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How to watch CBS All Access in the UK and beyond

From Star Trek to Big Brother, CBS is the home to countless popular television shows, but the channel is only officially available in the United States. Despite this geo-restriction, residents from across the world can access the network’s online on-demand counterpart, CBS All Access, no matter whether you’re in the UK or elsewhere.

The best way to unblock CBS All Access is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), helping you pretend to be in the US. Not just any VPN will do the trick, however, meaning you will need to select carefully if you want to watch CBS All Access. 

 

How to watch CBS All Access in the UK or elsewhere

If you want to subscribe to CBS All Access from outside of the US, you will need a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN conceals your real IP address from the CBS website and lets you pretend to be in the US. Below we have listed the steps needed to unblock CBS All Access:

  1. Choose a VPN for CBS and subscribe.

    We recommend ExpressVPN because it has fast servers in the US that are perfect for streaming CBS All Access.

  2. Download the VPN software onto your device.

    All the VPNs we recommend let you use the software on five or more devices simultaneously.

  3. Connect to a VPN server in the USA.

    Ask your VPN providers which server is optimized for streaming CBS. This will ensure you use the best server.

  4. Purchase a CBS All Access gift card to pay for CBS.

  5. Navigate to the CBS All Access website to redeem the gift code and create an account.

  6. Stream CBS All Access thanks to your VPN.

How to pay for CBS All Access

CBS All Access is a US-only service, so you will require a valid US payment method to pay for the service. Trying to pay with an international debit or credit card will fail. As a result, you will need to pay in one of the following two ways:

  1. Using a virtual US debit card purchased online

  2. Using a CBS All Access gift card

Either of these methods will work. However, we recommend purchasing a gift card because redeeming a gift code on the CBS website is much easier and less expensive. 

Walmart and Best Buy sell CBS All Access gift cards that you can pay for online (either with your ordinary card or with PayPal). Those cards are available for $25, $50, or $100 depending on which subscription plan you require. Once purchased gift codes are sent via email, so you can easily head over to the CBS website to redeem them.

The best VPNs for CBS All Access in UK

Picking a VPN for streaming CBS can be a little tricky. Not every VPN works with CBS All Access, and not every VPN is fast enough to allow you to stream shows in HD. 

All the VPNs we have recommended work with CBS, which means you are free to pick any of them. However, they do all differ slightly, so it is worth checking the summaries to make sure you get the service that best suits you.

1. ExpressVPN
Editor's Choice | November 2024

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for CBS thanks to its chart-topping speeds

  • Pricing

    • 12 months + 3 months FREE + Backblaze backup: $6.67/mth
      49% OFF
    • 6 months: $9.99/mth
    • 1 month: $12.95/mth
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

ExpressVPN is a highly respected VPN that is perfect for streaming CBS All Access. Express has servers in 94 countries, and they are all lightning fast for streaming in HD. In addition to CBS, ExpressVPN unblocks ABC, NBC, Netflix US and Canada, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Prime Video, and much more.

ExpressVPN has software for all platforms and is easy to install. All subscribers can use the VPN on up to 5 devices simultaneously, which means that it can be used on both supported home systems and your smartphone. It is also a zero-logs VPN, which means it is completely private and trustworthy.

In addition to unblocking streams, ExpressVPN is watertight in terms of security thanks to strong OpenVPN encryption. This makes it a well-rounded VPN that is suitable for all privacy purposes. Express has a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can test it risk free. An outstanding option for those who can afford the best.

CyberGhost allows you to stream CBS and get your money back up to 45 days later

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 3 months FREE: $2.11/mth
      83% OFF
    • 6 months: $6.99/mth
      42% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.99/mth
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

CyberGhost is a Romanian VPN provider that is dedicated to privacy and unblocking content. The VPN is based in Romania and it has a zero logs policy, this puts it out of reach of invasive jurisdictions like the UK and the US. CyberGhost has servers in 90 countries around the world, which makes it ideal for unblocking more content. 

CyberGhost is not the fastest VPN in the world, however, it is more than adequate for streaming content on CBS All Access. In addition, CyberGhost provides access to Netflix US and BBC iPlayer - which means it is good for streaming. Finally, CyberGhost is generous, giving subscribers of its 6+ month packages a lengthy 45-day money-back guarantee and allowing users to install and use the software on up to seven simultaneous devices. 

A Fast VPN that is ideal for streaming US geo restricted TV channels and VoD

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 2 months FREE: $2.19/mth
      82% OFF
    • 6 months: $7.5/mth
      38% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.95/mth
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

Private Internet Access is a US-based VPN that has proven its no logs policy claims in court. It is a renowned VPN that has been in the industry for over ten years. IT is also a service that is often praised by Reddit subscribers for its privacy features.PIA has easy-to-use apps for all platforms. And those apps come with all the premium VPN features you would expect. OpenVPN encryption, a killswitch and obfuscation are all available, and PIA lets you customize things granularly to either improve speeds for streaming  or tighten security and privacy with higher encryption.


