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YouTube TV is the best way to experience American TV (100+ live channels, with various add-ons) with no annoying contracts or hidden fees. Unfortunately, the service is only available in the United States due to licensing issues. Even if you already have an account, if you travel outside the US (including Canada), you won't be able to stream YouTube TV.
Good news, though. You can bypass such restrictions and get YouTube TV in Canada by changing your location with a VPN. When you connect to a server in the US, it will trick YouTube TV into thinking you're located in the States and giving you access.
Read on for a full guide on how to watch YouTube TV in Canada and why this requires a VPN, with recommendations of some amazing VPNs that work on YouTube TV. You’ll also find an overview of YouTube TV’s plans and prices, what channels and content you can watch, how to pay for YouTube TV, and how to watch YouTube TV on various devices. We'll wrap up with some answers to FAQs.
To watch YouTube TV in Canada, you’ll have to get a VPN and change your virtual location to the US. This will unblock YouTube TV so that you can sign up. Full steps below:
YouTube TV requires a form of payment with a valid US billing address, including a US credit/debit card or PayPal. If those aren't available options for you, the above method with a Google Play gift card is a great alternative. (Don’t forget to replenish your Google account funds to renew your subscription.) You can also pay with a virtual prepaid card. Keep reading for instructions on that method!
You need a VPN to watch YouTube TV in Canada because the service is region-locked to the US. This is due to licensing restrictions, as having to go through the library of over 100+ live channels and get streaming rights abroad would be a logistical nightmare for Google.
In any case, if you try to access YouTube TV outside the US, you’re going to run into the following error: “It looks like you're outside of the United States. YouTube TV is only available in the US.”
Luckily, you can easily watch YouTube TV in Canada with a VPN. Once you connect to a server in the United States, it masks your device’s IP address, allowing you to browse the Internet as if you were physically located in the US. This will bypass YouTube TV's geo-restrictions.
Of course, you’ll need the best VPN for YouTube TV if you hope to unblock the service without any headaches. That’s because most streamers block VPN IPs and use other filtering systems to maintain their regional locks. NordVPN is our top-choice VPN because it's fast and can easily unblock YouTube TV.
To find the right VPN for the job, you must make sure it satisfies several criteria. First and foremost, it should obviously be perfectly capable of unblocking YouTube TV and other streaming services. To that end, we recommend a VPN with an extensive US and worldwide network.
Exceptional speed and performance are crucial, regardless of your streaming location. Moreover, the VPN should include essential features like obfuscation and a kill switch to conceal your VPN usage and IP during disconnects. To ensure complete privacy, you’ll need a VPN with a strict no-logs policy, robust encryption (AES-256-bit), and secure protocols (OpenVPN and WireGuard).
The VPN should be compatible with various platforms and devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, smart TVs, routers, and others. Make sure it offers affordable plans. Lastly, it should come with a decent number of simultaneous connections, 24/7 live chat, and a money-back guarantee for good measure.
Based on these criteria, we believe these are the 4 best VPNs to unblock YouTube TV in Canada in 2024:
NordVPN is the best VPN for streaming YouTube TV in Canada because it can effortlessly unblock YouTube TV, along with other streamers. thanks to its 1,970+ US servers in 16 locations and its advanced SmartPlay feature. You'll be able to watch any channels you want. With 6,300+ servers in 111 countries, you’ll have no trouble accessing other streaming services, either.
The VPN offers high-speed, dependable connections, whether you’re streaming from Canada or overseas. Rest assured that you can access YouTube TV buffer-free from anywhere on multiple devices around your home.
NordVPN offers obfuscated servers that help users bypass restrictions effectively, whether it’s Internet censorship or nosy network admins at work. Moreover, the built-in kill switch prevents IP leaks, even if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly. You can customize it to shut off traffic to specific apps, so you don’t interrupt any background processes.
NordVPN takes user privacy seriously. It’s equipped with a strict zero-logs policy, robust encryption (AES 256-GCM), and industry-standard protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec. There’s also a custom WireGuard build called NordLynx, which is paired with ChaCha20 encryption and fixes some of the protocol’s privacy concerns.
A single subscription lets you use NordVPN on up to 10 devices simultaneously. And as expected, the VPN works on all your gadgets, whether you’re a PC or mobile user, or want to stream on your smart TV or gaming console.
