Want to watch TV Now live online? Unfortunately, this service is region-locked, making it difficult to watch TV Now outside of Germany. We explain how you can stream TV Now abroad using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
TV Now checks the user’s IP address to see if they’re in Germany, and if not, shows the following error: “DAS TUT UNS LEID! Einige Videos unseres Angebotes können wir aus rechtlichen Gründen nicht in allen Ländern außerhalb Deutschlands zur Verfügung stellen.” This roughly translates to “WE’RE SORRY! For legal reasons, we can not provide some videos we offer in all countries outside Germany.”
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help by spoofing your location. By connecting to a VPN server in Germany, you can get a German IP address, and trick TV Now into letting you watch from abroad.
There are plenty of other reasons to use a VPN. They encrypt your internet traffic, for instance, meaning your activities can’t be tracked by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), hackers, or the government. Additionally, as most VPNs offer servers in numerous countries, they allow you to access not only TV Now but also hundreds of other geo-restricted services from all over the world.
How to watch TV Now abroad with a VPN
VPNs can seem confusing at first, but they’re actually quite simple to use. Follow the steps below to unblock TV Now abroad.
To watch TV Now abroad with a VPN:
- Start by creating a TV Now account. You can register from anywhere since only an email address is required. A free account will enable you to watch most on-demand content, although you can also pay €4.99 per month for access to live streams and exclusive shows.
- Next, sign up for one of the VPNs below (we recommend NordVPN).
- Install the appropriate version of the software for your device and log in.
- Connect to one of your VPN’s German servers (the city doesn’t matter).
- Try playing a video on TV Now. It should load immediately, but if not, try clearing your cache and cookies then reloading the page.
Having trouble deciding which VPN to use? In our experience, the best VPNs aren’t those that excel at one particular task. Instead, it’s usually better to choose a versatile, well-rounded service. That’s why, when finding the best VPNs for TV Now, we decided to only consider those meeting the criteria below:
- Has servers in Germany that can unblock TV Now abroad
- Offers reliable, high-speed connections
- Doesn’t log any personally identifiable information
- Uses effectively uncrackable encryption and various other security features
- Provides apps for the most popular operating systems
Don’t have time to read the full post? We’ll cover the best VPNs for watching TV Now abroad below, but here’s a brief summary of each:
Best 6 VPNs to watch TV Now abroad
- NordVPN: This VPN offers 240+ German servers, consistently high speeds, excellent unblocking ability, and more advanced security and privacy features than many of its rivals.
- Surfshark: Offers high-speed servers in 64+ countries, powerful security features, great unblocking potential, and no connection limit, all for a bargain price.
- ExpressVPN: With over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, strong security, high speeds, and the ability to unblock TV Now from anywhere, ExpressVPN is ideal for those looking to stream safely.
- CyberGhost: A user-friendly yet versatile service with 690+ servers in Germany, one-click unblocking, fast connections, and a wealth of pre-configured security features.
- IPVanish: Provides consistently high speeds and offers over 60 German servers, making it easy to use TV Now abroad. Also includes advanced security features, a no-logs policy, and no connection limit.
- PrivateVPN: This VPN offers competitive connection speeds, keeps no logs, and has excellent unblocking ability, making it a strong choice for watching TV Now abroad.
Best VPNs for streaming TV Now outside of Germany
Below, we’ll cover the best VPNs for live streaming TV Now abroad in more detail:
1. NordVPN
NordVPN currently has more than 240 servers in Germany, and more than 5,500 others in a further 58 countries. These offer consistently high speeds, so there’s no need to worry about buffering or lag. NordVPN is great for unblocking, so you’ll be able to use services like TV Now, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer from anywhere.
This VPN offers a host of advanced security features including 256-bit encryption, ad and malware-blocking, an app-specific kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. There are even obfuscated servers designed for use in countries with particularly strict online censorship. Accordingly, NordVPN does not keep any logs. Support is available via live chat, 24/7.
NordVPN provides apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Linux, and Android TV. Browser extensions are available to protect your Chrome and Firefox browsing sessions. The provider can be used with numerous router models.
