After experiencing a net loss of about £443.5m in the second quarter of 2023, Viaplay decided to cut costs by ending its US, UK, and Canada sports coverage. This means popular games like URC rugby, the Scottish League Cup, and Scotland men’s football matches will no longer be broadcast on the platform.
Although Viaplay is leaving, the good news is that you can still watch your favourite sports and movies. In this article, we have listed the best Viaplay alternatives to stream your desired content. If any of the substitutes on our list are geo-restricted in your location, we’ll also teach you how to bypass these barriers with a robust VPN like NordVPN. Let’s get started.
Top 10 Viaplay replacements – Quick list
Below are the top Viaplay alternatives you can access from anywhere using a VPN.
- Netflix: Just like Viaplay, Netflix has a large Nordic Noir library. This site’s algorithm can also make recommendations for you based on your views and interests.
- Disney Plus: It has a group feature that allows you to stream movies with up to six friends. Disney Plus also keeps you updated on recent blockbuster movies.
- Paramount Plus: Streams Scottish Premier League content. Paramount Plus will serve you well if you want to stream other sports like UEFA Champions League, NFL, and UEFA Europa League.
- BBC iPlayer: It gives you access to a wide range of UK content. Furthermore, you can watch all BBC programs for free on the platform.
- Curiosity Stream: If you love watching documentaries on Viaplay, you’ll appreciate Curiosity Stream because it has over 3,000 documentaries that cut across many niches.
- Max: After their theater debut, every Warner Bros movie will be available on Max. Additionally, certain episodes of popular programs are free on Max.
- Crunchyroll: This is the perfect site for the latest anime release. It actually has more anime collections than Viaplay, and its largest anime library is available in the US.
- Tubi TV: It gives you free access to about 50,000 movies and TV shows. However, it might be difficult to find recent movies here.
- Channel 4: For lovers of Formula 1 and popular TV series like Young Sheldon and Big Bang Theory, this is a good Viaplay alternative. However, it is only available in the UK.
- StreamEast: It lives up to Viaplay’s standard in sports content. You can watch the National Hockey League (NHL), National Basketball Association, and Formula 1 in HD for free.
What is Viaplay?
Viaplay is the Nordic version of Netflix. It was launched in 2007, and its headquarters are currently located in Stockholm, Sweden. Viaplay is a go-to platform for Nordic Noir drama fans because it has a large selection of such content. This platform also has sports, documentaries, English movies, and an extensive library of Scandinavian programs.
For a while now, Viaplay has been available in Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Poland, and Baltic countries like Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania.
As of 2022, it launched in the UK and the Netherlands, while in early 2023, it rolled out its services to Canada and the US. However, in 2023, Viaplay announced they’d stop functioning in the UK, US, and Canada because they needed to cut costs.
Top 10 best alternatives to Viaplay – Detailed list
Continue reading if you’re eager to learn about each of our top 10 Viaplay substitutes in depth.
1. Netflix
$6.99 per month
Best option for streaming
Takes a long time for upcoming episodes of their favorite shows
Netflix is one of the biggest streaming platforms, with about 158.3 million global subscribers as of 2019. You’ll need to opt for either a Netflix -Standard with ads, Netflix -Standard, or Netflix -Premium to access its content. Once you are subscribed, you can stream as many movies and TV shows as you want across up to four devices.
The beauty of using Netflix is that your activities on the site synchronize on any device you are logged in to. For example, you can start streaming a movie on your PC, pause it, and continue from where you stopped when you logged in on your smartphone.
If you are in places where Viaplay is no longer available, like the US, UK, or Canada, you won’t miss much with Netflix. The site has over 13,000 movies across different genres and a decent library of Scandinavian movies. It updates its catalog monthly to include recent movies. It also has a smart recommendation algorithm that suggests movies based on your interests.
However, the only drawback of this platform is its library varies country-to-country, and most of the famous titles won’t be available in your region. Nonetheless, you can use a reliable VPN to unblock Netflix and watch your favourite library from anywhere.
2. Disney Plus
$9.99 per month
Easy-to-navigate interface
Limited selection for adults
Disney Plus is a powerhouse for high-quality shows and movies. Although Viaplay is off the streaming block, you won’t feel its absence much with this site. You can catch up on popular content like Marvel movies, Marvel shows, Star Wars spin-offs, fantasy shows, and all the Disney classics on Disney Plus.
