How to Watch 9Now in the US With a VPN: Stream Channel 9 From Abroad
The best way to watch live TV and on-demand content in Australia is to stream 9Now. The service is unfortunately only available in Australia, which means you’ll need to tunnel your internet connection through a VPN server. We’ll explain how to watch 9Now in the U.S. and abroad.
Written by Andrej Hadji-Vasilev (Writer)
Reviewed by Sandra Pattison (Editor, Writer)
Facts checked by Jasna Mishevska (Lead Fact-Checking Editor)
Last Updated:
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
-
04/03/2025 Facts checked
This article was updated with more information about how NordVPN can help users access 9Now.
-
10/09/2025 Facts checked
We expanded our coverage of Surfshark and added some VPN troubleshooting tips.
Key Takeaways: How to Watch 9Now in the US & Abroad
- Download and install NordVPN.
- Launch NordVPN and connect to an Australian server.
- Go to the 9Now website.
- Create a free account.
- Watch 9Now content.
Best VPNs to Watch 9Now from Abroad
- NordVPN — Best VPN for watching 9Now outside of Australia. NordVPN’s best deal is available at a 76% discount.
- Surfshark — Most budget-friendly 9Now VPN. Sign up now to get 87% off the first two years.
- ExpressVPN — Best 9Now VPN for beginners. ExpressVPN offers 61% off the first year for new users.
If you live or have lived in Australia, you have probably heard of 9Now, Nine Network’s free online service. It allows you to watch live and on-demand content, including catch-up TV, making it an incredibly popular service “down under.” However, it’s geoblocked outside of Australia, so knowing how to watch 9Now in the U.S. and abroad can help you catch up on your favorite shows.
Though 9Now may not be on par with popular streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video when it comes to on-demand content, its live TV channel availability gives it a unique advantage. You can watch Channel 9, 9Gem, 9Life and other channels that are part of Nine Network whenever you want.
The streaming service is completely free and simply requires you to create an account to enjoy all the available content. If you want to learn how to watch 9Now in the U.S., we’ll guide you through the steps of using a VPN. NordVPN is the best VPN for the job, but Surfshark and ExpressVPN aren’t far behind. Read on to decide which one is the best option for you.
Quick Guide: How to Watch 9Now in the US With a VPN
To watch 9Now in the U.S. with a VPN, you’ll need a reliable VPN app with servers in Australia. NordVPN is our top recommendation. You will also need a 9Now account, which you can create once you’ve set up your VPN connection. Here’s a quick guide to get you started, but you can find a more detailed how-to further down.
- Download and install NordVPN.
- Launch NordVPN and connect to an Australian server.
- Go to the 9Now website.
- Create a free account.
- Watch 9Now content.
Why Do I Need a VPN to Watch 9Now Outside of Australia?
While Freedom House rates Australia’s internet as “free,” with a relatively high score, new regulatory changes have slightly impacted this rating. For example, the recent Identify and Disrupt bill has granted the government broader surveillance powers.
Though primarily targeting criminal activity, content restrictions and cybersecurity rather than limiting access to entertainment platforms, these measures create an additional reason to use a secure VPN when accessing Australian content from abroad.
To bypass regional geoblocks and any potential surveillance, you can use a reliable VPN provider that has an Australian server and acquire an Australian IP address. This way, you can watch content on Australian platforms such as 9Now both live and on demand wherever you are, including the U.S.
9Now is a streaming service created by Nine Network, an Australian TV network that has several live channels as well as licensing rights to various shows and movies. However, the network doesn’t have international streaming rights, which is why the service is available only in Australia.
9Now’s geoblocking stems from Australia’s unique content licensing agreements, which are influenced by the country’s content classification laws and media ownership regulations.
Australian broadcasters like Nine Network must adhere to strict regional broadcasting rights that prevent them from distributing content internationally, even when they own the content. This is why even Australian citizens traveling abroad can’t access 9Now without a VPN, unlike some streaming services that offer international subscriptions.
