Some of you recognize Rakuten from your shirt sponsorship deal with soccer behemoths FC Barcelona. However, in the online world, it is well-known to be one of the best streaming services in the world. The service is rivaling the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime by going global. But the problem is that it didn’t spread that much. So far, only 40+ countries are supported. Which brings us to this question: How can anyone around the world watch Rakuten TV? It’s easy. Just follow this guide and find out.
How to Watch Rakuten TV Anywhere
Rakuten TV – Global, Yet Not That Global
Rakuten first launched in Japan, followed by a handful of other countries. But with a plan to dominate the streaming market, the channel added several other countries to its coverage range. Now, it supports almost 42 regions in the European region and Japan, of course.
Still, Rakuten is globally popular, but not everyone can get a hold of such an amazing service. Despite having more than 7 million subscribers, the service has a lot to do in order to catch up with the likes of Netflix and Prime Video.
The point is, being available in select countries will deprive those who are not from tapping into its rich catalog. Rakuten TV examines a user’s IP address to determine their location. If your connection requests are coming from other latitudes (unsupported regions), they will most likely be denied because of geographical and licensing reasons.
Oh, you’ll know if you got blocked for sure as this geo-error message will pop up on the spot:
“We are deeply sorry but Rakuten tv is not available in your country.”
Well, there you have it. That’s what you get when you’re abroad. But that’s all about to change once you’re done with this article as I will show you how to unblock Rakuten TV anywhere in the world, next.
Rakuten TV – From Some Countries to Everywhere
As I mentioned, Rakuten is challenging the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime. However, it does not yet have the global reach of these VOD providers. But just like we found a way to get Netflix US anywhere, we will do the same with Rakuten.
The simplest way to get the channel in an unsupported region is to fake your location. You can easily do so if you operate with a Virtual Private Network. A VPN is an online application that offers ultimate security and privacy. It encrypts your data and reroutes your traffic as it passes through a private tunnel to a server in a country of your choosing.
This scenario allows you to hide your real IP address and borrow a temporary one in the location where the server is based. For example, if the server is in Japan, you’ll get a Japanese IP address.
That doesn’t only anonymize your internet approach, but also gives you access to restricted content only available in that country despite your current physical location. In other words, you can access Rakuten TV anywhere in the world with ease.
The Steps – Rakuten TV Anywhere
Alright, now you know what’s needed to access Rakuten TV abroad. Let me show you how to achieve that:
- First, you need to subscribe to a credible VPN service. Stay away from free ones. If you want my recommendation, sign up for ExpressVPN.
- Download and install their VPN client on a compatible device. You’ll find apps on Android, iOS, PC, Mac, as well as FireStick.
- Now, activate the app and sign in with your VPN credentials.
- Connect to a server in one of Rakuten TV’s supported countries, preferably Japan.
- Next, check if you got a Japanese IP address by visiting this IP Verifier.
- Launch Rakuten’s website or application.
- Watch top premium TV shows on Rakuten TV anywhere.
ExpressVPN – Rakuten’s Ultimate Solution
Let me tell you why ExpressVPN is considered to be one of the best VPNs for Rakuten. First, the provider has more than 3000 servers in 94 countries, and Japan is one of those. Also, it’s very fast boasting servers strictly dedicated to HD streaming and online gaming. In other words, you’ll be streaming Rakuten TV anywhere with no buffering or lag.
Moreover, ExpressVPN promises 99.9% uptime, and this is reflected in its reliable and consistent servers. During our evaluation, nothing came up wrong. But let’s praise its application as a start. Their applications are excellent for beginners and non-tech-savvy users. It’s well designed and simple to use. You just click on the server and hit connect.
If you face any problems with the provider’s service, It offers 24/7 customer support via a live chat feature. I’ve tested the live chat myself and found replies to be quick and helpful. Now, let’s talk about security. You’ll find features such as 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and split tunneling.
You can even try it out for yourself risk-free because it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If that didn’t cut it for you, check the list below and see if one of these top VPNs can act as an alternative.
- 30-Day Money-back Guarantee
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Apps For All Your Devices
- 24/7 Live Support
Rakuten TV’s Content
Rakuten already has an impressive roster of content. It also provides content from almost all the big Hollywood studios as well as many local and independent distributors too. You’ll find shows and programs from several premium channels such as HBO, CBS, and The CW. With that said, let’s take a look at what kind of content you’ll be getting once you unblock Rakuten TV in your region:
- Ballers
- The Deuce
- Westworld
- Matchday
- Hurricane
- Game of Thrones
- The Vampire Diaries
- American Horror Story
- Fortitude
- Veep
- Scrubs
- Friends
- Divorce
- Glee
- New Girl
- Arrow
On November 29th, 2019, Rakuten will launch its original documentary series, Matchday. This will cover FC Barcelona member’s daily lives, including Leo Messi, Gerard Piqué, Marc-André ter Stegen, and Luis Suárez.
The show will run for eight episodes, with each one taking 45 minutes of your time. I know we wish it could be a bit longer, but that’s what we’re getting so far. Mostly, the series will cover the 2018/2019 season’s key games. I honestly can’t wait to see how this show will elevate Rakuten’s popularity, but one thing’s for sure, It will put it on the map.
Rakuten’s Compatibility
Do you want to see if your device has a dedicated Rakuten application? Take a look at the list below:
- Xbox One
- Android TV
- Smart TVs
- Windows PC
- macOS
- Chromecast
- Roku
- Android
- iOS
Smart TVs are going all the way with Rakuten TV. In select versions, you’ll find that there’s a Rakuten dedicated button on the remote. So, Netflix, watch out, you have a new competitor.
Rakuten TV Anywhere – Final Words
So, in general, moving to one of the supported countries to access Rakuten is not an option. You can just opt for a VPN and stay right where you are while your virtual location is altered. As I have explained, a VPN can help to unblock Rakuten TV no matter where in the world you may reside. Now, sit back and enjoy the best of what this channel has to offer. If you have further questions you’d like to ask, please share them in the comments below.
