Peacock TV is a new streaming platform owned by the NBC. It has an impressive library for a free service, but is only accessible from the US.
Would you like to watch Peacock even when you aren’t in the States? Here’s how you do that:
- Get a subscription with a reliable and fast VPN service, like NordVPN.
- Download the VPN software and log in with your account.
- Choose a US server from the server list and start the VPN connection.
That’s all it takes for you to be able to enjoy Peacock TV. Want to get started right away? You can subscribe to NordVPN via the button below.
For more information about Peacock, VPNs, and watching free shows abroad, read our full article below.
Peacock TV is a new streaming platform taking the online world by storm. Popular titles on the platform include famous shows like Downton Abbey and Parks and Rec and popular movies like John Wick, but there’s a catch. Peacock TV is only available for users in the United States, so if you live anywhere else, you won’t be able to watch Peacock online.
That is, unless you use a VPN. VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are tools that can help you circumvent geographical restrictions by changing your IP address to make it look like you’re browsing from a different place. This article will tell you exactly how you can access Peacock with a VPN.
Why Can’t I Watch Peacock TV Outside the US?
Peacock is only available in the US, so if your IP isn’t from the US, you won’t be granted access to the platform. It’s very likely that its access will expand, at least to Western Europe and Japan (like most streaming platforms do after they appear). However, for now, it’s only available for people living in the US.
The reason Peacock TV isn’t accessible anywhere but in the United States, has to do with copyright protection and the distribution rights for motion pictures. Legally, streaming platforms partake in motion picture “distribution” when they let you stream a movie or series. Therefore, they have to get territorial licensing rights from the producers of said series or movie.
If a different company holds the rights to certain shows, they often won’t be able to buy them. Moreover, if they don’t think enough users will pay for the service (or watch to see ads in Peacock’s case) in a certain country, they won’t expand, or they’ll risk losing money.
From a business perspective, this is completely understandable. But it’s also something you can get around. Let’s see how.
How Do I Watch Peacock Outside the US?
If you want to stream Peacock wherever you are, simply use a VPN.
VPN connections allow you to send your traffic through servers all over the world, changing your IP and making it look like you’re browsing from a different country. If that’s all new to you, you can read our article “VPN explained” for more information. In essence, a VPN can alter your virtual location, giving you access to online content that would otherwise be unavailable to you, like Peacock TV.
Here’s what you have to do to stream Peacock outside of the US:
- Subscribe to a good VPN service. We tried Peacock with a bunch of VPNs, and we’re going to show you which are the best ones to choose. For a quick answer, NordVPN is our favorite.
- Download the VPN software. Most VPNs will have a member’s area, or they’ll just redirect you to a download page as soon as you subscribe to their service.
- Log in using the credentials you signed up with in step 1.
- Choose a server to route your traffic through. In this case, it should be a server in the US, to show the geoblock system of Peacock that you’re in the right location.
- Enjoy Peacock!
You need to be careful when choosing a VPN. While it’s likely that any Virtual Private Network will have servers in the US, there are VPNs whose US servers are considerably faster or more reliable than those of others. Here’s a roundup of the VPNs we consider the best choices for Peacock.
NordVPN: Perfect for any kind of streaming
NordVPN is currently our top recommendation for streaming Peacock TV from around the globe. Its interface is easy to use and its server network is fast and dependable. It’s perfect for streaming services like Disney Plus and Netflix USA. Add to that its no logs policy and strong encryption, NordVPN is a safe and effective VPN for most of your online streaming needs.
When we tested streaming Peacock with NordVPN, we did not experience buffering or issues connecting to servers. In fact, it was a breeze streaming Peacock with NordVPN. We definitely recommend this best VPN choice to anyone who wants to enjoy complete freedom on the internet.
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- No logs, perfect for privacy
- Great for streaming sports and Netflix
Surfshark: International streaming on a budget
Surfshark may not be the best VPN out there for streaming, but it’s definitely a solid choice, especially for Peacock. It features over 500 servers in the US, has no limit to the number of devices you can use it on, and it has decent speeds for streaming. We even tried it out during a period when our internet connection was significantly slower than usual, and Surfshark still managed to give us great HD quality.
Not only does Surfshark offer the speed and reliability you need to stream Peacock TV from anywhere, but it’s also a great price. If you want to give it a shot, you can use its 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Very user-friendly and works with Netflix and torrents
- 30-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked!
- Cheap with many extra options
ExpressVPN: Easy interface for easy streaming
ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN providers out there in general, but even more so when it comes to streaming geo-blocked content. Its connections are fast, and its IP addresses are changed regularly, so it’s always a reliable choice. Add to this the fact that it has multiple servers all around the US, and you’re pretty much set. With ExpressVPN, you’ll find an authentic US IP address to let you unblock Peacock in no time.
And it doesn’t just work for Peacock, either: ExpressVPN is a good choice whenever you want to download safely or stream any similar online services. For example, it’s good for streaming with Kodi, and you can also use it to access the BBC iPlayer or use it to access TVPlayer. If you’d like to try out this VPN, you can use their money-back guarantee to do so risk-free.
- Very easy-to-use VPN
- Perfect for anonymous browsing, downloading, and streaming (i.e., Netflix)
- 3,000+ servers in 94 countries
Peacock TV and Free VPNs
Perhaps you’re wondering whether, like with the free Peacock version, it’s also possible to use a free VPN. The answer: you can try. Most free VPNs will feature servers in the US, so using free VPNs for this purpose might prove worthwhile. However, we gave it a shot with some free VPNs, and it didn’t work.
