How to watch CTV live online (outside Canada) with a VPN

The CTV Television Network is only available in Canada. So when you try to watch CTV online outside Canada, you’ll come across one of the following streaming errors: “This video cannot be played” or “We’re sorry, this content is only available for viewing in Canada.”. Luckily, there’s an easy fix for this problem. We’ll show you how to watch CTV live online from anywhere by using a VPN.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you to browse the web as if you’re in another location. So even when you’re traveling outside Canada, if you connect to a VPN server in Canada, you’ll gain a Canadian IP address. This will allow you to bypass the restrictions on certain websites and streaming platforms. Doing this also encrypts your device’s internet traffic, improving your online privacy and preventing snoopers and hackers from seeing what you get up to online.

In this article, we’ll explain exactly how to use a VPN to access CTV from anywhere, list the best VPNs for the job, and review them in detail. But if you don’t have time for all that, here’s a quick summary:

These are the best VPNs for watching CTV abroad:

1. NordVPN: Our first-choice VPN for unblocking CTV! More than 480 servers in Canada for watching CTV abroad. Also works with Netflix. 24/7 support, a strict no-logs policy, and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for CTV.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN option for CTV. Unlimited simultaneous connections. Over 120 servers in three Canadian cities. 24/7 live support and user-friendly apps.
3. IPVanish: US-based VPN with dozens of fast servers in Canada. Works well with CTV. Allows any number of simultaneous connections.
4. ExpressVPN:  Fast servers in multiple Canadian cities. Ideal for streaming CTV, Netflix, and more. 3,000 servers in 100+ countries.
5. CyberGhost: Has over 530 servers in Canada. Fast servers for streaming CTV and Netflix US. Lets you connect up to seven devices simultaneously.
6. PrivateVPN: Very fast speeds for streaming and torrenting. Unblocks CTV outside Canada. Keeps no logs, offers beginner-friendly apps.

How to watch CTV live online (outside Canada) with a VPN

You don’t need to do anything overly technical in order to watch CTV online while abroad. In fact, all you need is a VPN, and these are typically quick and easy to set up. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be streaming in no time.

Here’s how to watch CTV live outside Canada with a VPN:

1. Choose your preferred VPN for CTV – we particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Download and install one of the VPN’s apps or browser extensions.
3. Open the VPN app or browser extension and connect to a server in Canada. This will give you the Canadian IP address you need to access CTV.
4. Go to CTV and select the content you want to watch – it should now be unblocked!
5. If you still can’t watch CTV abroad, clear your browser’s cache and cookies and try again. If you’re still struggling, try contacting your VPN’s customer service team for further advice.

How we selected the top CTV VPNs

In case you’re wondering how we chose the best VPNs for CTV, here’s a list of the features each VPN service had to offer in order to be considered:

Criteria for selecting the best VPNs

• Fast servers in Canada for streaming CTV abroad
• Servers in dozens of countries for unblocking content worldwide
• Strong security with encryption and a no-logs policy
• Customer support via live chat and email
• Beginner-friendly desktop and mobile apps
• A money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free

If you want to know more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend, check out the methodology section below. For now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made the list.

Best VPNs for CTV: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for watching CTV from anywhere.

The best VPNs for watching CTV outside Canada

The following reviews are based on our first hand experiences and extensive real world testing.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for watching CTV live online while traveling outside Canada:

1. NordVPN

Nov 2024 unblocks ctvTested Nov 2024

NordVPN is our #1 choice VPN for streaming CTV abroad. It’s one of the biggest VPNs on the market, with over 6,000 global servers and more than 480 spread across the cities of Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. NordVPN also has servers optimized for P2P file-sharing, improved privacy, or bypassing internet restrictions.

This service works well with CTV as well as platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max. What’s more, it allows you to have up to six simultaneous connections. Apart from offering live chat support 24/7, NordVPN offers all of the essential security features that protect your privacy. These include 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch feature. Just as important, NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy.

You can use NordVPN via the apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. There’s also the option of Chrome and Firefox browser extensions. Compatible routers require manual installation.

BEST VPN FOR CTV:NordVPN is our top choice. Use it to stream CTV, Netflix, and more. 24/7 support and a strict no-logs policy. Secure up to six devices simultaneously. Easy-to-use apps and browser extensions. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

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Surfshark is the best way to stream CTV on a budget. It offers excellent value as it lets you have an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. Needless to say, this VPN is perfect for sharing with family. Servers are available in over 100 countries, including Canada (Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver). A Canadian IP address allows you to unblock CTV overseas while connecting to US servers and can help you regain access to the likes of Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu.

One of the main advantages of Surfshark is its ease of use. The apps are very well designed and allow you to connect to a server in seconds. There’s also fast and friendly customer support, available 24/7 via live chat. This is a no-logs VPN that doesn’t know what you’re doing online. There are plenty of security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. Surfshark’s MultiHop feature lets you route traffic via multiple servers for an extra layer of security.

You can access Surfshark via the apps for Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV/Fire Stick. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available. Manual setup is necessary for routers.

GREAT VALUE:Surfshark is the best budget-friendly VPN. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections and has servers in over 100 countries, including Canada. Works well with CTV and Netflix. Apps and browser extensions are very easy to use. 24/7 support and a strict no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

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IPVanish has dozens of servers in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, allowing you to easily unblock CTV outside Canada. This is a US-based VPN with servers in 75+ locations, including the US, UK, and Australia. As such, you can use IPVanish to unblock geo-restricted content from almost anywhere in the world. This VPN is particularly good for families as you can connect as many devices as you like.