Pros:
- 240+ high-speed servers in Germany
- Exceptional unblocking ability
- Customizable security options
- Keeps no logs
- Fast connections
Cons:
- Desktop apps can be sluggish
BEST VPN FOR TV NOW:NordVPN provides a no-logs policy, numerous advanced security features, above-average unblocking ability, and access to over 5,500 high-speed servers worldwide. Its reasonably priced multi-year subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Take a look at our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark has over 3,200+ servers in 64+ countries including Germany. It provides high-speed connections, unlimited bandwidth, and the ability to unblock services like TV Now, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu from anywhere in the world. Surfshark has no connection limit, allowing you to protect every one of your devices simultaneously.
This service uses 256-bit encryption, a kill switch (in all versions of the app), and protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks to keep you safe online. Surfshark follows a strict no-logs policy, so details of your activities can’t be revealed even if requested. If you run into any problems, you can reach customer support 24/7 over live chat.
Surfshark apps are available for iOS, Android, Android TV, Linux, macOS, Windows, and Amazon Fire. This VPN works on Linux-based platforms and wireless routers but must be installed manually. The provider puts no limits on how many simultaneous connections you can have.
The provider offers its multi-year subscriptions at a budget-friendly price, making it an excellent option for users on a budget.
Pros:
- Connect as many devices as you like
- Fast enough for lag-free streaming
- Strong on security and keeps no logs
- Excellent app support
- No simultaneous connections limit
Cons:
- Some servers are slower than others
BEST BUDGET VPN OPTION:Surfshark is the bargain-basement provider that has no simultaneous connections limit, provides high speeds, strong security and privacy features, and the ability to watch TV Now abroad. A 30-day money-back guarantee is included.
Take a look at the complete Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a reliable option for streaming region-locked content abroad. It unblocks a huge range of services including TV Now, provides consistently high speeds, and has 3,000+ servers in 94 countries, including Germany. Further, with multi-platform support and up to five simultaneous connections permitted, you’re free to watch on whichever device you like.
This service keeps your activities private at all times using 256-bit AES encryption, protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks, and a kill switch which stops your internet connection whenever your VPN connection drops unexpectedly. You can sign up anonymously with Bitcoin and a disposable email address, although ExpressVPN doesn’t log any personally identifiable information, so you can’t be traced either way. If you need help, you can reach support over live chat, 24/7.
ExpressVPN apps are available for macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, Windows, Linux, and Amazon Fire devices. Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions are available to protect in-browser viewing sessions. There’s also custom firmware to make it easier for you to install this service on a router.
Pros:
- Fast and reliable servers
- Anonymous registration possible
- Strong focus on your security
- Unblocks many services including TV Now abroad
Cons:
- Advanced configuration options are fairly limited
- More expensive than other VPNs on this list
RELIABLE VPN:ExpressVPN is a premium, if rather expensive, VPN option for streaming TV Now outside of Germany. It’s fast, reliable, and offers both strong security and excellent unblocking capability. This service even includes a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can watch TV Now abroad risk-free.
Check out the complete ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is an excellent choice for those new to VPNs. It has over 6,200 servers spread across 89+ countries, 690 of which are in Germany alone. With high speeds, a seven-connection limit, and the ability to unblock popular platforms like Netflix US, Hulu, and TV Now abroad, CyberGhost makes it easy to stream your favorite shows both at home and on the go.
One of the best things about CyberGhost is that all of its security features are enabled by default. These include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch (in every version), ad-blocking, malware-scanning, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. CyberGhost doesn’t log any information that could identify you, but you can pay with Bitcoin if you’d prefer. Need help? Customer support is on-hand 24/7 over live chat.
CyberGhost offers easy-to-use apps for the Android, Android TV, iOS, macOS, Linux, Windows, and Amazon Fire device platforms. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available. Additionally, this service can be manually configured for use on Linux systems and network routers.
Pros:
- Minimal configuration is required
- More high-speed German servers than any other VPN in our list
- Easily unblocks TV Now abroad
Cons:
- Doesn’t have as many customizable features as rivals
FAST, USER-FRIENDLY VPN:CyberGhost boasts high speeds, easy-to-use apps, and the ability to unblock TV Now outside of Germany. It also offers pre-configured security features, a no-logs policy, and a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our in-depth review of CyberGhost.
5. IPVanish
IPVanish currently has around 1,600 servers in 54+ countries (and 60+ in Germany alone). This VPN is fast, reliable, and able to unblock a range of geo-restricted services abroad, which is why it’s long been a favorite of those who stream frequently. IPVanish permits unlimited simultaneous connections, whereas many of its rivals only allow seven at most.