It’s an excellent option for families with different streaming needs. You can enable the parental lock feature to keep your kids from accessing programs they shouldn’t watch. If you want more adult-focused content, you can explore the vast library of films and TV series in quality as high as 4K.
One exciting feature of Disney Plus is the GroupWatch functionality, allowing you to stream movies with up to six people. It also lets you rewind, pause, and even react to the movie you’re watching. When subscribed to this site, you can access up to four streams and seven profiles across 10 devices.
3. Paramount Plus
$5.99 per month
Has a large selection of reality TV shows
A relatively small selection at a higher price
Paramount Plus takes you down memory lane to familiar and classic TV shows. It combines content from platforms like CBS All Access, BET, CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central, alongside live sports and local news. The platform allows you to access up to 2,500 movies and 30,000 episodes of original shows.
Paramount Plus is a popular Viaplay competitor because it streams live sports events like PGA golf, NFL, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Champions League, and National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), to name a few. And you can watch up to 2,000 live matches every year.
Compared with Viaplay, Paramount Plus is known to stream the Scottish Premier League in high quality and with exceptional commentaries. You can also save live matches for offline viewing.
This site is only accessible to people in Australia, Canada, Latin America, the US, and the Nordic regions. So, if you do not stay in these locations, you can use a good VPN like NordVPN to get an IP address from any of these countries while masking your original address.
4. BBC iPlayer
You’ll fall in love with BBC iPlayer if you are a UK resident who looked up to Viaplay to stream live sports like football and rugby. This is not to say that people outside the United Kingdom cannot use the site. Don’t hustle; you can still watch BBC iPlayer from anywhere with a dependable VPN service.
Sports like football, cycling, golf, and basketball are available on the platform, alongside British commentaries on the events. They can also be streamed in 4K quality. On the website, there are also categories like special events and sports highlights for easy navigation.
Besides sports, BBC iPlayer hosts series and popular movies like Doctor Who, Peaky Blinders, Death in Paradise, The Sixth Commandment, and EastEnders.
5. Curiosity Stream
$3.34 per month
Has a large collection of vintage content
Lesser titles than Netflix and Hulu
Curiosity Stream has all the programs you need to satisfy your love for knowledge and new adventures. The founder of Discovery Channel created this site, so, expectedly, it contains a lot for you to explore and learn from. It offers topics on science, art, ancient civilization, space explorations, and interesting discourse like Coronavirus.
As much as Curiosity Stream has a large selection of history films, it does not compromise quality and originality. It also has the Curiosity Kids documentary that helps children learn about their world in a fun and easy way. It is indeed a top Viaplay competitor when it comes to documentaries.
There are over 3,000 documentaries on Curiosity Stream, including notable ones like Polar Bears, the History of Home, Engineering the Future, and Out of the Cradle. With a Smart Bundle subscription, you can access services like Nebula, Topic, One Day University, Tastemade, Da Vinci, and SOMM TV.
6. Max
$9.99 per month
Advertise across all Google channels
Limited campaign control
Max, previously known as HBO Max, has a collection of over 10,000 hours of shows and movies, which has to be one of its most enticing qualities. The truckload of exciting content you have on the site is enough to keep you company as you look forward to new content that will be updated on the platform.
Alongside its large selection of shows, you can customize your experience with features like parental controls, offline downloads, and the option to watch movies on multiple screens simultaneously.
It is a product of the merger between HBO Max and Warner Bros. Discovery. As such, channels like HGTV, ID, TLC, Discovery, and Food Network are available on Max. Original shows like Game of Thrones and popular movies like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and The Dark Knight Trilogy are on the site.
If you are not yet subscribed to Max, you can view some shows for free for a limited time. Eventually, you’ll have to subscribe to enjoy its full benefits.
It is important to note that Max is currently available only in the United States. Although plans are ongoing to extend its services to Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, unblocking the platform outside the US presently requires using a VPN.
7. Crunchyroll
$7.99 per month
Allows offline downloading
No parental control option
The massive collection of anime available on Crunchyroll proves that this site is out to satisfy anime fans and has been exceptionally successful. You’ll find the best anime, manga, and East-Asian cinema on the platform. Looking back at how this site started as a place for people to upload their favorite shows without rights from its owners, it has made a name for itself as the leading streaming service for anime.
