How to watch CTV live online

The CTV Television Network is only available in Canada. So when you try to watch CTV online outside Canada, you’ll come across one of the following streaming errors: “This video cannot be played” or “We’re sorry, this content is only available for viewing in Canada.”. Luckily, there’s an easy fix for this problem. We’ll show you how to watch CTV live online from anywhere by using a VPN.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you to browse the web as if you’re in another location. So even when you’re traveling outside Canada, if you connect to a VPN server in Canada, you’ll gain a Canadian IP address. This will allow you to bypass the restrictions on certain websites and streaming platforms. Doing this also encrypts your device’s internet traffic, improving your online privacy and preventing snoopers and hackers from seeing what you get up to online.

In this article, we’ll explain exactly how to use a VPN to access CTV from anywhere, list the best VPNs for the job, and review them in detail. But if you don’t have time for all that, here’s a quick summary:

These are the best VPNs for watching CTV abroad:

  1. NordVPN: Our first-choice VPN for unblocking CTV! More than 480 servers in Canada for watching CTV abroad. Also works with Netflix. 24/7 support, a strict no-logs policy, and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
    TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for CTV.
  2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN option for CTV. Unlimited simultaneous connections. Over 120 servers in three Canadian cities. 24/7 live support and user-friendly apps.
  3. ExpressVPNFast servers in multiple Canadian cities. Ideal for streaming CTV, Netflix, and more. 3,000 servers in 100+ countries.
  4. CyberGhost: Has over 530 servers in Canada. Fast servers for streaming CTV and Netflix US. Lets you connect up to seven devices simultaneously.
  5. IPVanish: US-based VPN with dozens of servers in Canada. Works well with CTV. Allows any number of simultaneous connections.
  6. PrivateVPN: Very fast speeds for streaming and torrenting. Unblocks CTV outside Canada. Keeps no logs, offers beginner-friendly apps.
  7. Atlas VPN: This high-speed VPN makes it easy to securely stream CTV while traveling abroad. Refuses to keep logs or limit the number of devices you can connect.

How to watch CTV live online (outside Canada) with a VPN

You don’t need to do anything overly technical in order to watch CTV online while abroad. In fact, all you need is a VPN, and these are typically quick and easy to set up. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be streaming in no time.

Here’s how to watch CTV live outside Canada with a VPN:

  1. Choose your preferred VPN for CTV – we particularly recommend NordVPN.
  2. Download and install one of the VPN’s apps or browser extensions.
  3. Open the VPN app or browser extension and connect to a server in Canada. This will give you the Canadian IP address you need to access CTV.
  4. Go to CTV and select the content you want to watch – it should now be unblocked!
  5. If you still can’t watch CTV abroad, clear your browser’s cache and cookies and try again. If you’re still struggling, try contacting your VPN’s customer service team for further advice.

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How we selected the top CTV VPNs

In case you’re wondering how we chose the best VPNs for CTV, here’s a list of the features each VPN service had to offer in order to be considered:

Criteria for selecting the best VPNs

  • Fast servers in Canada for streaming CTV abroad
  • Servers in dozens of countries for unblocking content worldwide
  • Strong security with encryption and a no-logs policy
  • Customer support via live chat and email
  • Beginner-friendly desktop and mobile apps
  • A money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free

If you want to know more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend, check out the methodology section below. For now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made the list.

Best VPNs for CTV: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for watching CTV from anywhere.

No valueNordVPNSurfsharkExpressVPNCyberGhostIPVanishPrivateVPNAtlasVPN
WebsiteNordVPN.comSurfshark.comExpressVPN.comCyberghost.comIPVanish.comPrivateVPN.comAtlasVPN.com
Ranking for CTV1234567
Canadian servers3 cities / 480+ servers3 cities / 90 servers3 cities3 cities / 480+ servers3 cities / 55 servers2 cities2 locations
Streaming servicesNetflix
Amazon Prime
BBC iPlayer
Hulu
Disney+
YouTube
Netflix
Amazon Prime
BBC iPlayer
Hulu
Disney+
YouTube
Netflix
Amazon Prime
BBC iPlayer
Hulu
Disney+
YouTube

