Watching Chinese TV and shows abroad: country guides
In short: the setup is the same wherever you live. Install Homeway on your TV, phone or computer, light up the moon gate, then open the Chinese video apps you already use. What changes from country to country is the time difference, which TVs and boxes you can buy locally, and the currency you are billed in, so we have collected those details by country below.
Choose your country
- United StatesEastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific time conversions; what to do with Roku, Samsung and LG TVs; boxes you can buy at Best Buy and Walmart.
- CanadaAll six time zones, including Newfoundland and Saskatchewan; when the CCTV evening news and the Spring Festival Gala air in Toronto and Vancouver.
- AustraliaDaylight saving in Sydney and Melbourne, and the time differences for Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth; what to do with a Hisense VIDAA TV.
- United KingdomGMT and BST conversions; why Freeview and Sky boxes won’t work, and which box to buy instead.
- SingaporeSame time zone as Beijing, so live TV is fully in sync; how to watch shows the international app versions don’t carry.
- JapanOne hour ahead of Beijing all year; Sony and Sharp Google TVs, why not Fire TV, and evening slowdowns on apartment lines.
- MalaysiaSame time zone as Beijing, so live TV is in sync; why Astro boxes don’t work, and using a Xiaomi box alongside Astro.
- GermanyWinter and summer time tables, with the CCTV evening news at lunchtime; what to do with Samsung, LG and MagentaTV boxes; boxes you can buy at MediaMarkt.
- FranceWinter and summer time tables, with the Gala at 1 p.m. on a Friday; whether Freebox, Livebox and Bbox work; boxes you can buy at Fnac and Darty.
- New Zealand4–5 hours ahead of Beijing, so the evening news is late at night and the Gala starts at 1 a.m.; why Sky boxes won’t work, and catching replays.
Other countries
The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, South Korea, the UAE and everywhere else without its own guide work the same way; only the time difference changes. For Spring Festival Gala start times in major cities, see watching the Spring Festival Gala abroad. Plans are priced in euros across the eurozone and in US dollars wherever there’s no local currency option; see plans and pricing.
Tips that apply everywhere
- Check your TV’s system first: Android TV and Google TV sets and boxes can install Homeway directly. Samsung, LG and Hisense VIDAA TVs can’t, so plug in an Android TV box; see Samsung and LG TVs.
- Keep using the China versions of your apps: Homeway doesn’t provide shows. Live TV and dramas play in the video apps you already use; see supported apps, and for CCTV channels see watching CCTV live abroad.
- Your broadband is usually enough: 1080p needs 5 Mbps or more and 4K needs 15–25 Mbps. If video still stutters, see fixing buffering.
- Try it free first: new users get a 7-day free trial on TV, phone and computer, with no card required.
FAQ
Do I need to set anything up again if I move to another country?
No. Homeway automatically picks the nearest, fastest route, so if you move or travel it works as soon as you open it. Your account and devices stay the same.
Can I use a video membership I registered in China while abroad?
Yes. Homeway doesn’t touch your accounts. Sign in to your own membership in the video app and members-only content plays as usual.
My country has no guide of its own. Will Homeway work there?
Yes. Homeway works worldwide; countries differ only in time difference and billing currency. If it doesn’t run smoothly where you are, email support@homeway.tv with your country and the network you use.
Try Homeway
New users get a 7-day free trial, no card required. Works on TV, phone and computer.