Popular animes like Naruto, Death Note, Vinland Saga, and Blade Runner: The Black Lotus are available with over 10,000 animes and 30,000 episodes. Also, the latest animes from countries like Japan typically find their way to Crunchyroll within an hour of their release.
To enjoy this site’s full library, consider using a VPN like NordVPN. This is because the available content selection varies from country to country, with the largest library available in the US. Changing your IP address to a place in the US will give you access to shows that are otherwise geo-restricted in your location.
8. Tubi TV
Free
Content from major film studios
The content library is a bit out-dated
Tubi TV allows you to stream a wide variety of licensed movies without using a credit card. As such, it is easily one of the best Viaplay alternatives for free streaming sports and movies. Although it doesn’t have original content, its library is usually updated regularly.
Remember that ads would pop up on the site as you stream content on Tubi TV, but it’s not overbearing, so you don’t have to be bothered about it. Another trade-off for this free site is the lack of HD or 4K resolution; every video is limited to a maximum of 720p.
For a free platform, this app has quite a lot of listings. There are over 50,000 titles in its catalog, and it has partnered with MGM, Paramount, Satrz, and Lionsgate, which helps to keep its library full. You can also watch live TV channels like Fox Weather, Fox Sports on Tubi, NBC News Now, beIN SPORTS XTRA, and Bloomberg Television.
9. Channel 4
Channel 4 is a good free site like Viaplay to watch big races like Formula 1 for free. Whether you are a Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, or Max Verstappen fan, you’ll find Channel 4 irresistible. Other top races, like the Monaco Grand Prix and the Hungarian Grand Prix, are also available on the platform.
This streaming service is not home to sports alone. Popular movies and shows like Young Sheldon, Big Bang Theory, and Bake Off: The Professionals will be found here, alongside thousands of other shows.
Channel 4’s streaming service is only available in the United Kingdom. So, if you are outside the UK and need to use the platform, get a reliable VPN to access its content.
10. StreamEast
Most sports fans seek ways to stay updated with their favorite leagues at minimal costs. StreamEast allows you to watch major sporting events like NFL, NHL, MMA, MLB, boxing, and soccer for free. All these can be enjoyed in high-quality streams of 1080p without paying a dime.
Although the site is free, it supports a lot of ads. But, with a good ad blocker, you can deal with the issue. Also, because of copyright issues, its legality may vary from location to location, so you need a robust VPN like NordVPN to bypass any potential geo-restriction.
Beyond these shortcomings, StreamEast is an easy way to watch sports online without the need for an expensive cable subscription.
When you are streaming, you can pause, rewind, and replay the games. You can also access highlights, real-time scores, team statistics, player profiles, and in-depth analysis. Clearly, this platform prioritizes its users’ viewing experience, and it is doing a good job so far.
How we chose the best Viaplay alternatives
There are many streaming services to watch your favorite content, but these top 10 sites like Viaplay made our list because they stood out amongst others. We’ll walk you through the criteria we looked out for before selecting them. Carefully go through this list because it can help you identify other excellent options that are available, and that might not have made our list.
- Ease of use: All the streaming services on our list have user-friendly apps and are compatible across multiple devices. For sites with livestream functionality, we selected the ones that allow easy connection.
- Price: We prioritized free streaming services, followed by those with free trials or an affordable monthly or yearly subscription.
- Library selection: We chose streaming platforms with many popular movies, series, TV shows, and sports content. We also looked at those with exclusive content that users would find valuable.
- Features: Video quality and audio standards were major criteria in choosing our best Viaplay websites. We selected sites that have either HD or 4K resolution. We also chose platforms with features like multiple streams and parental control for an optimum viewing experience.
Best VPNs for Viaplay alternatives
If any sites like Viaplay on our list are geo-restricted in your country, you have nothing to worry about. All you need is a VPN to bypass the blocking by getting a new IP address in the location where the streaming platforms are available. However, it’s not advisable to use just any kind of VPN. You need one that protects your online privacy while ensuring a successful restriction bypass. We recommend the following two VPNs, which are proven and trusted to serve you well.