Hulu
Disney+
YouTube
Netflix
Amazon Prime
BBC iPlayer
Hulu
Netflix
Amazon Prime
BBC iPlayer
Hulu
Netflix
Amazon Prime
BBC iPlayer
Hulu
Server countries83100105100536344
Devices SupportedWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, LinuxWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TVWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, RoutersWindows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidWindows, MacOS, iOS, AndroidWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TVWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV
Best deal (per month)$3.09
Up to 69% off + 3 months FREE
$2.29
Save 85% on a 2 year Starter plan
$6.67
SAVE: 49% + 3 months free
$2.03
SAVE 84% on the 2 year plan
$2.75
SAVE 78% on the 2 yr plan
$2.00
Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free
$1.64
SAVE 86% on a 2 year plan + 6 months free

The best VPNs for watching CTV outside Canada

The following reviews are based on our first hand experiences and extensive real world testing.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for watching CTV live online while traveling outside Canada:

1. NordVPN

NordVPN Mar 2024 unblocks ctvTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background FireTV

Website:  www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is our #1 choice VPN for streaming CTV abroad. It’s one of the biggest VPNs on the market, with over 6,000 global servers and more than 480 spread across the cities of Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. NordVPN also has servers optimized for P2P file-sharing, improved privacy, or bypassing internet restrictions.

This service works well with CTV as well as platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max. What’s more, it allows you to have up to six simultaneous connections. Apart from offering live chat support 24/7, NordVPN offers all of the essential security features that protect your privacy. These include 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch feature. Just as important, NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy.

You can use NordVPN via the apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. There’s also the option of Chrome and Firefox browser extensions. Compatible routers require manual installation.

Pros:

  • Over 480 servers in Canada for watching CTV abroad
  • Securely stream Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer
  • Specialized servers
  • Connect up to 6 devices simultaneously
  • Offers 24/7 live chat and email support
  • Protects your privacy with its strict no-logs policy

Cons:

  • Occasional slower server

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BEST VPN FOR CTV:NordVPN is our top choice. Use it to stream CTV, Netflix, and more. 24/7 support and a strict no-logs policy. Secure up to six devices simultaneously. Easy-to-use apps and browser extensions. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark unblocks ctvTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Surfshark.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

Surfshark is the best way to stream CTV on a budget. It offers excellent value as it lets you have an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. Needless to say, this VPN is perfect for sharing with family. Servers are available in over 100 countries, including Canada (Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver). A Canadian IP address allows you to unblock CTV overseas while connecting to US servers and can help you regain access to the likes of Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu.

One of the main advantages of Surfshark is its ease of use. The apps are very well designed and allow you to connect to a server in seconds. There’s also fast and friendly customer support, available 24/7 via live chat. This is a no-logs VPN that doesn’t know what you’re doing online. There are plenty of security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. Surfshark’s MultiHop feature lets you route traffic via multiple servers for an extra layer of security.

You can access Surfshark via the apps for Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV/Fire Stick. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available. Manual setup is necessary for routers.

Pros:

  • Canadian servers to watch CTV
  • Connect an unlimited number of devices via a single account
  • Also great for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
  • Excellent security with a strict no-logs policy and Double VPN servers
  • 24/7 live customer support

Cons:

  • Some features require an additional monthly fee

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

GREAT VALUE:Surfshark is the best budget-friendly VPN. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections and has servers in over 100 countries, including Canada. Works well with CTV and Netflix. Apps and browser extensions are very easy to use. 24/7 support and a strict no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN unblocks ctvTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.ExpressVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

ExpressVPN is a fast and reliable option for watching CTV abroad. It has servers in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, providing you with plenty of choice for unblocking geo-locked Canadian content. In fact, this VPN has servers in over 100+ countries and excels at accessing popular streaming sites, including Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. Unlimited bandwidth means you can stream and torrent without interruption.

You can use ExpressVPN to connect up to eight devices simultaneously. This is easy to do, thanks to the wide range of user-friendly apps and browser extensions offered. You can connect to a server with a single click. ExpressVPN offers excellent customer support should you have any issues. This is available 24/7 via email and live chat. The 30-day money-back guarantee means you can test this service out with absolutely no risk.

ExpressVPN has very fast speeds but also a high level of security. This VPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, where there are no mandatory data retention laws (indeed, ExpressVPN doesn’t keep any identifying logs of its users). Your data is secured with 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks.

ExpressVPN apps are available for the following: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and routers. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also on offer.

