China is a country that is constantly growing, and it is becoming a force to be reckoned with. On the other hand, it is a country of vivid history and beautiful tourist attractions, which is the reason why paying it a visit is a worthy experience. Still, you need to be aware that, unlike in the US, China is quite restrictive when it comes to browsing the world wide web. In this article, we will be focusing on how to access and watch American TV channels while in China.
If you are currently in the country and you can’t watch your favorite TV show, it is not something that should stress you too much. We say this because there is a simple solution.
Read on to find out how to solve the issue of geo-blockades and enjoy US TV for free from China with our special trick!
Why Can’t I Watch US TV in China?
One of the most common questions related to the content being restricted in certain countries is, why does it happen? In some cases, it is due to the regulations imposed by the government. However, in most situations, it is because of the geo-blockades that are coming from channel providers.
What stands behind this is licensing. Thus, you will find that American TV channels are going to be available only to people who are currently in the country. Even if you were a citizen/resident when you subscribed, that won’t matter unless your present IP address is an American one.
Not being able to unblock US Television for this matter is more common than you think. This is the exact reason why the VPN market offers a plethora of options. Why is this solution effective and what is a reliable choice that works in China?
Solution – Use a VPN
While Virtual Private Networks are completely legal in most countries, when it comes to China, each provider is monitored by the government. Surprisingly enough, it is legal to use a VPN in China but not all of them work correctly.
Why? Well, most VPNs aren’t strong enough to bypass the common geo-restrictions and allow free access to your favorite US TV content or streaming platforms.
However, there are still options that feature a reliable stealth mode and offer servers in the mainland or Hong Kong (the optimal solution). This will allow you to get through the Great Chinese Firewall.
How does this work, though? A Virtual Private Network tunnels your internet connection from one location (your current one set in China) to an alternative one set in the US. Only this way will you be able to unblock the censored content and channel.
As long as you install a reliable service, there is nothing complicated behind it. In fact, you can read our guide to know how to setup a VPN to find out exactly what to do.
How To Use a VPN?
Now that you know how a VPN works, here is how to use it to watch US TV:
- Sign up for and download your chosen VPN
- Sign in using your credentials
- Open the servers list and choose one in the US
- Click connect and watch your favorite US TV shows without any error message or restriction.
And that’s all there is to it!
VPN to Choose to Watch US TV in China
It is a fact that most providers claim to unblock Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, and other popular streaming platforms. Needless to say, most aren’t able to work in China.
Still, there are a number of options that work well.
ExpressVPN
Our first and top choice is ExpressVPN. It is not behind the aforementioned two because it lacks quality, though. It is simply the fact that even its most affordable price is two times more than what NordVPN and Surfshark have to offer.
However, no one can deny that ExpressVPN provides phenomenal performance if you are currently set in China. Unlike most of its competitors, you shouldn’t have connections or ping issues. We tested this and found the speed drop to be set at 20%, which is not a lot given the circumstances.
Also, it offers industry-standard encryption, a set of tunneling protocols, and a user-friendly interface. Overall, it is a force to be reckoned with! So click the link below for more!
NordVPN
Next is this Panama-based VPN, which is considered to be the most reliable option out there. The main reason is because of the splendid security and privacy aspect that it offers. What you are looking at is a strict no-log policy highlighted by industry-standard encryption and tunneling protocols.
NordVPN is a global provider that offers more than 5,500 servers in just below 60 countries. As you could expect, a lot of them are set in the United States, given the content that is available when you are connected to these servers.
It also works quite well in China. This is due to the strong stealth mode that should keep you undiscovered during the streaming/browsing session.
Along with this, it is user-friendly, as installation and connecting to servers is something that is done within a few simple steps. Not to mention, it offers affordable pricing options. Your best bet will be the 3-year plan, which is set at $3.49 per month! So sign up here for this great price!
Surfshark
Our third choice would be Surfshark. It is based in British Virgin Islands and, much like NordVPN, not subject to the 5/9/14-Eyes alliance. This is a great start for any VPN.
Frankly, Surfshark stands as one of the providers that operate the best in China. Thus, not only will you be able to access US TV, but you can also stream local TV for free.
What we love about this option is that it comes with a splendid live chat feature that will address your issues 24/7. Also, you can connect and protect unlimited number of devices at a single time. This includes Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and routers!
Lastly, Surfshark offers reliable leak protection and doesn’t include malware risks. This is why it is among the best options out there, so click below to sign up!
Wrap Up
If you were to ask us, not being able to access content in China is not something that you should be overwhelmed by. Yes, you may need to invest a bit of effort into unblocking.
However, considering how easy ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark are to use, you won’t have to invest a lot of effort.