If you’re in dire need of entertainment, very few places are better than CBS. However, you’ll quickly realize you can’t watch CBS in the UK if you’re in this stunning country. English countryside and gigantic cliffs shine with beauty but aren’t enough to impress CBS.
In other words, CBS will work only in the US and Brits will be out of the game. Geo-restrictions are annoying and discouraging but not unbeatable. Today’s tutorial will focus on combating them and unblocking CBS in the United Kingdom for ample enjoyment.
Why Is CBS Not Accessible in the UK?
Let’s first explain the problem. CBS is a TV channel that works only in the US due to licensing agreements. We won’t go too deep into that because we’re not experts on that. However, each channel and streaming service has these agreements with copyright holders.
Understandably, CBS doesn’t own all of its content, so it doesn’t always get to decide how that content will be handled. In general, CBS will NOT work abroad no matter which shows and movies you try to watch, so it’s region-locked entirely for the reasons mentioned above.
Netflix, for example, region-locks only specific content, leaving its “Original” titles available worldwide. In the case of CBS, it will reinforce its geo-blocks through your IP address. Each visitor is “checked” for his IP address, and if the IP is from the US, access is allowed.
Otherwise, the user is shot down by an error message that prevents access to any movie, show, or live TV. Many people have found that simply changing their online location yields excellent results, and above all, “tricks” the website into thinking they’re somewhere else.
How to Unblock and Watch CBS in the UK?
That “somewhere else” is the United States. CBS requires a US IP address to work. Most people who unblocked CBS in the UK have used NordVPN since it’s the most popular provider. Besides, on our list of best performing VPNs, NordVPN came in at #1.
Even if you leave our opinion aside and focus on watching CBS in the UK, you’ll see that this provider actually works. That’s what most people have reported. On top of that, the same people managed to watch CBS in the UK for free for 30 days with a money-back guarantee.
So, the basic premise is to get an American IP and we’ll explain how to do that with NordVPN.
1. Set Up the VPN
You’ll first need to subscribe. This isn’t a free VPN, so an upfront payment is a must. Alternatively, you can opt for the NordVPN free trial for 7 days and not pay a dollar. However, if you need it for longer, a 30-day money-back guarantee will suffice.
Access CBS in the UK With NordVPN
NordVPN currently offers a few discounted 2-year plans for you to check out. Go to its site, choose one, and subscribe. After that, install NordVPN on the device you’ll use for streaming CBS in the United Kingdom. It’s as easy as installing any other application.
Open the application afterward, sign in, and connect to the US server. You can do this by unwrapping the server list, finding the United States, and clicking or tapping on it once.
2. Use CBS in the UK
With the US IP in your hands, all that’s left is to go to CBS and watch it. Americans who have an account can sign in and enjoy the TV channel normally. If you’re a Brit and this is your first time using CBS in the UK, you can freely register for a new account.
When asked to input your postal code, use a random USA postal code generator online. From here, enter the postal code, fill out the rest of the info, and enjoy. You can watch on-demand shows, series, and movies but without access to the Live TV section.
More about that in the next section.
Can You Watch CBS Live in the United Kingdom?
When you click on Live TV on CBS, you’ll be able to watch some channels and content. However, shows like Big Brother and Survivor are locked behind the paywall. This type of content is accessible only through a TV provider of your choice. Now, we have a problem.
While in the United Kingdom, you can watch British TV channels but some American channels require a third-party TV provider. Watching CBS live in the UK will prompt you to pick from:
- DirecTV Stream
- Spectrum
- YouTube TV
- Paramount+
- Hulu
- Optimum, and a few more.
None of these work in the UK and if you’re a non-American, it’s impossible to subscribe to them. They require an American payment method, and if you’re a Brit, you’re likely without one. The best solution is to register for Hulu or Paramount Plus, as they support gift cards.
We demonstrated how to watch Hulu outside the USA with a VPN. In that guide, we briefly mentioned its gift cards that can be used by people abroad. The same goes for Paramount Plus whose gift cards can help you buy the subscription without using your credit card.
The workaround revolves around buying a Hulu or Paramount+ gift card from a third-party site. From there, you go to any of these sites, activate the gift card, and use this money to subscribe. If you do this, you can choose Hulu or Paramount+ as your TV provider on CBS.
This will unlock the Live TV option and let you watch the latest and greatest episodes of Survivor, Big Brother, NCIS, and plenty more.
How to Watch CBS in the UK for Free?
CBS is free by default and you can watch it by signing up. Now, if you ask this question, we can assume you refer to watching CBS in the UK with a free VPN. In this case, we have to say that free VPNs aren’t the best option, especially if you prioritize streaming.
