CBC Gem is the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s video streaming service, which offers access to popular movies and TV shows, as well as news and sports events. Nevertheless, the majority of CBC’s content is geofenced, making it impossible to watch it in the US or other countries if you don’t use a VPN.
With a VPN, you can easily get a Canadian IP address and unblock CBC Gem abroad. Additionally, a reliable VPN will build a digital security layer, allowing you to discover and stream your favorite content worry-free.
Continue reading our guide to learn how to watch CBC in the US and discover a list of the best VPNs for the task.
How to watch CBC anywhere with a VPN
- Pick a VPN with servers in Canada. My recommendation is NordVPN, now available at 77% off.
- Download and install the VPN app.
- Launch the application and log in to your account.
- Connect to a server in Canada.
- Create your CBC Gem account and start streaming in the US and elsewhere.
Why can’t I watch CBC and CBC Gem in the US?
Due to broadcasting rights and licensing agreements, most of CBC Gem’s content is geo-restricted and only available to viewers within Canada. Unfortunately, this applies to both CBC and CBC Gem, as well as to a number of other Canadian broadcasting services.
If you try to access CBC Gem outside Canada, you most likely will be met with a message like this: “This content is not available outside Canada. Please visit gem.cbc.ca/info/outside-canada for more information.”
Just as with video streaming, a Canadian IP is also necessary for creating a CBC Gem account. But the good news is that with a reliable VPN, you can bypass these restrictions.
The best VPNs on the market are irreplaceable when it comes to unblocking geo-restricted content. They help you change your IP address without setting foot outside and provide access to CBC, different Netflix libraries, and numerous other streaming platforms.
Top 3 best VPNs to watch CBC in the US
To make it easier for you to pick the best VPN for watching CBC outside Canada, I tested more than 10 reputable providers. Based on performance, I narrowed it down to the top 3 VPNs for streaming CBC Gem in the US. Each of these VPNs offers Canadian servers, fast connection speeds, user-friendly apps, and strong security features to keep your streaming safe and smooth.
- 1. NordVPN – best VPN for unblocking CBC in 2025 overall
- 2. Surfshark – most affordable VPN for streaming
- 3. ExpressVPN – privacy-oriented CBC Gem VPN
Find each provider’s detailed review right below.
1. NordVPN – best VPN for watching CBC in the US
- Unblocks CBC Gem and other Canadian streaming services
- Over 300 servers in Canada
- Dedicated IP is available
- 3-day free trial
- No free version
NordVPN has stood out as the best VPN for watching CBC and CBC Gem outside Canada. During my NordVPN review, it retained lightning-fast connection speeds, which was exactly what I needed for a seamless streaming experience.
| Location | Panama |
| Number of servers | 8,300+ servers in 126 countries |
| Server locations in Canada | 3 |
| Price starting | from $2.91/month |
Aside from excellent performance, NordVPN offers numerous useful features. It has a diverse server fleet with over 300 servers in Canada only. A Dedicated IP not only makes your experience safer, but with it, you also don’t use shared IP addresses, which are targeted by streaming services.
The provider comes with intuitive applications for all major devices, including iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux. It also supports popular smart TVs, streaming sticks, and routers. Moreover, you can use NordVPN on up to 10 devices at a time.
NordVPN is the best option for users who not only want to unblock CBC in the US but are also looking to gain all-around digital protection. The VPN is available from $2.91/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 3-day free trial in place.
2. Surfshark – budget VPN for watching CBC Gem
- Retains around 90% of the baseline speed
- Excellent price-to-quality ratio
- Beginner-friendly VPN
- Price increase along with renewal
Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN that unblocks CBC Gem and other geofenced streaming services effortlessly. With over 170 servers in Canada and the WireGuard tunneling protocol, you can be assured that there won’t be a single lag while streaming.
| Location | The Netherlands |
| Number of servers | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Server locations in Canada | 3 |
| Price starting | from $1.99/month |
When reviewing Surfshark, I found it to have a list of advanced features, including the Rotating IP, which continuously rotates your IP address, making it more difficult to track you. Another handy feature for your streaming experience is a Dedicated IP, which will prevent streaming services from blocking you because of shared VPN's IP addresses.
One of Surfshark’s highlight features is the support for unlimited simultaneous connections. This way, you will be able to share a secure and unrestricted connection with your whole household. The VPN also offers dedicated apps for all major devices, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebooks, Fire TV, and Apple TV.
Surfshark’s pricing starts from $1.99/month, making it the most affordable VPN on the list. It also provides you with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial.
