How to Watch CBC in the UK? (2026)

Written by Bram Jansen Fact-checked by Kevin Parker Updated on

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Are you trying to watch CBC in the UK?

If so, you’ve probably noticed that the platform is not available in the country.

I recently visited the UK, and I was disappointed to find out that I couldn’t watch most of my favorite CBC programs.

Shows like Heartland, Murdoch Mysteries, and The Nature of Things are exclusive to CBC Gem and geo-restricted to Canada.

But that does mean you can’t still stream these programs in the United Kingdom.

In this quick guide, I’ll show you how you can watch CBC Gem in the UK in a few easy steps.

Keep reading to find out.

Watch CBC in the UK with Surfshark

An easy method to stream CBC in the UK

Easy Steps to Watch CBC in the UK

  1. Subscribe to a VPN service like Surfshark (click here to get 81% OFF).
  2. Download and install the VPN app on your device.
  3. Launch the VPN and connect to a Canadian server.
  4. Open CBC Gem and watch your favorite show from the UK.

What You Need to Have

In order to properly follow this guide, you’ll only need two key things:

  • A CBC account
  • A VPN or Smart DNS service

It’s vital to make sure that the VPN offers reliable servers in the UK.

I recommend Surfshark because it’s blazing fast and has servers in several cities across the United Kingdom.

How to Unblock CBC in the UK?

The quickest way you can access CBC is by switching to a Canadian IP.

In doing so, you can fool the streaming service into thinking that you’re browsing from within the Great White North.

So, how do you go about changing your IP?

The simplest and best method is to use a VPN.

Here is a quick walkthrough on how to watch CBC in the UK using a VPN:

  1. Subscribe to a VPN service.
  2. Download and install the VPN on your device.
  3. Launch the app and log in.
  4. Connect a Canadian server.
  5. Open CBC Gem and start streaming.

It’s all quite simple. Right?

But remember, not all VPNs will be perfect for streaming CBC. 

While some are slow, others fail to unblock the service at all.

After testing over 30 top VPNs with CBC, Surfshark came out on top for speed and reliability.

#2 Method: Smart DNS

Besides VPNs, you can also watch CBC in the UK using Smart DNS.

Although not as intuitive as VPNs, Smart DNS services are fast and work on smart TVs and game consoles that lack built-in VPN support.

The catch is that the service must support CBC Gem. I used to recommend Surfshark’s smart DNS here, but Surfshark ended its SmartDNS service in February 2026. NordVPN still offers SmartDNS, though it only covers US services like Netflix and Disney Plus, not CBC.

So, to get a Canadian IP on a TV or console, use one of Surfshark’s working setups instead:

  1. Install the Surfshark app on an Android TV, Google TV, or Fire TV, or on an Apple TV running tvOS 17 or later.
  2. No app for your TV? Set up Surfshark VPN on your router.
  3. Or share it from a Windows PC: switch the app to OpenVPN (UDP), turn on Windows Mobile hotspot, share the “DCO” adapter from its Sharing tab, and join your TV to the hotspot.

Whichever you pick, connect to a Canadian server (Surfshark has Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver), then open CBC or CBC Gem and watch your favorite shows live and on-demand.

Why Is CBC Not Working in the UK?

Due to rights restrictions, CBC Gem is only available to viewers within Canada.

If you try to open CBC Gem in the UK, you’ll only see the following message:

The full Gem Experience is not available outside Canada.
“The full Gem Experience is not available outside Canada.”

It can be quite frustrating at first.

But once you arm your streaming device with a VPN, you can reliably watch CBC in the UK.

Conclusion

CBC offers tons of original Canadian shows.

And although the streaming service isn’t available in the UK, you can still access it using a VPN.

I tried and tested several VPNs with CBC, and my top pick is Surfshark (get an exclusive deal & save money).

It provides easy access to CBC Gem, and its connections are fast and perfect for streaming.

I hope you are now able to unblock CBC in the UK successfully.

If you found this guide helpful, please pass it along so we can help other CBC fans.

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