error and How to Fix It
When you are ready to binge your favorite show, only to see an error message pop onto your screen, it is sometimes hard not to just slam the screen down and walk away.
But many error messages have simple fixes that can make them disappear in no time.
If you get the error message: “YouTube TV VPN proxy detected,” it means that YouTube TV figured out that you are using a VPN, and blocked it.
If you see this error message on your screen while using a VPN from this review, all you need to do is switch to another of the VPN’s US servers. If you are not sure which US server to use, you can connect to your VPN’s live chat and ask a representative which server works best at the moment for unblocking YouTube TV.
Streaming platforms are constantly trying to block VPNs from granting foreign viewers access to their restricted content. Thankfully, VPNs are working just as tirelessly to stay one step ahead of these platforms. The VPNs in this review are all currently able to unblock YouTube TV.
While VPNs, in general, are vulnerable to blocks, ExpressVPN has proven itself the most successful at getting through VPN restrictions from a whole variety of content-streaming services.
How to Choose the Best VPN for YouTube TV?
If you are trying to find the best VPN provider for watching YouTube TV outside the US, the number of choices can be overwhelming. One provider might be the cheapest, while another is the fastest. One might be the safest, while another is the most versatile.
How do you know which criteria to prioritize?
To help determine the most effective VPNs for YouTube TV, our team searched for the following important criteria:
Able to unblock channels from YouTube TV, as well as other popular streaming sites.
A sizable network that offers sufficient US servers from which to choose.
Uses top-notch encryption and security features.
Has a strict, verified no-logs policy.
Has user-friendly, intuitive apps for both mobile devices desktops.
6 Best VPNs to Watch Youtube TV Abroad
If you are dying to watch YouTube TV abroad, you are going to need a virtual private network. We have determined that the following are the best VPNs to use to unblock YouTube TV from anywhere outside the US.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our VPN of choice for watching your YouTube TV outside of the US.
Express has over 3,000 servers in 94 locations around the world, including over 20 servers in the US, which means that there will never be a problem finding a reliable connection to watch YouTube TV abroad, from any country or location.
Fast connection speeds are vital for VPN efficacy with any streaming service, and ExpressVPN certainly does not disappoint in this department. ExpressVPN has award-winning speed, and provides unlimited bandwidth to handle YTTV high definition streaming.
If you want a break from watching YouTube TV, you can also use ExpressVPN to unblock other geo-restricted content, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and even Crackle in the UK!
In terms of security, ExpressVPN uses AES 256-bit military-grade encryption and has a verified no-logs policy, so your online traffic and identity will always remain private and secure.
Budget-wise, ExpressVPN is one of the more expensive VPN services, but there are always deals and promotions, so the few-dollar increase in price may be worth the peace of mind knowing your connection is always going to be reliable, fast, and completely secure.
You won’t have to worry about whether or not Express will work for you, because it is extremely versatile. It is compatible with Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, PlayStation, Xbox, routers, Smart TVs, and other devices.
It’s good to note that, with ExpressVPN, you can use up to 5 devices at once on the same plan, and adding these devices will not slow your browsing experience. If you need more than 5 connections, there is an easy workaround. If you connect ExpressVPN to your router, all devices connected to your wifi are only counted as one user device. This lets you connect an unlimited number of people to your VPN, with 4 connections to spare!
If for some reason, you are not pleased with ExpressVPN, you can opt-out with its 30-day money-back guarantee. If you need to ask for this refund or need help with any problem that may arise, ExpressVPN’s 24/7 live-chat customer service will make the process easy and painless.
- Great streaming speeds & connectivity
- User-friendly apps
- Great customer support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Excellent global coverage
- Top-notch privacy protections
- Works well to unblock YouTube TV
- More expensive than the other VPNs
- Only 5 simultaneous connections
2. NordVPN
NordVPN has a large pool of servers, with over 5,500 servers in 60 countries worldwide, including 1,970 in the US alone – so you will never have trouble finding a server that will help you access YouTube TV outside the US.
Although it’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, Nord delivers consistently good speeds and reliable connections.
With this VPN, YouTube TV can easily be unblocked. NordVPN can not only unblock YTTV, but also Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO GO, Sky Go and many other streaming sites.
Nord has apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Smart TVs, routers, and Linux, so there should never be a problem with compatibility.
