How to watch CBC Gem outside Canada: the FAST method

CBC Gem is a streamer offering access to the latest shows and documentaries. However, the service is geo-restricted, so you can’t always watch outside of Canada. But with our guide, you can unlock TV streams from overseas in just a couple of minutes.

Our recommended VPNs open up the CBC Gem website by assigning you a Canadian IP address – so you can watch from anywhere in the world. See below for more details.

Which VPNs work with CBC Gem?

Why you can trust GadgetMouse: Our content is written by a team of humans and we refuse to use AI. Plus, we own (and use) every VPN that we write about. For more details, see our editorial policy.

How-to guide: use CBC Gem abroad in 3 steps

At a glance: To watch CBC Gem outside Canada, download a VPN, sign in, connect to a server based in Canada and reload the website/app.

Step 1. Download a VPN

To stream CBC Gem’s best shows from abroad, you need a trusted VPN. We recommended ExpressVPN currently as it’s affordable and lets you use up to 5 devices at one time.

Step 2. Sign in to your VPN

Once you’ve created your account and downloaded the software to your device, sign in with your username and password.

Step 3. Connect to a server for CBC Gem

As CBC Gem is targeted at a Canadian audience, you need to connect to a VPN server based in Canada. Top VPNs will have multiple servers in the country that you can jump between if needed.

To unlock CBC Gem using ExpressVPN, open the app, tap the three dots icon and use the search box to enter a location within Canada. Then, click the power icon to connect and wait for the green light.

CBC Gem not working with VPN: list of fixes

If the CBC Gem website works out that you’re trying to use the service from outside of Canada, you’ll get blocked.

Certain countries will limit access to the streaming website due to licensing laws, or because there are laws in that country that go against VPN use. Other Canadian services such as CTV and Crave work in the same way. Try our list of fixes to watch CBC Gem outside Canada:

Check your VPN is up to date

If your VPN doesn’t work with CBC Gem, check you’re using the most recent version. The team behind the VPN could have fixed a technical issue through an update.

To update your VPN from a computer, load the VPN and then Settings. You should be able to find an Update option in there.

If you’re on Android, open the Play Store, tap your profile in the top-right corner and then Manage apps and device. Choose Update or Update all. From iPhone, open the App Store and tap your profile in the top-right corner.

Try a different VPN server

VPN servers can die at random. If CBC Gem isn’t playing nicely, the issue may lie with the VPN server – swapping to an alternative could improve your experience.

Top-rated VPNs provide various servers within each country. For instance, ExpressVPN has a ‘UK – Docklands’ server, along with additional options in East London, London, and the Midlands.

Try disconnecting from the server that you’re using with CBC Gem. Next steps vary, but ExpressVPN users can select the three dots icon to see a list of alternative servers in the same country.

Message VPN Customer Support

The most popular VPNs employ teams to address technical issues. If you’re having trouble streaming TV shows on CBC Gem through a VPN, consider reaching out to them.

Access your VPN provider’s website and head to the Support or Contact Us pages. Some VPNs even provide a 24/7 live chat service for their members, which is great if you’re reaching out late in the day.

Reset your VPN and run CBC Gem again

We suggest you try restarting your PC and then relaunch your VPN. If that doesn’t resolve the issue with CBC Gem, completely uninstall and reinstall your VPN. Open both your VPN and the website to see what the results are.

Check your internet

To do this, disconnect from your wi-fi and then reconnect. With your connection restored, try your VPN again and consider restarting your router for a thorough reset. Check for a button on the back of your router (you might need a pin to press it down), or consult the manual.

You should run a free internet speed tool such as Ookla and compare results alongside your ISP’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise.

More CBC Gem fixes:

Make sure you aren’t the victim of a DNS leak. If you’re using a broken VPN, it doesn’t disguise your real IP address and location when you visit CBC Gem. To check it’s working, turn it off and head to the IP Address Lookup tool. Make a note of your typical IP address, activate your VPN, run the test again and see if those details change. If you don’t see a difference, your VPN isn’t working.

Clear cache and cookies. On Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. On Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Re-enter VPN username and password. Double-check your entries. If you can’t remember your details, choose the ‘Forgot’ option on your VPN provider’s website.

Check the servers you’re looking at are online. If you can’t connect to a server, your provider might be experiencing an outage.

Check your firewall allows VPNs. If you’re experiencing issues on desktop, make sure your VPN is mentioned in the ‘Allow’ list. On Windows, head to open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall.

Are you using the latest version of your web browser? Your current web browser might be incompatible with your VPN. If you’ve already updated your VPN, make sure you update your browser as well. On Chrome, you would go to Settings > About Chrome.

Are you overworking your VPN? When streaming, gaming and using social media all at once, your VPN might struggle to keep up. We suggest you close a couple of apps.

Best VPNs for CBC Gem

ExpressVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.53 per month
• 6-month subscription: £8.12 per month
• 1-year subscription + 3 months free: £5.42 per month (49% off)

🌎 Number of servers	160
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	5
⏱️ Our speed test results	-8.7% download, -5.5% upload (London)

ExpressVPN is one of our favourite VPNs here at GadgetMouse. It’s simple to use even if you’re new to the exciting world of VPNs, plus it does a good job of replacing blacklisted servers. This is one of the most popular VPNs you can buy and it can unlock region-restricted websites such as CBC Gem. To open up your CBC Gem account, all you need to do is log in to your ExpressVPN account, connect to a VPN server based in Canada and start streaming.

