Watching Italian TV in the USA and abroad is a wonderful way to keep Italy part of your everyday life. A news bulletin brings you the voices of the country. A cooking show introduces regional traditions. A drama lets you hear the language in conversations that feel far removed from a textbook.
Unfortunately, much of this programming is restricted to viewers located in Italy. A virtual private network can help by allowing users to connect through a server in Italy. NordVPN is one of the best-known services for doing this while also improving online privacy and security.
However, finding the right way to watch can be confusing. RaiPlay, Rai Italia, Mediaset Infinity and international television packages serve different audiences. A service that works in Italy may offer only selected programs overseas. Meanwhile, a subscription sold in the United States may carry international channels with their own schedules.
This guide explains where to begin, what to check before subscribing, and how NordVPN fits into the picture. For background on the broadcasters themselves, read our brief history of Italian television.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains a NordVPN affiliate link. Italia Mia may earn a commission if you purchase through it, at no additional cost to you.
Service information checked on October 6, 2026. Catalogs, access conditions and device support can change. This guide does not claim that playback has been tested from every country.
The Best Place to Start Depends on What You Want to Watch
Before choosing a service, decide whether you want live channels, a particular series, daily news or occasional Italian films. These needs can lead to very different choices.
| What you want | Where to start | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Italian channels in the United States | An international package such as Il Globo TV | U.S. channel list, devices and subscription terms |
| Rai programs and archives | RaiPlay | Whether the individual video is available in your country |
| Television aimed at Italians overseas | Rai Italia | Regional schedule and local distribution options |
| Selected Mediaset programs abroad | Mediaset International | Included shows and international viewing rights |
| LA7 news and discussion programs | LA7 and TG LA7 | Playback availability for the live stream or episode |
| A specific Italian film | A streaming or rental service in your country | Exact title, subtitles and rental conditions |
Start with the program you actually want. Buying a broad package makes little sense if your only goal is to watch one film or follow a short news bulletin.
RaiPlay: Explore Rai Programs, Films and Archives
RaiPlay is Rai’s online platform. It includes live-channel pages and an extensive range of on-demand programming. Browse it for Italian series, documentaries, entertainment, cultural programs and films.
For viewers overseas, the key question is the availability of each video. Seeing a program’s page does not necessarily mean that its episodes will play from your location. Rights can differ between a broadcaster’s own production, an acquired film and a sporting event.
Open the episode you want and check the message in the player. If the video is unavailable in your country, look for an international distributor or a local streaming edition. Creating an account should not be treated as a way to unlock every territorial catalog.
Rai also produces programming specifically for an international audience. For example, the official Casa Italia page describes a worldwide live program aimed primarily at Italians living and working abroad. It is a useful starting point for viewers interested in contemporary Italy.
Consult the Rai assistance center for current account, device and overseas-access guidance.
Rai Italia: Television for Viewers Around the World
Rai Italia serves audiences outside Italy. Its website lists regional schedules for North America, South America, Asia, Australia and Africa.
This makes it especially relevant to Italian Americans and families who want a regular connection with Italian broadcasting. However, Rai Italia has its own programming schedule. Do not assume it reproduces every broadcast on Rai 1, Rai 2 or Rai 3.
Use the official website to explore programs and regional schedules. Then check how the channel is distributed where you live. Availability through a television provider or streaming package depends on the country and service.
Before subscribing, confirm that the package includes the channel you want. Also ask whether it offers live viewing only or includes catch-up and on-demand features. Those details matter when Italian broadcast times fall during your working day.
Il Globo TV: An Option for Italian Channels in the USA
For viewers seeking several Italian channels in one place, Il Globo TV’s U.S. subscription page is worth checking.
Its U.S. offering currently lists channels including Rai Italia, Rai News 24, Rai World Premium, Mediaset Italia, TGCOM24 and LA7 Italia. These are the provider’s published listings; check the latest lineup before paying.
International channel names matter. Mediaset Italia is not a promise of unrestricted access to every domestic Mediaset channel. Likewise, a channel called LA7 Italia should be assessed using the package’s own description and schedule.
Check the supported devices, number of simultaneous streams and cancellation terms. If a trial is available, use it to test the service on the screen you will normally watch. Confirm that your favorite programs are included, rather than judging the package only by the number of channels.
Readers outside the United States should select their own country on the provider’s website. A U.S. package should not be assumed to have identical availability elsewhere.
Mediaset Infinity and Mediaset International
Mediaset Infinity combines free programming with paid services. Its overseas-access rules require particular attention.
Mediaset’s official international-access guidance states that eligible Infinity+ or GOLD subscriptions activated in Italy can enable specified viewing within EU member states. Check the conditions before traveling; this should not be assumed to provide access in the United States.
The same guidance explicitly states that Mediaset Infinity does not allow VPN connections. Therefore, NordVPN should not be presented as a reliable method of accessing this platform.
For overseas audiences, Mediaset International offers selected programs cleared for international transmission. Its catalog differs from the full Italian service. Check the current selection and permitted location before subscribing, especially if you want a particular show.
LA7: News, Interviews and Political Discussion
LA7 is a useful destination for viewers interested in Italian news and public debate. Its website provides a live television page, program pages and replay material.