Nord’s obfuscated servers can bypass firewalls and geographic restrictions, and its double VPN sends your traffic through an extra layer of encryption, ensuring that your internet traffic is always secure. On top of this, NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, so your private information will always remain private.
You can connect as many as 6 devices simultaneously with a single NordVPN subscription, so your whole family can stream different platforms all at once.
NordVPN has stellar customer service, including 24/7 live-chat support; but if you are still not sold after a few weeks, you can opt out and take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee, no skin off your back!
- Fast speeds to watch YouTube TV
- Double VPN and obfuscated servers
- Cheaper price than ExpressVPN
- Strong encryption and no logs
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 6 user connections on one plan
- Slow speed with advanced security
- Desktop apps take longer to connect
3. Surfshark
Surfshark is a bit smaller, with 1,700 servers in 63 locations worldwide. With more than 500 servers in over 20 US locations, watching YouTube TV outside the US will never be an issue. The servers are not as fast as Express or Nord, but they are still adequate for streaming, with hardly any buffering.
You can also use Surfshark to unblock other streaming sites, like Hulu, Netflix, HBO GO, and ESPN+; and Surkshark also has apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Xbox, Playstation, and more.
What makes Surfshark stand out the most, in my book, is that it allows for unlimited devices to connect on just one account.
Like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, Surfshark also offers great customer service and a 30-day guarantee, giving you the chance to use it for a few weeks and then change your mind without penalty. If issues arise, Surfshark offers live-chat customer support, so complications are always easy to resolve.
- Watch YouTube TV without lag
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Affordable
- Good privacy and security features
- Slightly slower speeds
- Fewer servers
4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost has over 6,000 servers in nearly 90 countries around the world. With over 1,100 servers located in the US, you should always be able to watch YouTube TV outside the US location with CyberGhost.
Though CyberGhost speeds don’t compare to ExpressVPN, or the other of the top 3 VPNs mentioned, its speeds are pretty reliable with only some minor lags here and there.
In addition to unblocking YTTV, this VPN lets users access Rai TV, ESPN+, HBO GO, Hulu, Netflix, and other popular streaming sites.
CyberGhost has a VPN app for Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS, and allows you to connect up to 7 devices to a single account at once.
Unlike the other VPN services, CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, giving you a bit more time to change your mind about your VPN if you choose, with no penalty whatsoever.
- Good streaming speeds
- Easily unblocks many streaming sites
- Larger server network
- No user logs
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Use up to 7 connections at once
- Slower long-distance speeds
- Won’t work in China
5. UltraVPN
Compared to the other VPNs, UltraVPN is among the smallest, with around 100 servers spread across some 60 countries. Despite this, I was impressed with UltraVPN’s connection speed and reliability.
UltraVPN has 34 servers in North America, so it should not be a problem finding a server to help you watch YouTube TV outside the United States location.
You can use UltraVPN to unblock Netflix, Hulu, and HBO GO, and you can easily connect with apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
The most restrictive of the bunch and UltraVPN account only allows you to use 3 devices simultaneously; so if more than three of you want to connect at once, another of the other VPNs might be a better option.
UltraVPN offers a 30-day refund guarantee, but it is the only VPN of the group that offers a 7-day free trial with limited servers. If any issues arise, users can live-chat with a customer service representative, or contact them 24/7 by toll-free phone number.
- 7-day free trial
- 30-day guarantee
- 24/7 Toll Free number
- Smaller server network
- Keeps some logs
- Slower speeds
- Only connect 3 users simultaneously
PIA has an astonishing 23,000 servers in over 77 countries around the globe. With over 11,000 servers in 14 locations in the US, it should never be too difficult finding a server if you want to watch YouTube TV outside the US.
Our tests also found that Private Internet Access works with many streaming sites, including Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video. On top of this, PIA’s fast speeds mean you won’t experience any lag when streaming shows in HD.
We did find, however, that PIA does not reliably unblock many Netflix libraries, and that it cannot consistently get past China’s geo-blocks, so it gets a few points off of our score for these infractions.
PIA is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, and you can connect up to 10 devices at once, which is higher than most of PIA’s competitors allow. It only takes about 2 minutes to install the app and connect, so you can start watching YTTV with PIA right away if you choose.
You can test PIA using its 30-day money-back guarantee to check that it’s the right choice for you.