The reason for that is simple: free VPNs can’t afford to offer you enhanced encryption, and you don’t have a rich server list to choose from. In turn, most geo-blocking service providers already recognize the servers of free VPNs and prevent you from accessing their service. Peacock, it seems, is no different.
Not to mention, with free VPNs you won’t get as much bandwidth, so streaming will be pretty tough either way. On top of that, you might have to deal with security concerns like logging. Because we believe that online protection and a good streaming experience are valuable, we’d recommend choosing a top-notch VPN from our list.
Peacock’s Service: What Does it Offer?
Peacock is an up-and-coming platform. It was announced in January 2020, and only became available as of July 2020, so it’s a very new streaming service. Even so, it’s a very good choice when it comes to streaming. It has a free version you can access without commitments, and the paid version costs $4.99 each month. Unfortunately, you’ll have to put up with ads on either tier.
You can remove the ads if you pay an extra $5 each month. Even if you don’t want to pay that, Peacock limits its ads to 5 minutes every hour, so if you’re fine with that, you can enjoy the platform while spending less money. When compared to Netflix’s or HBO Max’s prices, Peacock fares pretty well, being cheaper than most of its competitors. Additionally, it can be used with different devices, such as Roku, so you can stream it directly on your TV.
What Shows and Movies are Available on Peacock?
Any streaming service, whether free or paid, will either rise or fall with its library. What content is available on this fairly new platform? Is it worth your money?
Peacock TV’s library is ever-expanding, which is great for its viewers. If you get a subscription right now, you’ll be able to watch a variety of movies, shows, and series such as:
- 30 Rock (also available on Amazon Prime and Hulu)
- A.P. Bio
- Brave New World
- The Capture
- Chicago Fire (also available on Amazon Prime, NBC, and Fubo TV)
- Cleopatra in Space (A Peacock Original)
- Curious George
- Downton Abbey (also available on PBS Passport and Amazon Prime Video)
- E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
- The Entire Harry Potter Series
- Intelligence
- Lost Speedways
- Modern Family
- The Office
- Parks and Recreation (also available on Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Hulu)
- Psych 2: Lassie Come Home
- Punky Brewster
- Saved by the Bell
- SNL (also available on Amazon Prime and Hulu)
- Where’s Waldo?
But we did say ever-expanding, so what can you expect in the future? While some of the upcoming titles are currently still available on Netflix, you can expect them to make an appearance on Peacock soon, too. These include:
- One of Us is Lying
- Paris In Love
- Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol
Remember that new content is added to the platform regularly. If you are in the festive mood, Peacock also has some fantastic Christmas movies that you can watch! Peacock is a streaming platform operated by NBC, a huge broadcasting company, and it already has 10 million subscribers, so you can expect it to grow both in user number and library size.
Final Thoughts: Watching Peacock TV Abroad
Peacock TV is a relatively new platform, but their library is already worth your time. Unfortunately, if you’re not from the US, you won’t be able to access the streaming service without a VPN. It’s not video streaming either; you can use a VPN to unblock Spotify too.
If you use one of the VPNs we mentioned, namely NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN, you’ll get access to Peacock. This access goes for both the free version as well as Peacock Premium, if you’re willing to pay for it. In short, if you want to try this new streaming platform that’s currently still exclusive to the US, just log into your favorite VPN, choose a USA server, and enjoy your evening of binging! Oh, and if you are into horror movies exclusively, you might want to check out how to access Shudder, AMC’s exclusive horror streaming service.
Do you have a question about Peacock and how to watch this online streaming service? Click on one of our frequently asked questions below to reveal the answers.
Peacock TV isn’t yet available in countries outside the US. Chances are, it might become accessible in Western Europe and Japan at some point in the future. As of right now, however, distribution rights keep Peacock from being available worldwide.
If you want to know more and learn how you might be able to get access anyway, you can read this article about watching Peacock abroad.
First, you’ll need to get a VPN. We recommend NordVPN, because it offers fast and stable connections that are perfect for streaming. Once you’re subscribed to a VPN service, choose a server in the US, then go ahead and enjoy Peacock TV.
You can try, but many free VPNs won’t work with Peacock. Even the best free VPNs often only have a handful of servers, with IP addresses that have long since been blocked by streaming services. Moreover, your internet speed will almost definitely suffer with a free VPN, which could result in lag.
Yes, Peacock has a free version. This is uncommon for streaming services, so it’s a welcomed improvement in the scene, especially if you want to try Peacock TV with no commitments and without submitting any credit card information. Just remember that the free version will give you a smaller library than its paid service.
Yes, Peacock shows ads both on the free and the premium version of its service. This is a considerable downside compared to other platforms, but it does limit it to five minutes every hour, and you can opt out of the ads for an extra $5 each month.
Using ExpressVPN and Peacock tv is “Not available in your region.” as of April 17, 21.
This with all memory cleared. Zero hesitation on the response. ExpressVPN has one access location, the NY location with no choice on alternative US access location.
We seem to be able to access Peacock TV just fine with ExpressVPN at the moment. If you press the little arrow (>) next to the country in ExpressVPN’s software, you should be able to choose a different server location within the country. For the US, it should be about 24 with ExpressVPN.
Just tried accessing Peacock using PrivateInternetAccess (paid VPN) – NYC server. Was blocked by the server (“Sorry, accessing Peacock through a VPN is restricted”). Reddit users reporting the same problem.
Usually streaming services block a specific IP-address. They must’ve figured out the IP-address of PIA’s NYC server and blocked it. We haven’t tested PIA with Peacock TV, but we did test it with ExpressVPN, CyberGhost and Surfshark and they all seemed to have working servers for Peacock TV. You could try a different PIA server or otherwise a different VPN.