How to Watch PBS in Canada with a VPN (Sep 2026)
PBS is an American streaming service celebrated for its diverse range of popular reality TV shows, like Frontline, American Masters, Indie Alaska, Sanditon, The Story in Us, The Forsytes, The Count of Monte Cristo, and more.
However, accessing PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) can be challenging for those residing in Canada because of geo-restrictions. To access the channel, all you need is a VPN.
A VPN allows you to connect to a US IP address, which lets you unblock PBS in Canada.
In this article, we will explore the best VPNs for PBS. Whether you’re an expatriate, a traveler, or simply someone with an affinity for PBS content, this guide will ensure that you can enjoy your favorite programs no matter where you may be.
About PBS
PBS is available in 4 different languages, making it easier for a diverse audience to watch their favorite content.
One of PBS’s key features is its diverse collection of educational and entertaining content for viewers of all ages. PBS also features British dramas, cultural programs, and a rotating selection of acclaimed documentaries and films through PBS Passport.
It has multiple types of content, including award-winning documentaries, independent films, historical programs, science and nature series, news and public affairs, arts and music, cooking, home improvement, and children’s programming. This variety makes it a fantastic choice for all kinds of viewers.
5 Easy Steps to Watch PBS in Canada
- Download and install Surfshark, the Premier VPN for accessing PBS in Canada.
- Connect to a US server. We suggest opting for a server in New York for optimal performance.
- Visit the PBS website.
- Log in to your PBS account or sign up if you’re a new user.
- Enjoy streaming PBS in Canada.
Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch PBS in Canada
The reason why you need a VPN to unblock PBS in Canada is because of geo-restrictions. PBS is available on Peacock TV, which is a US-only streaming service, meaning only people in the US can watch their favorite content using this service. A VPN can mask your IP and let you access PBS in Canada.
Content distribution policies and the fact that various content production houses don’t want their content to be released in some parts of the world prevent PBS from providing its services in Canada.
To ensure that its service can’t be accessed in Canada, PBS uses an IP detection system that can determine the user’s real geolocation.
It’s a powerful IP tracking system and can instantly block users if they’re located in Canada.
This is a really annoying issue.
However, it’s not all that hard to fix. With the help of a VPN that offers US servers, you can easily change your geo-location and bypass this restriction.
There are a lot of VPN services that claim to unblock PBS. However, only the best VPNs really have that strong infrastructure to bypass geo-restrictions.
One such VPN is Surfshark. It has more than 600+ servers in the USA, across New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. These are the fastest on the list, powered by its Nexus technology, allowing you to get faster speeds while streaming.
Best VPNs to Watch PBS in Canada
- 85+ Mbps /100 Mbps
- 3200 servers (100 countries)
- 5.0/5.0 stars
- Unlimited multi-logins
- 85% Discount
- 3 Months FREE
- 75+ Mbps /100 Mbps
- 8,353 servers (127 countries)
- 4.8/5.0 stars
- 10 multi-logins
- 69% Discount
- 3 Months FREE
- 80+ Mbps /100 Mbps
- 105 countries
- 4.5/5.0 stars
- 10 multi-logins
- 84% Discount
- 4 Months Free
3 Best VPN Services to Watch PBS in Canada
1. Surfshark – Overall Best VPN for PBS in Canada
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| Servers — 3200 servers in 100 countries. |
| Unblocks — Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more. |
| Torrenting — Offers P2P optimized servers for Torrenting. |
| Simultaneous connections — Offers unlimited simultaneous connections. |
| Logs — Strict no-log policy |
| Money-back guarantee — 30-day refund policy. |
| Visit Surfshark |
Surfshark emerges as an exceptionally cost-effective VPN solution for streaming PBS in Canada. Alongside its affordability, Surfshark excels at bypassing geo-blocks and restrictions imposed by prominent streaming platforms.
Boasting a vast network of over servers in countries, Surfshark offers 600+ servers in USA across New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. These servers provide a genuine US IP address, ensuring seamless streaming on PBS.
In our testing, Surfshark’s performance with PBS was outstanding. Starting from a base connection of 30 Mbps, we achieved an impressive average download speed of 25.81 Mbps after connecting to a US server. This allowed us to watch popular shows in HD quality.
Additionally, Surfshark is a versatile choice for streaming services like Disney Plus, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more. Its user-friendly interface facilitates easy access to blocked content from any location.
Surfshark’s versatility also extends to device compatibility, allowing you to enjoy your favorite PBS shows on various platforms, including iOS, Windows, Android, and Mac.
With support for unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account, Surfshark is an ideal choice for households with multiple device VPN.
Priced at just $2.49/mo (Save 85% and get 3 extra months FREE with 24-month plan), Surfshark is a budget-friendly option for accessing PBS in Canada. Moreover, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee for added peace of mind.
For a comprehensive analysis of Surfshark’s features, explore our detailed Surfshark review.
2. NordVPN – Premium Security for Accessing PBS in Canada
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| Servers — 8,353 servers in 127 countries. |
| Unblocks — Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more. |
| Torrenting — Offer obfuscated and P2P optimized servers. |
| Simultaneous connections — Offers 10 simultaneous connections. |
| Logs — Strict no-log policy |
| Money-back guarantee — 30-day refund policy. |
| Visit NordVPN |
NordVPN stands as a top-tier choice for streaming PBS in Canada. With one of the most extensive server networks in the VPN landscape, NordVPN offers over servers spread across countries.
Notably, 3000 of these servers are in the US, providing ample support for unblocking PBS.
In our rigorous testing, NordVPN proved highly effective. Connecting to its US server enabled effortless access to PBS, allowing us to watch Call The Midwife in 4K. The streaming experience was exceptionally smooth, devoid of any buffering issues.