NordVPN is pretty affordable, with a 2-year plan for as low as $3.09 per month. All plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you may contact the provider’s 24/7 live chat support for troubleshooting or other issues.
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Surfshark is an excellent choice to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock YouTube TV in Canada. It has 600+ US servers in 25 locations, allowing you to access tons of different local channels, too. Overall, it offers 3,200+ servers in 100 countries across the world. This means you can use it to unblock any international streaming services, no matter where you're located.
This provider delivers ultra-fast speeds and stable performance, regardless of whether you're connected to a distant server or one close by. With Surfshark, you'll enjoy bufferless YouTube TV streaming from anywhere.
Its superior unblocking abilities are bolstered by automatic obfuscation on all its servers, which activates when it detects restrictions. Surfshark also excels from a security standpoint. Thanks to its reliable kill switch, you won't have to worry about data leaks if your VPN connection falters.
Surfshark also follows an icon-clad no-logs policy, so your privacy is protected. Your data is in good hands, as the VPN employs AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20 encryption to secure it, along with WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols.
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, which is perfect for large households with lots of streaming devices. You can use it to protect your computer, smartphone, smart TV, and more.
As one of the most affordable options on the market, you can get a 2-year plan for just $2.29 per month. Feel free to give this provider a test drive, as it offers a 30-day money-back policy. Lastly, if you need any help, its 24/7 customer support is always available via live chat.
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ExpressVPN is another excellent choice because it easily unblocks YouTube TV in Canada, as well as other streaming platforms. Considering some local channels on YouTube TV are only available in certain US regions, we appreciate the fact that ExpressVPN has many servers in 24 US locations. Moreover, its thousands of servers in 105 countries ensure seamless access to any content around the world.
This VPN consistently delivers reliable performance and blazing-fast speeds, making it ideal for streaming YouTube TV from anywhere. We’ve had no problems live streaming different channels on multiple screens, regardless of the distance between us and its US servers. ExpressVPN also offers automatic, network-wide obfuscation to disguise your VPN activity as regular traffic.
The built-in kill switch feature ensures your online activities remain private even if the VPN connection drops. Security-wise, you get a strict no-logs policy, strong AES-256 and WolfSSL encryption, and support for various protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and the in-house Lightway option.
ExpressVPN allows 8 multiple simultaneous connections and supports various platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and more. There’s even a router app in case you want to stream YouTube TV on unsupported gadgets.
The provider is on the expensive side, with an annual plan of $6.67 per month. Luckily, ExpressVPN offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to try the service before hopping onto a subscription. Its 24/7 customer support via live chat also ensures you get assistance whenever you need it.
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CyberGhost VPN uses dedicated streaming servers to unblock platforms like YouTube TV and other streamers in Canada. It has 2,100+ servers in 11 US cities, affording seamless access to local channels in various regions of the country. Plus, with its extensive fleet of 11,500+ servers in 100 countries, you can explore over 40 different international streaming sites.
The VPN delivers consistent performance and medium-fast speeds, although it falls a little behind on highly remote servers. Regardless, we didn’t notice any quality dips or noticeable buffering on YouTube TV, which is always good news.
Unfortunately, CyberGhost doesn’t have obfuscated servers, meaning it may face issues on restrictive networks (say, at work or on college Wi-Fi). Otherwise, the VPN includes an always-on kill switch to protect you from IP leaks, even during unexpected connection drops.
CyberGhost’s no-logs claims have been recently audited to guarantee your privacy. Moreover, the service secures your data with top-notch protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec, along with strong encryption ciphers (AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20).
You may use the VPN on up to 7 devices simultaneously, making it a great pick for average households. Naturally, it works on everything from Windows to Linux, from tablets to smartphones and smart TVs.
CyberGhost is great if you're on a budget because it only costs $2.19 per month for a 2-year plan. It also offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee on longer subscriptions, letting you test the service thoroughly and with zero risks. As always, the customer support teams are available 24/7 through live chat, ready to assist with any of your questions.
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Expect to pay a hefty price to subscribe to YouTube TV in Canada. The base YouTube TV subscription starts at $72.99 (CAD 98.58) per month. Meanwhile, a separate “Spanish Plan” costs $34.99 (CAD 47.26) per month.
