If you want to change your YouTube TV location and access TV channels outside of the United States, you’re going to need a VPN. With a VPN, you can also watch select programming from specific US states. Here’s how:
Subscribe to a VPN provider with many servers in the United States. We recommend NordVPN, our best tested VPN!
Download and install the VPN on your device.
Log in with your new account.
Connect to a server in the United States to get an American IP address or an IP address from a specific state.
Below, we give you tips and tricks for unblocking YouTube TV anywhere and we recommend the best VPNs for YouTube TV.
YouTube TV is a popular streaming platform that’s exclusively available in the United States. On top of that, Americans will notice that access to certain channels can vary between states.
If you’re being unable to watch the YouTube TV channels you want — whether you’re traveling outside of the US or you’re simply in a different state — we’ve got a quick and easy solution for you: change your YouTube TV location with a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
A VPN will unblock YouTube TV for you, no matter where you are!
Best YouTube TV VPNs to Watch From Any State
Not every VPN is suited to change your YouTube TV location or give you access to the streaming platform outside the US. We’ve tested 30+ VPNs rigorously to make sure you can find a recommendation that fits your needs.
Below, an overview of the top 3 best YouTube TV VPNs. For more detailed reviews, scroll down or read our full guide on best VPNs for YouTube.
If you’re outside of the United States, you won’t be able to get access to YouTube TV. You’ll get a notification that states, “YouTube TV is only available in the US.”
However, there is a way to get around this: with a VPN, you can change your virtual location to the United States and get access to YouTube TV after all. As long as you have an active subscription, you’ll be able to stream YouTube TV from anywhere with a VPN.
If you don’t have an account yet, you’ll be asked to sign in with a Google account. It’s best to activate your VPN ahead of creating a new account and register while connected to a US server.
Best VPNs for YouTube TV
The best VPNs for YouTube TV are VPNs that work exceptionally well in the United States. A large global server network, high-speed servers, and fantastic unblocking capabilities are a must.
We’ve tested and reviewed each VPN for YouTube TV extensively. Have a look at our selection here!
NordVPN: Best YouTube TV VPN overall
Features:
1970+ VPN servers in the US (Utah, Florida, Colorado, Texas, and more)
Obfuscation features to bypass geo-blocks
Very fast connection speeds for lag-free streaming
Affordable plans with 30-day money-back-guarantee
NordVPN is our #1 best VPN for YouTube TV, thanks to its wide coverage across the United States and full set of streaming features. With servers in sixteen US locations, you can change your YouTube TV location easily.
Thanks to NordVPN’s 265-bit encryption, obfuscated servers, and no-log policy, your connection remains completely private at all times. With some of the fastest speeds we’ve ever seen on any VPN, you’ll enjoy your favorite TV channels without buffering or lagging.
NordVPN is compatible with all major operating systems and can be used on 10 devices simultaneously. If you wish to see what this VPN can offer you, make sure you use the 30-day money-back guarantee as a trial! You can cancel at any point.
Right now, there’s an exclusive offer to get NordVPN for 72% off!
If you want to read all about our own experience testing and using this VPN — one of the best VPNs — make sure to check out our extensive NordVPN review.
Surfshark: Cheap, premium VPN for YouTube TV
Features:
Plenty of coverage in the United States: 600+ servers
Lightning-fast speeds with no lagging or buffering
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Bypasses blocks on popular streaming services like Max, Hulu, and Netflix
With servers located in New York, Texas, Washington, Nevada, and even more places, you’ll be able to access different YouTube TV channels, no matter where you are. On top of that, Surfshark is a very fast VPN with minimal speed loss!
In terms of security, you also won’t be disappointed. Surfshark is a zero-logs VPN that supports the most secure VPN protocols (OpenVPN and WireGuard). You can use obfuscation to get past the strictest geo-blocks. The built-in ad blocker and malware protection is just an added bonus!
Finally, we recommend Surfshark for its user-friendly apps and affordable subscription plans! Starting at $ 2.19/month, you can enjoy this premium VPN for less than the price of a cup of coffee.
Private Internet Access (PIA): American VPN with many servers
Features:
Huge server network: 35000 servers in 91 countries
American VPN that has servers in every US state
Very comprehensive security package and private VPN protocols
Cheap plans: starting at $ 1.99/month
Private Internet Access (PIA) is our final recommendation for a YouTube VPN. Since this VPN has servers in every single US state, you can easily access American TV channels from anywhere in the world. This makes it a fantastic VPN for streaming YouTube TV.
When testing PIA, we were happy to see that this VPN is very focused on privacy and security. Its no-log policy has been independently audited multiple times, so you can be assured that your connection is private.
We’ve managed to successfully unblock NBC, The CW, and lots of other American broadcast channels. Since PIA is a very privacy-focused VPN, you’ll be able to browse the web freely, no matter where you live.
With malware protection and an ad blocker, streaming and browsing will be a breeze! You can use the VPN on an unlimited amount of devices. So, even though the plans are already very cheap, you can lower the costs even more if you share with friends and family.
PIA has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can claim a refund if the VPN is not up to your standard. Read more about it in our Private Internet Access (PIA) review.
What We Looked For in the Best YouTube TV VPN
To ensure we can give you our best recommendations for best YouTube TV VPN, we’ve paid specific attention to the following aspects, while testing:
Bypass YouTube TV blocks: In the first place, we checked whether the VPNs were actually able to get around YouTube TV blocks. Bonus points were given to VPNs that could also unblock other streaming platforms, including Hulu and Netflix.