You can also browse TG LA7 for news videos. Start with a short report or an interview if you want a manageable daily viewing routine.
Check the actual video from your location. The presence of a live player or an episode page does not establish worldwide playback rights. If one program is unavailable, try the broadcaster’s other official videos or check an international package’s channel lineup.
For written coverage alongside your viewing, visit Italia Mia’s Italian News in English.
Watching Italian Films and Series Through Local Services
An Italian broadcaster is not always the easiest way to watch an Italian production overseas. A film or series may have a separate distributor in the United States or another country.
Search using both the Italian title and its international title. Include the release year when different productions share a name. Then check whether the listing is a subscription stream, a paid rental or a digital purchase.
Also inspect the language options. An Italian production may be offered with Italian audio, English subtitles, dubbed audio or only selected combinations. A trailer’s subtitles do not establish the options available for the full film.
Our guide to the top Italian movies provides a starting point for discovering films and their individual guides. Check current provider listings before purchasing or subscribing.
For football, tennis and other sports, search for the official rights holder in your country. Access to an Italian entertainment channel does not necessarily include the live competition you want.
Where NordVPN Fits In
A VPN routes your internet connection through a server operated by the VPN provider. NordVPN offers servers in Italy, allowing a connected device to use an Italian IP address.
This can affect the location a website detects. However, a VPN does not buy television rights, supply a streaming subscription or guarantee playback. Some broadcasters block VPN traffic, and their access conditions still apply.
If you want a VPN for connection privacy or permitted use of online services while traveling, you can explore NordVPN plans through Italia Mia’s affiliate link.
The basic setup is straightforward:
- Check the streaming provider’s access conditions before purchasing a VPN for viewing purposes.
- Choose a VPN plan and install the official application on a compatible device.
- Sign in and select the server location appropriate to your permitted use.
- Open the broadcaster’s official website or application.
- Sign in to the broadcaster separately if required.
- If playback is blocked, consult the broadcaster’s support information or use its international offering.
A VPN can also encrypt traffic between your device and its server. That may be useful on unfamiliar hotel or airport networks. It does not make you anonymous or replace strong passwords and account security.
How to Watch on a Television, Computer or Tablet
A computer is often the simplest place to start. Open the service’s official website in an updated browser and confirm that your chosen program plays before setting up a larger screen.
For smartphones and tablets, use the service’s official app where available. An app appearing in your local store does not necessarily mean its entire catalog is licensed for your location.
On a smart TV, check the provider’s supported model list. Compatibility can depend on the television’s operating system and age. If the TV lacks the app, a supported streaming device may provide another route.
A laptop connected to a TV by HDMI is another practical option, subject to the service’s playback restrictions. Casting and screen mirroring can behave differently, so check the provider’s instructions before relying on them.
Finally, installing a VPN on your phone does not automatically route your television through that connection. Each device needs an appropriate setup if you intend to use a VPN on it.
Subtitles and Learning Italian
Italian television can turn language practice into a daily habit. Begin with programs whose images help explain the conversation: cooking demonstrations, travel reports and short interviews can be easier to follow than fast-moving dramas.
When Italian subtitles are available, read them while listening. Replay a short passage and write down a few useful expressions. You do not need to understand every word to follow the subject.
English subtitles can help with a film’s story, while Italian subtitles support closer attention to vocabulary. Check the player’s settings because language options vary by program.
For additional practice, use Italia Mia’s Italian Word of the Day and Italian proverbs guide.
Fixing Common Viewing Problems
If a video reports that it is unavailable in your country, check its territorial conditions first. Reinstalling an application is unlikely to change the rights attached to that program.
If the service rejects a VPN connection, follow its instructions and test your ordinary connection where viewing is permitted. Mediaset specifically states that VPN connections are not allowed.
For buffering, try a stronger Wi-Fi signal or a wired connection. Pause large downloads, update the application and reduce video quality if necessary. Test another video to determine whether the problem affects the entire service or one program.
If live television works but an episode does not, the replay may have a different availability window. Similarly, missing subtitles may reflect that specific edition rather than a device fault.
When contacting support, provide the program title, your country, device model and exact error message. These details help the provider identify the problem.
Build a Viewing Routine That Suits You
Begin with one reliable source for news and one for entertainment. Add a larger international package only if its channel lineup matches what you regularly watch.
For viewers in the United States, an international television service can be a practical starting point. For occasional viewing, selected broadcaster videos or locally licensed films may be enough. Travelers should check their existing subscription’s overseas conditions before leaving home.
Italian television offers much more than a familiar background soundtrack. It brings regional accents, current debates, landscapes and everyday conversations into your home. Choosing the right service makes that connection easier to enjoy.
External Sources
- RaiPlay: official platform
- Rai: assistance and frequently asked questions
- Casa Italia: official program page
- Rai Italia: programs and regional schedules
- Il Globo TV: U.S. subscription and channel information
- Mediaset Infinity: viewing abroad and VPN restrictions
- Mediaset International: official service description
- LA7: live television and schedules
- TG LA7: official news videos
- NordVPN: Italian servers and connection information