Pros:

  • Servers in 100+ countries, including Canada, for unblocking CTV
  • Fast speeds for browsing, streaming, and torrenting
  • Customer support available 24/7 via live chat and email
  • Keeps your data secure with encryption and kill switch feature
  • Zero log policy

Cons:

  • Fairly expensive compared to some rival VPNs
  • Streaming servers aren’t labeled

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

QUICK AND SECURE:ExpressVPN has fast and consistent servers in Canada for watching CTV abroad. It offers a network of over 3,000 servers in 100+ countries. Use on up to eight devices. Excellent apps and browser extensions, 24/7 support, and strong security. Also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost unblocks ctvTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost is a high-speed VPN that’s perfect for streaming without interruption. With 10,000+ servers across 100+ countries (and over 530 Canadian servers in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver), this VPN is excellent at unblocking platforms like CTV, Prime Video, and the BBC iPlayer abroad. What’s more, it lets you secure as many as seven devices via a single account.

This service stands out from its rivals with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. If you have any trouble, it’s worth keeping in mind that 24/7 live chat support is available. Security-wise, CyberGhost is as good as any in this list, with a strict no-logs policy, protection from DNS and IPv6 leaks, 256-bit AES encryption, and an automatic kill switch.

CyberGhost apps are offered for Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire Stick/Fire TV, and Android TV. You can also download Chrome and Firefox browser extensions. Routers require manual configuration.

Pros:

  • Fast speeds for streaming CTV without interruption
  • More than 530 servers in Canada and 10,000+ servers worldwide
  • 45-day money-back guarantee
  • Lets you have up to seven simultaneous connections
  • Excellent security with encryption and a strict no-logs policy

Cons:

  • May not offer enough control for experienced users
  • Doesn’t work reliably in China

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

PROTECTS YOUR PRIVACY:CyberGhost has fast servers in Canada for CTV. Also works with Netflix US and BBC iPlayer. High level of security with encryption and strict no-logs policy to protect your privacy. 24/7 live chat support and up to seven connections. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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5. IPVanish

IPVanish unblocks ctvTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.IPVanish.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

IPVanish has dozens of servers in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, allowing you to easily unblock CTV outside Canada. This is a US-based VPN with servers in 75+ locations, including the US, UK, and Australia. As such, you can use IPVanish to unblock geo-restricted content from almost anywhere in the world. This VPN is particularly good for families as you can connect as many devices as you like.

This VPN is well suited for streaming thanks to its unlimited bandwidth. What’s more, IPVanish states that it offers unlimited P2P traffic and will never slow down your connection speeds. IPVanish has a strict policy against collecting connection and activity logs and further protects your privacy using 256-bit AES encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection.

Download IPVanish apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV/Fire Stick. Manual setup is required for both Linux and compatible routers.

Pros:

  • Servers in multiple cities in Canada for watching CTV overseas
  • A network of servers in 75+ locations for unblocking content worldwide
  • Use it to connect all of your devices simultaneously
  • Doesn’t collect any connection or activity logs

Cons:

  • Based in the US (member of Five Eyes intelligence alliance)
  • Doesn’t work with some popular streaming services

Our score:

4 out of 5

NO CONNECTION LIMIT:IPVanish unblocks CTV outside Canada and also works with Hulu. You can use it to connect any number of devices simultaneously. Good speeds for streaming and live chat support. No-logs policy and encryption. 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN unblocks ctvTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.PrivateVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

PrivateVPN is a stress-free service to use. While it has a fairly small network, PrivateVPN offers servers in 60+ countries, including Canada (there are servers in both Toronto and Vancouver), making it ideal for accessing CTV abroad. Additionally, with the excellent streaming ability and very high speeds, PrivateVPN allows you to use services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or Amazon Prime Video, free from lag or buffering.

This is one of the easiest VPNs to use, thanks to the simple design of the desktop and mobile apps. Live chat support is offered, while there’s also the option of remote help and installation. PrivateVPN lets you connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, allowing you to secure everything from your phone to your laptop. This Swedish VPN service has a no-logs policy and offers 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection.

PrivateVPN apps are offered for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Manual setup is required for Linux and routers.

Pros:

  • Ideal for streaming thanks to high-speed servers
  • Unblocks CTV, BBC iPlayer, and more
  • Very easy-to-use apps for desktop and mobile platforms

Cons:

  • A smaller network of approximately 200 servers
  • Doesn’t offer browser extensions

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

FAST CONNECTIONS:PrivateVPN has high-speed servers for streaming without buffering or lag. Works with CTV, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more. No-logs VPN with user-friendly apps and live chat support. Connect up to ten devices simultaneously. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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7. Atlas VPN

AtlasVPN unblocks ctvTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background FireTV

Website:  www.AtlasVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

Atlas VPN is great for anyone hoping to stream securely while traveling. It has over 1000 servers in 45 locations and boasts very impressive speeds, meaning you can regain access to all of your usual services (such as HBO Max, CTV, Crave, or Netflix) without worrying about lag or buffering. What’s more, this VPN allows you to protect every device you own simultaneously.