American servers: For the best streaming experience on YouTube TV, your VPN should have plenty of American servers to connect to.
Speed and performance: A slow VPN doesn’t get you anywhere. The best streaming VPNs run smoothly in the background of your device. We made sure to run extensive speed tests to differentiate between VPNs.
Privacy features: The best VPNs are independently audited and keep your connection truly private. This is essential in unblocking streaming services. Obfuscation features, for example, make your VPN more secure and also mask your VPN traffic.
Value for money: Of course, you don’t want to be paying too much for your VPN subscription. The VPNs we recommend here all give you bang for your buck!
How to Fix Playback Error on YouTube TV
If you’re getting a playback error, this may be caused by connectivity issues or technical glitches. In some instances, it might occur after switching locations with a VPN.
Try This First!
The first thing you want to do is update your YouTube playback area. Within the YouTube TV app, click on your profile picture and go to Location. Tap Update for Current playback area and adjust your area.
Here are some other tips and tricks to fix playback errors on YouTube TV:
Check your internet connection. Disconnect and reconnect to your network. Consider rebooting your router.
Log out on a device. If you’re connected to more than three devices, this may be the issue. Make sure other users on your account are not streaming YouTube TV at the same time.
Restart the YouTube TV app. This may resolve general issues.
Clear your cache and cookies. Clearing your browsing data often eliminates errors.
Reinstall/update your VPN app. If the issue is in your VPN app, make sure you’ve got the latest version installed on your device.
Change your device’s location settings. Watching YouTube TV on mobile devices often requires you to adjust your location settings within the settings of your device itself.
If these steps don’t work, consider contacting your VPN’s support team. Often, the 24/7 customer support service can offer useful advice!
What Channels Can I Watch if I Change My YouTube TV Location?
Changing your YouTube TV location can unlock different channels that are otherwise unavailable to you. While certain channels, such as ABC, CBS, FOX, ESPN, CNN and more, are available across the United States, other channels are not.
For example, if you’re located in the Boston area, you will get access to local channels such as Unimás Boston, Univision Boston and WBZ-TV.
By contrast, if you’re in the Philadelphia are, you’ll see channels such as Fox 29 Philadelphia and CNBC Sports Philadelphia.
With a VPN, you can bypass geographical restrictions and watch local TV channels on YouTube TV, no matter where you are.
How to Watch YouTube TV Outside the US
If you’ve been wondering how to watch YouTube TV internationally, you can use a VPN. A VPN will help you get around YouTube TV blocks when you’re outside of the United States. Here’s how to go about it:
Get a subscription to a VPN with plenty of servers in the United States. We recommend NordVPN, which has 1970+ servers in the United States and is our #1 best tested VPN overall.
NordVPN
Our choice
Deal
Save big with up to 72% off a two-year subscription!
Download the NordVPN app on your device. As you can see, NordVPN has apps for all major operating systems.
Log in with your NordVPN account. The VPN client will open right away.
Select a server in the United States — this is a key step to unblocking YouTube TV! It helps to connect to a VPN in your home state. On top of that, streaming on mobile devices will make it less likely that your VPN connection is blocked.
Go to YouTube TV and watch your favorite channels!
Thanks to its high-speed servers and user-friendly software, we can’t recommend NordVPN enough. You can have a look for yourself and get a refund within 30 days if you’re not happy.
If you find yourself unable to access YouTube TV with a VPN, there’s a good chance that YouTube has detected that you’re using a VPN or proxy. This is usually because your real IP address is leaking.
Try the following things:
Connect to a different server.
Disconnect and reconnect to your network.
Clear your cache and cookies.
Update your VPN or YouTube TV apps.
Make sure you use obfuscation! This will hide the fact that you’re using a VPN.
Recap: Access YouTube TV Anywhere
The easiest way to watch YouTube TV anywhere in the world, is by using a VPN. With a VPN, you can get an IP address from a different country (or US state!) and bypass any geographical restrictions.
The #1 VPN we recommend for YouTube TV is NordVPN. This ultra-fast VPN has tons of security features and a wide global server network. It’s a fantastic YouTube TV VPN that you won’t want to miss out on!
Make sure you claim the current discount and get NordVPN with 72% off! There’s a 30-day money-back-guarantee on all plans.
Best VPN for YouTube TV: Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any questions about streaming YouTube TV with a VPN? Have a look at our FAQ section for some quick answers!
Does a VPN work on YouTube TV?
Yes, you can use a VPN for YouTube TV. If you do run into issues, try clearing your cache and cookies, connecting to a different server, or enabling obfuscation in the VPN settings.
Can I watch YouTube TV while traveling internationally?
Yes, if you use a VPN, you can watch YouTube TV while abroad. Just connect to a server in the United States and enjoy your favorite American TV channels!
How do I trick YouTube TV location with a vpn?
To change your YouTube TV location with a VPN, make sure you establish a VPN connection before opening YouTube TV. It helps to use obfuscation and stream on a mobile device. If this doesn’t work, make sure your device settings are adjusted to your chosen location.
What is the best VPN for YouTube TV?
The best VPN for YouTube TV is NordVPN, which has close to 2000 VPN servers in the United States, offers very high speeds, and will keep your connection entirely private.
Can I watch YouTube TV outside the US?
Yes, you can watch YouTube TV outside of the United States by using a VPN. Connect to any server location within the US and unblock local TV channels on YouTube TV.
Lauren is an internal censorship and security-focused journalist with an eye for how technology affects society. With a background in International Relations and North American Studies, Lauren has a passion for helping understand the importance of privacy, freedom, and internet safety.