How to Watch TCM Outside US In 2023? [Easy Guide]

watch-TCM-Outside-US

If you love binging classic movies, you have every reason to ask, can I watch TCM O utside US? If you have a cable TV subscription, you are good to go, but TCM outside is geo-restricted outside US due to licensing reasons, and the only feasible way to access it is by using a premium VPN app like ExpressVPN.

Turner Classic Movies, more commonly known as TCM, is a US-based movie-focused pay-TV channel operated by Warner Bros. TCM’s huge classic movies catalog includes titles like A Star is Born (1954), North By Northwest (1959), Westworld (1973), and several other popular titles.

Apart from that, you can also watch weekly TCM shows and documentaries like The Essentials, Screened Out, and AFI’s Master Class: The Art of Collaboration.

You can live stream TCM with a cable TV subscription in the US. However, if you don’t have one, you can watch TCM without cable by subscribing to any cord-cutting option like DIRECTV Stream, Sling TV, Hulu, and YouTube TV.

Unfortunately, if you aren’t located in these countries, you will need a VPN app to stream TCM abroad due to the geo-blocking of the TV channel. Let’s find out how a VPN allows you to unblock TCM outside US.


How to watch TCM Outside US? [Quick Steps].

VPNs are easy to use and provide you access to geo-blocked content with just a few clicks. Follow these easy steps to watch TCM outside US using a VPN app:

  1. Sign up for a premium VPN app (better if you get ExpressVPN – Highly Recommended).
  2. Download the VPN app on your device.
  3. Launch the VPN client app and sign in with your credentials.
  4. Connect to a fast server in the US (preferably New York).
  5. Go to the TCM website and sign in with your TV service provider.
  6. Stream TCM abroad and watch your favorite classic films.

Note: If you don’t have a cable TV subscription, you can watch TCM with one of the Live TV streaming services offering TCM, e.g. DIRECTV Stream.


Why You Need a VPN to Watch TCM Outside US?

TCM is a geo-restricted service that is only accessible within the US with a cable TV subscription. Although you can watch it with different other Live TV streaming services like DIRECTV Stream, that still doesn’t mean you can stream TCM abroad.

These geo-restrictions are in place due to the licensing agreements and copyright laws of the streaming channel. When you try to access TCM outside US, the following error message pops up:

“Error Message”

directv-now-geo-restriction-image--

When you try to access TCM through DIRECTV outside US; you will be blocked.

These geo-restrictions are common nowadays as copyright laws are implemented to protect the broadcast and streaming rights of the same content in different regions. That’s why you need a VPN app to watch TCM outside US.

A premium VPN app like ExpressVPN can easily bypass such geographical restrictions by masking your real identity and IP address. By connecting to its remote servers in your desired country, you will appear with a masked virtual location and that will be enough to unblock geo-blocked content.

ExpressVPN offers hundreds of servers in the US and you can easily change your location to New York, New Jersey, or 23 other locations. Once your traffic is rerouted through these servers, you will be able to stream TCM abroad.


How to Sign Up for TCM Outside US without Cable?

If you don’t have a cable TV provider, you can sign up for TCM with a Live TV streaming service like DIRECTV, YouTube TV, Hulu, or Sling TV, however, we recommend DIRECTV Stream. Follow these easy steps to sign up for TCM outside US without cable:

  1. Subscribe to ExpressVPN and get its app on your device.
  2. Launch the VPN app and connect to a fast server in the US (preferably New York).
  3. Now go to the official DIRECTV website or mobile app on your device.
  4. Go to the sign up page by clicking on the “Shop Packages” button.
  5. Select your preferred subscription package and create your account following the instructions.
  6. Make payment for your selected package through a valid US debit/credit card, PayPal, or a gift card.

Note: DIRECTV offers 4 different pricing plans plus a 14-day free trial. However, DIRECTV only accepts payments from US-based payment methods. You can ask your family or friends living in the US to make payments for you by using their US debit/credit card.


What are the Best VPNs to Watch TCM Outside US?

After thoroughly testing more than 50 VPN service providers, we ended up with the 3 best VPNs to watch TCM outside US. Although ExpressVPN is the best TCM VPN, let’s go through the details of our top 3 picks:

ExpressVPN: Best VPN to Watch TCM outside US

ExpressVPN is an established name in the VPN industry due to its fast speeds and powerful unblocking features. Due to its fast US servers, we consider it the best VPN to watch TCM outside US. With its unlimited bandwidth, you can get a fast downloading speed of 92.26 Mbps.

