We are living in the age of world-class content. Never before has it been easier to access and consume global entertainment, with seemingly endless series, movies, songs, and other media just waiting to be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home, right there at your fingertips! 

However, although accessibility is at an all-time high, consumers still face some degree of content restrictions due to geo-exclusive content, government-imposed censorship, and licensing challenges. While these restrictions can be annoying, they don’t have to be! By making use of a quality Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can essentially bypass these content restriction hurdles and enjoy top-notch entertainment from anywhere in the world!

Why Having a Safe and Reliable VPN Enhances Your Streaming Experience

Although there is plenty of content readily available for us to consume on many different streaming platforms, if we stop for a minute and take a closer look, we will notice they aren’t as open as they initially appear.

Popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime have variations on their content library depending on a subscriber’s geographical location. For instance, you might not find an Australian-produced production on America’s Netflix content library, the same way you might not find Indian-exclusive shows. While, certain streaming platforms, like BBC iPlayer and Hulu (with Japan being the only exception), are completely inaccessible regions outside of their home territory, meaning without a VPN it becomes almost impossible to access content from these platforms. 

Luckily, we can sidestep these issues as there are various quality VPNs to access content in India, Japan, and many other fantastic regions that are consistently producing captivating content.

According to tech expert Krishi Chowdhary from Techopedia, the Indian government requires VPN providers to collect and store user data. If you want to stream Bollywood movies in India, using a VPN can safeguard your personal information and make your online experience safer and more accessible. 

How do VPNs work?

VPNs are similar to Proxy servers, however, the major difference is that VPNs encrypt your connection, while proxies don’t. VPNs create a secure, private, and reliable encrypted connection between the internet and your device. It achieves this by rerouting your device’s internet traffic to a remote server in a different geographical region, with some VPNs having established servers in over 100 countries.

Through rerouting your internet traffic to another remote server, a VPN will mask your actual IP address, which helps protect your data from potential threats and ensures your online activity remains private. Furthermore, you’ll also gain access to a wider range of global content that would typically be unavailable due to geographical restrictions. 

Advantages of a VPN to Unlock Global Entertainment

Not all VPNs are the same, and while there are plenty of affordable, reliable, and safe ones to choose from, you’ll want to look for VPNs with these features: 

  • High-Speed Servers: There’s nothing worse than buffering. It completely ruins the viewing experience. However, choosing a premium VPN will enable you to access high-speed servers to ensure smooth playback of your favorite entertainment in HD and even 4K. 

 

  • Established Global Servers in Various Geographical Regions: You’ll want to pick a VPN that has loads of remote servers in different countries for you to choose from. The more remote servers a VPN has to offer, the better chances you will have to gain reliable access to the global entertainment you wish to consume. 

 

  • No-Log Policy: A reliable VPN should always guarantee a strict no-log policy, as this ensures that your browsing history is never recorded or shared. 

 

  • Smart DNS Support: Look for VPNs with this crucial feature, as it allows you to reroute only the data that is necessary to bypass geographical restrictions, thus enhancing your connection speed and video quality. 

 

  • Simultaneous Connections: Streaming isn’t always a solo activity; in fact, it is often more enjoyable with a group. For this reason, seek out a VPN that supports multiple device connections so your family or close friend group can simultaneously have unrestricted access. 

 

What to Look for When Choosing a VPN? 

There are tons of different VPNs that enable access to global content for customers to choose from; with big-name players like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, CyberGhost, and Surfshark, selecting a VPN that’s right for you can be overwhelming. To make this process easier, consider these factors:

  1. Define Your Needs

First up, identify which streaming platforms you will most likely use a VPN for and what type of global content you will access with it. For instance, are you looking to expand your content options on Netflix by unblocking geo-locked content libraries?

Maybe you want to gain access to platforms like Hulu and BBC iPlayer, which are only accessible in their home territories—that is, without a VPN, of course. Identifying these needs will help you select a VPN that’s right for you.

  1. Device Compatability

Make sure that whatever VPN you end up choosing supports all your devices. This includes your Smart TV, streaming sticks, gaming consoles, tablet, smartphone, and, of course, your laptop.

  1. Server Locations

If you’re into anime, K-dramas, and Bollywood productions, then make sure that your VPN is reliable, fast, and secure servers established in Japan, South Korea, and India. The same applies to any other niche productions associated with a specific geographical location. The more expansive and diverse a VPN’s server network is, the more accessible global content will become.

  1. Look for Speed and Security

For an optimal viewing experience, seek out VPNs with fast connection speeds so that when you are viewing global content, it won’t be ruined by annoying buffering. Furthermore, look for VPNs with robust encryption, DNS/IP protection, and a guaranteed no-log policy for added layers of security and privacy.

  1. Affordability 

If you are strapped for cash, don’t worry. Some excellent VPNs that are affordable and do not skimp on quality are Surfshark and CyberGhost.

  1. Reviews

If you are still unsure, don’t hesitate to seek out user feedback and expert reviews to help you decide on a VPN that’s right for you!

Additional Content on Streaming Services with VPNs

  1. Netflix

With VPNs, you can unlock Netflix content libraries from across the globe. This unlocks some compelling content from global markets like India, the UK, Australia, Spain, Japan, you name it! It doesn’t matter where you are in the world; if you connect to a remote server located in one of these countries, you’ll gain access to all the content available on their Netflix library. 

  1. Disney Plus 

Like Netflix, Disney Plus varies the content they provide based on regional locations, but more than some streaming services, like STAR, partner with Disney Plus but only in specific geographical regions. Some of the countries where STAR is provided with Disney Plus include Canada, Australia, Singapore, and 14 other countries. 

  1. BBC iPlayer

If you’re a fan of dry British humor and top-notch UK content like Peaky Blinders, then BBC iPlayer is for you. However, there’s one problem. It’s only available in the UK! But, don’t worry, with a VPN, you can enjoy an enormity of British entertainment and documentaries from anywhere in the world. 

  1. Hulu

If you’re a fan of Only Murders in the Building, Welcome to Chipendales, and How to Die Alone, then you’ll likely want access to Hulu’s streaming service. The only problem is if you’re not from the United States, you can’t, but that only applies if you don’t have a VPN. With a VPN, you can gain access to all of Hulu’s original content that would normally be geo-locked to the USA. 

Conclusion

VPNs can dramatically improve how we access and consume global entertainment. Whether you’re catching the latest Bollywood flick, bypassing Hulu’s geo-restrictions, or enjoying the significantly larger library available to you from Netflix, a VPN allows you to enjoy entertainment with a fast, seamless, and secure experience.



This Post was Last Updated On: November 28, 2024