In addition, Australian ISPs like Telstra occasionally throttle streaming traffic during peak hours, and the country’s mandatory data retention laws require ISPs to store specific metadata for 24 months. While these practices primarily affect users physically located in Australia, they highlight why 9Now employs strict geoblocking and the benefits of using a VPN.
Beyond simply providing a virtual location service, a quality VPN with strong encryption is essential for maintaining privacy while accessing Australian content from abroad. VPNs also provide additional security features such as split tunneling, which lets you decide which apps use the VPN server, and a kill switch, which disables your internet connection if the VPN fails.
Many top VPN providers also rely on RAM-only server infrastructure, including Surfshark and NordVPN. These servers store no data on physical drives, automatically wiping all information whenever they reboot. This security measure provides an extra layer of privacy protection when accessing geo-restricted content. It ensures no record of your streaming activity can be compromised, even in the unlikely event of a server seizure.
A good VPN will also provide fast speeds and reliably unblock streaming services such as 9Now so you can enjoy your favorite shows. Some VPNs, like ExpressVPN, also offer a media streamer (smart DNS) feature that can help you access 9Now on devices that don’t support VPN apps directly, such as gaming consoles or certain smart TVs.
Best VPNs for Watching 9Now in the US
If you want to watch 9Now in the U.S., a premium VPN service is the way to go. All of our recommendations offer split tunneling, which allows you to route only specific apps (like your streaming application) through the VPN while maintaining direct connections for other programs.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN support this on most platforms, while Surfshark offers it on Windows and Android devices, with Mac users able to use split tunneling through browser extensions.
We’ll go over the best VPN providers below, starting with our favorite: NordVPN.
1. NordVPN — Best VPN for 9Now
but the mobile apps can feel a little cramped.
Very Fast
We crowned NordVPN king in our fastest VPN comparison. This VPN constantly achieves excellent speeds and has respectable latency when tunneling through Australian servers. NordVPN has more than 190 servers in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Adelaide, making it easy to choose the location that works best for 9Now.
NordVPN has improved transparency by clearly marking virtual servers in its country list. When connecting to Australia, you’ll now know whether you’re routing through a physical server located in Australia or a virtual location, so you can make informed decisions about your connection.
NordVPN has enhanced its auto-connect feature with more flexible options. You can now set the VPN to auto-connect on mobile networks only, or create custom combinations such as connecting on both mobile and WiFi networks. This ensures you always access 9Now securely, regardless of how you connect to the internet.
The obfuscated servers also help mask your VPN usage, making it harder for 9Now to detect that you’re using a VPN to access its content. NordVPN provides robust DNS leak protection as well to make sure your actual location is never exposed when streaming 9Now content.
NordVPN offers three primary protocols: NordLynx (based on WireGuard technology), which provides the best speeds; OpenVPN, which offers a balance of security and performance; and IKEv2, which works well on mobile devices.
Alternatively, if you’re having trouble accessing 9Now because your network blocks VPN connections, try NordVPN’s NordWhisper protocol. This new technology doesn’t have the distinct traffic signatures of traditional VPN protocols, making it ideal for bypassing network restrictions that block regular VPN traffic.
For users especially concerned about privacy, NordVPN offers a double VPN feature that routes your connection through two different servers, encrypting your data twice for enhanced security when accessing Australian content.
NordVPN now offers post-quantum encryption to protect your data against future cybersecurity threats that quantum computing poses. This advanced encryption ensures your streaming activity remains private even as technology evolves, providing extra security when accessing geo-restricted content.
If you’re accessing 9Now with friends or family abroad, NordVPN’s enhanced Meshnet feature allows you to securely share downloaded content with them. This end-to-end encrypted file sharing works with files of any size and doesn’t store your content on any servers, making it a private way to share your favorite Australian shows.
NordVPN has apps for both desktop and mobile devices, though the mobile apps aren’t as easy to use as the desktop ones due to the UI. However, it has revamped its split tunneling feature on Android devices to be more intuitive. This allows you to route only your 9Now streaming through the VPN while letting other apps access the internet directly, which can improve overall performance.
The pricing is affordable — provided you opt for a longer plan — and its 30-day money-back guarantee lets you try it out for a month before committing. Find out more in our NordVPN review.
