Love it or hate it, The Big Bang Theory has proven its staying power. The sitcom revolving around a group of socially awkward science geeks and their significant others has aired for twelve years on CBS and has been one of the top-rated shows on TV for two-thirds of that time.

Despite some criticizing the show for its old-fashioned sitcom format and hokey humor, many more have grown to love the goofy characters, long-running gags, and light, oddball tone. Not every show has to break artistic ground to be a success, and The Big Bang Theory proves that. There’s something to be said for familiarity and dependability. 

Whether you are a diehard fan or a newcomer, The Big Bang Theory is compulsively streamable: light, and breezy with a short episode length. Letting half a season go by is a great way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. So, let’s talk about your streaming options when it comes to The Big Band Theory.

Where to stream The Big Bang Theory

In the US, The Big Bang Theory is in a weird place as far as streaming is concerned. The show is not available on any of the major streaming platforms like Netflix or Hulu in the country. In fact, the only place you’ll find The Big Bang Theory in the United States is on the CBS All Access streaming service. CBS All Access costs $5.99 a month with commercials or $9.99 a month for the commercial-free option and grants you access to episodes of hundreds of CBS shows.

Yet, there are two problems with going with CBS All Access to stream The Big Bang Theory: 1. The service is only available in the US, leaving all others out of luck, and 2. Only episodes of the 12th season are currently available to stream, which is no good if you have to start from the beginning, or any other point in the series.

Oddly enough, due to licensing quirks, seasons one through eleven of The Big Bang Theory are available on the UK Netflix library.  This is fortunate for fans living in the UK, but others in the US and around the world can take advantage of this, as well.   

Why use a VPN to stream The Big Bang Theory

Even though The Big Bang Theory is available through UK Netflix and not many other countries’ Netflix catalogs, you can watch it on UK Netflix no matter where you live by using a VPN. A VPN (virtual private network) allows users to route their internet connection through servers around the world, granting them a local IP address within that country and the ability to bypass regional restrictions on content, viewing it as if they were actually logging on within that country.

If you are in the US or elsewhere, by connecting to a UK server through an ace VPN like ExpressVPN, you will unlock the UK version of the Netflix library, which includes seasons 1-11 of The Big Bang Theory, along with other stuff you may not be able to find in your country’s Netflix catalog.

On top of letting you bypass annoying geoblocking, VPNs come equipped with great security features like data encryption and an automatic kill switch that shuts off your internet connection if the VPN drops out. All in all, a great package of features for the low price that a subscription will run you.

How to stream The Big Bang Theory from anywhere with a VPN

  1. Subscribe to a VPN with servers in the UK and the ability to unblock Netflix (our choice pick would be ExpressVPN)
  2. Download and install the VPN client on the devices you use for video streaming and the internet.
  3. Head here to sign up for Netflix if you haven’t done so already.
  4. Go ahead and install the Netflix app on your streaming devices.
  5. Use your VPN client to connect to a server within the UK.
  6. Once you are connected to a UK server, enter Netflix and you should find that you have unlocked the UK library of titles, which will include seasons 1 through 11 of The Big Bang Theory. Enjoy!

Supported devices

  • VPNs are supported on a wide swath of devices, including iOS/Android mobile phones and tablets, streaming media consoles like Roku and Apple TV, and popular video gaming consoles like PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One. Scope each VPN’s list of supported devices to choose the one that best supports the ones you’ll use.
  • Netflix is compatible with all streaming media consoles, Android & iOS mobile phones and tablets, web browsers, Chromecast, Blu-Ray players, gaming consoles, and more. View the complete list here.

Best VPNs for streaming The Big Bang Theory

ExpressVPN

Our top pick!
  • Always evades internet control in the PRC
  • Keeps ahead of the Netflix VPN detection algorithm
  • Benchmark tests show excellent speed

CyberGhost

  • Precise locations
  • Very large VPN server network
  • Offers a 45-day money-back guarantee

NordVPN

  • More US city locations than its rivals
  • Includes malware protection
  • No-logs policy

VyprVPN

  • Golden Frog, the business behind VyprVPN also runs a gaming platform
  • VyprVPN pioneered obfuscation techniques and they have always worked well
  • VyprVPN’s no logs policy is confirmed by an independent audit

PureVPN

  • Excellent client with pre-configured modes for streaming, P2P, privacy
  • Kill switch
  • Support for wide range of protocols, including OpenVPN