3. ExpressVPN – CBC Gem VPN for privacy-conscious users
- Advanced security and privacy features
- Lightning-fast connection speeds
- 4 server locations in Canada
- Priciest VPN on the list
ExpressVPN is a trusted premium VPN, known for its strong privacy features and ability to unblock top streaming platforms, including CBC and CBC Gem. With servers in 4 Canadian locations, it ensures fast, reliable connections for a lag-free, high-quality streaming experience.
| Location | The British Virgin Islands |
| Number of servers | 3,000+ servers in 105 countries |
| Server locations in Canada | 4 |
| Price starting | from $3.49/month |
During my ExpressVPN review, I was impressed by how it retained 96% of the baseline connection speed on average. Thanks to the proprietary Lightway tunneling protocol, not only were the speeds impressive, but my connection remained guarded throughout the session.
ExpressVPN runs its own private and encrypted DNS on each server, making your VPN connection even safer and faster. Additionally, you can benefit from an unrestricted and secure digital experience on up to 14 of the most popular devices at a time.
Overall, ExpressVPN is a reliable solution for anyone who wants to both bypass geo-restrictions and enhance their online safety. The provider’s subscriptions start from $3.49/month, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, and a 7-day free trial on mobile devices.
Can I watch CBC with a free VPN?
Although there’s a slight possibility that you will be able to watch CBC with a free VPN, I suggest you don’t. First of all, using a free VPN could expose your data to the government, marketing firms, or even hackers, putting your online privacy at risk.
Moreover, free VPN services tend to offer subpar features that can’t protect you or help you access restricted platforms. You also get small server fleets, outdated tunneling protocols, and, consequently, slow connection speeds.
A less risky alternative would be freemium VPNs. Freemiums like Proton VPN are safer than completely free VPNs but still come with limited server fleets, overcrowded servers, and basic security features.
This means your best chance to watch CBC and CBC Gem in the US for free is by using a premium VPN with a free trial. For example, NordVPN offers both a free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee. On top of that, you’ll get excellent streaming performance, Canadian servers, and advanced security features to keep your connection private.
How to watch CBC Gem on your device
Want to stream CBC on multiple devices while outside Canada? With the right VPN, that’s easy. Below, I’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to unblock CBC on smart devices, TVs, and popular streaming devices.
Watch CBC on your smartphone or PC
If you want to enjoy free CBC Gem content on your mobile device or PC from anywhere in the world, these are the steps to follow:
- Choose a reliable VPN for streaming. I recommend using NordVPN.
- Download the VPN app from your device’s app store or directly from the provider’s website.
- Once the app is installed, open it and connect to a Canadian server.
- Install the CBC Gem app on your device or open your browser and head to the CBC Gem website.
- Create an account or log in with your existing CBC credentials.
- Start streaming your favorite TV shows and movies without restrictions.
Unblock CBC on a streaming device
Do you own a Roku, Fire TV Stick, or Chromecast but can’t access your favorite CBC Gem shows while abroad? In this guide, I’ll show you how to unblock CBC Gem on any popular streaming device, no matter where you are in the world.
- Pick a streaming VPN with servers in Canada. I suggest NordVPN.
- Install the VPN app on your streaming device. If the device doesn’t support VPN apps, set it up on your router or use the SmartDNS feature.
- Launch the VPN and connect to a Canadian server.
- Download the CBC Gem app and create or log in to your free account.
- Start watching CBC in the US or anywhere in the world for free.
Watch CBC Gem on your smart TV
Comfortable CBC Gem streams are also available on your smart TV. This is how:
- Choose a VPN with Canadian servers. My recommendation is NordVPN.
- Set up the VPN on your TV. If you have a smart TV that supports VPNs, download the app directly. If not, install the VPN on your router or use the SmartDNS feature.
- Sign in to your VPN account and connect to a server in Canada.
- Install the CBC Gem app on your TV or access it via the built-in browser.
- Log in and start streaming CBC live on your smart TV.
Final thoughts
CBC and CBC Gem are free Canadian streaming platforms that feature a wide selection of TV shows, movies, and live news. Unfortunately, due to copyright and licensing restrictions, CBC Gem is only available in Canada. The good news is that with a reliable VPN, you can get a Canadian IP address and watch CBC Gem in the US or anywhere else abroad.
Still unsure which VPN to choose for unblocking CBC Gem? I recommend picking one from my tested list of providers. My top choice is NordVPN, which offers 300+ servers in Canada, excellent streaming performance, and advanced security features to keep your data safe.
Even better, you can try NordVPN completely risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee and a free trial option.
Frequently asked questions
Due to broadcasting rights and licensing agreements, the majority of CBC Gem content isn’t available in the USA or elsewhere outside Canada. However, even if you take short trips outside the country, you can use a VPN to unblock CBC and CBC Gem.
Yes, CBC and CBC Gem work with a VPN, as long as you choose the right provider. The VPN must offer reliable Canadian servers, strong unblocking capabilities, and fast speeds for smooth streaming. For example, NordVPN has 300+ servers in Canada and can easily bypass geo-restrictions.
Yes, you can watch CBC Gem for free, as there is no subscription fee, unless you want to enjoy ad-free streams. For those living abroad, to watch CBC Gem for free, you’d also need a VPN with either a money-back guarantee or a free trial – or both.