Ever tried to catch up on a Sky Original on Now TV while abroad, only to be blocked by an error message? You've hit a geo-restriction wall. Now TV, owned by Sky, is licensed exclusively for viewers within the United Kingdom. If your device's IP address isn't from the UK, the service will block you from streaming, regardless of your subscription status.

Here's how to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to watch Now TV from anywhere in the world, whether you're a UK subscriber traveling or an international fan of Sky's content.

Important: Tegant VPN is a privacy and security tool. You are responsible for complying with Now TV's terms of service and ensuring you have the appropriate rights to access their content.

Why Does Now TV Block VPNs?

Streaming services like Now TV are bound by strict licensing agreements that dictate where they can show content. To enforce these rules, they use geo-blocking technology to check your IP address. If it points to a location outside the UK, access is denied.

Because many people use a VPN for Now TV to bypass these blocks, the platform actively works to detect and block IP addresses associated with known VPN servers. They do this by:

  • Blacklisting IP Ranges: Identifying and blocking entire blocks of IP addresses known to belong to VPN data centers.
  • Analyzing Connection Patterns: Looking for multiple users connecting from the same IP address, a telltale sign of VPN usage.

This is why many generic or free VPNs fail to work. A working Now TV VPN needs to rotate its IPs and stay ahead of these blocks.

Flowchart showing a user encountering geo-blocking, then successfully using a VPN to bypass the restriction and access content.

Step-by-Step: How to Watch Now TV Abroad With a VPN

Setting up takes a few minutes. Here's the process.

  1. Choose a Capable VPN Service: Select a VPN provider that offers high-speed UK servers optimized for streaming.
  2. Install the VPN App: Download and install the VPN application on your preferred device (PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet, or streaming stick).
  3. Connect to a UK Server: Open the VPN app, browse the server list, and connect to a server located in the United Kingdom. This will give you a UK IP address.
  4. Clear Your Browser Cache: To prevent old location data from interfering, clear your browser's cookies and cache. If using a mobile app, clearing the app cache can also help.
  5. Navigate to Now TV: Go to the Now TV website or open the Now TV app.
  6. Log In and Stream: Sign in to your Now TV account and start watching your favorite shows, movies, or live sports as if you were back in the UK.

What to Look For in a Now TV VPN

Picking the right VPN for streaming makes a real difference. Here's what matters for Now TV.

Diagram illustrating high speed and low latency using WireGuard and V2Ray VPN protocols to a UK server.

  • Optimized UK Servers: The VPN needs plenty of servers in the UK. Providers with servers optimized for streaming tend to have less overcrowding and more stable connections. For example, Tegant VPN offers UK servers built for this purpose.
  • Fast Speeds for HD Streaming: Streaming live sports on Now TV Sports is data-intensive. A slow VPN means constant buffering. Protocols like WireGuard are built for speed and low latency, which keeps Premier League or F1 streams smooth in HD. On restrictive networks, V2Ray helps by disguising your VPN traffic as regular web browsing.
  • Reliability and Consistency: A good Now TV VPN is one that works reliably, week after week. The provider should be refreshing its IP addresses regularly to stay ahead of Now TV's detection systems.

Now TV Packages: A Brief Overview

Now TV uses a "Membership" system, so you pick the content you want and pay monthly with no long-term contract.

  • Entertainment Membership: Access to Sky's original dramas (like those on Sky Atlantic), HBO series, and a large library of on-demand box sets.
  • Cinema Membership: Features hundreds of movies, including Sky Original films and recent blockbusters.
  • Sports Membership: Live access to 11 Sky Sports channels covering the Premier League, F1, cricket, golf, and more. This is the big draw for most VPN users abroad.
  • Hayu Membership: Dedicated to reality TV, with thousands of episodes available to stream.

Troubleshooting: Now TV Not Working With VPN?

If your VPN is connected but Now TV still won't load, the issue is usually old location data stored in your browser or app rather than the VPN itself. A few quick fixes usually sort it out.

Illustration showing browser window with cookie and broom to clear cookies, VPN server switch options, and a mask with a checklist of privacy settings.

  • Clear Browser Cookies and Cache: This is the most common solution. Clearing your browser's data removes any stored information that might reveal your true location to Now TV.
  • Switch to a Different UK Server: Now TV may have blacklisted the specific IP address you're using. Simply disconnect and reconnect to a different UK server in your VPN app to get a new IP.
  • Try a Different Browser or Incognito Mode: Opening Now TV in a private or incognito window provides a clean slate without any stored cookies or cache, which can quickly bypass location conflicts.

For more persistent issues, check out our guide on why your VPN is not working for advanced troubleshooting steps. A good VPN also helps with data leak prevention and avoiding ISP throttling.

Now TV vs. Other UK Streaming Services

Now TV fills a different niche from other UK streaming services. Free services like BBC iPlayer and ITVX offer excellent British programming, they are limited to their own networks' content.

Now TV is the only service that provides contract-free access to premium Sky content. This includes exclusive Sky Atlantic dramas, blockbuster movies, and, most notably, live sports you won't find on other UK streaming platforms without a full satellite subscription. That exclusive content is why a working Now TV VPN matters for viewers abroad.

FAQ: Using a VPN for Now TV

Is it legal to use a VPN to watch Now TV?

Using a VPN for privacy and security is legal in most countries, including the UK. However, using it to bypass geo-restrictions may violate Now TV's terms of service. Streaming platforms typically focus on blocking VPN connections rather than taking action against individual user accounts.

Why don't free VPNs work with Now TV?

Free VPNs are generally a poor choice for streaming. Their servers are often slow and overcrowded, leading to constant buffering. They also have a limited number of IP addresses that are quickly identified and blacklisted by services like Now TV, making them unreliable for consistent access.

How can I ensure the fastest streaming speeds for Now TV?

For the best experience, especially for live sports, connect to a VPN server that is geographically close to your actual location (while still being in the UK). More importantly, use a modern VPN protocol like WireGuard, which is optimized for speed. If you face network restrictions, an advanced protocol like V2Ray can help by masking your traffic. At the end of the day, server quality matters more than anything else.

Legal Notice: Tegant VPN is a privacy and security service and should not be used as a means of copyright circumvention. We cannot see or control what you do while connected to our VPN, so you are responsible for complying with our Terms of Service, Now TV's terms, and any applicable laws.

Tegant VPN offers UK servers with WireGuard and V2Ray protocols for streaming Now TV from abroad. Learn more about Tegant VPN.