Three major networks have dominated American television for decades: NBC, CBS, and ABC. These networks were the base of TV programming from the 1950s to the 1980s and are highly influential. But how can one watch these famous American TV channels if he or she is based in Canada? Thus, let’s jump on the history of such networks and the efficient ways to connect to them if one is in a different country than America.
How to Watch American TV Channels in Canada
The VPN facility is the only effective way to watch American channels like NBC, CBS, and ABC in Canada. A VPN uses this feature to enable you to select the country you want your IP address to represent, choosing America. Here are the simple steps that you need to take to begin.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Watch American TV in Canada:
Follow the quick steps here to watch ABC in Canada:
- Subscribe to ExpressVPN.
- Download the VPN application on your device.
- Choose a server from the US [We recommend using the New York server].
- Head to the American TV channel website [For example: ABC, NBC, or CBS] and log in or register for an account.
- Enjoy American content in Canada easily!
Who Are the Big 3 American TV Networks?
The three major American TV channels are NBC, which stands for National Broadcasting Company; CBS, which stands for Columbia Broadcasting System; and ABC, which stands for American Broadcasting Company. Those networks have become indispensable parts of American pop culture and broadcast news, sports, entertainment, etc., programs today.
- NBC (National Broadcasting Company): Popularly known as the Peacock Network, owing to the shade of its logo, NBC was one of the pioneers who turned the ‘castle’ of broadcast TV. Some popular television programs, such as Friends, Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show, are productions of NBC.
- CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System): Through this, the well-renowned ‘Eye Network’ has been established for programs and series, including long-standing ones such as 60 Minutes, The Big Bang Theory and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. CBS is also into sports programming, especially NFL football.
- ABC (American Broadcasting Company): ABC is famously known as the Alphabet Network. Some of its popular shows include Grey’s Anatomy, The Bachelor and Dancing with the Stars. It has long been known to provide the best entertainment for family-oriented programs.
Most families are familiar with the biggest TV network in USA. Nevertheless, because of geographical limitations, it is not always easy to watch them in Canada.
Why American TV Channels Aren’t Available in Canada
The biggest challenge when watching or streaming American TV channels such as NBC, CBS, or ABC in Canada is the licensing and laws on copyright. These networks have made deals restricting the places where they allow their content to be broadcast. For example, if you attempt to stream these network’s websites or applications while in Canada, you will probably be informed that the content is unavailable in your location.
These American TV channels restrict viewership to regions within the United States only. Luckily, there is a solution to the problem, which is as common as using a VPN.
Which Platforms Offer NBC, CBS, and ABC
Here are some of the best streaming platforms you can use to watch these networks:
- DirecTV Stream: It has most US popular channels, such as NBC, CBS, and ABC.
- Sling TV: Transmits NBC and ABC local live channel broadcasting in specific markets.
- Hulu with Live TV: It has NBC, CBS, and ABC, as well as other channels.
- FuboTV: In certain places, it broadcasts NBC, CBS, ABC, and other networks such as The CW and Telemundo.
These services usually offer free trials, allowing you to try them out before committing to a subscription.
Can You Use Free VPNs to Watch American TV Channels?
Yes, but although things like streaming American TV channels can be gotten through a free VPN service, free VPNs are usually filled with certain restrictions. They often provide visitors with a slower connection, a restricted number of IP addresses, and reduced security, which can cause the loss of time on buffering and low picture quality.
Second, free VPNs may fail to provide the capability to unblock geo-restriction, which means that while using them, you may still need help with blocking the American TV channels you are interested in.
Which Devices are Compatible with American Networks in Canada?
You can watch American TV on the following:
- Roku (All models: Roku Ultra, Roku Express, Roku Streaming Stick)
- Amazon Fire TV (Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube, Fire TV Edition TVs)
- Apple TV (4th generation and Apple TV 4K)
- Chromecast (Google Chromecast, Chromecast with Google TV)
- Nvidia Shield TV (For Android TV users)
- iOS (iPhone, iPad running iOS 11.0 or later)
- Android (Smartphones and Tablets with Android 6.0 or later)
- Amazon Fire Tablets (Fire OS)
- Android TV (Sony, Sharp, Philips, and others)
- Samsung Smart TV (Tizen OS)
- LG Smart TV (WebOS)
- Xbox (Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Series S)
- PlayStation (PS4, PS5)
How to Download American TV Channels on Android in Canada?
Easy steps on how to get American TV channels on your Android device in Canada are as follows:
- Get a premium VPN like ExpressVPN from the Google Play Store.
- Launch the VPN app and connect to a US server. [We recommend using the New York server].
- Access the Google Play Store and search for American TV [For example: ABC app].
- Install the ABC Network app.
- Once installed, log in using your TV provider credentials and enjoy ABC TV content.
How to Get American TV App in Canada on iPhone?
Here are the simple steps for getting American TV app in Canada on iPhone:
- Get ExpressVPN and connect to a US server (We recommend using New York server).
- Create a new Apple ID with an American address.
- Log in to the App Store using this new Apple ID.
- Download the American TV channel app [For example ABC app].
- Sign in with your TV provider credentials and enjoy American TV shows.
What Are the Shows/Movies of American TV
| ABC | NBC | CBS |
| Grey’s Anatomy | This Is Us | The Big Bang Theory |
| The Bachelor | The Voice | NCIS |
| Dancing with the Stars | Saturday Night Live | Survivor |
| A Million Little Things | Law & Order: SVU | Young Sheldon |
| The Good Doctor | Chicago Fire | Blue Bloods |
To get the best streaming, you are advised to get a paid VPN service, which is very important. This will increase the speeds, offer more server options in the US, and make streaming more secure to ensure that it will not be interrupted.
Why Are American TV Channels Not Working with My VPN in Canada? [Troubleshooting Tips]
If the VPN you are using is not practical in enabling you to watch American TV Canada, then it means that you’re not using good enough VPN service:
- Switch VPN Servers: The server you’re using might be banned, so try using another one.
- Clear Browser Cache and Cookies: Sometimes, the system can fail to function as expected due to the caches and cookies present. Clear them or use a different browser, and you will find the changes that have happened.
- Disable VPN Browser Extension: If the user installs a browser extension, the search results might not be satisfactory, but they will be much better if they use a VPN app.
- Check VPN Settings: Ensure your VPN setup is correct and optimized for streaming.
- Contact VPN Support: If the problems are not resolved, you should consult with the representatives of your VPN service provider.
FAQs
Use platforms like DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, Hulu Live, and FuboTV with a VPN.
ABC is not freely accessible in Canada because of the geo-blocking factors already discussed. Nevertheless, ABC is available through selected pay television broadcasters or streaming services where the network is available.
CBS is available with some Canadian pay-TV providers, and people living near the United States border can receive it through an antenna. Nonetheless, a VPN or streaming platform that includes CBS is required to live stream or watch CBS online.
They are referred to as the “Big Three” American TV channels.
Yes, you can watch it because ABC is hosting the debate.
Conclusion
Although American TV channels like NBC, CBS, and ABC aren’t readily available in Canada due to copyright laws and geographical restrictions, a simple way to watch them is by using a VPN.
This USA Network TV guide mentions VPN, which is one of the most effective ways to protect the privacy of your data when accessing these websites. A VPN makes this possible since you can watch your shows, news and sports just as if you are in the US through a paid VPN or streaming services such as Hulu Live and Sling TV, among others.
Once you follow the guidelines shared above, you can continue to have access to the most-watched US TV networks today and never miss the best entertainment moment.
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