How to watch YouTube TV from anywhere

Like most popular streaming services, YouTube TV geo-blocks its content. This simply means that you can only watch from a specific country, in this case, the US. As a result, if you try to access streams from outside of the US, you’ll see a message saying “Sorry, but YouTube TV is not available in your area just yet.” However, you can watch YouTube TV from other locations using a VPN.

When you connect to a VPN, you’re given a temporary, region-specific IP address. This enables you to spoof your location and trick websites into believing you’re located somewhere else. VPNs have other advantages too: they reduce the risk of triggering automated fraud prevention measures when accessing your online banking service from a different country. Further, because VPNs encrypt your traffic, they stop third parties like hackers or your Internet Service Provider (ISP) from monitoring your activities.

How to stream YouTube TV abroad with a VPN

Getting started is simple, even if you’ve never used a VPN before. You can trick YouTube TV in to thinking you are located in the US and start streaming from any international location. Here’s how.

Just follow these steps to watch YouTube TV with a VPN:

1. Start by signing up to a suitable VPN service (we recommend ExpressVPN).
2. Next, install the VPN software. Most services offer apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android, so make sure to get the right version.
3. Log in to the VPN app.
4. Connect to one of your VPN’s US servers.
5. If you haven’t already, create a YouTube TV account. Note that this will require a payment method linked to a US address.
6. Try loading video on YouTube TV. It should start playing almost immediately, but if not, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser’s cache and cookies.

If you’d like to watch a specific show live, we recommend performing the steps above before it actually airs. This gives you time to contact customer support if anything doesn’t work as intended and means you may not have to miss part of your favorite show.

HOW TO GET A PREMIUM VPN FREE: If you only need a VPN for a short time, for instance, if you’re going on vacation or want to watch one geo-restricted event, you can use ExpressVPN’s, 30 day money-back guarantee. You will have to pay upfront but can cancel at any point to receive a full refund, effectively making it a 30 day free trial.

The “youtube tv vpn proxy detected” error

If you see the message “youtube tv vpn proxy detected”, YouTube TV has detected and blocked your VPN. At the time of testing, VPNs listed in this article are working. However it’s a cat and mouse situation with YouTube blocking VPNs and VPNs implementing workarounds.

While all VPNs are susceptible to blocks we recommend ExpressVPN as it has proved to be the most reliable at evading VPN blocks from a whole host of streaming services. It also offers a 30 day money-back guarantee should you find it is blocked.

How to choose the right VPN for YouTube TV

With so many different VPN services available, it can be difficult to choose just one. Some offer expansive server networks, while others might prioritize speed, security, or the ability to unblock a greater range of services. To find the best VPNs for YouTube TV, we looked for services meeting the criteria below:

• Capable of unblocking YouTube TV and similar services from abroad.
• Has a wide network, with several US servers to choose from.
• Uses powerful encryption and offers additional security options.
• Does not log any personally identifiable information.
• Has both mobile and desktop apps, with minimal differences between each version.

Best VPNs for YouTube TV

Below, you’ll find our list of VPNs we recommend for YouTube TV:

1. ExpressVPN

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ExpressVPN has servers in 20 different US cities (and more than 2,000 globally), which means that you can not only use it to access YouTube TV, but you’ll also be able to watch various city- or state-specific broadcasts. This VPN is ideal for streaming: it’s fast enough to watch live HD content without any noticeable buffering, and even enables you to unblock platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Sling TV from abroad.

256-bit encryption is enabled by default, and ExpressVPN keeps your activities private using DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch (desktop apps only), and perfect forward secrecy. No personally identifiable information is logged, so if you pay with Bitcoin and use a throwaway email address when signing up, you’ll be effectively untraceable. If you have any problems, customer support is available via 24/7 live chat.

This service offers apps for Linux, MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Manual installation is required for supported network routers but this can be done quickly and easily with ExpressVPN’s custom firmware.

BEST VPN FOR YOUTUBE:ExpressVPN is our Top Choice. Leads the way for unblocking streaming sites. Exceptional speeds for buffer-free HD viewing and total security and privacy. Try it risk-free with the 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

2. CyberGhost

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CyberGhost works slightly differently from most VPNs in that you can choose a server yourself or specify a task (such as unblocking streaming sites or browsing anonymously) and have a suitable server assigned to you. It offers over 5,000 high-speed servers worldwide, with more than 1,000 of them in the US. With the ability to connect up to seven devices at once, CyberGhost makes it easy to access whatever you want, wherever you want.

This service uses 256-bit encryption as well as DNS, IPv6, port forwarding, and WebRTC leak protection to keep your traffic secure. It includes a kill switch in every version of the software, an ad-blocker, and an anti-malware scanner.

CyberGhost does not log any personally identifiable information, and accepts Bitcoin for maximum anonymity. This VPN comes with user-friendly Android, Windows, MacOS, and iOS apps. Manual installation is required for selected internet routers.

BEST BUDGET CHOICE:CyberGhost is fast and affordable It has a simple set up with strong on privacy credentials. Streams HD video reliably. 45-day money back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

3. NordVPN

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NordVPN boasts a network of more than 5,000 servers worldwide, with clusters in 20 different US cities. With specialized servers catering to users who want to share files, access Tor, or game without fear of DDoS attacks, it’s a strong general-purpose VPN. However, it’s also excellent for streaming thanks to its high speeds and excellent unblocking capabilities. NordVPN can unblock platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and of course, YouTube TV, from anywhere in the world.