NordVPN remains highly efficient at unblocking PBS and facilitating 4K streaming. We achieved an impressive speed of 24.85 Mbps on a base connection of 30 Mbps, ensuring a buffer-free viewing experience.
NordVPN’s servers are equipped with SmartPlay technology, a feature designed to effortlessly bypass geo-restrictions on various websites. In addition to PBS, users can enjoy other popular US streaming platforms, including Hulu and Disney+.
NordVPN also offers user-friendly native applications for a wide range of devices. Moreover, a single NordVPN account supports simultaneous connections on up to 10 devices.
Pricing-wise, NordVPN offers exceptional value at just $3.49/mo (Save 69% with 24-month plan and get 3 extra months). Additionally, the service includes a 30-day money-back guarantee for added peace of mind.
For a comprehensive overview of NordVPN, take advantage of our detailed review.
3. ExpressVPN – Fastest VPN for Unblocking PBS in Canada
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| Servers — VPN Servers in 105 Countries. |
| Unblocks — Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more. |
| Torrenting — Offers Network Lock for secure Torrenting. |
| Simultaneous connections — Offers 12 simultaneous connections. |
| Logs — Strict no-log policy |
| Money-back guarantee — 30-day refund policy. |
| Visit ExpressVPN |
ExpressVPN is renowned as the fastest VPN for accessing PBS in Canada, offering a seamless streaming experience. Recognized for its exceptional speed and reliability, ExpressVPN is a go-to option for unblocking various streaming services.
Boasting an extensive network of over servers spanning countries, ExpressVPN ensures ample servers in the US, making it an ideal choice for unblocking PBS’s content.
During testing, ExpressVPN displayed remarkable performance. With a base connection of 30 Mbps, we experienced a remarkable download speed of 28.71 Mbps when connected to a US server.
This allowed us to stream PBS shows like Frontline, American Masters, Indie Alaska, Sanditon, The Story in Us, The Forsytes, The Count of Monte Cristo, and more without buffering or lag.
ExpressVPN ensures seamless compatibility across many devices, allowing you to enjoy PBS content on platforms like Amazon Firestick, Nvidia Shield, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Smart TV, and more.
Additionally, it offers a complimentary MediaStreamer Smart DNS feature, enabling usage on devices without native VPN support.
Priced at $2.49/mo, ExpressVPN provides exceptional value for its feature-rich service. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for added peace of mind.
To explore its performance, features, and pricing in-depth, dive into our comprehensive ExpressVPN review.
How to Sign Up for PBS in Canada
Signing up for PBS in Canada is a straightforward process that opens up a world of American entertainment right on your screens.
Follow these steps to create an account and enjoy PBS’s extensive content library from anywhere worldwide.
- Choose a trusted VPN: Select a reliable VPN service that can grant you access to PBS in Canada
- Connect to a US VPN server: Once you have your VPN, connect to a server in the US. This will give you an American IP address.
- Visit the PBS website and create an account: Head to the PBS website, click the “Sign In” button.
- Sign up using your email: Enter your email and password. Alternatively, you can also sign up using your Google Account, Facebook, or Apple ID.
- Start Browsing PBS: With your account set up, you’re ready to stream PBS. Browse the available content, select what you want to watch, and enjoy live American TV online.
How to Download the PBS App on iOS in Canada
- Sign up for Surfshark on your iOS device.
- Go to the VPN server list and connect to a USA server.
- Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
- Tap on your name, then go to Media & Purchases.
- Next, tap on View Account. You may need to sign in at this point.
- Tap on Country/Region.
- Select Change Country or Region.
- Scroll and choose the United States of America as your new country. Agree to the terms and conditions.
- Tap Agree in the top right corner and then tap Agree again to confirm.
- Choose a payment method, enter new info and billing address, and tap Next.
- Visit the Apple App Store and search for the Peacock TV app.
- Download and install the Peacock TV app on your iOS device to start watching PBS in Canada.
How to Download the PBS App on Android in Canada
- Sign up for a reliable VPN on your Android device. We recommend Surfshark.
- Connect to a US server from the VPN server list.
- Open the Google Play app on your Android device.
- Tap on the profile icon.
- Go to Settings, General, Account and device preferences, Country and Profiles.
- Select the United States of America from the list.
- Follow the instructions on your screen to add a payment method for the new country.
- Once your account region is changed, please search for the Peacock TV app and install it on your Android device.
- Sign in to your Peacock account and watch PBS content in Canada.
Top Streaming Channels to Watch in Canada (Besides PBS)
With a US server, there’s more to explore than just PBS. You can catch up on popular shows like The Testaments, watch the hit movies, or enjoy live sports like the FIFA 2026 World Cup in Canada.
It’s great to have access to channels that offer exclusive content to watch in Canada, so no matter where you are, you won’t miss out.
I’ve also put together a list of other streaming services you can check out alongside PBS.
- Stream Hallmark in Canada
- Watch BET in Canada
- Watch Plex in Canada
- Watch DirecTV Stream in Canada
- Watch AMC+ in Canada
- Watch Sling TV in Canada
- Watch Pluto TV in Canada
- Watch Fubo TV in Canada
- Watch Telemundo in Canada
Conclusion
After going through this comprehensive guide, you’re now equipped with the know-how to access PBS in Canada or any location worldwide using a VPN. Using a VPN, you connect to a remote VPN server, acquiring a US-based IP address.
With a VPN in place, you can bypass PBS’s geographical restrictions, granting you access to its extensive content library.
In this regard, our top recommendation is Surfshark, priced at only $2.49/mo (Save 85% and get 3 extra months FREE with 24-month plan). It is the best VPN option for streaming.
Surfshark provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, ensuring your contentment and peace of mind.
