I finally found a use for a VPN: live TV

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I finally plant a use for a VPN: live TV

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I read and hear a lot nigh VPNs (virtual private networks). The best VPN services are services used by some to make their figurer appear to exist somewhere else. They're popular for logging into remote servers, watching international Netflix to see stuff that isn't licensed for your country and hiding your activity from your Internet service provider (amidst other things).

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Stream Time is where Tom'southward Guide senior editor Henry T. Casey dives into the large choices we brand most streaming media. Nosotros tackle it all, from the best and worst streaming services and devices, to the never-catastrophe list of shows to watch.

None of that really appeals to me though. I have more than than enough Netflix to watch (I'1000 criminally behind), and the many other reasons but did not apply. And then I spent years thinking "yes, VPNs are smashing if you have a reason."

Concluding month, though, on a vacation, I finally plant a reason for a VPN: to watch alive programming. And while it worked right once, that wasn't ever the case. But since I managed to use a VPN to see some of the live shows I wanted to, I idea I should at to the lowest degree share that information with you lot.

• The 59 best Netflix shows
• Check out our total ExpressVPN review
• Plus: Google VPN explained

That's because of a weird behavior from certain cable channels, such as USA and TNT. Both have Eastward and Westward coast feeds, and that's not exactly a great thing. Sure, it helps the channels prove movies during the prime time slots, but both networks also air my not-so-guilty pleasure: pro wrestling.

And the thing nigh pro wrestling is that it's so much improve alive. Then why, I wondered, equally I stared at my hotel Television receiver, does the U.s. Network air Monday Night Raw at 8 p.k. PT, when it's originally broadcast live on air at 8 p.m. ET, three hours prior? Or at to the lowest degree why isn't the USA eastward coast feed easily bachelor?

I don't want to belabor the signal more than, but in an age of the constant online conversation about live events on social media, this makes so little sense. TNT doesn't do this with NBA games, and is its pro wrestling bear witness (All Aristocracy Wrestling'due south Dynamite) any less live?

How I got around it

Then, dear reader, at around 5 p.m. on a Monday in Las Vegas, I watched pro wrestling at the same time every bit anybody out due east. And it worked pretty easily. I opened ExpressVPN, set my region to New York, and opened a live Boob tube streaming app I was testing.

At that moment, I'd regretted not buying an USB-C to HDMI dongle so I could watch it on my hotel TV and non my iPad Pro, but I got to see (an OK episode of) Monday Nighttime Raw alive. And and then at 8 p.m. PT, information technology was fourth dimension to accept dinner. Honestly, I thought to myself, this is pretty neat. I well-nigh thought I'd rather this schedule (but that'southward likewise the point).

(Image credit: Henry T. Casey)

And then if you're annoyed by a Boob tube channel not showing programming live, just on a record delay instead, a VPN may be your new all-time friend. Otherwise, I'd probably take gone hunting for the illegal e coast feeds hosted on sites that get taken downward on an almanac footing.

For me, I can come across signing up for a VPN whenever I go on a trip. It doesn't seem like a must-accept year-round, but your mileage (of course) may vary.

VPN didn't always work — though alternatives exist

That previous Friday night, I was in a pickle. My buddy and I were hanging out in Vegas trying to discover a way to picket the hotly anticipated (y'all guessed it) wrestling event of the month: CM Punk was rumored (but non announced) to make his render to pro wrestling. And he was going to do it on AEW Rampage on TNT.

But, equally you may call up, TNT is one of those channels. And for some reason ExpressVPN on my phone wasn't unlocking the TNT'southward east declension variant. Fortunately for me, my internet friend Sam (who I'd finally met and thanked later that night) put me onto a tip: the TNT app has the eastward coast feed for free, provided you accept an business relationship to log in with.

The only other issue I had with using a VPN for time-shifting live programming was when trying to use information technology for the Fox broadcast channel. For some reason, every unmarried alive streaming service I was testing refused to give me the east coast Fob feed, no matter what country my VPN said I was in. I managed to notice a mode to make it work, merely that'due south a story for a different article.

Exist certain to cheque out my guides to the best streaming devices  (and best streaming services ) for more than recommendations. Email me at henry.casey@futurenet.com or get out a comment below with anything you lot'd similar to meet me cover in the streaming world — I might just address it in a time to come installment.

• Read next: I'grand testing fuboTV to cut the cord — here's the pros and cons

Henry is a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past six-plus years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild earth of professional person wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/opinion/i-finally-found-a-use-for-a-vpn-live-tv

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