- 10 device connections for family
- 30-day refund guarantee
- Over 20,000 servers
- Military-grade encryption
- 24/7 live chat support
- Slower speeds than other options
- Won’t work in China consistently
- Based in the privacy-unfriendly USA
Why You Need a VPN to Watch YouTube TV Outside US?
When you establish an internet connection, your connection reveals your actual IP address. Because of this, when trying to watch YouTube TV from a different country, if you are not located within the United States, YouTube TV throws up its geo-blocks, stopping you from accessing their TV shows and content.
A reputable VPN will allow you to watch on YouTube TV despite location restrictions, so you can access the YouTube TV app all over the globe. A VPN will mask your IP address, trading it in for a United States location by connecting to one of your VPN’s US servers.
Using VPN tricks YouTube TV into thinking that you’re in the USA, letting you watch YouTube TV shows outside of the US as if you are on US soil.
So, with a VPN provider, YouTube TV is no longer out of reach.
Can I Use a Free VPN to Unblock Youtube TV?
There are loads of Free VPNs that insist that they are able to unblock restricted streaming services like YouTube TV. While you are welcome to try them, it is highly unlikely that any of them will effectively unblock YouTube TV from abroad.
Free VPN services offer a very limited amount of servers, and have much fewer resources. So, unlike premium VPN services that constantly work to get around location blocks, free VPN services don’t have the manpower or funding to keep at this.
Also, because free VPN providers tend to have fewer servers, there is likely to be more crowding on their servers in a desirable location, slowing your streaming and increasing the chance of buffering and connectivity issues.
Most worrisome, because free VPN services don’t make their money from a subscription fee, they need to get their money elsewhere. Unfortunately, too many free services make money by selling user logs and activity to third parties, sacrificing your online privacy and security.
In my opinion, it is best to use a reliable, paid VPN service to watch YouTube TV outside of the USA.
Can I Sign Up For YouTube TV from Abroad?
Even though YouTube TV is only available from a US location, it is possible to create a YouTube TV account from other countries as long as you have PayPal. If you are using a debit or credit card to pay, YouTube TV demands that your account information be registered to a United States address and zip code. Fortunately, YouTube TV doesn’t seem to mind if your PayPal is registered to an American account.
If you don’t want to pay with PayPal, you can pay with a Google Play gift card. You can log in with the Google Play account information you used to sign up for the YouTube TV service, and redeem your gift card.
Devices Compatible with Youtube TV
Here is the list of devices that are compatible with YouTube TV:
Windows
Mac
Android
iOS
Chromecast
Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Apple TV)
FireStick
List of Youtube TV Channels
If you are using a VPN, and able to now watch YouTube TV outside the US, here are some of the channels you can find on the network:
Disney X
Disney Channel
Chiller
Bravo
Fox News
Sports 1
Sports 2
Fox Business
ESPN2
ESPN
Here is the complete list of channels that you can watch on the YouTube TV service.
Here is a guide to programs by genre on YouTube TV.
Youtube TV Alternatives
Here are some other services like YouTube TV that you can enjoy with a VPN:
DIRECTV NOW
Philo
Hulu with Live TV
FuboTV
PlayStation Vue
Xumo
SlingTV
TubiTV
FAQs
A YouTube TV monthly plan currently costs $49.99/month. On YouTube TV, you can:
Stream on multiple screens
Take advantage of endless video recording
Live stream shows from US cable networks
Get service available for up to six accounts
From outside of the US, download a VPN app, pick a US-based VPN server location, and you will be assigned a local, US IP address, gaining you access to your US networks, even from outside the country.
You are able to take advantage of a free trial, but YouTube TV does require you to pay a subscription fee to access their TV content after this trial ends.
You can also subscribe to YouTube Premium (formerly YouTube Red) for $11.99/month. This provides ad-free access to content across the service, as well as access to premium YouTube Originals programming. You can also download videos and background playback of videos on mobile devices, and access the YouTube music streaming service.
Conclusion
Whether you are a US citizen traveling to another country, or a foreign citizen living overseas, with a reputable VPN, YouTube TV can help you access networks and shows from anywhere in the world as if you were in the USA.
So, all you cord-cutters out there, if you want to enjoy YouTube TV, you’re in good company! While you may not be in the right country, a VPN can virtually put you in the US, or in the country of your choice, in minutes!
Happy Streaming!
Check out Youtube TV from overseas with one of the best VPNs, ExpressVPN