This service uses 256-bit encryption and includes a wide range of additional security options. There’s an application-specific kill switch, a dual-VPN feature, an automatic ad-blocker, a malware-scanner, and protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks. This VPN has a strict no-logs policy, so you can rest assured that your activities will remain private at all times.

NordVPN has apps for Windows, Android, MacOS, iOS, and Linux devices. It has to be manually configured on wireless routers, however.

VALUE AND PERFORMANCE:NordVPN is a good value choice. A good all-rounder that works well with streaming sites like YouTube. Solid security and privacy features and accommodates up to 6 devices. Includes a 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

4. IPVanish

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IPVanish has long been a favorite for streaming thanks to its expansive server network and strong multi-platform support. It currently has more than 1,300 servers across 60+ countries, including 520 in the US. IPVanish is fast enough to watch high-definition live streams with no interruptions and can reliably unblock YouTube services. Further, this service permits up to ten simultaneous connections, making it a strong choice for those looking to protect all of their devices at once.

On the security front, there’s 256-bit encryption, a kill switch (in both the mobile and desktop versions), and DNS and IPv6 leak protection. IPVanish also includes several features most other VPNs don’t. You can block local traffic, for instance, or obfuscate OpenVPN traffic. As IPVanish doesn’t log any information that could identify you and allows users to switch IP addresses regularly, it makes users very difficult to track online. Support is available over live chat, 24/7, in case of any issues.

IPVanish has lightweight apps for Windows, MacOS, Amazon Fire, Android, and iOS. Linux devices and select wireless routers are supported but must be configured manually.

UP TO 10 DEVICES:IPVanish is great for families and multiple connections. Unblocks YouTube, but can’t unblock as many streaming services as rivals higher on this list. 7-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

5. PrivateVPN

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PrivateVPN is ideal for live streaming thanks to its excellent unblocking capabilities and high speeds. It has around 80 servers globally, and 10 of these are in the US (in 10 different states). This service has no problems streaming HD content on platforms like YouTube TV, Netflix, and Hulu, even from abroad. With six simultaneous connections allowed, PrivateVPN lets you protect all of your most commonly used devices with a single account.

This VPN has a strict no-logs policy and accepts Bitcoin, meaning you can register anonymously as long as you use a disposable email address. It uses 256-bit encryption by default, includes a kill switch that stops traffic when your connection is lost, and protects against WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks. Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat, and with your permission, the staff can even remotely install the software for you.

This service includes dedicated Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS apps. PrivateVPN also works on Linux-based systems and routers but requires manual configuration first.

GOOD STREAMING SPEED:PrivateVPN is consistently reliable. Good for general purpose use and HD Streaming. Could do with having more servers and lacks 24/7 support. 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

Can I unblock YouTube TV with a free VPN?

Free VPNs often claim to provide the same level of service as their premium rivals, but this is far from the reality. These VPNs usually have much larger user bases yet fewer servers to spread the load. As a result, you can expect extremely slow browsing speeds and videos that stutter, have low resolution, and frequently pause to buffer. Further, as YouTube is one of the largest streaming services in the world, it’s unlikely that a free VPN will be able to bypass its geo-restriction measures in the first place.

Maintaining an international server network is expensive, so how can free VPNs afford to operate? The truth is that they’ve found various ways to profit from their users, whether it’s by placing ads onto the sites you visit, or using tracking cookies to amass a detailed dossier of your online activities. VPNs are designed to increase your online privacy, but by selling your data to unknown third parties without your knowledge, free services can actually reduce it instead.

It’s always difficult to choose which VPN to use, but it’s even harder with a free service. According to a 2015 study, the Google Play Store hosts dozens of supposed VPN apps that actually install malware on your device. Even if you find a seemingly legitimate service, there’s a good chance it doesn’t encrypt your traffic or protect against IPv6 leaks. Well-known services don’t guarantee your safety either, as we found when Hola was caught selling user bandwidth to help run a botnet.

To stay as safe as possible, we recommend using a reputable VPN with a clear, user-first privacy policy.  

Can I sign up for YouTube TV from abroad?

Although YouTube TV is technically only available in the US, it’s actually possible to sign up from anywhere as long as you have a PayPal account. When using a credit or debit card to pay, YouTube TV requires it to be registered to a US address, but unlike many similar services, YouTube TV doesn’t check to see if you have an American PayPal account.

Don’t want payments to be taken via PayPal? There’s a third payment option, one that’s not presented to the user during registration: Google Play gift cards. Just log in to the same Google Play account you signed up to YouTube TV with, redeem a gift card, and if you have enough credit, you’ll find that this service deducts the subscription fee from your balance instead of charging your card or PayPal account.

What can I watch on YouTube TV?

YouTube TV currently offers 73 different channels as part of its standard subscription and there are an additional eight that can be added for a small additional payment. Below, we’ve listed some of this service’s most popular networks:

1. ABC
2. AMC
3. CBS
4. Disney Channel
5. ESPN
6. FOX
7. MLB
8. NBC
9. SyFy
10. TNT