Mrs Brown’s Boys is a popular British sitcom that has gained a cult following not just in the UK and Ireland where it originated, but also internationally. The show centers around the foul-mouthed Irish matriarch Mrs Brown and her family. With its slapstick humor and engaging characters, it’s easy to see why so many fans around the world want to watch Mrs Brown’s Boys.
But can you watch Mrs Brown’s Boys if you live in the US? Let’s take a look at the options for watching this hilarious show from across the pond.
Is Mrs Brown’s Boys available on any US networks or streaming platforms?
Unfortunately, Mrs Brown’s Boys is not currently available on any US cable networks or major streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. The show aired briefly on some PBS stations in the US, but this was several years ago and only for a limited run.
The main places that carry Mrs Brown’s Boys are networks and streaming services based in the UK and Ireland, like BBC One, RTÉ One, Britbox, and Netflix UK/Ireland. But most of these are geoblocked and not accessible to viewers outside those countries.
Can I watch with a VPN?
One way to get around geoblocking and watch shows only available in other countries is to use a VPN (virtual private network). A VPN allows you to route your internet connection through a server in another country, effectively letting you appear as if you’re in that country when accessing streaming platforms.
So in theory, you could connect through a UK or Ireland-based VPN server and then access streaming services like BBC iPlayer, RTÉ Player, or Netflix UK/Ireland to watch Mrs Brown’s Boys. However, many major streaming companies are cracking down on VPN usage, so there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to reliably access their content with a VPN.
Steps for watching with a VPN:
- Sign up for a paid VPN service with servers based in the UK or Ireland.
- Download and install the VPN provider’s app on your device(s).
- Connect to a UK or Irish server.
- Try accessing streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer or Netflix UK/Ireland. You may need to create an account specific to those sites if you don’t already have one.
- Search for Mrs Brown’s Boys and see if you can access full episodes. If access is blocked, try connecting to another UK/Ireland server.
Using a VPN to watch geo-restricted content often becomes a game of cat-and-mouse with streaming platforms working to detect and block VPN usage. So your success may vary.
Can I purchase episodes or seasons online?
Some limited options exist for purchasing Mrs Brown’s Boys seasons or episodes online:
- Amazon UK – You can create an Amazon UK account and purchase new and past seasons of Mrs Brown’s Boys to stream through Amazon Prime Video UK. This only works with a VPN.
- iTunes UK – Seasons and collection bundles can be purchased on iTunes UK. You’ll need to switch your iTunes country setting to UK and access with a VPN.
- Britbox – Britbox has the largest collection of Mrs Brown’s Boys seasons available for streaming by subscription. But it requires a UK IP address so a VPN is necessary.
- DVDs – Importing DVDs from the UK is an option but can get expensive buying full season sets. DVDs are also region locked so a region free DVD player is required.
Purchasing digital or physical copies directly from the UK provides legal alternatives but still requires jumping through hoops like VPNs and regional settings.
When and where has Mrs Brown’s Boys aired on US TV?
As mentioned previously, Mrs Brown’s Boys has had very limited airings on US television. Here is a brief overview of when and where it has been available:
- PBS – Between 2013-2016, some PBS stations across the US sporadically aired reruns of Mrs Brown’s Boys seasons 1-3. This included stations like WGBH Boston, WLIW New York, and WFWA Indiana. But it was not carried nationwide.
- NHK – Japan’s NHK broadcasting service aired Mrs Brown’s Boys with English subtitles in the US territory of Guam from 2013-2014. But this was only available to NHK subscribers in that region.
Outside of those narrow airings, the show has not been available on mainstream US television. Some streaming services like Britbox have since obtained rights to stream older seasons. But no US networks are currently airing first-run episodes.
When will Mrs Brown’s Boys come to US TV and streaming?
Unfortunately there is no official news yet about Mrs Brown’s Boys premiering on US television or streaming platforms.
The show is produced by BBC Scotland in association with BocPix and RTÉ. Securing US broadcast rights would require striking deals with US networks or streaming services.
Creator and star Brendan O’Carroll has previously expressed interest in the show reaching American audiences. But the unconventional humor and regional Irish slang could be barriers for US distributors seeing it as too niche.
If the show continues its popularity in the UK and internationally, calls from US fans to access new episodes could potentially prompt deals with streaming platforms like Netflix or Hulu down the road. For now, no announcements have been made. Fans will have to rely on alternative viewing methods and hope official US access eventually materializes.
How can I show support and request Mrs Brown’s Boys in the US?
Here are some tips for US fans to demonstrate interest in having Mrs Brown’s Boys officially broadcast and streamed in the country:
- Contact major US networks and streamers like PBS, Netflix, Hulu and request they acquire rights to air the show.
- Utilize social media to generate buzz and discussion around the show in the US using relevant hashtags.
- Create petitions on sites like Change.org directed at networks/streamers requesting they pick up the show.
- Support the show by purchasing DVDs and other merchandise from UK retailers.
- When traveling to countries where it does air, watch the show on television and streaming to bolster viewership numbers.
- Spread the word and promote Mrs Brown’s Boys to other potential US fans.
Gaining a critical mass of US fans demanding official access could incentivize distributors to make a deal. With concerted effort, American Brendan O’Carroll devotees may finally get their wish.
Conclusion
WhileMrs Brown’s Boys unfortunately does not currently air on any US networks or major streaming platforms, dedicated fans do have some limited options for accessing the show. This includes using VPNs and foreign Amazon/iTunes accounts to stream and purchase episodes available in other countries. Or hunting down expensive imported DVD sets.
But the best hope for American fans lies in petitioning and pressuring distributors to recognize the US demand and strike deals to legitimately broadcast first-run episodes. Access today is patchy, but with enough viewer interest, Brendan O’Carroll’s lovable foul-mouthed matriarch could yet win over American audiences in the future.