CBC is one of the best sources of TV entertainment in Canada. You’ll find programs for every taste or mood, from series, movies, and documentaries to live TV, news, and sports.
You can watch all that content online through the broadcaster’s website or the CBC Gem streaming app. Some of those shows are free, some require registration, while full access needs a subscription.
But despite the extensive programs and flexible streaming options, CBC Gem has one significant drawback: it’s only available in Canada.
In other words, geo-blocks will keep you from watching your favorite shows when you’re abroad. Luckily, you can change all that with a top-rated VPN. So, if you’re a Canadian expat or a CBC buff, you’ve reached the perfect place.
The Quick ‘CBC Gem Outside Canada’ Walk-Through
Time needed: 3 minutes
Start binging your favorite Canadian and international programs instantly from anywhere.
Sign up for a premium VPN.
Only premium VPNs guarantee total streaming access. After a series of tests, our number one choice for Gem is ExpressVPN.
Get the VPN app on your device.
You’ll find dedicated VPN apps for iOS, Android, PC, Mac, and more, all available on the Play Store and App Store.
Activate your VPN.
Open the app, sign in, and connect to a Canadian server.
Go to CBC Gem.
You won’t find location error messages when you visit Gem or press play.
This article covers everything you need to know about CBC, how to unblock it, and which VPN to use.
The Requirements
Three must-haves for CBC streaming:
A top VPN service.
A compatible device.
Optional: A CBC account or subscription for full access and perks.
CBC Gem – Crown Jewel of Canadian Content
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, simply known as CBC, is a public TV and radio network in Canada.
It is home to some of the most popular shows like Murdoch Mysteries, Heartland, and The Nature of Things.
Furthermore, you’ll find live news and sports coverage, including the Olympics, hockey, and basketball.
Online viewers can watch all that content on the CBC website or the CBC Gem streaming app. But what’s really interesting is that a lot of content is available for free without registration.
However, creating a free account unlocks even more programs. And for complete CBC access and perks, there’s a monthly subscription.
Guest+ 14 live channels, Olympics, past seasons on demand, cross-device streaming.
Free (registration required)
Premium
Guest+Member+ ad-free on-demand episodes, live CBC news, HD video and audio, early access to shows.
$4.99/month
Gem will be the crown jewels of Canadian content.
Catherine Tait, CBC CEO and President
Both Gem Guest and Member plans contain ads, while the Premium subscription is ad-free (except for live streams) and has a 30-day free trial.
Gem Geo-Blocked Outside Canada
Only Canadian residents have access to CBC Gem. Due to content rights restrictions, the TV broadcaster prevents out-of-market users from entering its online platform and app.
So instead of tuning in to your favorite program, a geo-error message will pop up on your screen instead.
“Oops… We’re sorry, this content is not available in your location.”
“Sorry, this content is not available outside Canada.”
According to the CBC website, you can still connect with the national public broadcaster through CBC Radio One and CBC Music.
Furthermore, you can watch sports highlights, news, and arts programs. However, Gem is off-limits when you leave Canada.
“This content is not available outside Canada. Error – 4001.”
If you noticed, there are several errors that will pop up when you try to access CBC abroad. Therefore, you’ll need a VPN to keep track of your shows outside Canada.
Unblock CBC Gem with a VPN
VPNs work by making it appear like you’re in another country. They reroute your traffic through their private servers and change your IP address so that it matches the server location you picked.
So, if you connect to a Canadian server, you get a Canadian IP address. As a result, CBC Gem will think you’re inside its broadcasting zone and give you access to its programs.
Moreover, all your data goes through the encrypted VPN tunnel, preventing ISPs, government agencies, and hackers from monitoring your online activities.
Sensitive data like passwords, IP addresses, and browsing history remain hidden from prying eyes. Premium VPNs also follow a no-logs policy, meaning they won’t keep records of what you do and where you are.
VPN data encryption is ideal for streamers and gamers as it prevents ISP throttling and DDoS attacks. Meanwhile, connecting to foreign servers allows you to discover new e-markets and uncover cheaper online shopping discounts. Furthermore, we highly advise you to use a VPN when you connect to hacker-ridden public WiFi.
Best VPN for Gem
Avid streaming fans know that geo-blocks aren’t the only problem they face online. Sometimes, the VPN they use can’t get the job done.
That’s because channels have a detection technology that allows them to identify and block most VPN IP addresses.
That’s why we regularly test VPN providers to see which ones offer reliable streaming access. For CBC Gem, we highly recommend ExpressVPN.
It provides fast servers in 94 countries, has strong streaming support, and excellent encryption and privacy features.
The monthly subscription is considered among the highest in the industry, but you can save a lot if you get the yearly package.
And if you prefer a cheaper alternative, we really liked BulletVPN‘s bullet-speed servers and flawless unblocking record.
Most free VPNs are unreliable when bypassing geo-blocks, whether due to their limited number of servers, detectable IP addresses, or bandwidth caps. But not all free VPNs are the same. In our most recent VPN ‘search and evaluation’ mission, we came across a hidden gem, Qamo VPN.
We downloaded the app, signed up, and immediately started using it. Qamo offers 10+ servers across the world, with key locations in Canada, the US, Japan, and Europe, including the UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. We connected to the Montreal server and instantly started streaming our favorite CBC Gem shows.
However, there were a couple of downsides. The app is only available for Android users and it contains ads. Nonetheless, Qamo is worth the trouble if you’re looking for the best free VPN to stream CBC Gem outside Canada.
CBC Gem Device Support
Unlock Gem on your favorite device no matter where you are with a VPN.
PC/Mac
Mobile
Apple TV
Fire TV
Chromecast
PC/Mac
Start streaming live and on-demand CBC shows in under five minutes:
Choose a VPN server from Canada and hit ‘Connect.’
Go to https://gem.cbc.ca/
Enjoy your favorite content from anywhere
Mobile
Gem is unavailable outside Canada. If you don’t have it on your phone or tablet, you must:
Since there aren’t any VPN apps for devices like Apple TV, you must set up a VPN on your router first. Then:
Connect to server from Canada
Download Gem on your device
Watch Canadian content from anywhere
Fire TV
This approach is very similar to the Apple TV instructions. Start by installing the VPN on your router (see how in the Apple TV tab). Then, connect to a Canadian server to install CBC Gem on your Fire TV and start streaming.
Chromecast
You won’t find Gem outside Canada, and Chromecast does not support VPN technology. The easiest option is setting up a VPN on your router (see the Apple TV method) and switching to a Canadian VPN server. Now you can download CBC Gem and binge away.
FAQ
Discover the answers to the most common CBC questions.
Is CBC Gem free?
Gem has two free tiers: One without registration, where you can immediately start streaming, and another that requires creating an account to unlock more content.
How to register for Gem Member?
To register for Gem’s Member package from outside Canada, you must:
Connect to a Canadian VPN server
Visit the Gem website and click on Create an account
Enter your email, password, first name, and last name
Hit create an account to finish
Can I access CBC Gem outside Canada?
CBC Gem is only available inside Canada due to rights restrictions. You’ll get a location error message when you access it from abroad.
How much does CBC Gem Premium Cost?
Gem’s Premium plan costs $4.99/month.
Does the Premium Subscription Include a Free Trial?
New CBC Gem users get a 30-day free trial.
What can I watch on CBC Gem?
You’ll find plenty of local and international programs on Gem, live and on-demand. That includes:
Heartland
Murdoch Mysteries
The Nature of Things
The Porter
Ghosts
Family Feud Canada
Sort Of
Hockey
Basketball
The Olympics
Access CBC Gem Outside Canada with a VPN
Canadian residents treat themselves to premium TV entertainment with CBC Gem. They can either watch their favorite content for free (with or without registration) or subscribe for total access and perks. But anyone living outside Canada can’t access the service because it’s geo-blocked.
Therefore, if you find yourself in this predicament, your only solution is a premium VPN. Our tests have shown that ExpressVPN and BulletVPN are ideal providers, but any option from our table offers you reliable and fast CBC Gem streaming.
Ralph was bitten by the tech bug from an early age. Today, he is an expert cybersecurity geek with 13+ years of online privacy and streaming experience under his belt. Spoiler alert: He hates bottled TV show endings (Game of Thrones) and whenever his favorite teams lose.