This service uses 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch to keep your activities hidden at all times. However, it also allows you to block local connections or scramble OpenVPN traffic, which hides the fact that you’re using a VPN at all.
Perhaps most importantly, IPVanish does not keep any logs. Plus, it owns and operates all of its servers, keeping third-party contractors away from your personal information.
If you run into any issues, you can contact support directly via 24/7 live chat.
IPVanish offers apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire, Chrome OS devices. No browser extensions are available. It works on Linux devices and internet routers but must be installed manually.
Pros:
- Fast enough to stream TV Now live
- Offers advanced security features
- Privacy and security-conscious
Cons:
- Struggles to unblock some larger streaming services
- No browser extensions
SECURE UNLIMITED DEVICES:IPVanish is a fast, lightweight VPN with 60+ German servers. It has a high connection limit, advanced security options, a strong commitment to your privacy, and the ability to unblock TV Now abroad. All plans include a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our full IPVanish review.
6. PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN might have fewer servers than some of its competitors (around 150 in total, across 60 countries), but it provides above-average speeds. Additionally, PrivateVPN boasts excellent unblocking ability: it lets you watch TV Now from abroad, as well as services like Netflix Germany and BBC iPlayer.
Plus, with up to six simultaneous connections allowed, you can protect all of your most commonly used devices with a single account.
This VPN ensures your privacy using 256-bit encryption, a kill switch (Windows only), and protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks. You can sign up anonymously using Bitcoin but this is optional since PrivateVPN is a zero-logs provider, meaning you can’t be identified either way. Live chat-based support is available from 3 PM – 1 PM PST daily, and the staff can even remotely install and configure the software for you with your permission.
PrivateVPN has apps for MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Manual configuration is required if you’d like to use it on Linux systems or home routers.
Pros:
- Unblocks TV Now and Netflix Germany abroad
- Very high speeds
- Zero-logs provider
Cons:
- Small server network
- Live chat isn’t available 24/7
IDEAL FOR STREAMING:PrivateVPN is faster than most VPNs and can unblock a huge range of services including TV Now and Netflix Germany abroad. This VPN keeps no logs and prioritizes your online security. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the comprehensive review of PrivateVPN.
Can I watch TV Now abroad with a free VPN?
We advise against using free VPNs to stream TV Now abroad. To start with, these are often the first to be blacklisted by major streaming platforms, so you might not be able to watch at all. However, even if your VPN unblocks TV Now, you can expect very poor performance. This is because free VPNs tend to have more users than their servers can support, leading to extremely slow speeds and stuttering video that frequently stops to buffer.
You might even find that your free VPN makes you less secure; one study found that out of 283 free VPN apps tested, nearly 40% contained malware. Further, 18% didn’t use any encryption at all, and over 80% were vulnerable to IPv6 leaks. Even major providers don’t guarantee your safety, as we found out when Hola was caught selling user bandwidth for profit back in 2015.
Using a reputable VPN with a clear, concise, user-first privacy policy is the best way to stay safe online.
Why can’t I watch certain shows on TV Now?
Sometimes, when you try to watch a particular title, you’ll get the following error: “Aus rechtlichen Gründen müssen einige unserer Sendungen mit einem Digital Rights Management (DRM) geschützt werden. Dies ist eine Art Kopier- und Signalschutz für Videoinhalte.“
Or, in English:
“For legal reasons, some of our shipments need to be protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM).This is a kind of copy and signal protection for video content.”
DRM is commonly used by services like Netflix to make it more difficult to pirate their content and ensure that you’re only watching on the official app or website. However, it’s strange to see DRM as strict as this used on a free-to-watch streaming platform, and even more odd that this issue only affects some titles.
Further, there are numerous German-language forum discussions on this, many of which have no mention of VPNs. This suggests that the problem isn’t limited to those accessing TV Now from outside of Germany. Some users claim that the right combination of browser, extensions, and operating system will allow you to watch, but as yet, there’s no reliable way to unblock this content abroad.
What can I watch on TV Now?
TV Now offers a wealth of on-demand content that you can stream for free, but if you’re a premium user, you can also stream 13 channels live and watch subscriber-only content Below, we’ve listed some of the titles you can watch on TV Now:
- Das ist Deutschland!
- Der Bachelor
- Guten Morgen Deutschland
- Love Island – Heiße Flirts & wahre Liebe
- Mythbusters
- Project Runway
- Rach Undercover
- UEFA Europa League
- Was Kann Ich?
- Wunderbar
