How to watch German TV in the USA in 2024

German-exclusive content is loaded with popular TV shows and movies of epic proportions, like A Coffee in Berlin or Station of the Cross. However, the content is regionally restricted to Germany due to licensing issues. So, you might wonder how to watch German TV in the US. Well, you need to get a German IP address to access the content in question.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) comes into play here. The service uses encryption to secure your internet traffic. Once you choose a location, a VPN cloaks your device in a foreign IP, which bypasses geographical restrictions. Moreover, it provides all-around protection, so you can stream German TV privately and without compromising your connection speed.

Best VPN to stream German TV: expert’s rating

1. NordVPN

   All-time best VPN for German TV in the US
   9.8
2. Surfshark VPN

   German TV VPN with unlimited connections
   9.5
3. PrivateVPN

   One of the cheapest VPNs for watching German TV
   8.7

Why do you need a VPN to watch German TV in the USA

Whether you live abroad or are a German expat, you will find that most German TV is inaccessible outside Germany. The blockage is imposed by local broadcasters to preserve distribution and licensing rights. But why should that concern us, right? Anyhow, without a solid streaming VPN, you will only get an error message if you try to watch German TV online.

However, with a top-grade VPN, you can easily circumvent the puny attempts to impose geo-blocks on you. The service simply needs to have German servers for you to fashion yourself a German IP address. A click here and there, and, lo and behold, you digitally appear in Germany while chilling in your bedroom in California.

Anyhow, that’s not all that the service is capable of. A reliable VPN often resolves performance-related issues. For instance, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) might be throttling your bandwidth to avoid overload on their servers. Since a VPN encrypts your connection and hides it from prying eyes, the ISP no longer meddles. So what, you may ask? You get optimized streaming speed and improved overall performance.

Best VPNs to watch German TV: overview

1. NordVPN – the best VPN for streaming German TV from anywhere
2. Surfshark VPN – a trustworthy German TV VPN
3. PrivateVPN – one of the cheapest VPNs for watching German TV

The market is brimming with numerous VPN providers. Some of them are exceptional at their work, while some might not be up to the task. Naturally, we scoured the names big and small to present the Top 3 recommendations that’d solve the question of ‘how to watch German TV in the USA’ once and for all. We assessed VPNs based on the criteria.

First and foremost, a VPN must have fast and secure servers in Germany. It’s also essential that a provider would not only protect your data with high-end encryption but also wouldn’t log personally identifiable user data. Moreover, they must unblock industry-leading streaming platforms and offer user-friendly apps streamlined for desktop and mobile. Ultimately, our picks fit all the criteria and present the best quality-and-price ratio.

1. NordVPN – the best VPN for watching German TV online

NordVPN is the best for watching German TV online from anywhere. NordVPN boasts broad global distribution thanks to a massive fleet of 7000+ servers in 118+ countries. Plus, over 240 servers are German. Thus, no congested servers here. What’s more, your VPN connection is optimized by the proprietary NordLynx protocol.

NordVPN not only consistently performs exceptionally in terms of speed and stability but also unlocks all the major streaming platforms with German content on them. Additionally, you have 10 simultaneous connections per account. Speaking of device compatibility, the VPN offers user-friendly apps for all major OS and devices. You can also set it up on a router for even broader device coverage to avoid household fights over who watches what. You can read more about it in the NordVPN review.

Unblock German streaming services anywhere with NordVPN. At the moment you can get it for $2.99/month. Even so, be sure to rummage through NordVPN discount coupons lest you discover a better deal. Those who wish to test the service first may opt for a 7-day trial on the Google Play Store or utilize the 30-day money-return guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark VPN – the budget-friendly VPN for German TV in the US

Our next pick is Surfshark VPN, which is capable of unblocking German TV in the USA. Netting a fleet of 3200+ servers across 100+ countries, the provider also has servers in Germany (Berlin and Frankfurt). The latest Nexus update and connections powered by the next-gen WireGuard protocol secure a flawless viewing experience.

Surely, Surfshark unblocks most leading streaming platforms, including those that stream German TV content. Furthermore, the service is compatible with many major operating systems and provides user-friendly apps for them. Besides, you get Unlimited simultaneous connections. If you want to know more about the provider, we suggest checking out the Surfshark VPN review.

No more breaking your head over how to watch German TV in the USA when you can solve it easily with a Surfshark VPN subscription. You can get it for as little as $2.19/month. More so, you may even come across a better bargain if you check out discount codes. Additionally, Surfshark VPN offers a 7-day trial for Android and iOS, and the classic 30-day cash-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.