ExpressVPN can keep your real IP address hidden around the clock, which means there’s no chance of any websites (including CBC Gem) working out the fact that you’re accessing content from outside certain areas.

Pros: Smartphone app lets you connect in seconds, 'favourite' most-used VPN servers for quick access, performed remarkably well in our chat support speed test

Cons: Rival VPNs are cheaper, can't use many devices at once

Try ExpressVPN today

Ivacy

• 1-month subscription: £8.62 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3 per month (65% off)
• 5-year subscription + FREE password manager: 80p per month (90% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,200+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	6
⏱️ Our speed test results	-14% download, -7% upload (London)

Ivacy works well with the CBC Gem website and it’s a safe option if you don’t want to spend lots of money on a VPN. The cheapest package here starts at less than $4 per month, which is great if you’re on a budget. Give Ivacy a try for yourself if you’d like to be able to access CBC Gem from anywhere in the world.

This is still one of the most popular VPNs proven to work with CBC Gem. If you sign up today, you’ll have access to over 1,000 VPN servers across the globe. A single subscription has you covered on up to 10 different devices at any one time. Plus, Ivacy’s internet kill switch keeps you hidden even if your connection drops without warning.

Pros: Connection is steady when using multiple devices, notifications mention if Ivacy is disabled, server locations split by country and city

Cons: We think the ExpressVPN mobile app is faster, below-average results in our chat support speed test

Try Ivacy today

NordVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.49 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3.99 per month (40% off)
• 2-year subscription: £2.79 per month (58% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,700
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

Here’s another VPN that lets you enjoy CBC Gem while you’re travelling. NordVPN has servers across the globe and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption technology. The VPN’s servers are super secure and you can connect without handing over your personal data to random companies.

If you have any questions while getting to grips with NordVPN, you can reach out to the team right away using the live chat feature.

Pros: Built-in internet kill switch works well, profile page on app includes 'Security score' with privacy tips, takes less than a minute to reach a live chat agent (based on our tests)

Cons: Other VPNs tested are cheaper, some streaming services require multiple resets to work

Try NordVPN today

PureVPN

• 1-month subscription: $10.95 per month (12% off)
• 1-year subscription: $3.74 per month (70% off)
• 2-year subscription + 4 extra months: $1.96 per month (84% off)

🌎 Number of servers	6,500+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

If your current VPN doesn’t work with the CBC Gem website, treat yourself to a better service. PureVPN is a great example, powerful enough to bypass geo-locked websites and services so you can enjoy CBC Gem shows without a fuss. You’ll be able to log in to your CBC Gem account even if you’ve roamed outside of a Canada.

Aside from CBC Gem, PureVPN also works with ITV Hub, Hulu and Amazon Prime. There are over 6,500 super-secure PureVPN servers based in over 130 different countries.

Pros: Surprisingly affordable considering features, lots of UK and US-based servers, generous with simultaneous devices

Cons: Takes a couple of minutes to reach live chat agents (based on our tests), performs better on iOS compared to Android (in our experience)

Try PureVPN today

FAQs: Using a VPN with CBC Gem

Is CBC Gem blocked in the UK?

CBC Gem is a streaming service designed for users based in Canada. In other words, you can’t use it from the UK without a VPN – this is because of various licensing agreements. A top-rated VPN will help you spoof your location, tricking CBC Gem into thinking you’re based in Canada.

Load up your VPN and connect to a Canadian server to use CBC Gem in the UK.

How to watch CBC Gem outside Canada on Windows

1. Pick one of our recommended VPNs and sign up – let’s use ExpressVPN for this example.
2. Once you’ve created your ExpressVPN account, sign in using your username and password.
3. From your Windows device, open ExpressVPN and select a server located in Canada.
4. Once you’re connected to that server, head to the CBC Gem website.

Watch CBC Gem outside Canada on Mac

1. Pick one of our recommended VPNs and create your account – we’ll use ExpressVPN for this example.
2. Once you’ve created your ExpressVPN account, sign in using your username and password.
3. From your Mac, open ExpressVPN and select a server located in Canada.
4. Once connected, head to the CBC Gem website.

How to watch CBC Gem outside Canada on your iPhone

1. Head to the Apple App Store from your iPhone.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app to your device.
3. Download the CBC Gem app to your device – it’s on the Apple App Store.
4. Sign in to your ExpressVPN account, and then connect to a server based in Canada.
5. Now that you’re connected to a VPN, open the CBC Gem app and log in to your account.

Watch CBC Gem on Android

1. Head to the Google Play Store from your Android tablet or smartphone.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app to your device.
3. Download the CBC Gem app to your device – it’s on the Google Play Store.
4. Sign in to your ExpressVPN account, and then connect to a server based in Canada.
5. Now that you’re connected to a VPN, open the CBC Gem app and log in to your account.

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