How to Stream the American Music Awards with a VPN
Last updated on
October 5th, 2022
- Always evades internet control in the PRC
- Keeps ahead of the Netflix VPN detection algorithm
- Benchmark tests show excellent speed
- Smart DNS service, understands the technology
- Comprehensive security add-on package.
- No data throughput limits and has a no-logs policy
Even though they tend to run a little long, everyone loves a star-studded awards show, which is why millions are sure to tune into the Annual American Music Awards.
Created by Dick Clark in 1973 to combat the Grammys, which ABC had just lost the rights to airing, the American Music Awards differs from most other awards shows in that the winners are selected by fans, who can vote in an online poll on the Billboard website.
Frustratingly, fans of the performing and nominated artists outside of the US will find it difficult to tune in come airtime, as regional lockouts beyond American borders prevent them from tuning in on their TV or streaming the show live on their computer or digital media player.
Luckily, there is a pretty simple workaround that requires a few steps, most notably subscribing to a VPN service.
Why use a VPN to stream the American Music Awards
Like many live sporting events and award shows, complicated contractual rights and limitations restrict non-U.S. inhabitants from watching the 2019 American Music Awards outside of their country of origin. Besides airing on TV, the AMA’s will be streamed live on ABC.com, as well as through the ABC app available on almost every operating system, handheld device, and digital media player. Again, the use of the app is available only to those inside the U.S.
By using a VPN, however, people can channel their internet connection through one of many servers located in the United States, tricking websites and streaming services into thinking that they are actually connecting to the internet within national boundaries.
In addition to allowing one to bypass pesky geo-blocking, VPNs offer protection to users by encrypting their connections, thereby preventing ISPs, hackers, and others from monitoring their activity.
Using Hulu Live to stream the American Music Awards
However, in addition to the regional geo-block, those outside of the U.S. will run into one additional problem in using the ABC app to stream the channel live: the network requires you to put in a local service provider to use the app. If you don’t have one to input (which you likely don’t, unless a friend or family member within the U.S. will lend you their provider information), this app will remain off limits, even after you connect to the internet through a VPN.
But wait! There is a workaround. The streaming service Hulu also allows users to stream ABC live without the need for a local service provider. Users will have to subscribe to Hulu Live TV, which offers unlimited live streaming of over 60 television channels, along with full access to the Hulu streaming library.
Hulu Live TV costs a lofty $39.99 a month, which is a bit high if you are only interested in watching the AMA’s and none of the other channels available, yet the service comes with a seven-day free trial, so you can simply sign up within a week of the show, and cancel shortly thereafter.
To repeat, in order to stream the AMA’s live outside of the United States, you’ll need two things:
- A VPN
- A subscription to Hulu Live TV
How to stream the American Music Awards online with a VPN
This is the full list of steps you’ll need to take in order to catch your favorite music artists live on awards night:
- Subscribe to a reputed VPN provider with servers in the U.S. (choose from the list below)
- Download and install their client on your computer, phone, tablet, or digital streaming platform.
- Clear your browser’s cache so that streaming services or websites have no record of past visits.
- Connect to a server in the United States.
- Go to the Hulu Live TV page and acquire a subscription to the service.
- Download and install Hulu on the device you plan to stream from (along with the VPN if you haven’t done that already).
- Make sure the VPN is connected to a U.S. server, and log in to Hulu to stream the 2019 American Music Awards from anywhere in the world.
Supported devices
- Hulu is compatible with most web browsers, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and select Samsung and LG TV models.
- VPN compatibility may vary, but most work on all operating systems, as well as iOS, Android, and digital media players like Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV.
Best VPNs for streaming the American Music Awards
Choosing between the dozens of VPNs available these days is a tough proposition. In order to successfully stream the American Music Awards, you’ll need a service that has plenty of U.S. server locations and is well-tailored for streaming HD video. The following three VPNs satisfy both of these prerequisites and are some of the best available.
ExpressVPN
- Always evades internet control in the PRC
- Keeps ahead of the Netflix VPN detection algorithm
- Benchmark tests show excellent speed
NordVPN
- More US city locations than its rivals
- Includes malware protection
- No-logs policy
PureVPN
- Excellent client with pre-configured modes for streaming, P2P, privacy
- Kill switch
- Support for wide range of protocols, including OpenVPN