Sports fans may be interested in YouTube TV packages like the NFL Sunday Ticket plan for $349 (CAD 471.34) per year on top of the base plan cost. Payment plans for the NFL Sunday Ticket add-on are available in select locations, but otherwise, it must be paid for annually.
Here’s an overview of the YouTube TV price points and features for the 2 main plans and add-on packages:
To pay for YouTube TV in Canada, you’ll need a US-based payment method. Aside from the method we mentioned earlier using a Google Play Store gift card, there are 2 other methods for purchasing a YouTube TV subscription: you can pay with a virtual US credit card or a US PayPal account.
Remember, to watch YouTube TV in Canada, you’ll need a US Google ID—this applies whether you're watching it through the app or a Web browser.
To get a virtual credit card with a US billing address and buy a YouTube TV subscription in Canada, first you need to get a VPN with US servers. Here's what to do:
If you know someone in the US who would be willing, you can ask them to get a YouTube TV subscription for you using their PayPal account. Follow these easy steps:
With over 100 live channels, it’s impossible to list everything you can watch on YouTube TV. See what’s on the news (FOX, CNN, NBC), catch up on sports (ESPN, FS1, FS2, etc.), or indulge in entertainment from every corner of the industry (MTV, FX, Comedy Central, TLC, Adult Swim, The Food Network).
Looking for a couple of quick recommendations? Well, among the wide selection of YouTube TV shows, you can find classics like Bob's Burgers or South Park, as well as YouTube Originals like Cobra Kai or Impulse.
Here’s a helpful YouTube TV channels list, plus some shows you can catch right now (some might require premium add-ons like Max):
To access YouTube TV in Canada, you’ll have to unblock it with a premium VPN service. For devices that don’t support VPNs, you'll have to set up a VPN on your router. Some devices (such as Roku) allow for screen mirroring, which makes things a little easier. To get you started, here are step-by-step directions for how to watch YouTube TV on various devices in Canada:
Roku doesn’t support VPN apps directly, so we suggest using screen mirroring instead. This works on maOS and iOS via Airplay, Android via Smart View, and Windows by adding it as a wireless display. (It's easier than setting up the VPN on your router and changing the region of your Roku device.) Here’s how to proceed:
Luckily, Amazon Firestick supports VPNs, so you can stream YouTube TV in Canada after installing one (and making a small tweak to your settings). Here’s what you need to do:
You can access YouTube TV for iOS very easily from Canada. Just be aware you need a US Apple account for this to work. Here’s what you need to do:
The process for watching YouTube TV on Android from Canada is easy, but you will need a US Google Play Store account. You can follow these simple steps:
Yes, you can use a free VPN to watch YouTube TV in Canada, but we don’t recommend it. Why? Well, many free VPN providers sell user data as a way to fund their business. Even if you aren’t concerned with the whole privacy aspect, free VPNs and streaming just don’t mix. For one, they usually cap your monthly data (10 GB in the most generous cases). A few hours of live TV in, and you’re suddenly cut off.
To make matters worse, free VPNs usually come with limited and/or slow server networks. They also can't unblock most streaming services, especially YouTube TV. You're better off getting a VPN free trial from a premium provider that won't have any of these limitations or risks.
We recommend the NordVPN free trial, which is available for 7 days on Android. (If you have other devices, you can take advantage of its 30-day refund period to test it out.) After that, if you decide you want to get a long-term plan, you can try out any of the best VPN services for up to 30 to 45 days before committing to a subscription.
YouTube TV gets you the US cable TV experience without all the hassle. No contracts, no installations, and no hidden fees. Unfortunately, licensing restrictions make it difficult to expand beyond the US. Even if you have a YouTube TV account already, you won't be able to use it when traveling outside the US. This is why you need a VPN to unblock YouTube TV in Canada.
We recommend NordVPN as the best VPN to watch YouTube TV in Canada. It comes with 1,970+ high-speed servers in 16 US locations, plus SmartPlay to help you unblock any streaming services. It also has obfuscation to mask the fact that you’re using a VPN. You'll be able to get YouTube TV effortlessly and enjoy buffer-free streaming from anywhere.
And there you have it - that’s how you watch YouTube TV in Canada with a VPN. If you have any more questions on the topic, drop us a comment below. Thanks for reading!