This VPN provides access to a vast network of 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, that includes 25 server locations in the US. By connecting to one of its US servers, you can easily stream DirecTV, HBO Max or CNBC outside USA

The New York server is highly recommended if you are looking for the best streaming speeds.

tcm-unblocked-via-ExpressVPN--

TCM unblocked outside US with ExpressVPN.

Recommended servers: New York, Las Vegas, Seattle.

On a 100 Mbps connection speed test, ExpressVPN managed to get an impressive download speed of 89.38 Mbps and an upload speed of 84.66 Mbps.

Express-SpeedTest-for-US-servers

ExpressVPN has super-fast US servers for streaming.

Further testing proved that the Atlanta server is super slow and should be avoided.

You can download the ExpressVPN apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Linux, Android, smart TVs, gaming consoles, routers, FireTV, Chromecast, Apple TV, etc. On a single account, you can use it on 5 devices simultaneously.

ExpressVPN has a no-logging policy and ensures your data privacy with top-notch AES-256-Bit encryption. Moreover, it also has a trailblazing SmartDNS feature called MediaStreamer that automatically installs the VPN configurations on VPN-incompatible devices.

Get this premium VPN for US$6.67/mo - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free, with a 100% cash-back guarantee for 30 days.

Surfshark: Pocket-Friendly VPN to Stream TCM Outside US

Surfshark can give you bang for your buck with its incredible service at a nominal cost. Among our top picks, it’s the most pocket-friendly VPN to stream TCM outside US. This premium VPN is currently available with a massive discount making its long-term subscription priced at US$2.49/mo - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee. You will also get a 30-day full refund guarantee.

It hosts 600+ servers in the United States out of its 3200+ servers in 100+ countries. We tried its servers in the United States and there was no problem unblocking TCM outside US. With these servers, you can also watch Sling TV or watch Funimation US abroad.

tcm-unblocked-via-Surfshark--

TCM unblocked outside US with Surfshark.

Recommended servers: Atlanta, New York, Seattle.

We tested Surfshark on a 100 Mbps connection and got impressive results. It can achieve 88.14 Mbps downloading speed and 80.13 Mbps uploading speed.

surfshark-speed-test-for-US-servers

Surfshark has super-fast US servers for streaming.

Further testing proved that the slowest server is Las Vegas and it should be avoided.

Surfshark ensures a no-logging policy and doesn’t record user data. Furthermore, it also deploys AES-256-Bit protocol for data encryption along with several other security features like Multi-hop, Kill Switch, Camouflage Mode, and IP & DNS Leak Protection.

The provider offers dedicated apps for all mainstream operating systems and streaming devices, such as Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, smart TVs, FireTV, Apple TV, and game consoles. The good thing is that you can use it on unlimited devices simultaneously. You also easily watch National Geographic Channel or  ViX outside US on any of your preferred devices with Surfshark.

NordVPN: Largest Server network to Access TCM Online

NordVPN is a well-established market player in the VPN industry that is known for its huge network of servers and advanced security protocols. It works perfectly with the majority of geo-restricted services with more than 6000+ ultra-fast servers in 61 countries. It offers the largest server network to access TCM online with 1970+ servers in the US.

tcm-unblocked-via-NordVPN--

TCM unblocked outside US with NordVPN.

Recommended servers: Atlanta #5941, Salt Lake City #8842, Seattle #7780.

With these servers, you can also get beIN sports or watch FuboTV outside US with no geo-blocking whatsoever.

NordVPN deploys its NordLynx protocol on all servers that provide faster connections. We tested some of its servers on a 100 Mbps connection and weren’t let down. It offered a fast downloading speed of 86.49 Mbps and an uploading speed of 79.42 Mbps.

nordvpn-speed-test-for-US-servers

NordVPN has super-fast US servers for streaming.

On the other hand, the Dallas server #8924 should be avoided because it gave us a pretty hard time watching TCM outside US.

This VPN provides AES 256-Bit protocol for data encryption and also has a no-logging policy. Other privacy and security features include SmartPlay, Kill Switch, Server Obfuscation, DNS & IP Leak protection, and Onion Over VPN.

The provider offers dedicated apps for Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, smart TVs, game consoles, web browsers, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Wi-Fi routers. With one subscription, you can use it on six devices at a time.

Besides TCM, with the help of a VPN, you can easily unblock Allblk tv outside US and a number of other geo-restricted websites too!

You can subscribe to NordVPN for a discounted price of US$3.99/mo - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend. New users also get a 30-day money-back guarantee with every subscription.


What to Watch on TCM in 2023?