- **VAT may apply
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are shown only apply for the first 12 months.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- **The prices are applicable only for the first 24 months. Secure, high-speed VPN Threat Protection Pro™: Anti-malware and advanced browsing protection Threat Protection Pro™: Ad and tracker blocker Password manager with Data Breach Scanner 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage Identity and SSN monitoring and alerts Credit monitoring services Up to $1M in identity theft insurance Up to $100K in cyber extortion insurance
- 10
2. Surfshark — Best Budget 9Now VPN
Very Fast
If you’re looking for the most affordable way to enjoy 9Now content in the U.S., Surfshark is the way to go. It also offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which means you can use a single subscription to access 9Now on as many devices as you’d like at any time. Pair this with unlimited bandwidth and data, and you’ve got a great VPN for streaming platforms.
Surfshark has servers in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth, and its download and upload speeds are respectable. We did notice occasional latency issues, though, which may lead to buffering when watching live content.
However, Surfshark recently upgraded some of its servers to 100 Gbps capacity (10 times faster than standard 10 Gbps servers). These high-capacity servers provide better performance during peak usage times, ensuring smoother streaming even when many users are connected simultaneously.
Plus, Surfshark’s dedicated IP offerings now include 20 locations worldwide, including Sydney, Australia. Using a dedicated Australian IP address can provide a more stable connection to 9Now by avoiding IP addresses that might be blacklisted from overuse and reducing the frequency of CAPTCHA challenges.
The new FastTrack technology continuously evaluates different network routes in real time to identify the most efficient path for your data. When connecting to Australian servers to access 9Now, this optimization can improve connection stability and reduce buffering, with speed increases of up to 70% on supported server locations.
The patented Everlink feature ensures your connection to Australian servers remains uninterrupted even during server maintenance. If the server you’re using to stream 9Now experiences issues, Everlink automatically reconfigures your connection to another working server without disconnecting you, preventing interruptions to your viewing experience.
Surfshark utilizes RAM-only servers, meaning no user data is ever stored on physical drives. This provides an additional layer of privacy protection, as any information is automatically wiped whenever servers are rebooted. Deloitte, one of the Big Four auditing firms, recently re-verified Surfshark’s no-logs policy, confirming that the VPN doesn’t monitor or store your browsing activity.
Free public DNS servers are available as well, which add an extra layer of privacy when accessing content like 9Now. These DNS servers don’t log or track your activity and can help reduce the risk of DNS leaks that might reveal your actual location to streaming services.
The “bypasser” feature, Surfshark’s version of split tunneling, is now available on all major platforms, including macOS. This handy feature allows you to route only your browser or streaming app through the VPN connection while letting other applications use your regular internet connection.
Except for the monthly subscription, Shurfshark’s plans are very affordable. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you don’t like the service, as we mention in our Surfshark review.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
3. ExpressVPN — Best User-Friendly 9Now VPN
Very Fast
ExpressVPN is another top choice if you’re looking for a premium VPN service to watch 9Now. It has the largest server coverage on our list, with servers in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, giving you plenty of freedom to pick and choose which server you tunnel through.
Additionally, ExpressVPN is among the best VPNs for streaming due to its unblocking ability and fast speeds. Find out more about the service in our ExpressVPN review.
ExpressVPN makes no compromises when it comes to security and performance thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol. It also implements perfect forward secrecy, which generates a unique encryption key for each session, ensuring your 9Now streaming activity remains secure even if a key is compromised.
The desktop and mobile apps are easy to use, and setting the VPN up on a router is simple. Pricing is on the higher side; however, the longer-term plans offer a slight discount, and the 30-day money-back guarantee has you covered in case the service doesn’t meet your expectations.
- Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- Advanced Protection, ExpressVPN Keys, 3 days unlimited eSIM data, Identity Monitoring, IDP Insurance, Credit Monitoring, 25-50% off on Aircove Router Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 12
- Everything on the Advanced Plan, Credit Monthly Report, Data Removal, 50-75% off on Aircove Router Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 14
How to Watch 9Now From Anywhere With a VPN
Watching 9Now from anywhere is relatively simple — all you need to do is set up a VPN connection in Australia and register for a free 9Now account. We’ll show you how to do so using NordVPN as an example.