3. PrivateVPN – German TV VPN with free dedicated IPs

If you’re looking for a cheap option to stream German TV in the US, PrivateVPN is an excellent option. The provider has 200+ servers in 63 countries, with a handful of them located in Germany. Moreover, the provider offers free dedicated IPs that will help you access German TV easier.

Speed-wise you can use secure OpenVPN servers, or manually setup WireGuard tunnelling protocol on your device. Like the previously mentioned providers, PrivateVPN supports most streaming services that house German content, such as ZDF TV or German Netflix. With the service’s 10 simultaneous connections in tow, you can set this VPN up on most major OS. You can read more about it in the PrivateVPN review.

You can grab PrivateVPN for as little as $2.00/month. Just don’t forget to use the special discount coupon. Moreover, you can take advantage of the 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of PrivateVPN, read our PrivateVPN review.

How we tested VPNs to watch German TV online

Picking the right VPN for the task is the most crucial part if you want to unblock German shows anywhere. There is no shortage of options when it comes to providers with servers in Germany, which turns us to the evaluation points for VPNs.

Naturally, they must secure many advantages, including speed, protection, and strong unblocking abilities. Here’s how we assessed the VPNs for streaming German TV:

• Servers in Germany. It’s crucial that a chosen VPN has at least several German servers in its arsenal since you need a German IP to stream content in that country.
• Wide global distribution. Generally, any reputable VPN must have a global distribution that extends throughout enough countries. On top of that, it should offer hundreds or even thousands of servers to avoid congestion on said servers.
• Optimal performance. It’s especially important that connection speed is up to par so that you can enjoy the most seamless viewing experience.
• Full online privacy. To watch German TV online from anywhere is already astounding, but being able to stream content privately is, of course, even better. Plus, a VPN must ensure online confidentiality via industry-standard encryption and security features.
• Broad device compatibility. When it comes to streaming, device compatibility is an unavoidable topic. Because the service must be capable of running on most major operating systems and different devices, we chose the best multi-device VPNs.
• Money-and-value ratio. Ultimately, all of us are bound to make purchase decisions based on the product’s price. Thus, we picked out providers that offer the best price for the value they present.

We accredit NordVPN as the best VPN for unblocking German TV in the USA, or anywhere in the world, for that matter. Its blazing-fast NordLynx protocol secures a buffer-free streaming experience. Meanwhile, the high-tech protection package guarantees that your online activities are concealed from prying eyes. So, you can easily stream German TV or unblock shows & news.

Where to watch German TV in the USA

Germany is a treasure box of versatile content: from tear-jerking romantic movies to action-packed series like Cobra 11. While it’s true that German content is refined and popular, accessing it is another business altogether. Fortunately, there are several streaming services where you can watch German TV online.

How to watch German TV on different devices

You recruited a reliable VPN, which is ready to tackle any geographical restrictions in the way. Now, you may wonder how to set up the service on a device of your choice so you can finally indulge in German TV. Here are a couple of guides detailing the rather simple procedure.

Watch German TV on a Phone (iOS & Android)

1. Get a robust VPN that supports Android and iOS. NordVPN is compatible with both OS
2. Download & install the VPN app on your smartphone
3. Connect to a German server
4. Sign in or log into a steaming platform of your choosing
5. Watch German TV from anywhere!

Watch German TV on PC (macOS & Windows)

1. Pick a reliable VPN for desktops. We recommend NordVPN for its user-friendly interface
2. Download and install VPN software on your PC
3. Connect to a German server
4. Sign up for a streaming service where German content is available
5. Watch German TV in the USA endlessly!

Stream German TV with a VPN

How to watch German TV on streaming devices

If you ponder how to unblock German shows and content on any other streaming service such as Kodi, Roku, or Amazon Fire TV Stick, the process involves a couple more steps compared to the previous guides. However, it’s still easy, even for less tech-savvy. Get a top-grade VPN and follow the instructions below.

1. Subscribe to a VPN that’s supported on your router or another streaming device. NordVPN covers most routers and devices
2. Set up the VPN on your home router or other streaming device and platform by connecting to a German server
3. Connect the streaming device to the newly-secured internet network
4. Navigate to the streaming service application or a website
5. Install an application or access a website to log in or register a new account
6. Enjoy the best German content to your heart’s content!

Watch German TV online today

German TV not working with VPN: solutions

Inevitably, even a VPN has a bad day sometimes and struggles to perform. There may be a variety of reasons behind the service’s lack of collaboration, so we will walk you through several possible causes and quick solutions.