TCM primarily offers a wide array of classic films released theatrically under the banners of Warner Bros., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and RKO Pictures. The channel also offers movies from other popular production houses and often airs recent films along with special weekly programs and documentaries.

What are the good Movies on TCM right now?

TCM is known for films and you wouldn’t run out of options especially if you love classic movies. Here’s a list of some superhit classics that you can watch on TCM right now:

a-star-is-born-on-TCM--

  1. A Star is Born (1954)
  2. North By Northwest (1959)
  3. Westworld (1973)
  4. Light in the Piazza (1962)
  5. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)
  6. Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
  7. Trouble in Paradise (1932)
  8. Stagecoach (1939)
  9. The Chase (1966)
  10. Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
  11. Mildred Pierce (1945)
  12. King Kong (1933)
  13. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
  14. The Thrill of It All (1963)
  15. Splendor in the Grass (1961)

Which devices are Compatible with TCM?

You can watch TCM online through its web portal that’s compatible with all web browsers. Moreover, it also offers smart apps for a variety of streaming devices. Here’s a list of streaming devices that are compatible with TCM:

  • Apple TV (4th generation)
  • iOS (iPads and iPhones)
  • Android (tablets, smartphones, and TV sets)
  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Roku
  • Mac (Safari, Firefox, and Chrome)
  • Windows PC (Edge, Firefox, and Chrome)

How can I watch TCM plus on my Android through DirecTV?

TCM offers a dedicated smart app for Android devices. Follow these steps to watch TCM plus on your Android:

  1. Sign up for a premium VPN app (better if you get ExpressVPN).
  2. Download the VPN app on your device.
  3. Launch the VPN client app and sign in with your credentials.
  4. Connect to a fast server in the US (preferably New York).
  5. Create a new google account and set your location to the US.
  6. Sign in to your Google Play Store and download the TCM app on your Android device.
  7. Sign in with your DIRECTV subscription.
  8. Search for your favorite classic film and start streaming it anywhere.

How can I watch TCM plus on my iOS through DirecTV?

Just like android, TCM also offers a dedicated smart app for iOS devices. Follow these steps to watch TCM plus on your iOS device:

  1. Sign up for a premium VPN app (preferably ExpressVPN).
  2. Download the VPN app on your streaming device.
  3. Launch the VPN client app and sign in with your credentials.
  4. Connect to a server in the US (better if you use New York).
  5. Go to the settings of your App Store and set your country to the United States.
  6. Download the TCM streaming app on your iOS device.
  7. Sign in to your TCM app with a DIRECTV Stream subscription.
  8. Look for the classic movie you want to watch and stream it on your iPhone.

What are the Different DirecTV Now Price Plans?

DIRECTV Now offers four different subscription packages to choose from and TCM is part of every package. All subscription plans come with a 14-day free trial. The details are given below:

Subscription Package Price No. of Channels
Entertainment US$69.99 per month 75+
Choice US$89.99 per month 105+
Ultimate US$104.99 per month 140+
Premier US$149.99 per month 150+

You can easily cancel your DIRECTV Now subscription for whatever reason you have.


FAQs – TCM Outside US

You can’t get TCM on Amazon Prime as a separate channel. However, you can download its app on your Amazon streaming devices (Fire TV, Firestick) and log in with a DIRECTV subscription or your cable TV provider.

No, you can’t watch TCM on Netflix as it doesn’t offer a Live TV streaming service. However, you can access TCM through Live streaming services e.g. DIRECTV, Hulu, Sling TV, and Youtube TV.

Yes, it’s legal to access TCM outside US with a VPN app. However, you must check with your country’s laws regarding the usage of virtual private networks (VPNs).


Wrapping Up!

Are you hooked on the old Hollywood era? Do you crave the classic Hollywood movies produced between the 1950s and 1980s? TCM is a perfect platform that brings you tons of classic flicks, including blockbuster movies that later became iconic.

Sadly, you can’t watch TCM outside US owing to the geo-restrictions enforced by the channel. However, we have a solution for you that does wonders when it comes to accessing geo-restricted platforms like TCM.

Subscribe to ExpressPN now and with its latest privacy features and trailblazing unblocking protocols, watch all of your favorite geo-blocked channels from anywhere in the world.

Preston Nolan

Hey there, I'm Preston Nolan – your guide to all things entertainment! From award shows to sports, gripping documentaries to nostalgic dramas, I'm here to share stories that captivate and inspire. Let's dive into a world where passion meets insight, and where every topic is a fascinating adventure!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *