It’s no surprise that the United States offers a broader spectrum of television content than any other country. You’re spoiled for choice across every content category, from broadcast to cable and streaming platforms. Unfortunately, if you try to watch US TV in Spain, chances are you’ll run into a solid roadblock.
That’s because streaming and copyright licensing agreements dictate how American content is aired abroad. If you’re a US expat or just a fan of American TV channels, you’re likely to watch your favorite content late or not at all. Unless you use a workaround, that is. And a virtual private network (VPN) is the most reliable there is.
This article presents a simple procedure for accessing American TV channels from Spain. And as they’re not all created in the same way, you’ll get a list of the best VPN services for the job.
Why You Can’t Watch American TV channels in Spain
The United States offers a vast and diverse array of television content featuring a wide range of options to cater to various tastes. From ABC to FOX, CBS, Disney, CNN, ESPN, and loads more, there’s an abundance of programming spanning news, sports, entertainment, and more.
But as soon as you travel outside the country, you encounter a significant challenge: geo-restrictions. The core issue lies in licensing agreements and strict copyright regulations that tightly dictate where and how networks and channels can air programming.
Restrictions come into effect quickly, preventing access to these channels. When you try to visit a US TV channel website from Spain, for instance, it detects your location through your IP address. Rather than delivering the anticipated content, you’re met with an apologetic prompt instead.
While Spain certainly offers its own selection of TV channels, the variety doesn’t quite match the extensive options you would get in the United States. What’s more, there’s the issue of American travelers in Spain who want to keep up with the latest news and follow their favorite shows from home.
However, when you connect to a VPN server in the US from Spain, it masks your IP address, and you get a US IP address instead. That way, you can access all the US TV content you want, outsmarting the geo-blocking technology.
How to Watch US TV in Spain With a VPN
Here’s a simple three-step process to unlock American television in Spain using a VPN.
Step 1: Subscribe to a VPN Service
First, you must subscribe to a reliable VPN service. Many providers offer servers in the United States, but you should watch out for other attributes, including excellent unblocking abilities, fast connection speeds, and robust privacy and security features.
After you decide on a VPN provider, visit its official website and sign up for a subscription plan that aligns with your preferences. You’ll create an account in the process.
We’re going to present three relevant options next, but you should know that our #1 recommendation is ExpressVPN.
Watch American TV Channels in Spain with ExpressVPN
Step 2: Install the VPN App
Download the VPN application corresponding to your device’s operating system on the provider’s website or the official smartphone app stores. Most premium VPNs have apps for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Follow the installation instructions provided to set up the app on your device.
Step 3: Connect to a VPN Server in the USA
Launch the VPN and log in using your newly created account credentials. Within the app, you’ll find a list of available servers. Choose a server located in the United States and connect to it. In the process, your IP address will be replaced with an American one, effectively masking your location and making it appear like you’re accessing the internet from within the United States.
Finally, return to the website or app of your preferred US TV channel. If you followed the steps above with a quality VPN service, you should now be able to watch all US TV channels from Spain.
Best VPNs to Watch US TV in Spain
Now you know how to enjoy American television while in the beautiful European nation of Spain, let’s throw in a few VPNs. The United States is easily the most popular VPN location, home to countless VPN servers. That means picking the best provider for the task isn’t the easiest.
As a result, we tested dozens of providers to arrive at three of the best options for you. Here they are.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is not just the best provider to watch US television channels from Spain; it also sits on top of our best VPN rankings. The British Virgin Islands-based service offers an excellent blend of performance, unblocking, and more.
It comes with 3,000+ servers spanning 105 countries. That’s not the largest collection you’ll find, but it’s pretty sizeable regardless. The VPN doesn’t disclose how many servers are available in the United States. That said, they are spread across 24 locations, including Santa Monica.
ExpressVPN deploys high-performance 10 Gbps servers. Its custom protocol, Lightway, easily beats out OpenVPN in terms of speed and runs neck-and-neck with WireGuard. In essence, you can expect blazing-fast connection speeds for buffer-free streaming, downloads, and other activities.
The geo-blocks imposed by American TV channels cannot withstand ExpressVPN. The VPN lets you follow along with your favorite content across any category in Spain and anywhere else. Streaming platforms are typically stricter with their restrictions, but ExpressVPN lets you access exclusive content on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more.
Security-wise, the VPN is impeccable. It employs the military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data. That cipher is virtually unbreakable and scrambles your data so hackers and other malicious actors cannot steal it. In addition, ExpressVPN offers a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and RAM-based servers. Its strict no-logs policy has undergone independent auditing, guaranteeing your browsing sessions are confidential.
ExpressVPN is compatible with a wide range of platforms and devices and lets you use up to eight devices at the same time on one account. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try out the service risk-free.
2. CyberGhost
CyberGhost has a user-friendly interface and a short learning curve, which makes it a favorite among VPN newbies. It’s also an affordable alternative to ExpressVPN. If a 45-day refund policy is anything to go by, it’s pretty confident about the quality of its service.
The provider has the most massive network on this list by some distance. CyberGhost’s server network is nothing short of impressive, with over 9,700 servers across 91 countries. Its US collection is strategically placed across 11 cities. That extensive presence significantly reduces the chances of encountering server congestion or sluggish performance.
CyberGhost is especially effective for watching US television in Spain (or anywhere else), thanks to its streaming-optimized servers. Netflix, NBC, ESPN, Paramount+, and more each have dedicated servers, providing instant, secure access to the content you love without interruption, whether it’s news, sports, or entertainment.
What’s more, CyberGhost ensures fast and stable streaming thanks to its high-bandwidth server infrastructure and efficient tunneling protocols. This ensures your streaming experience is free from buffering or lag, even if you prefer high-definition content.
In addition, the VPN places a strong emphasis on privacy and security. So you’re not vulnerable to hackers, CyberGhost protects your data with the robust AES 256-bit encryption cipher. An airtight kill switch keeps your data from leaking when there’s an interruption in your connection. Building on that, there’s also DNS and IP leak protection. Plus, the provider has a strict no-logs policy.
You can use CyberGhost on any device you stream American TV with. A single account protects up to seven devices simultaneously.
3. NordVPN
NordVPN is another solid choice for accessing US TV channels in Spain, with a rich feature set and extensive server network. This top-tier VPN service has an excellent reputation for its performance and unblocking capabilities, which makes it a dependable option for watching American TV abroad.
NordVPN’s impressive server network includes over 5,800 servers spread across 60 countries worldwide. But here’s what we particularly like: almost 2,000 of those span 16 locations in the United States. That wealth of options essentially guarantees reliable connections and consistent performance.
Especially considering NordVPN is one of the fastest providers in the market. It uses 10 Gbps infrastructure and provides lightning-fast tunneling protocol options like NordLynx, its play on WireGuard. Regardless of the distance to your server choice, you’ll likely stream in up to 4K resolution buffer-free.
In addition, NordVPN is highly effective in bypassing geo-restrictions imposed by American TV channels. It effortlessly grants users access to a plethora of US content on cable television. But streaming platforms are not left out. It circumvents geo-restrictions on popular platforms effortlessly, from Netflix to Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and more.
In terms of security and privacy, NordVPN offers comprehensive protection, from standard to advanced and extra functionality. There’s powerful encryption, an app-level kill switch, RAM-only servers, and a third-party–verified no-logs policy. On top of that, NordVPN doubles your protection with multi-hop, Onion over VPN, and several other features.
You can use NordVPN on several devices, including gaming consoles and streaming boxes. The provider lets you connect up to six devices simultaneously using a single NordVPN account.
NordVPN is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, providing a risk-free opportunity to test its features and performance.
Can You Use a Free VPN to Watch American TV from Spain?
Using a free VPN to access US TV channels in Spain seems like a cost-effective solution, but significant limitations exist.
For one, free VPNs usually have a limited number of servers even though the US is the most popular VPN destination. Consequently, you can expect frequently overcrowded servers, resulting in slow and inconsistent connection speeds. Such a lackluster performance can lead to a frustrating streaming experience with buffering and interruptions.
Plus, they often impose data and bandwidth restrictions. These can severely impact your ability to stream US TV channels, especially high-definition content. Imagine exhausting your monthly data allowance halfway through the Super Bowl game.
Another crucial issue with free VPNs is privacy and security. Many of them lack robust encryption and privacy features. Some log your online activities, and others could even expose you to intrusive advertisements.
We strongly recommend using a paid VPN service if you want a reliable and secure way to watch US TV in Spain. Sure, a cost is involved, but the benefits of uninterrupted streaming, improved security, and privacy far outweigh the limitations of free VPNs. You can find affordable VPN options with excellent performance and reliability without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
When you’re done following the steps in this article, there won’t be any reason to miss out on your favorite US television content when you’re in Spain. Set up a quality VPN service on your device, and geo-restrictions from ABC, NBC, Netflix, ESPN, and other platforms will not be able to keep you out.
We recommend ExpressVPN as the go-to VPN option to watch US TV in Spain. It’s incredibly fast, offers an impressive collection of servers, and has your online privacy and security on lock. Hop on its annual plan for 49% off and three months extra.
Note that the trick can also be used to watch Spanish TV outside Spain. The only difference is that you need to connect to a VPN server located in Spain, not in the USA.
