If you combine both Video and Wiki, you’ll get the American based (Korean-centered) streaming channel Viki. The platform offers on-demand episodes, movies, and videos with the aid of volunteers who get to manage content. Viki focuses on “Creating a strong sense of community.” It targets people who are fans of Asian TV content and are not native to the content; that’s why it has reached more than 40 million viewers per month. Although the channel is available on a global scale, some regions lack some content or the channel itself. Well, that was the case before you came across this guide. So, here’s how you can watch Viki anywhere in the world.
Viki – Read all About It
Viki launched in 2007. It offers hundreds of movies and TV series from more than a dozen markets and it’s free and ad-supported. Plus, it claims to have over 40 million monthly viewers worldwide.
In 2013, the service was acquired by the Japanese company Rakuten. It was a way to reach a bigger audience through translation and localization by using crowdsourcing to subtitle shows.
Users can watch Viki’s content in different subtitles based on what they’re looking for. However, some titles might not be subtitled yet due to it being new to the service. That gives you two choices.
Whether you watch the content without subtitles or wait 24 hours from its premiere in South Korea and your problem will be solved.
With close to 200 available language subtitles, Viki can reach a global audience in no time, but wait, IT DID. In case your wondering, by the time of writing, Viki states that it gets over three billion video streams, and its users have translated more than 1.7 billion words so far. Can you imagine the success this channel is heading to in the near future?
Now with an introduction like this, don’t you think we should dig a little deeper? Let’s go.
Pricing
The service itself is free. Anyone that visits the website can view its content without having to pay a penny. However, you’ll witness a few ads here and there while streaming your video.
In 2016, Rakuten decided that Viki will focus more on becoming a subscription-based service, especially since streaming the channel’s content had become widely popular on mobiles and Smart TVs.
You can still access the content for free in case you don’t want to subscribe to any of its plans. But if you do, here are all the packages you get:
- Basic: $2.99/month or $29.99/year (ad-free, HD, and available in selected regions)
- Standard: $4.99/month or $49.99/year (Viki exclusive content, Ad-free viewing, and HD quality)
- Plus: $9.99/month or $99.99/year (All of the above plus Kocowa content, but only available in the United States)
Just so you know, whatever subscription plan you end up choosing, you get a seven-day free trial to test out the service.
Devices Compatibility
Viki did not just reach global access; it also has apps on a wide range of devices. Whatever platform you’re using, you’ll be able to download the Viki app. Check it out:
- Android
- Android TV
- iOS
- Apple TV
- Amazon Fire TV
- Chromecast (With Viki Pass)
- Roku (US Only)
- Xbox
- PC
- Mac
- Samsung Smart TV
Availability
Rakuten said it would continue to bring Viki, which is already used by viewers in 200 countries. Sadly, not all of those users have the same access. You see, according to your location, Viki assigns a specific catalog to what you get to tap into. If the title is not available in your region, you’ll get a geo-error message that blocks your way.
When I was in the UK, that happened to me. Well, I didn’t know what I should do, but I went to Viki’s FAQ section and found this:
“The error message “Sorry, this video is not available in your region” displays when we don’t have the license for a show on your geographic region or country. Since the video you’re trying to watch is not licensed for your region, we’re unable to make it available on the Viki site or on any of our apps.”
That’s not all that you’ll be lacking; there’s more. First, let’s talk about the Plus plan. It’s only available to those living in the United States. If you want my opinion, the Plus plan is the most convenient of all three. Why should it only be available in the United States?
The channel examines your IP address to see if you’re in the US or not. If you’re not in America, you won’t have the full catalog, neither will you be able to sign up for the Plus plan. Bummer, huh! Well, it doesn’t have to be. You will be able to stream Viki wherever you are after you’re done with this guide.
Let’s Get You Viki in Your Region
The best way to access Viki in any region is by using a Virtual Private Network. It’s a cybersecurity tool that was created to enhance internet users’ privacy and security when they’re browsing the web.
However, over the years, it became one of the most significant factors in online freedom. With a VPN, you get to spoof your location to a country of your choosing. That happens when you connect to a server in a specific region.
Once you do that, the VPN will reroute all your traffic through that server, and it will seem as if you’re accessing the web from that region. You’ll obtain an IP address in that area and direct access to all exclusive content there. In Viki’s case, you’ll be looking to get a US IP address.
That can easily be done by connecting to an American server. As soon as the connection takes place, Viki will think that you reside within the States. Thus, grants you full access to its library and you get to subscribe to the Plus plan.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Pick a VPN provider that offers fast servers in the United States. I highly recommend ExpressVPN.
- While on their website, download and install their dedicated application on your device.
- Sign in with your newly created VPN username and password. The provider might ask for a verification code. You’ll find it in your email.
- Alright, you’re in. Now, click on the server list and connect to a US server.
- Launch Viki’s website or application.
- Subscribe to any plan and watch Viki anywhere.
Best VPN for Viki
You might have noticed that I mentioned ExpressVPN in the steps part. I’ve reviewed a lot of VPNs on our website, and there are a lot of providers to use in Viki’s case. However, based on personal experience, ExpressVPN has all it takes. Connecting to a US server is what you’re looking for, and ExpressVPN has blazing fast servers in the United States.
The VPN has dedicated servers for HD streaming, online gaming, as well as torrenting. So, internet speed won’t be an issue. You won’t even notice any drop in your connection while the VPN’s encryption is in place.
As for security, ExpressVPN provides the latest technologies to protect your data while online. It offers several protocols, including the well-known OpenVPN. Your private information will be guarded by military-grade AES-256 bit encryption.
That means even the most experienced hackers can’t harvest your data no matter what connection you’re using. You can surf the internet while on a public network (airports, cafes, and hotels) without having to worry about who might be there with bad intentions.
Privacy is something ExpressVPN respects, which leads us to its special features. First, you get a kill switch that automatically shuts down your connection if a sudden drop in the VPN network occurs. Second, it has DNS and WebRTC leak protection.
You can even test for that on their official website. And finally, there’s split tunneling, which allows you to choose which part of your data you want to go through the VPN’s server.
Finally, streaming-wise, if you’re not that considerate about your security, you can benefit from their Smart DNS feature, which allows you to stream content with minimal speed loss. It reroutes part of your traffic without changing your IP address and encrypting your data. That way, you can access your local channels and operate at full speed respectively.
But as I mentioned, there are a lot of VPNs that can do the job just as good. Check them out in the table below.
- 30-Day Money-back Guarantee
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Apps For All Your Devices
- 24/7 Live Support
Why Viki Though?
Viki offers thousands of hours of video from content providers like KBS, SBS, TV Asahi, and so many more. The channel is a way to get passed the language and cultural barriers by offering TV series and movies in more than 200 languages. But how do you kick it off? What shows are binge-worthy? Let’s find out.
- The Heirs
- Hotel del Luna
- At Eighteen
- Running Man
- Doctor John
- Level Up
- The Untamed
- The Legends
- Welcome2Life
- Search: WWW
- Pinocchio
- Queen Dugu
- Issue Makers
- Princess Agents
- Love O2O
- Hello Monster
- The Doctors
- Healer
- Coffee Prince
- On Air
- Playful Kiss
- Secret Garden
- Dream High
- Faith
Stream Viki Anywhere in the World – Parting Words
Viki offers top TV shows, movies and music videos from around the world. But geo-restrictions have limited certain viewers’ access to this vast library. However, you now have the best way to get Viki anywhere you may be. Just sign up with a VPN, connect to a US server, and stream Viki all around the world. Now, which TV series have you put on “queue”? Let me know in the comments below.