Paramount+ region lock: How to bypass geo-restrictions and watch what’s available
When you sign up for Paramount+, a streaming service offering movies, TV shows, and live sports from Paramount Pictures, CBS, and MTV. Also known as Paramount Plus, it’s packed with content like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Yellowjackets, and live NFL games—but only if you’re in the right country. That’s where the Paramount+ region lock, a geo-restriction system that limits access based on your physical location. This restriction is enforced by checking your IP address and matching it to a licensed content library for that region. It’s not a glitch—it’s a legal requirement. Studios sell rights to stream content country by country, so Paramount+ can’t legally show you Survivor or Blue Bloods if your license doesn’t cover your location.
That’s why someone in the U.S. sees 100+ episodes of NCIS, while someone in Canada sees only 20. The same shows might be on different platforms abroad—like CTV in Canada or Sky in the UK. The geo-restriction, a common practice across streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu to comply with licensing deals. It’s why you can’t just log in from a hotel in Paris and watch the same lineup as you do at home. Some users try to get around this with free proxies or sketchy websites, but those often slow down your stream, steal your data, or get blocked outright. The cleanest, most reliable way to access the full library is using a trusted VPN, a virtual private network that masks your real location by routing your traffic through a server in another country. Also known as virtual private network, it lets you appear as if you’re browsing from the U.S., U.K., or Australia—where Paramount+ has the deepest catalog. Not all VPNs work with Paramount+, though. Many get detected and blocked, so you need one that’s been tested and updated regularly for streaming services.
You’re not alone if you’re frustrated. People travel, move abroad, or just want to see what’s on the U.S. version—maybe because Star Trek: Discovery drops there first, or because 1883 is still in the library there but gone elsewhere. The region lock doesn’t mean you’re locked out forever—it just means you need the right tool to access the content you paid for. The good news? The posts below cover exactly that: how to pick a working VPN, which countries have the best Paramount+ libraries, how to fix error codes when you’re blocked, and even how to watch without a subscription using free trials or bundled deals. You’ll find real, tested advice—not theory. No fluff. Just what actually works in 2025.
Paramount+ Regional Libraries: US vs. International Differences
Paramount+ offers vastly different content libraries depending on your location. The US version has exclusive shows, live sports, and new movies, while international versions feature local originals and licensed content. Here’s what you’re really getting outside the US.