How to Watch CCTV From Anywhere — Stream Live in 2024

The CCTV network includes 45+ TV channels, but almost all of them are restricted to China. Although it does have international channels, they feature very small content libraries.

Premium VPNs are capable of securely accessing CCTV from anywhere. They encrypt your connection by rerouting it through private servers so that even your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online. Plus, they prevent deliberate speed throttling, allowing you to stream in better quality.

After testing 30+ VPNs, ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for watching CCTV live online. It has multiple servers in Hong Kong that work with CCTV channels, deliver fast streaming speeds, and is easy to use. Plus, it offers a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee. If it’s not what you are looking for, you can get a full refund during this period. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Watch CCTV in HD >>

Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Watching CCTV in 2024

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

How to Watch CCTV From Anywhere — The Ultimate Guide

CCTV is one of the largest TV networks, with more than 45 channels. These include 6 international channels under the brand name of CGTN. However, the content on these channels is quite limited compared to the local channels. For example, CCTV-5 exclusively covers sports, while CCTV-6 features movies, and CCTV-2 offers finance and economics programming.

VPNs have the potential to safely access content on all these channels from anywhere. Except for a handful of paid CCTV channels, you can watch all others completely free on the official CCTV website.

1. Download a VPN

Choose a VPN capable of securely accessing CCTV and works on your favorite streaming devices. The best VPNs for China have servers worldwide, including in China or administrative zones like Hong Kong, and they reliably work in and outside the country. I recommend ExpressVPN, as it offers high streaming speeds and makes changing IP addresses on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more easy.

You can download ExpressVPN on mobiles from their app store

2. Connect to a Server

Open the VPN app and choose a server. You need a Chinese or Hong Kong IP address to safely watch CCTV live online. Keep in mind that a server closest to your location will give you the best speeds.

The arrow next to a country reveals all server locations available

3. Open the CCTV Website

Once the CCTV website is loaded, proceed to the live television section. You don't need to subscribe or register for the free channels. However, if you want to watch a paid CCTV channel (like CCTV 5), you must sign up and log in first.

You can also click on "Channel List" to select a particular channel

4. Start Streaming

Choose your favorite CCTV channel and click on it to begin streaming. The stream may take a couple of seconds to load initially, but with ExpressVPN, you’re less likely to face buffering once it starts.

You can also click on "Replay" to watch previous broadcasts

Here's how to watch more Asian dramas, animes, and movies:

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Best VPNs to Watch CCTV From Anywhere in 2024

We’ve compiled a comparison table of the best VPNs for safely streaming CCTV from anywhere. These options each offer methods to get a Chinese IP address or one from Hong Kong. They also include reliable security and privacy features, along with fast speeds. Below you can quickly review each of our top picks' most important streaming features.

1. ExpressVPN — Impressive Speeds For Watching CCTV Without Buffering

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested November 2024

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN consistently delivered the best speeds for live-streaming CCTV from anywhere — videos loaded nearly instantly. VPNs tend to drop speeds since the data has to travel to your connected server and back. However, during our tests on nearby servers, it only dropped speeds by less than 5%, which was hardly noticeable. We got the best results with its lightweight Lightway protocol.

I found the apps easy to use, and they look almost identical for all popular operating systems. So, you can stream CCTV on any device without adjusting to a new app interface. ExpressVPN also has native Android and Apple TV apps that allow you to securely watch Chinese content on your big screen. If your device isn't VPN-compatible, like Roku, install ExpressVPN on your router using its custom firmware and watch CCTV on any WiFi-connected device.

The only downside is that it's a bit pricey, with the cheapest plan starting at $4.99/month. However, ExpressVPN offers generous discounts and deals throughout the year, making it more affordable. I saved 82% and got 3 extra months free with its long-term tier. You can also try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee. Support is available 24/7 via live chat and email if you need assistance.

2. CyberGhost — Beginner-Friendly Interface to Easily Stream CCTV Online

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost's user-friendly features are ideal for new VPN users looking to stream CCTV safely from anywhere. Simply expand the app, type "China" into the search bar, click on a server, and tap the large power button. In our tests, we had no problem watching CCTV-1 and adding the server to our favorites list. There are also “Smart Rules”, which let you program the VPN to automatically connect to a server in China when launching the app.

One minor con is that CyberGhost only offers a short refund period on monthly plans, which are also more expensive. However, it does provide an extended 45-money-back guarantee on long-term plans, which are more affordable, starting at just $2.03/month.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Tailor Settings for Reliable CCTV Streams From Anywhere

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA allows you to change encryption levels to emphasize speed or security while streaming CCTV. When using the OpenVPN protocol, you can choose between the faster AES 128-bit or robust AES 256-bit. However, the WireGuard protocol was better in terms of speed during our tests. While it wasn’t as fast as ExpressVPN, it only reduced our speed by 12%, even when connecting multiple devices — you can use unlimited devices simultaneously with PIA.

Unfortunately, PIA could not safely access CCTV5. But, it works well for streaming other popular channels like CCTV-13 in high quality. You can test PIA free for 30 days using its money-back guarantee.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs for CCTV

Before shortlisting the best VPNs for watching CCTV, we considered a multitude of factors. It was key for the international testing team to determine the reliability of the VPNs’ Chinese or Hong Kong servers. We also performed extensive tests on each providers’ speeds for smooth streaming, security features, ease of use, and more.

FAQs on Watching CCTV From Anywhere

Does any other platform currently air CCTV content?

Usually not, since CCTV rarely licenses out its content. Thankfully, the right VPNs are capable of safely accessing CCTV channels from anywhere. In addition, depending on your region, there may be some Chinese content on other platforms, e.g., Sling TV in the US. Another place to watch CCTV content would be on CGTN, the network’s international channel.

Can I use a VPN to watch CCTV5 in countries like the US, Australia, or Singapore?

With a VPN it’s possible to watch CCTV5 in HD from anywhere, but it might not always work. CCTV-5 is a paid sports channel that is more difficult to safely access than CCTV’s free channels. The best option is to choose a VPN that’s well-suited for streaming Chinese television with servers in the country or in Hong Kong. That’s the only known method for safely accessing CCTV5 live streams from anywhere.

Does Roku have Chinese channels?

Roku does offer some Chinese channels, but not CCTV. At times, it has included KORTV (Chinese and Korean content), China TV (live channels), and Chinese Zone (Cantonese and Mandarin movies and shows). However, the most reliable method for streaming CCTV from anywhere is a VPN that allows it to safely access it on Roku by installing it on your router.

Can I use a free VPN to watch CCTV?

Probably not, since most free VPNs don't have servers in or near China. Free VPNs also restrict bandwidth, speed, and device connections. A premium VPN can provide a China IP address to safely access CCTV and stream in high quality for long periods.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for watching CCTV from anywhere…

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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