The Ultimate Guide to Streaming U.S. content in Canada

Are you tired of missing out on popular U.S. TV shows and movies? Do you want to access streaming services like Netflix U.S., Hulu, Peacock, Max and Amazon Prime Video U.S. from the comfort of your own home in Canada? Look no further! This ultimate guide will teach you everything you need to know about streaming U.S. content in Canada and how to overcome geo-restrictions with a VPN.

Popular U.S. Streaming Services Not Available to Canadians 

While there are many streaming services available in Canada, several popular streaming services operate in the U.S., including Netflix U.S., Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video U.S. and Peacock. These services provide a wide range of content, from original TV shows and movies to live sports and documentaries.

Netflix U.S.

Netflix U.S. offers a vast selection of shows and movies not available on Netflix Canada. This includes popular shows like Criminal Minds, Dexter, The Twilight Zone, the Tudors and Parks and Recreation. Meanwhile, the company’s Canadian programming has shows and movies you cannot see south of the border. For example, you can only catch Never Have I Ever, Manifest, Selling Sunset, Outer Banks, Firefly Lane, Wednesday, Lucifer and Peaky Blinders in Canada. To access Netflix U.S. from Canada, simply connect to a U.S.-based VPN server.

Max

Another popular streaming service Max (formerly HBO Max) serves up a separate menu of exclusive content. Its list includes the highly-rated series Game of Thrones, Westworld and The Sopranos. You can also catch podcasts, sports and comedy specials.

To connect with Max from Canada, you will need to use a VPN with a U.S.-based server. However, you can watch most of its content when you sign up for the Canadian service Crave. If you do so, you’ll also get Crave’s exclusives, like Dark Side of The Ring, Little Bird, Letterkenny, Sisters, Thunder Bay, Disobey, Don’t Rest in Peace and Evolving Vegan.

Hulu

Meanwhile, Hulu delivers a wide range of current TV shows, including The Handmaid’s Tale, This Is Us and Grey’s Anatomy. It draws content from more than 85 channels and stores recordings on a DVR for up to nine months. United States residents can bundle it with Disney+ and ESPN+ for a sports fix.

Hulu alone comes free in the U.S. but you need to subscribe to Disney+ to tap into many of its shows in Canada. This aligns since Disney also owns Hulu and 80 percent of ESPN+.

Peacock

On the other hand, Peacock shares shows like Downton Abbey, Below Deck and Punky Brewster, but only in limited countries. A subsidiary of NBCUniversal, it gets its name from the company’s iconic logo.

Its U.S. customers can watch original series, like Rutherford Falls, Saved By The Bell, The Girls in the Woods and Girls5Eva. Subscribers to Sky and NOW in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland also luck out. However, Canadians cannot watch its content.

Amazon Prime Video U.S.

Amazon Prime Video U.S. provides access to a wide range of movies and TV shows. For example, you can watch  original content like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, The Boys and The Man in the High Castle. Like Netflix, its programming differs in Canada.

This video-streaming service accompanies an Amazon Prime membership so you can watch hundreds of TV shows and movies. It claims to offer a larger selection of top-rated on-demand content than other catalogs.

However, due to different distribution rights or copyright laws, you cannot access certain movies and shows. To watch Amazon Prime Video U.S. from Canada, you need to use a VPN with a U.S.-based server.

ABC Go

The ABC GO app features all shows created and hosted by one of the biggest TV networks in the United States. For instance, think The Wonder Years, the Bachelorette, American Idol and Abbott Elementary.

While this video-on-demand service streams free in the U.S., its access is geo restricted to that country only. In other words, you need to use a VPN to watch ABC’s content. However, many of its shows, like The Rookie and Grey’s Anatomy, can appear on your screen via other streaming services.

ESPN+

Sports fans can never get enough of their favourite games. That’s why this service streams football, basketball, lacrosse, baseball, hockey, wrestling, and to more than 25.3 million screens. It also delivers live MLB games all season long. Fans can also enjoy content like the docuseries Player 54: Chasing the XFL Dream and documentaries On The Clock and Bananaland.

Understanding Geo-Restrictions

Streaming services put geo-restrictions in place to limit access to content based on your location. This means that if you try getting U.S. content not available in Canada, you will get blocked from viewing it.

This common practice helps streaming services comply with licensing agreements and copyright laws. These restrictions prevent users from watching content beyond the region specified in these legal contracts. For instance, a broadcaster may have the rights to show a particular series in one country, but not in another.

However, geo-restrictions can frustrate users who want to watch content that is available in other regions. Fortunately, you can bypass these restrictions and access the content you want.

How Geo-Restrictions Limit the Streaming U.S. Content in Canada

Streaming services rely on a technology called geolocation to determine a user’s physical location. This technology works by analyzing the user’s IP address, a unique identifier given to each device connected to the internet. The IP address provides information about the user’s locale, including the country, state, in some cases, even the city.

Once the streaming service has determined the user’s location, it can then apply geo-restrictions. For example, if a Canadian resident tries to see a show that is only available in the United States, they will get blocked.

However, you can get around these restrictions to watch content that is not available in your region. One popular method uses a virtual private network (VPN).

Is using a VPN to access U.S. streaming services legal? 

Bypassing geo-restrictions can violate the streaming service’s terms of service and can even break the law in certain countries. However, you can legally use a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions in Canada. However, some services have taken measures to block VPNs from accessing their content. Consequently, many VPNs offer their clients ways to circumvent those measures. 

VPNs: The Key to streaming U.S. content in Canada

You can get around streaming U.S. content not available in Canada by using a VPN. It works by encrypting your internet connection and routing it through a server in the United States. This makes it appear as if you access the content from the U.S., bypassing the streaming service’s geo-restrictions.

Choosing the Right VPN for Streaming

When selecting a VPN for streaming, choose one that offers fast speed, secure connections and reliable U.S. servers. Some of the popular VPNs for this purpose include NordVPN, PureVPN and Surfshark.

Next, consider the cost of the VPN and whether you get a free trial or money-back guarantee. This allows you to test the VPN before committing to a long-term subscription.

Setting Up a VPN on Your Device

Setting up a VPN makes for a relatively simple process. Essentially, you download and install the software on devices, select a U.S. server, then connect to the streaming service.

However, remember that not all devices support VPNs. Make sure to check if your device is compatible before subscribing to a VPN service.

Troubleshooting Common Streaming Issues

Streaming has become an integral part of our lives, for watching movies, TV shows or enjoying live events. However, sometimes we encounter issues that hinder the quality of our user experience. Next, we will look at some common streaming issues and how to troubleshoot them.

Slow Streaming Speeds

Slow streaming speeds can frustrate you, especially when you’re trying to watch your favourite shows. In short, slow speeds can arise from a poor internet connection, server overload or outdated hardware. 

To fix this issue, simply disconnect and reconnect your VPN. This can help you hook up to a different server, which may have better streaming speeds. Alternatively, clear your browser cache to free up some space and improve your speed. Lastly, upgrade your internet speed to help you stream smoothly without any buffering.

The Bottom Line

The world of streaming evolves constantly with new ways to access exclusive content from around the world, including the U.S. By using VPNs, you can unlock a world of entertainment and embrace the exciting world of streaming. By doing so, you can enjoy a wider variety of shows and movies that entertain and inform you.