Its servers in the US are perfect to unblock CBS, NBC, ABC, or any other US channel. And this VPN can unblock Netflix US, hulu, and other streaming services. PIA has a killswitch so that you will never leak data to your ISP outside of the VPN tunnel, this makes PIA perfect for torrenting. PIA has lightning fast servers in 33 countries to let you stream shows in HD without buffering. Overall, this VPN is very cheap considering what you get. And you can use it on up to 10 devices simultaneously. Definitely worth taking for a test run  using its 30-day money back guarantee. A reliable VPN.

A fast VPN that can easily be used to access geo-restricted content

  • Pricing

    • 24 Month Black Friday Special: VPN & Ad Blocker: $1.99/mth
      87% OFF
    • 24 Month Black Friday Special: One, Alert & Antivirus: $2.49/mth
      83% OFF
    • 24 months + 3 months FREE: $2.19/mth
      86% OFF
    • 12 months + 3 months FREE: $2.79/mth
      82% OFF
    • 1 month: $15.45/mth
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

Surfshark is a relative newcomer to the VPN industry. The VPN has only been around for a few years, but in that time it has become one of the most well-liked and useful VPN services with 4.3 stars out of 5 on trust pilot. With servers in over 60 countries this VPN can help you unblock anything. It will work with CBS NBC, ABC, and other US TV channels and VoD services. It also has servers in the UK that can access BBC iPlayer, and other UK broadcasters.


Plus, Surfshark lives up to its name - because it unblocks 10 Netflix catalogs including Canada, UK, and US. And the VPN has a zero logs policy and strong encryption to ensure that your data always remains private. When it comes to features and accessibility this VPN is extremely hard to beat, and this provider lets you use the VPN on an unlimited number of devices. Well worth testing on any platform using its 30-day money back guarantee.

PrivateVPN unblocks everything, from CBS to the most Netflix servers of any provider

  • Pricing

    • 36 months: $2/mth
      84% OFF
    • 3 months: $6/mth
      50% OFF
    • 1 month: $9.99/mth
      17% OFF
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

PrivateVPN is a superb VPN provider that is a favorite among consumers. This Swedish VPN is fully featured and has everything from OpenVPN encryption to obfuscated servers. PrivateVPN is fast thanks to Tier 1 servers, which make it perfect for streaming CBS All Access or Netflix US. In fact, this VPN is considered one of the best for unblocking streams (and provides access to more Netflix catalogs than any other VPN). 

PrivateVPN is extremely reliable and has excellent software for all platforms. This is pretty mind blowing considering the cost of this VPN.  As is the case with the VPNs above, you can test PrivateVPN risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. An amazing all-rounder at a superb price point.

Can I watch CBS All Access on my Amazon Prime account?

Yes, CBS All Access is available on Amazon Prime Video as an add-on. The cost of accessing CBS All Access from within Amazon Prime is the same as a standalone subscription on the CBS website: $5.99 per month with commercials, or $9.99 per month commercial-free. 

 

Please Note

CBS is only available to Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the US. Thus, you will need to get a US Amazon Prime subscription, using a virtual US debit card to pay for CBS All Access from within Prime.

Why is CBS All Access blocked outside of the US?

As with most online streaming services, CBS restricts access to its service to comply with licensing restrictions. CBS purchases all the content it shows on its service from content producers, and those copyright holders only license their content to CBS for viewing within the USA. 

Copyright holders want to license their content to various services around the globe. This is how they make money from their content. If international viewers unblock CBS, this hurts the copyright holder’s bottom line. CBS might benefit from VPN users, but copyright holders do not.

This is because copyright holders agree a set fee with broadcasters like CBS when licensing their shows. As a result of this licensing agreement, CBS must geo-restrict its content to the US region. However, if you use a VPN to pretend to be in the US and use a gift card to pay, you can stream CBS All Access problem-free.

What can I watch on CBS All Access?

CBS All Access broadcasts a wide variety of awesome US TV shows. Below we have included some of the best programs to watch to make the most of your CBS All Access account:

Written by: Ray Walsh

Digital privacy expert with 5 years experience testing and reviewing VPNs. He's been quoted in The Express, The Times, The Washington Post, The Register, CNET & many more. 

1 Comment

Piotr Jรณzefowicz
on March 25, 2021
Several months ago, I was able to purchase CBS All Access subscription with my Polish credit card in their Android app. Payment was approved and I was able to watch content on both desktop and tablet. The only disadvantage - inability of using the promo codes - these work only on CBS website, which obviously refuses foreign cards. BTW, the service was recently rebranded to Paramount+

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