Are you a Canadian expat, a fan of Canadian television, or simply someone curious about the diverse programming offered by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)? You should know that accessing CBC’s rich array of shows, news, and sports outside Canada is more complicated due to geo-restrictions. These restrictions can prevent viewers outside Canada from enjoying popular shows and live broadcasts that CBC offers.
Using a VPN is a reliable solution for accessing CBC’s content from anywhere in the world. In this blog, I have explained how to use a VPN to watch CBC outside Canada and provided all related information. Follow this guide thoroughly to learn how to easily stream CBC outside Canada.
Table of Contents
Why do You need a Canadian IP to watch CBC Canada?
CBC uses geo-blocking technology to restrict access to its content based on the user’s location. This means that if you try to watch CBC from outside Canada, you will receive an error message indicating that the content is unavailable in your region.
These restrictions are in place to comply with licensing laws that govern where the broadcaster can distribute its content.
A VPN allows you to connect to a server in Canada, providing you with a Canadian IP address. This makes it appear you are browsing the internet from within Canada, bypassing CBC’s geo-restrictions. This is the primary reason a VPN is necessary for accessing CBC content abroad.
Following are some other reasons why you should be using a VPN:
Privacy and Security
A VPN helps you bypass geo-restrictions and encrypts your internet connection. This encryption helps protect your personal information from hackers and spies on public networks. It ensures that your browsing activities are private and your data is secure.
Overcoming Censorship
Some countries implement strict internet censorship, which can restrict access to foreign media and websites. A VPN helps you overcome these restrictions by routing your internet connection through a server in a different country, allowing you to access the internet more freely.
Enhanced Streaming Experience
High-quality VPNs offer fast connection speeds, crucial for streaming high-definition video without buffering. By using a VPN, you can enjoy a smoother streaming experience when watching CBC, even if your local internet service provider may throttle streaming services.
How to Watch CBC Canada with a VPN
- Visit the AstrillVPN website and choose a subscription plan that suits your needs.
- After signing up, download the AstrillVPN app for your device.
- Install the app on your device and open it.
- Log in to the app using your credentials.
- Select a Canada server from the list.
- Now open the CBC Gem app or website.
- Login to your CBC account, and if you don’t have one, follow the procedure mentioned in the next section.
How to sign up for CBC outside of Canada
Follow these steps to sign up for CBC outside Canada:
- With your AstrillVPN connected, open your web browser and go to the CBC website.
- Go to the CBC sign-up page.
- Enter your email address and password, and complete the form as instructed.
- If you are asked for a postal code, you can use any Canadian postal code (e.g., M5V 3G7 for Toronto or H3Z 2A7 for Montreal).
- After signing up, CBC will likely email you to verify your address.
- Check your email inbox and click on the verification link provided.
- You can watch CBC content online once your account is set up and verified.
How to watch CBC on different devices
How to watch CBC outside Canada on iOS
- Install AstrillVPN on your iPhone or iPad.
- Launch the AstrillVPN app and log in with your credentials.
- Connect to a server located in Canada to ensure you get a Canadian IP address.
- If CBC’s app is unavailable in your App Store, you may need to create a new Apple ID with Canada as the selected country.
- Log out of your Apple ID, create a new one with a Canadian address, and sign in.
- Once connected to a Canadian server and with your Canadian Apple ID, you can download the CBC Gem app from the App Store if necessary.
- Open the CBC Gem app. If you already have a CBC account, log in with your credentials. Otherwise, follow the sign-up process described in the previous section on signing up for CBC outside Canada.
- Now, you can browse and stream CBC content on your iOS device.
How to watch CBC outside Canada on Android Devices
- Download and Install the AstrillVPN app.
- Open the VPN app, log in, and connect to a server in Canada.
- If the CBC Gem app is not available in your region’s Google Play Store, you might need to change your store’s country to Canada. To do this, go to the Play Store’s Account settings and change your location to Canada.
- After changing your region, search for and download the CBC Gem app in the Play Store.
- Open the CBC Gem app, log in with your CBC account, or complete the registration process.
- You can watch your favorite CBC shows and live TV on your Android device.
How to watch CBC outside Canada on Roku
Since Roku devices do not support VPN apps directly, you need to install AstrillVPN on your router. Set the router to connect to a Canadian VPN server. Once done, follow these simple steps:
- Go to the Roku home screen, select ‘Streaming Channels,’ and then ‘Search Channels.’