This VPN is well suited for streaming thanks to its unlimited bandwidth. What’s more, IPVanish states that it offers unlimited P2P traffic and will never slow down your connection speeds. IPVanish has a strict policy against collecting connection and activity logs and further protects your privacy using 256-bit AES encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection.

Download IPVanish apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV/Fire Stick. Manual setup is required for both Linux and compatible routers.

NO CONNECTION LIMIT:IPVanish unblocks CTV outside Canada and also works with Hulu. You can use it to connect any number of devices simultaneously. Good speeds for streaming and live chat support. No-logs policy and encryption. 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

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ExpressVPN is a fast and reliable option for watching CTV abroad. It has servers in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, providing you with plenty of choice for unblocking geo-locked Canadian content. In fact, this VPN has servers in over 100+ countries and excels at accessing popular streaming sites, including Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. Unlimited bandwidth means you can stream and torrent without interruption.

You can use ExpressVPN to connect up to eight devices simultaneously. This is easy to do, thanks to the wide range of user-friendly apps and browser extensions offered. You can connect to a server with a single click. ExpressVPN offers excellent customer support should you have any issues. This is available 24/7 via email and live chat. The 30-day money-back guarantee means you can test this service out with absolutely no risk.

ExpressVPN has good speeds but also a high level of security. This VPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, where there are no mandatory data retention laws (indeed, ExpressVPN doesn’t keep any identifying logs of its users). Your data is secured with 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks.

ExpressVPN apps are available for the following: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and routers. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also on offer.

QUICK AND SECURE:ExpressVPN has fast and consistent servers in Canada for watching CTV abroad. It offers a network of over 3,000 servers in 100+ countries. Use on up to eight devices. Excellent apps and browser extensions, 24/7 support, and strong security. Also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. CyberGhost

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CyberGhost is a high-speed VPN that’s perfect for streaming without interruption. With 10,000+ servers across 100+ countries (and over 530 Canadian servers in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver), this VPN is excellent at unblocking platforms like CTV, Prime Video, and the BBC iPlayer abroad. What’s more, it lets you secure as many as seven devices via a single account.

This service stands out from its rivals with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. If you have any trouble, it’s worth keeping in mind that 24/7 live chat support is available. Security-wise, CyberGhost is as good as any in this list, with a strict no-logs policy, protection from DNS and IPv6 leaks, 256-bit AES encryption, and an automatic kill switch.

CyberGhost apps are offered for Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire Stick/Fire TV, and Android TV. You can also download Chrome and Firefox browser extensions. Routers require manual configuration.

PROTECTS YOUR PRIVACY:CyberGhost has fast servers in Canada for CTV. Also works with Netflix US and BBC iPlayer. High level of security with encryption and strict no-logs policy to protect your privacy. 24/7 live chat support and up to seven connections. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. PrivateVPN

unblocks ctvTested Nov 2024

PrivateVPN is a stress-free service to use. While it has a fairly small network, PrivateVPN offers servers in 60+ countries, including Canada (there are servers in both Toronto and Vancouver), making it ideal for accessing CTV abroad. Additionally, with the excellent streaming ability and very high speeds, PrivateVPN allows you to use services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or Amazon Prime Video, free from lag or buffering.

This is one of the easiest VPNs to use, thanks to the simple design of the desktop and mobile apps. Live chat support is offered, while there’s also the option of remote help and installation. PrivateVPN lets you connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, allowing you to secure everything from your phone to your laptop. This Swedish VPN service has a no-logs policy and offers 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection.

PrivateVPN apps are offered for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Manual setup is required for Linux and routers.

FAST CONNECTIONS:PrivateVPN has high-speed servers for streaming without buffering or lag. Works with CTV, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more. No-logs VPN with user-friendly apps and live chat support. Connect up to ten devices simultaneously. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

How we found the best VPNs for CTV: our methodology

Every VPN is different, and while this means that there’s a service for every situation, it also makes it tricky for newcomers to decide which one to use. That’s where we come in: we’ve carefully considered the most important things a VPN should offer for watching CTV and used these criteria to filter out unsuitable services until only the best were left:

• Server network: You will not be able to access CTV unless you have access to a Canadian server, so they are an absolute must. The more servers, the better the chance of finding one that works with the service. In addition, we like providers to offer a wide global server network so that you can gain access to internationally geo-restricted services.
• Speed: To have an enjoyable streaming experience, you need a VPN with high speeds. We regularly speed-check all the VPNs we recommend to ensure each recommendation is suitable for data-intensive tasks like streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
• Unblocking ability: You want your VPN to access CTV, but a good provider will also give you access to other popular streaming platforms such as NBC, ABC, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or anything else. We regularly check to ensure the providers we recommend are capable of this.
• Robust security: We test VPNs for DNS leaks to ensure that the VPN is providing the privacy levels it claims. We also check under the hood to ensure the encryption is secure enough to provide robust data security. We also like advanced features such as obfuscation, a kill switch, split tunneling, malware protection, ad blocking, and other useful features such as Smart DNS.
• Reliable apps: Our recommendations have apps for all popular platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. In addition, the VPNs in our list allow you to use their apps on multiple devices and platforms simultaneously.
• Customer service: Our recommended VPNs for CTV have email and live chat support. This allows you to ask questions and get help with setting up and using the VPN.

Want to know more? Check out our detailed VPN testing methodology article.

Using a VPN to access CTV: FAQs