Concerned about security? Don’t be: Atlas VPN uses effectively uncrackable 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks. There’s also a no-logs policy in place, servers that can swap your IP address regularly, and a data breach monitor that’ll alert you if your details are leaked online. Customer support is on hand at all times over email and live chat.

Atlas VPN apps are available for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android.

Pros:

  • Faster than many of its rivals
  • Innovative security features
  • Suitable for any day-to-day task

Cons:

  • Small selection of servers versus other VPNs
  • Doesn’t support manual configuration on Linux or routers

Our score:

4 out of 5

STREAM SECURELY ABROAD:AtlasVPN has the speed, security tools, and unblocking ability needed to keep watching CTV safely while traveling. Better still, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Want to learn more? Check out our full Atlas VPN review.

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How we found the best VPNs for CTV: our methodology

Every VPN is different, and while this means that there’s a service for every situation, it also makes it tricky for newcomers to decide which one to use. That’s where we come in: we’ve carefully considered the most important things a VPN should offer for watching CTV and used these criteria to filter out unsuitable services until only the best were left:

  • Server network: You will not be able to access CTV unless you have access to a Canadian server, so they are an absolute must. The more servers, the better the chance of finding one that works with the service. In addition, we like providers to offer a wide global server network so that you can gain access to internationally geo-restricted services.
  • Speed: To have an enjoyable streaming experience, you need a VPN with high speeds. We regularly speed-check all the VPNs we recommend to ensure each recommendation is suitable for data-intensive tasks like streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
  • Unblocking ability: You want your VPN to access CTV, but a good provider will also give you access to other popular streaming platforms such as NBC, ABC, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or anything else. We regularly check to ensure the providers we recommend are capable of this.
  • Robust security: We test VPNs for DNS leaks to ensure that the VPN is providing the privacy levels it claims. We also check under the hood to ensure the encryption is secure enough to provide robust data security. We also like advanced features such as obfuscation, a kill switch, split tunneling, malware protection, ad blocking, and other useful features such as Smart DNS.
  • Reliable apps: Our recommendations have apps for all popular platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. In addition, the VPNs in our list allow you to use their apps on multiple devices and platforms simultaneously.
  • Customer service: Our recommended VPNs for CTV have email and live chat support. This allows you to ask questions and get help with setting up and using the VPN.

Want to know more? Check out our detailed VPN testing methodology article.

Using a VPN to access CTV: FAQs

Can I use a free VPN to watch CTV outside Canada?

There are plenty of free VPNs on the market, but we don’t recommend using them. For starters, they don’t all offer servers in Canada or have the ability to access CTV, and the ones that do will likely offer poor performance.

One common problem with free VPNs is that they have very small server networks, particularly in relation to their high number of users. This results in very slow streaming with a lot of buffering and lag. Indeed, many free VPNs engage in bandwidth throttling to try and manage this.

You’ll also find that the average free VPN is very light on features. For example, it probably won’t let you have multiple simultaneous connections or offer customer support. Such limitations extend to security, where you may find your data isn’t being secured with encryption.

Also, any free service typically makes its money through advertising, and free VPNs are no exception. Some free VPNs even choose to log your activity and sell the data to third parties. All in all, free VPNs are vastly inferior to the paid options we recommend as the best VPNs for Canada.

Do I need to sign up for an account to watch CTV online?

No, you don’t need to register for CTV to watch the content available from the broadcaster. Simply head to the broadcaster’s website, open a stream, and start watching!

Is it legal to use a VPN to watch CTV outside of Canada?

It’s legal to use a VPN (almost) everywhere in the world. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on how you can use your VPN service. So yes it’s perfectly legal to use a VPN to access CTV outside of Canada.

However, it’s worth noting that engaging in illegal activity online (such as downloading copyrighted material) remains illegal whether you use a VPN or not. So don’t take the risk.

What can I watch on CTV Television Network?

CTV’s programming largely consists of popular US TV shows, Canadian TV shows, and Canadian TV movies. Content is available on-demand, but live programming is also offered. Here’s a list of some of the content you can watch on CTV:

  • Criminal Minds
  • MasterChef Canada
  • The Ellen DeGeneres Show
  • 50 First Dates
  • Battle: Los Angeles
  • Ghostbusters 2
  • Moneyball