How to watch ITV & ITVX in the USA? – Three Troubleshooting Tips
ITV, and other United Kingdom-based streaming services and live TV, such as BBC iPlayer, use geo-blocking to block access from outside the UK.
Here we set out, step-by-step, how to use a VPN to access ITV Hub & ITVX from the US or anywhere else outside the UK:
- Click here to get ExpressVPN
- Launch ExpressVPN and connect to a UK server
- Go to the ITV Hub website
- Enjoy all your favorite UK TV shows
Why the above? – Using the above steps you can make it look like you are actually located in the UK. This way ITV will become accessible to you even if you are in the US.
I will also provide three troubleshooting tips if you still have trouble watching ITV and using the ITV app.
2024 Update:
Since creating this guide some time ago, I have revisited it to update the information based on recent developments.
ITV remains accessible only to UK IP addresses. Additionally, a new service called ITVX has been introduced.
I tested the previously recommended VPN unblocking method on both ITV and ITVX, and I can confirm that as of 2024, this method continues to be effective.
Upon re-evaluating several popular VPNs, I found that while some still work with ITV, the service has improved its detection and started banning many VPN providers. However, ExpressVPN continues to operate effectively and offers the fastest speeds in my tests.
Therefore, ExpressVPN remains an excellent choice for watching ITV in the USA.
Why you need a VPN to watch ITV Hub from USA?
ITV is an extremely popular family of UK TV channels hosting many original British TV shows and movies, such as Love Island UK and sports broadcasting. The ITV Hub is ITV’s online streaming platform, with selections from all the current ITV channels, including ITV1, ITV2, ITV3, CITV, and ITVBe.
If you are in the US or elsewhere outside the UK, your access to the ITV player will likely not be available through a regular internet connection. This is because the content is geo-restricted to IP addresses in the United Kingdom.
With a Virtual Private Network or VPN, you can access ITV via a UK VPN IP address which unblocks ITV on your device.
Installing a VPN also has the added advantage of anonymity or privacy for your internet activities.
Below you will find a detailed description of how to watch ITV in the USA.
This method also works with the new ITVX service recently launched. The exact same steps described below work for this service as well.
I have just tested this recently, and it works perfectly.
Step-by-Step Process on How to Watch ITV in USA with a VPN
A VPN is the easiest, most secure, and most efficient way to get ITV Hub and ITVX running in the US. A VPN allows you to watch ITV Hub hassle-free through a UK-based VPN IP address.
You need to select some of the best VPNs that offer UK IP addresses. We recommend ExpressVPN for its speed, enhanced security features (such as a >kill switch) and the sheer number of UK IP addresses that it has available. This means it can quickly replace any IP addresses that ITV blocks.
Once you have signed up for the VPN service, you should download the app and install it on your device. You can also choose whether to add the VPN as a browser extension.
It is also worth considering whether you wish to install a VPN on your router rather than your device. One advantage of this is that it will allow you to watch ITV via a device that does not allow the installation of a VPN (such as some smart TVs).
Once installed, open the VPN app, choose a UK server for your VPN server, and press “Connect.” After around 10 seconds, you will be connected to a UK server and get a UK IP address.
After this, you can go to the ITV website and log into your ITV account, as now the website will believe that you are in the UK.
That’s it.
If you have not registered for the ITV Hub via its website, you will also need to do this before watching ITV. Armed with a UK VPN IP address, you should have little trouble doing so.
You will need a UK postal code, but you can easily get one from Google.
Apart from unblocking ITV and your ITV Hub account in the US, a VPN app can also unblock other geo-locked content such as Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Prime Video, Roku content, YouTube videos, and various other live streaming applications and British television channels.
Check out our companion guides on how to unblock Netflix and how to unblock YouTube for more information on these topics.
To ensure a seamless streaming experience in high-definition quality without buffering, it’s highly recommended to use a reliable VPN that works with Netflix from our recommended list, as free proxies often suffer from slow speeds that can hinder your viewing enjoyment.
The reason I am recommending you use a VPN is that this way you will be able to stream in true HD and 4K quality without any buffering. Free proxies may sometimes also work, but nearly universally their speed is going to be atrocious.
The same can also be said about free VPNs. Besides the absolutely terrible loading speed, most of the time these will not even unblock ITV, as all their IP addresses will be blacklisted.
A paid VPN costs less than $10 per month and will almost always work (if it doesn’t, just switch servers!), and speeds will be always fast.
Below we offer three troubleshooting tips in case you are still having trouble.
What if you are using a VPN IP address, but it still says you are not in the UK?
This is often due to your browser having saved US or other non-UK geographical data. You can fix this easily by clearing browser cookies and cache and then refreshing the page.
Could your GPS be preventing your access?
If you are trying to watch ITV in the USA via a VPN on your phone or other portable devices, your GPS may give away your location. You can fix this by clicking on Settings, going to Permissions, and then Location and turning it off.
You have taken those steps and still can’t access ITV?
ITV may have blocked that specific VPN IP address. However, ExpressVPN constantly refreshes its IP addresses, so this is unlikely to stop you for long. Re-connect again, selecting a new UK location until you find one that works.
Conclusion
Employing a VPN is a straightforward way of accessing ITV from the US or elsewhere abroad. You should, however, avoid using a free VPN, as you risk getting hacked or your data will be stolen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some people found answers to these questions helpful
Can you watch ITV in the USA?
Yes. You can watch ITV in the USA via a VPN, a proxy service, or TOR. A VPN is the easiest and safest method to get a UK IP address and unblock ITV.
Why can’t I watch ITV in the US?
ITV is only available in the United Kingdom. You will need a UK IP address to unblock the ITV website and app. Our above guide explains how to do this.
How can you watch ITV Hub abroad?
You can use A VPN or proxy service to watch ITV in any country outside of the UK.
Does ExpressVPN come with an ITV subscription?
No. ExpressVPN will enable you to get a UK IP address and, as such, unblock ITV from abroad. You will still need to get a separate ITV subscription.
How to watch ITV Hub in USA on iPad or smartphones?
By installing a VPN app on your iPad or smartphone, you can get a UK IP. This way, you will be able to access the ITV website.
How can you watch ITV America for free?
ITV is a subscription UK TV channel. You will have to buy an ITV subscription and use a VPN service to be able to watch ITV from abroad.
Why can you not stream ITV outside of the UK?
ITV is a UK-only subscription-based TV channel. If your IP address is from another country than the UK, you will be blocked from accessing the ITV website and app.
Does Streamlocator allow me to watch ITV Hub for free?
Yes, but this is potentially illegal and unsafe. You should buy a legitimate ITV subscription and a paid VPN app instead.
10 Comments
Christine
September 19, 2021 12:43 am
I had no trouble opening up ITV, but you have to “sign in” to use it, and since I am using a VPN, I cannot do that.
Miklos Zoltan
September 28, 2021 12:21 pm
ITV may have recognized your IP belonging to a VPN so they block your access.
Usually you need to do he following:
– clear all cookies
– connect to a different VPN server
– go to ITV again
You may need to do this several times.
Chris
July 1, 2021 5:38 pm
Any solution for being able to watch on iOS devices? Even with a VPN, locations services turned off and my region settings switched to the UK I get the “App not available in your region” message which prevents me from downloading the ITV app. I’m assuming it’s because the App Store determines location based on your bankcard.
Miklos Zoltan
July 7, 2021 6:17 pm
It should be possible to set up a new App Store account using a UK VPN connection and using PayPal as payment method so it doesn’t recognize the card country.
I understand this may be somewhat of a hassle but in theory it should work.
I will verify this the next few days and also see if there is a simpler solution.
Mary
April 12, 2021 1:02 pm
I’ve set up VPN Express to watch ITV. I’m all connected but when I start the show, it buffers every 3 or 4 minutes! I’m in New Mexico. Is it my location? Thanks!
Miklos Zoltan
July 7, 2021 6:20 pm
Sometimes this unfortunately just happens.
When this happens to me I just switch servers from the VPN app until I find one that has no buffering issues at all. It should always work after 2-3 tries maximum.
Generally, you should not experience any buffering issues at all, so definitely switch servers if you do because this will absolutely fix it.
Grace Gregory
February 9, 2020 12:35 am
I have tried this and whenever I try to play a show I get the message “this video isn’t available right now”. It does this for anything I try to play. Any idea why?
Miklos Zoltan
July 7, 2021 6:21 pm
If you switch the VPN server around a few times it should absolutely work. Clearing cookies / starting up a new browser window just for this usually also helps.
Pamela
January 12, 2020 9:33 pm
I used to be able to do this. However I can’t get this to work anymore. I’ve tried several UK IP addresses but it says that I’m not in the UK. I have also changed my region on my computer to the UK. Maybe you can suggest something else.
PrivacyAffairs
January 13, 2020 9:14 am
Hi Pamela. It should still be possible to do it with a VPN. I recommend the top ones such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN, as they add new IPs all the time, so if an IP gets banned there is always a new one.
As for the region not being recognized: Sometimes this is because of your browser. If you have accessed ITV before from your US IP, then ITV will know from your browser that you are in the US from the cookies they store in your browser.
In order to fix this you should clear all cookies and browsing history from the browser you are using and only then connect to the VPN and then to ITV.
Let me know if this helps.