How to Watch RTS Abroad: Stream Play RTS Live From Anywhere (2026)

Yes, you can watch RTS abroad, and it takes about two minutes. Play RTS checks your location, so live channels, sport and many films only play for viewers in Switzerland. Connect to a Swiss server with a VPN and RTS 1, RTS 2 and the full Play RTS catalogue load as they do at home.

This guide shows the quick setup first, then the best VPNs to watch RTS abroad and the fixes for common errors. It is written for Swiss expats, cross-border workers and French-speaking Swiss families living outside Switzerland.

How to Watch RTS Abroad in 4 Steps

To watch RTS abroad, you need a VPN with servers in Switzerland. The steps are the same on a phone, laptop, Smart TV or Fire TV Stick.

1. Choose a reliable VPN provider — we tested and recommend NordVPN or Surfshark, both of which work with Play RTS.
2. Connect to a server in Switzerland — Zurich or Geneva both work well.
3. Open Play RTS — go to the RTS website or open the Play RTS app.
4. Start watching — live RTS channels and the on-demand catalogue now play without the location message.

If Play RTS still says the content is not available in your region, clear the browser cache or restart the app after the VPN is connected. The fixes section further down covers every common error.

What You Get When You Watch RTS Abroad

RTS (Radio Télévision Suisse) is the French-language public broadcaster of Switzerland, part of SRG SSR. When you watch RTS abroad through a Swiss IP, you get the same line-up as viewers in Geneva or Lausanne.

Live RTS Channels

RTS 1 and RTS 2 stream live on Play RTS, including the evening news and the main Swiss French-language programmes. Many people who want to stream RTS abroad are looking for the live news and weather from home.

Live Sport

RTS 2 carries a lot of live sport, including skiing, ice hockey, football and tennis. Sports rights are the strictest, so these streams are the ones most often blocked outside Switzerland.

Series, Films and Documentaries

Play RTS has Swiss series, documentaries and a rotating selection of films. Bought-in films and series are usually limited to Switzerland, while some Swiss productions are available worldwide.

How Other Swiss Expats Solve It

Most Swiss expats who watch RTS abroad use one simple routine: a VPN app on the phone and the TV, set to a Swiss server. The same setup also works for SRF and RSI, so the whole family can watch in their own language.

Setup takes about two minutes, and no technical knowledge is needed. After the first time, it is one tap to connect before you press play.

Best VPNs to Watch RTS Abroad

We tested these three VPNs with RTS live channels and Play RTS on-demand shows from outside Switzerland. All three have Swiss servers and fast connections for HD streaming.

1. NordVPN — Best Overall for RTS

NordVPN is our top pick to watch RTS abroad. Its Swiss servers load Play RTS quickly and hold a steady stream for live sport and the evening news.

SmartPlay lets you watch on Apple TV and Smart TVs that cannot run a VPN app. One account covers up to ten devices. Read our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark — Best Value for Families

Surfshark is the best value way to watch RTS abroad when the family watches on several screens. One plan covers unlimited devices, so RTS, SRF and RSI can all run at the same time in one household.

Fast WireGuard connections keep HD streams smooth on Swiss servers. Read our Surfshark review.

3. Proton VPN — The Swiss Choice

Proton VPN is based in Geneva, so it is a natural fit for Swiss viewers. Its Swiss streaming servers work with Play RTS, and its strict no-logs policy is protected by Swiss privacy law.

Flexible monthly plans suit viewers who only want RTS for a ski season or a tournament. Read our Proton VPN review.

Watch RTS Abroad From Popular Expat Countries

France and the Border Region

Cross-border workers living in Haute-Savoie or the Pays de Gex often lose RTS the moment they get home. A Swiss server fixes it in seconds, and the connection to Geneva is very fast.

Rest of Europe

From Spain, Portugal, Germany or the UK, Swiss servers give smooth HD streaming. Live sport on RTS 2 runs without buffering on a normal home broadband line.

Further Afield

From Thailand, Dubai or North America, the distance adds a little delay, but HD still works well. Use the WireGuard or NordLynx protocol and a Zurich server for the best speed.

RTS, SRF and RSI: One VPN for All Swiss Channels

Switzerland has three public broadcasters in three languages: RTS in French, SRF in German and RSI in Italian. All three use the same location check, so a single Swiss server unlocks every one of them.

That matters for bilingual families, where one parent follows the RTS news and the children watch cartoons on SRF. One VPN subscription covers the whole household and every language.

Play RTS vs TV5Monde

TV5Monde shares some RTS programmes with French-speaking viewers around the world, and it is available in many countries. It is a useful extra, but it shows only a small selection of RTS content and no Swiss live sport.

For the real RTS 1 and RTS 2 schedule, with the local news and weather, Play RTS through a Swiss server is the only complete option.

Watch RTS Abroad on Smart TV and Fire Stick

On Android TV and Amazon Fire TV, install the VPN app from the app store, connect to Switzerland and open Play RTS. It works the same way as on your phone.

On Samsung, LG and Apple TV, which cannot run VPN apps, use NordVPN SmartPlay or set the VPN up on your router. Every device in the house then appears to be in Switzerland, so you can watch RTS abroad on any screen.

Play RTS Not Working Abroad? Fixes

If you still cannot watch RTS abroad after connecting, one of these fixes usually solves it.

Clear Your Cache and Cookies

Play RTS can remember your earlier location. Clear the browser cache, or open a private window, then reload the page with the VPN connected.

Switch to Another Swiss Server

Some server addresses get flagged by streaming services. Switching between Zurich and Geneva usually brings the stream back straight away.

Turn Off Location Access

On phones, the Play RTS app can read your GPS location. Turn off location access for the app so it uses your VPN location instead.

Update the App

An old version of Play RTS can fail to load live channels. Update the app, and update your VPN app at the same time.

Why RTS Is Blocked Outside Switzerland

RTS buys sport, film and series rights for Swiss viewers only. To respect those licences, Play RTS checks your IP address and blocks content that is not licensed for your country.

Some Swiss productions are available worldwide, and SRG SSR also runs Play Suisse for Swiss series and films. Live RTS channels and most sport stay limited to Switzerland, which is why so many people search for ways to stream RTS abroad.

Switzerland is not part of the EU, so EU rules on cross-border access do not apply to Swiss broadcasters. Without a Swiss IP, the live channels stay blocked anywhere in Europe.

Is It Legal to Watch RTS Abroad With a VPN?

Using a VPN is legal in Switzerland and in most countries where Swiss expats live. Watching Play RTS through a Swiss server is a common way for expats to keep up with home TV.

The main practical risk is a stream not loading, not any legal problem. Check local VPN rules if you live in a country with strict internet laws.

Choose Your VPN for RTS

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• Proton VPN Review for Expats

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