- Download and Install a VPN
Go to NordVPN’s website and click “get NordVPN.” Follow the instructions to start a subscription and download the app for your device.
- Log In to the VPN App
On your device, launch the NordVPN app and log in.
- Connect to an Australian Server
In the NordVPN app, find the list of available servers on the left-hand side. Find Australia on the list and click on an Australian server. Wait a few seconds to connect to the server.
For the best streaming experience, select the Australian server location closest to your physical location to minimize latency. If you experience buffering or connection issues, try switching between servers in different Australian cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, as performance can vary between locations.
- Create a Free 9Now Account
Go to the 9Now website and click “log in” in the upper-right corner. Enter your email and follow the instructions to create an account.
When creating your 9Now account, you’ll need to provide an Australian postcode (such as 2000 for Sydney, 3000 for Melbourne or 4000 for Brisbane) to complete the registration process.
Avoid using VPN-generated email addresses for registration, as these may trigger 9Now’s security systems. If possible, create your account during Australian daytime hours (evening/night in the U.S.) to appear more like a typical Australian user.
After creating your account, check your email inbox for a verification link from 9Now and click it to activate your account, as unverified accounts have limited access to content.
- Watch 9Now
Once you’ve created an account, go to the 9Now home page and start streaming.
Can I Use a Free VPN to Access 9Now Outside of Australia?
When it comes to using a VPN, we don’t usually recommend free VPN services. Many of them don’t do a good job of protecting your data, with some even going as far as outright selling your private data and browsing activity to third parties.
Of the few free VPNs we do recommend, the only one that has an Australian server is TunnelBear, technically making it possible to access 9Now. This VPN service is very simple to set up and use, with one major caveat — you get only 2GB of free data per month. Though this may be enough for casual browsing, it won’t get you too far if you’re going to use it for streaming.
Find out more about the service in our TunnelBear review.
How to Install the 9Now App
Even though you can watch 9Now content from a web browser, the platform offers easy-to-use apps for mobile devices, popular smart TVs and streaming devices. The installation process is slightly different for mobile devices and TVs, so we’ll explain how to install 9Now on both.
Installing 9Now on Mobile Devices
If you want to install 9Now on Android, you will need to download and set up a VPN on the device. Once you’ve installed it, connect to an Australian server, open the Google Play store and find the 9Now app. Download it and make sure you’re still connected to the VPN in order to watch content.
NordVPN and Surfshark’s GPS spoofing features can synchronize Android users’ apparent GPS location with the VPN’s Australian server location. This prevents 9Now from detecting location mismatches through GPS data, a secondary verification method some streaming services employ in addition to checking your IP address.
iOS users will need to change their Apple account’s region to Australia in order to access the 9Now app. In “settings,” tap your name, then tap “media & purchases,” “view account” and finally “country/region.” Tap “change country or region” and choose Australia. You should now be able to access the Australian version of the Apple app store and download the 9Now app.
When streaming 9Now on mobile devices, enable battery optimization exceptions for your VPN app to prevent background disconnections.
Installing 9Now on Smart TVs and Streaming Devices
Though 9Now is available on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Fetch TV, Foxtel iQ, Freeview, Hisense, LG, Roku, Samsung and Telstra TVs, it is available for streaming only in Australia. To bypass this limitation, you will need to install a VPN on your router or smart TV.
The steps to setting up a VPN connection vary depending on the VPN you choose as well as on your specific smart TV or router. Some smart TVs have a VPN app, but for routers, most VPN providers will have you add the VPN settings to the device’s configuration.
For comprehensive router configuration to use a VPN with 9Now, visit your VPN provider’s website for detailed instructions on setting up the VPN directly on your specific router model.
What if My VPN Isn’t Working With 9Now?
Even though a reliable VPN with an Australian server should let you watch 9Now in the U.S., you may sometimes get a message stating that 9Now isn’t available in your region. This indicates that 9Now has detected your VPN traffic.