- Search for “CBC Gem” and add the channel to your Roku.
- Open the CBC Gem channel on your Roku and sign in with your CBC credentials.
- Now enjoy CBC shows and live TV on your Roku device.
How to Get CBC Gem on a Smart TV
Before I tell you how to get CBC Gem on a Smart TV, you must ensure your smart TV supports the CBC Gem app. Most modern smart TVs from popular manufacturers like Samsung, LG, Sony, and others often have the CBC Gem app in their app store.
Also, you need to have AstrillVPN configured on your router and connected to a Canadian VPN server.
Once you have set the VPN and checked that the CBC Gem app is available in the app store, follow these steps:
- Go to your smart TV’s app store. Depending on your TV brand, this could be the Google Play Store, Samsung Smart Hub, LG Content Store, or another app store.
- Use the search function to look for “CBC Gem.”
- Select the CBC Gem app from the search results and download it to your smart TV.
- Once the app is installed, open it.
- You can log in with your credentials if you already have a CBC Gem account. If not, you can create an account by following the on-screen instructions.
How to Watch CBC Outside Canada on FireStick
Since AstrillVPN isn’t available on the Amazon App Store, you must install it on your router and connect to a Canadian server. Once you’re set and connected to the Canadian AstrillVPN server, follow these steps:
- Search for the CBC Gem app in the FireStick’s Amazon Appstore and download it.
- Open the CBC Gem app and log in with your CBC account.
- You’re now ready to stream CBC content on your FireStick.
What to Watch on CBC outside Canada
CBC offers diverse programming, including everything from news and documentaries to sports and dramatic series. Whether you’re a fan of intense dramas, comedic sitcoms, or insightful documentaries, CBC has something to offer. Here are some trending movies and TV shows you can watch on CBC outside Canada, especially when connected via a VPN.
Trending movies on CBC outside Canada
CBC Gem, the streaming service from CBC, frequently updates its library with films ranging from Canadian productions to internationally acclaimed features. Here are some trending movies that you might find on CBC Gem:
- The Zone of Interest.
- Dune.
- Anyone But You.
- Dune: Part Two.
- Late Night with the Devil.
- Maudie
- Incendies
- The Grand Seduction
- Anthropocene: The Human Epoch
- Brooklyn
Trending TV shows on CBC outside of Canada
CBC is known for its strong lineup of TV shows, including local Canadian content and popular international series. Here are some trending and must-watch shows on CBC outside Canada:
- Schitt’s Creek
- Kim’s Convenience
- Murdoch Mysteries
- Heartland
- Pretty Hard Cases
- Son of a Critch
- Wild Cards
- Workin’ Moms
- Allegiance
- Best in Miniature
Is it legal to use a VPN to watch CBC outside Canada?
It is not illegal to use a VPN to watch CBC outside of Canada. VPNs are legal tools in most countries, designed to enhance online privacy and security by encrypting internet traffic and masking users’ real IP addresses. People use VPNs for various reasons, including protecting sensitive data and ensuring privacy online.
However, using a VPN to access CBC content outside Canada technically violates CBC’s terms of service due to licensing agreements that restrict content distribution to certain geographic regions. While this practice is against the terms of service, it does not lead to legal prosecution. Still, it may result in CBC blocking IP addresses associated with VPN services if they detect such activity.
Can I use a free VPN to watch CBC outside Canada?
No, using a free VPN to watch CBC outside Canada is strictly not recommended. Free VPNs are notorious for having weaker security protocols, which can put your data at risk. Some free VPNs track user data and browsing habits to sell to third parties. This compromises your privacy and security.
Also, many free VPNs have data limits or bandwidth caps, which can be quickly exhausted when streaming video content like that available on CBC Gem.
FAQs
You can stream CBC on a wide range of devices including:
iOS devices (iPhone and iPad)
Android devices (smartphones and tablets)
Roku
Amazon FireStick
Xbox
Smart TVs
Personal computers (via web browsers)
CBC Gem offers a free tier that includes access to a wide range of CBC content, including some live TV channels and on-demand shows. A premium tier is also available that provides additional content and features, such as ad-free on-demand viewing and access to live streams of CBC News Network.
CBC Gem is unavailable outside Canada primarily due to licensing agreements that restrict the distribution of content to certain geographic areas. These agreements prevent CBC from showing certain content outside Canada to protect the commercial interests of content producers and distributors.
No comments were posted yet