• Switch to a different server. Sometimes, a streaming service may already have some VPN servers blacklisted, so you are denied access to their content. Or, it’s simply overcrowded. Either way, switching to a different German server usually solves the issue.
• Clear the browser cache. Web cookies store your user data, location information included. Consequently, it may be discovered by a streaming platform, so even if you appear in Germany via VPN, you might still be blocked. Clear your browser cache and connect to the VPN afterward.
• Update the VPN client. If your application is not up to date, this might be the cause behind its malfunction. Update the software or reinstall it altogether.
• Disable firewall and antivirus. Often these kinds of software block VPN, mistaking it for a malicious app. To avoid that, whitelist the VPN in the settings or temporarily disable the firewall and antivirus.
• IP & DNS leaks. Sadly, your IP or DNS might be leaking, thus geo-block circumvention fails. Run tests on trusted sites like ipleak.net and dnsleaktest.com. In case of leaks, perform a DNS flush.
• Connect with a different protocol. The protocol may also be the problem sometimes, so try a different one. You may try the latest WireGuard or the slower but more reliable protocol like OpenVPN. For a middle ground, you can try UDP or any other tunneling protocol.
• Reset the internet connection. Rebooting your net connection may be the ultimate solution at times.

If all fails or you simply don’t have any desire to play around, you can always contact the provider’s customer service. Our top recommendations have 24/7 customer support, always ready to lend a helping hand.

However, you are unlikely to run into any issues if you opt for the best premium services, for instance, NordVPN. Praised wide and far, the VPN performs seamlessly, rarely, if ever, causing any performance issues whatsoever.

How to watch German TV in the USA for free?

While some streaming services that broadcast German TV content do charge, some, like RTL+, offer a free trial. Regardless, if you wonder how to watch German TV online for free, then you can opt for free German channels:

• ZDFmediathek
• ARD Mediathek
• ProSieben

However, if you’re attempting to watch from outside Germany, you will need a reliable VPN to bypass all regional restrictions. Now, to keep up with the theme of free services, let’s address free VPNs. While there are a few solid free VPNs, they usually don’t support streaming, and the performance overall doesn’t live up to the standard.

We’d like to advise you to opt for a premium VPN with German servers in tow. See, the point is, these providers usually offer a 7-day trial and 30-day money-return guarantee. Thankfully, you can use these to stream German TV in US and elswhere. Once one trial or cash-back period is over, switch to another provider to extend the free period.

Dive into German TV with NordVPN

Is VPN legal in Germany?

Yes, VPN is absolutely legal in Germany. Currently, no legislation exists against VPN usage within the country. In fact, it’s legal in most countries in the world so long as you don’t use the service for nefarious purposes. If you end up using VPN for illicit activities, you are breaking the law and will be held responsible. Luckily, unblocking German TV isn’t one of those!

What to watch on German TV

German TV is riddled with content that keeps one glued to the screen, and some so whack it’s impossible to put it in words (it’s a good thing!). Believe us, we tried. However, there is quite a long list of TV shows and films that are popular among Germans and foreigners. Here is a glimpse at what German content has to offer.

Wrapping up

Fans of German content are well aware that German TV is a haven for critically-acclaimed TV shows and movies. However, most of them are available only in Germany due to licensing and distribution restrictions. Naturally, avid cinematography fans find themselves trying to crack the question of how to watch German TV in the USA or anywhere else.

A VPN saves the day with its geo-blocking circumvention abilities. However, your job is to pick the right champion for the task. Let’s face it, NordVPN is the best VPN for German TV. Provider boasts the greatest number of German servers, comprehensive protection, and excellent performance powered by an in-house NordLynx tunneling protocol.

What do you think is the best VPN for German TV? What’s your favorite German TV show or movie? Let us know by leaving a comment!

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FAQ

Can I watch German TV on Roku?

Yes, you can watch German TV on Roku. Although Roku doesn’t support VPNs, you can set up a reliable VPN on your home router and then connect Roku to it. That way, you can stream German content on Roku outside Germany.

Where can I watch German TV for free?

Websites like ARD and ZDF stream German content for free. However, they are regionally restricted to Germany, so you need a robust VPN to access blocked content on free sites. Get a top-grade VPN, like NordVPN, with German servers to bypass geo-blocks and watch German TV online from anywhere.

Can I watch German TV in the US?

Yes, you can watch German TV in the US if you have a premium VPN in tow. It’s essential to pick a provider with German servers, optimal performance, and geo-block bypassing abilities for a seamless streaming experience. NordVPN excels at all aforementioned aspects and has the most German servers.

Can I watch German TV online?

You can definitely watch German TV online. The problem may arise if you live outside Germany since most of that content is restricted to the country. Even so, you can get a reputable VPN, such as NordVPN, and connect to a German server to spoof your location. This unblocks German TV content for you

How can I watch German Netflix abroad?

The best way to watch German Netflix abroad is with a VPN. With a reliable Netflix VPN you'll have access to loads of German servers. That way, you can connect, go to Netflix, and unlock German content on the platform globally.