1. NordVPN
It is one of the most suitable VPN services for Viaplay and alternatives. With its robust unblocking features, stealth security, and blazing-fast servers, you can watch your desired content from anywhere without restrictions.
Offers over 5,500 secure VPN servers in more than 60 countries
Owns reliable threat protection (malware, tracking, and ad blocker)
Industry standard, most secure encryption available: AES-256
An effective and easy-to-use kill switch feature
Split tunneling feature with high efficiency
Offers multi-hop VPN for double encryption
Provides seamless Onion over VPN functionality
Ensures that no logging is done
Users can connect up to six devices simultaneously with each account
A 30-day money-back guarantee with no questions asked
Pros
- Unblocks almost all major streaming platforms
- Has advance malware protection
- 30-day refund guarantee
Cons
- No free trial
NordVPN is one of the oldest and most popular VPNs in the market. As a result of its reliability, it has gained over 14 million customers because it never fails to deliver. One of the first things to look out for in a VPN is its number of servers, and NordVPN easily passes this test. It has a network of over 5500 servers across 59 countries.
Features like the Double VPN server allow this VPN to provide top-notch security for its users. The double VPN or multiple servers provide double encryption to enhance your online security. There is also a dedicated IP address function that gives you a unique address to avoid the potential blocklisting that comes with shared IP addresses.
NordVPN’s network is also fast and stable. There’s no such thing as lagging or buffering as you stream your favorite sports and movies on our best Viaplay replacements. If you’ve not used NordVPN before and want to know how it works, you can leverage its 30-day money-back guarantee to try out its risk-free features.
2. ExtremeVPN
An outstanding VPN service that bypasses censorship and restrictions and helps you watch your desired content.
Offers 6,500 servers present across 78 countries worldwide
Utilizes the up-to-date security protocols, including AES-256 encryption
Enables distributed file sharing through P2P connections
Doesn’t collect users’ data
Includes a unique kill switch feature to block data leakage
Offers flexible data routing through split tunneling feature
Boasts Tor over VPN servers for stealth protection
Offers 10 simultaneous device connections
Provides protection against IP/DNS leaks
Has a refund policy of 30 days
Pros
- Allows access to geo-restricted content with the stealth browsing feature
- Multiple servers in various countries
- User-friendly app and easy to set up
Cons
- There is no dedicated IP address or Double VPN
ExtremeVPN provides the best security and privacy for streaming movies and sports in geo-restricted locations. With its AES-256 encryption and no-logs policy, there is nothing like online monitoring or IP leakages. This VPN is powered by over 6500 servers across 78 countries and 88 locations, and every user can access different servers irrespective of their location.
If you are concerned about whether you’ll be able to navigate the ExtremeVPN app, that wouldn’t be a problem. This VPN has a user-friendly app that is compatible with all major operating systems to accommodate newbies and experts. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee offer to use the service free of charge.
ExtremeVPN’s servers have an impressive speed. Even if you’re far from the server, the network speed is consistent enough to prevent buffering as you stream content online. This VPN is also equipped to prevent DNS and WebRTC leaks.
Conclusion
The fact that Viaplay is no longer available in countries like the UK, the US, and Canada doesn’t mean you cannot stream your desired sports and movie content. We have provided many options based on different preferences. Netflix is the best overall if you love Nordic noir movies. If the major programs you watched on Viaplay were live sports, platforms like Channel 4, BBC iPlayer, and StreamEast are excellent replacements for sports content.
For sites on our list that are unavailable in your country or location, a VPN like NordVPN will come in handy to save the day. You don’t have to limit using a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions. If these Viaplay alternatives are accessible in your region, you can still use a VPN to ensure online privacy as you stream sports, movies, and TV shows.
FAQs
You cannot watch content on Viaplay if you are in a region where its streaming service is no longer available, such as the UK, US, or Canada. However, you can use a VPN like ExtremeVPN to change your IP address to that of a country like Norway, where their services are still active.
No, Viaplay cannot precisely detect that you are streaming on their platform using a VPN. But it doesn’t support VPN use and may sometimes catch and block your VPN access. So, only use a secure VPN like NordVPN that provides obfuscated servers. These servers prevent networks from knowing you are using a VPN.
Yes, Netflix is similar to Viaplay because they are both streaming services. The major difference between these platforms is that Netflix has more movies and covers more countries than Viaplay.