If this happens, first try closing the 9Now app or browser window on your device and opening it again to check whether you’re able to watch content. If that doesn’t help, the next step is to disconnect from the Australian server in your VPN and try connecting again.
If all else fails, you can try tunneling through a few different Australian servers. Most premium VPN providers, such as NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN, will have more than one to choose from.
If you’re consistently having trouble accessing 9Now, look for VPN providers offering obfuscated or stealth servers. These specialized servers disguise your VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic, making it significantly harder for 9Now to detect and block your VPN connection.
NordVPN’s obfuscated servers and ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol are particularly effective at bypassing 9Now’s increasingly sophisticated VPN detection measures that identify conventional VPN connections.
If you’re using a browser to access 9Now, make sure your VPN protects against WebRTC leaks. Browser-based WebRTC technology can inadvertently expose your actual IP address to 9Now’s geo-restriction systems, immediately blocking your access.
For optimal streaming performance with 9Now, select the WireGuard protocol when available, as it offers the best balance of speed and security. If you’re experiencing connection issues, try switching to OpenVPN UDP, which often works better at bypassing streaming restrictions. IKEv2 is an excellent alternative for mobile devices due to its ability to quickly reconnect if your connection drops while commuting or switching between WiFi and mobile data.
What to Watch on 9Now: Programs, Live Channels & Sports
There is quite a selection of content on 9Now, from live TV channels to on-demand TV shows and movies. If you’re keen on watching Australian live TV channels, these are the ones you can find on 9Now:
- Channel9
- 9Gem
- 9Go!
- 9Life
- 9Rush
You can also access live event streaming on 9Now, which includes sports events, reality shows and live broadcasts of certain movies and shows. Under its “Nine’s Wide World of Sports” banner, 9Now provides extensive coverage of tennis, rugby, golf and other sports events throughout the year.
For example, sports enthusiasts can enjoy coverage of the Rugby Championship on 9Now, making it a go-to streaming service for rugby fans wanting to catch international matches. 9Now is also particularly valuable for tennis fans, as it offers coverage of all four Grand Slam tournaments, including the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open.
When planning to watch live events on 9Now from the U.S., factor in the significant time zone differences between Australia and North America. Australia is 14-17 hours ahead of the U.S. (depending on your location and daylight saving time), meaning prime-time Australian shows typically air during early morning hours in the U.S.
For major sporting events like the Australian Open or AFL games, consider using 9Now’s catch-up feature rather than adjusting your schedule for live viewing.
Alternatively, you can enjoy popular TV shows on demand. ‘Married at First Sight Australia’ is one of 9Now’s most popular reality shows, offering viewers drama-filled entertainment as couples meet for the first time at the altar.
Here are a few more examples of available shows:
- ‘Clarkson’s Farm’
- ‘Hart of Dixie’
- ‘Below Deck’
- ‘Seinfeld’
- ‘Love Island Australia’
- ‘Elementary’
- ‘Young Sheldon’
- ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’
- ‘American Detective’
Final Thoughts
9Now may not be the largest streaming service in Australia, but if you’re looking for a way to catch up on live TV channels, view certain sports events and occasionally watch a few episodes of all-time classic TV shows, it’s a great choice. To add to this, the service is completely free, making it even better if you don’t mind the occasional ads.
If you want to watch 9Now from outside of Australia, a premium VPN such as NordVPN is the best way to gain access to fast Australian servers with excellent streaming speeds. Trying NordVPN for a month is completely risk-free, as you can use the 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking it.
What is your favorite type of content to watch on 9Now? Do you enjoy live news from Australia, or do you prefer binging your favorite TV shows? Let us know in the comments, and as always, thank you for reading.
FAQ: Stream 9Now Online
Though 9Now is officially available only in Australia, you can use a VPN to watch 9Now content in the U.S.
You can watch 9Now outside of Australia by using a VPN to tunnel your connection through a VPN server in Australia.
9Now is completely free — all you need to do is sign up for an account on its website.
Yes, you can watch 9Now without the mobile app by accessing the 9Now website.