The Internet has made the world a little smaller . Nowadays it is relatively easy to watch movies or series made in the USA while they are released there . A few decades ago, you had to wait weeks or months. But there is still a lot to improve. For example, broadcasting rights for audiovisual content mean that depending on which country you live in, your Netflix, HBO Max or Disney + catalog will be different. What's more, at the time of this writing, you may not have access to HBO Max yet. But a VPN can fix it.
Or what about streaming services like Hulu, Peacock or the streaming platform specialized in terror Shudder . We have part of the Hulu content in Spain with Disney + through the Star brand. And the Peacock content is offered, in part, in Spain under the name Universal + , which integrates content that broadcasts on its pay channels Calle 13 and Syfy on pay TV platforms.
But thanks to the VPN servers we can show that we are connecting from the geographical locations supported by these streaming services. Thus, without leaving home you will have access to Netflix USA and watch content that is not available in your country. And the same with other services such as Disney + or HBO Max. Let's see how to do it and if there are small print or drawbacks that we should be aware of.
Photo by Mollie Sivaram on Unsplash
Netflix USA
Let's start with the streaming star. Netflix is the platform with the most users. And although its catalog is usually quite homogeneous and its original content is released simultaneously worldwide, there is third-party content that is not visible in certain countries due to licensing issues. How to access Netflix USA from outside the United States?
The most practical and simple solution is to use a VPN service. They are usually available for most devices, so you can watch these video platforms as if you were in the USA through your smartphone, your tablet, your computer or your television smart.
Although Netflix has had its ups and downs with VPN, its Help Center does talk about it. “Using a VPN to access Netflix hides your region, so Netflix shows available content in all regions of the world.” An indirect way of telling you not to use VPN. But, of course, a VPN allows you to choose the location of the server that you will use. If the server is in the United States, you will have access to Netflix USA.
What's more, many VPN services highlight their support for Netflix . If they don't, try their free version before hiring a VPN. It is not going to be that later you will not be able to use it to access the complete Netflix catalog.
And what about your Netflix account? In principle you don't have to do anything. Your Netflix account is global. Or in the words of Netflix, “the country on your account cannot be changed unless you move to another.” That “you move to another” is the VPN's function of choosing a server located in one country or another.
Disney + USA
In the case of Disney +, the situation is different from that of Netflix. The Disney + USA version is sold in two versions, the equivalent to the one in other countries and which includes content from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel, and a more expensive version that has the previous content plus that of Hulu and ESPN +.
Another downside is that Disney + has a hard time with VPNs. In its Help Center it includes an article explaining that if you see the error code 73 it is because this internet video platform has detected that you use a VPN. And he doesn't like that .
Come on, to access the Disney + USA catalog you will have to use a compatible VPN . Some of them make it explicit on their website. If so, you can log in with your local Disney + account.
If you cannot use your Disney + account or want to subscribe to Disney + with Hulu and ESPN +, you will need to create a USA account. For this you will need a payment system from there . You can try specialized services like StatesCard .
HBO Max
HBO Max was launched in May 2020 in the United States and Latin America . And although sooner or later it will spread throughout the world, in European countries like Spain, for the moment we have to settle for the HBO version without the Max. Or what is the same, a catalog that does not include all the content of DC Universe, Max Originals, TCM, Cartoon Network, Studio Ghibli, Adult Swim, Crunchyroll or Looney Tunes , among others. Content that, on the other hand, varies between countries that already have the HBO Max brand.
In the USA, HBO Max is offered in two versions . One with advertising for $ 9.99 per month and another without advertising and 4K UHD quality for $ 14.99 per month. The bad new? HBO doesn't like VPNs either, like Netflix USA or Disney +. So depending on which VPN you use, you will see the following message: “Not in Service Area or VPN Detected”.
As with the previous cases, to access HBO Max in its US version you will need a compatible VPN. In addition, you will need to create an account that is compatible with a local card. That and that there is no trial period . When creating an account, you choose the version of HBO Max, then you indicate your username and, finally, a USA card. If you don't have one, try StatesCard .
