By Eva Williams 7 days ago, Apps and Software
Wondering how to watch HGTV outside the US when going on vacation or on a business trip? This channel broadcasts design, home decor, lifestyle, and landscaping shows. Viewers can watch them on TV, computer, or any kind of portable device. Actually, anything with a screen and Internet access is suitable but only if you’re in the country. For regaining your access from any country, you have 3 options:
For Amazon Prime members, the service is available through the Fire TV feature but some countries still prohibit viewing the content. If you revert to the Smart DNS alternative to gain unrestricted access, ISPs and advertisers will be happily harvesting your traffic data for their purposes. Therefore, it is advisable to use a reliable VPN service provider.
In any American state, you can watch shows via cable TV or online. You can either use the company’s website for watching or such services as Hulu or Sling TV. Upon leaving the country’s territory, access will not be possible without a VPN for streaming. It will disguise your real address, substituting it with a new one.
To watch the content broadcasted in a particular country, you need to have a local IP. Connecting to a well-maintained server, you can disguise your real IP address without obstructing the streaming. Plus, you also get unlimited bandwidth and can watch as many streaming shows on HGTV as you like.
The step-by-step unlocking process looks like this:
STEP 1. Find the best VPN for the USA. Check how many servers in the country it offers and what the advertised speeds are.
STEP 2. Go through the processes of installation and signing up. Some providers allow installing an app on up to 5 devices.
STEP 3. Find a speedy US server and establish a connection. The platform will now treat you as an American IP owner and allow unrestricted access to any kind of shows you want.
STEP 4. Launch any show on the website or in the app. If you experience some issues, try switching between several servers to find the less busy one or with a higher speed allowance; plus try to clear the cookies in your browser.
After rigorously testing dozens of VPNs available, I have compiled a list of the top 3 options that allow you to watch HGTV shows outside the US.
Verdict: ExpressVPN is definitely leading in popularity and in the States, the company obtained about two dozen powerful servers. One of its strongest points is the ability to preserve your connection speed almost fully because this is one of the fastest VPNs. The bandwidth is unlimited regardless of what plan you subscribe to, which is perfect for binge-watching those series. You can use any kind of device.
Apart from convenience and speed, the program has more to offer in case your needs are broader. The security functions include zero-knowledge DNS, a kill switch, and split tunneling.
Verdict: There are about 900 IPVanish servers in America, so you can stream shows without any problems while in another country. Connection speed drops by only 20%. Plus, you can connect up to 10 devices to the VPN at the same time, including a smartphone and a router.
I love this VPN for travel because it offers robust security features. By choosing it, you get a secure connection with reliable data encryption algorithms. Plus, anything you do is guaranteed to remain with you because the company doesn’t collect any data.
Verdict: This service has over 6,500 servers worldwide, including around 1,500 in the US. They are effective for fooling the geo-blocking of HGTV and 50 other streaming channels. With split tunneling, you can still access local channels.
This VPN for multiple devices encrypts everything that passes through it. On top of that, it offers users an incorporated antivirus and content filter to ensure kids don't have access to age-restricted content.
This service lets you access your favorite shows even on TVs that don’t have built-in apps. An Amazon Prime subscription is an effective way of how to watch HGTV outside the US. You will have access to the same titles that are available when streaming from America.
You can watch live HGTV broadcasts, including new episodes of the most widely followed shows. Here is how you do it:
STEP 1. Download the HGTV Go app.
STEP 2. Then log in using your username and password.
STEP 3. Choose what you want to watch today.
Unfortunately, this service also has a list of countries it works in so you’re lucky if your destination is on it. With any other current location, you need to use a VPN for Amazon Prime.
The last method to remove geo-blocks is to use Smart DNS. It can also make you appear like a regular US user browsing from his/her home. The system is somewhat simplified, only a portion of your traffic is redirected to a US server. But that portion tells websites your location so it serves the purpose perfectly.
Since your IP address is not altered, the local content remains available to you. This system has a slight advantage over the first variant we offered: it doesn’t perform complicated manipulations with the traffic and thus doesn’t degrade your speed. But this option also has disadvantages: your data can be easily hacked because it is not encrypted. Therefore, Smart DNS should only be used in cases where data privacy is not important. Here’s how to use it:
STEP 1. Sign up for a trial version.
STEP 2. Then follow the setup instructions for your device.
STEP 3. When you're done setting up, watch HGTV wherever you are.
Having performed a few tests here, too, I detected two effective and reliable options:
Smart DNS Proxy provides you with access to over 400 services. You can watch HGTV from any device, including TV and game console. In fact, you can use any device in the house; there is no limit on the number.
Smarty DNS also successfully bypasses the blocking of over 300 websites, including HGTV. In addition, it ciphers the trafficked data, preventing any monitoring.
This is an American channel called Home & Garden Television that is managed by Discovery Inc. It broadcasts innumerable shows that all share the theme of home and garden improvement and give interesting masterclasses or tips.
Yes, there is a special app for Android and iOS devices available in the official store. It provides access to all relevant shows. You can even save the episodes you’re interested in to make a personal playlist for later entertainment.
A bunch of services like Hulu, Sling TV, DirecTV enable you to watch this channel with a subscription. Some of these services can be tested before subscribing but they are confined to the country as well.
