How to Watch ABC, NBC, FOX, and CBS TV Streams From Outside the USA

So you're a big Lost or Heroes fan who doesn't want to wait a year or more for your favorite show to be broadcast overseas, but the problem is that ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX won't let you watch the latest episodes online because you don't live in the USA. The fundamental problem you're facing is Internet censorship, and there are many tools to help you circumvent it.

What are your options (assuming you don't just give up)?

1. Use a web-based proxy in the US. As we've stated before, this almost never works because the proxy can't detect the URLs that are hidden in the Flash and Javascript files used by these video sites. Plus, proxy sites don't like to incur the massive bandwidth costs of proxying video streams. There are exceptions like YouTubeProxy, however.
2. Try out one of the many online video sites that host links to a virtual library of TV shows.
3. Use a US-based VPN, or virtual private network. We've written about VPNs before in conjunction with bypassing bandwidth throttling of BitTorrent downloads.

VPNs are probably the most general-purpose way to view video content that has been restricted online. Proxies that support video must be custom coded to support each site so, for the most part, only the biggest sites will be supported.

So, let's examine the third option a little more. A VPN essentially acts like a second ISP. You get a new IP address to show the world (including, say, ABC.com) so ABC has no idea that you're outside the US. That means you get to watch all the Desperate Housewives you want.

We have recommended SecureIX for a good publicly accessible VPN before. The free version limits you to a bandwidth of 256kbits/sec so you'll probably encounter annoying pauses while watching a video (as you can see below). The pay version at 5000kbits/sec should work better.

If you want a speedier and also free alternative, try out Hotspot Shield from AnchorFree, which operates a network of free Wi-Fi hotspots. The program encrypts your Internet traffic by setting up a connection to a VPN. Our tests showed speeds of up to 600kbits/sec, twice as fast as SecureIX. When installing HotSpot Shield, make sure to de-select the AnchorFree toolbar.