Free providers lack the streaming optimization needed for unblocking geo-restricted content. Many people avoid them for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and many others since they don’t work. Now, CBS works in the USA and many free VPNs have servers there.
Sadly, these servers are made only for light browsing and occasional YouTube watching. On top of that, many of them limit your monthly bandwidth. As you know, streaming requires plenty of bandwidth, so expect to exceed your meager limits in a day or two.
The solution – albeit temporary – is to use NordVPN or any other similar-quality provider for free. In particular, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you can be refunded at the end. To watch CBS in the UK for free, simply:
- Get NordVPN the way we explained above.
- Connect to the US server and watch CBS in the UK.
- Right before the 30 days are over, contact NordVPN and request a refund.
This works well if you’re in the UK briefly, on vacation, or a business trip. After you’re home, you won’t need a VPN to watch CBS anymore and can safely get rid of it with a refund.
Best VPNs for Unblocking CBS in the UK
The only way to unblock streaming services and foreign TV channels is through the VPN. You can always travel to another country but if that’s your reason, you’re likely that unemployed friend everybody has.
Some of the best VPNs for CBS include:
6300 servers
111 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
10 simultaneous connections
9.8 /10
3000 servers
105 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
8 simultaneous connections
9.4 /10
12000 servers
100 covered countries
45 days money-back guarantee
7 simultaneous connections
9.2 /10
1. NordVPN
According to many people who’ve tried it, NordVPN seems to be the best overall VPN to watch CBS in the UK. With roughly 2,000 US servers and unrestricted bandwidth, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the top-rated VPNs for streaming. That’s not all, however.
NordVPN includes NordLynx as its in-house protocol to amplify speed and security. Its 10 Gbps server ports ensure the speed reduction is never above 20%. Moreover, NordVPN has Smart DNS with plenty of US DNS addresses for various American streaming platforms.
For example, Smart DNS can unblock Netflix US. The same could be said about its reliable browser extension with location spoofing, capable of overcoming the most stubborn geo-blocks. NordVPN has excellent security, bar-none privacy, and apps for all devices.
You can expect 10 simultaneous connections and 24/7 support as well. These “small” things mean a lot and contribute to the overall user experience. Best of all, NordVPN’s price is kept at bay with frequent discounts and promotions, so you’ll pay around $3/mo for this pleasure.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is another VPN people often turn to when they want to watch CBS in the United Kingdom. Like the previous option, ExpressVPN has a wealthy server fleet in over 105 countries. To that, we should add over 22 locations in the US, all CBS-friendly.
ExpressVPN relies on its Lightway protocol to churn out godlike performance. 4K streaming is a breeze and so is low-ping gaming, torrenting, and other bandwidth-hungry activities. If you want to stream without setting up the VPN, you can rely on its Smart DNS service.
However, ExpressVPN is so simple to use, that you won’t need anything else. Besides, ExpressVPN works with Netflix perfectly and unblocks over 15 catalogs with its app. Rest assured CBS in the UK will function like a well-oiled engine.
While it’s a tad pricier than NordVPN, ExpressVPN is still pocket-friendly. Its 49% discount thanks to 3 free months for the annual plan is there, coupled with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Yet, you get what we call a full package without specific shortcomings.
3. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is our favorite ghostie, with dedicated streaming servers in the US. Do they work with CBS? How can you even ask?! CyberGhost is an amazing VPN to unblock CBS in the UK or anywhere else, with features like unlimited traffic, blazing-fast speeds, and 12,000 servers.
Apart from sheer numbers, CyberGhost excels in compatibility. It works swiftly on all platforms, offering streaming-friendly apps for your convenience. Windows VPN users can also enjoy torrenting servers for secure P2P. NoSpy servers are also here for you.
They bolster your privacy further, as they’re owned by CyberGhost and not rented. CyberGhost has Smart DNS too but this time, with DNS addresses in and outside the USA. This makes it suitable for streaming BBC iPlayer outside the UK without installing a VPN.
CyberGhost is, above all, the most affordable VPN for watching CBS in Great Britain. You can capitalize on its 2-year plan with 2 free months at just over $2 monthly! Sprinkle that with a 45-day money-back guarantee and the deal becomes even sweeter – perhaps too much!
Summary
Accessing CBS in the UK ultimately boils down to trickery. You’ll have to trick the website into “thinking” you’re in the United States. This can be done only with a VPN whose ability to provide a US IP address can solve the problem. Remember that this solution is risk-free.
As it’s also tested by many people online, it’s clear that it works like a charm. NordVPN is, in most cases, the choice of CBS fans. However, you can go outside its realm and pick ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, or perhaps another befitting VPN. We’ll leave you to it.
