Quick answer
To watch Chinese TV in the USA, Cantonese viewers can use TVB's official North American service, TVBAnywhere, and Mandarin viewers can use official broadcaster apps and streaming services, or you can use an IPTV plan like TarakTV that brings Mandarin, Cantonese and Taiwanese channels into one app. Official apps are the direct route for one network. TarakTV is one plan from $15 a month with a free 24-hour trial, so you can check your channels before paying.
- About 5.5 million people in the US identified as Chinese in 2023, the largest Asian origin group (US Census Bureau estimate, via Pew Research Center).
- The largest Chinese American metro areas are New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- Beijing, Hong Kong and Taipei are 13 hours ahead of US Eastern time in winter and 12 hours ahead in summer.
- TVB's US arm runs TVBAnywhere North America, an official app with live channels and on-demand shows.
- TarakTV plans: $15 a month, $130 a year, $220 for 3 years, $300 for 5 years.
Chinese Americans and what they watch
Chinese Americans are the largest Asian origin group in the US. Pew Research Center, citing Census Bureau estimates, reports that about 5.5 million people identified as Chinese in 2023. The largest communities are in New York, about 840,000 people, Los Angeles, about 630,000, and San Francisco, about 550,000, with large communities in Boston, Seattle, Houston, Chicago and Washington, D.C.
The community is not one audience. Families from mainland China usually want Mandarin channels and news. Older Cantonese-speaking families from Hong Kong and Guangdong grew up on TVB dramas. Taiwanese American families often look for Taiwan news and variety shows. Many homes want a mix.
Mandarin channels people look for
For news and general programming from mainland China, people often look for CCTV-4, the international Chinese-language channel of China Central Television, and CCTV-13 for news. Provincial satellite channels are popular for dramas and variety shows, especially Hunan TV, Dragon TV (Shanghai), Zhejiang TV and Jiangsu TV. Phoenix TV channels from Hong Kong are also widely watched for Mandarin news and talk shows.
- News: CCTV-4, CCTV-13, Phoenix InfoNews
- Dramas and variety: Hunan TV, Dragon TV, Zhejiang TV, Jiangsu TV, Beijing TV
- Movies and others: CCTV-6, Phoenix Chinese
Cantonese and Taiwanese channels
Cantonese viewers mostly want TVB, the Hong Kong broadcaster known for its dramas, variety shows and news. TVB Jade and TVB news channels are the usual requests. TVB runs its own official North American service, TVBAnywhere, which offers live channels and on-demand programmes and works on phones, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, Android TV and Samsung smart TVs.
Taiwanese American families often look for TVBS, CTi, SET, EBC and the main terrestrial networks such as CTS, CTV and TTV, both for news and for Taiwanese dramas and variety shows.
Official options and TarakTV
If you mainly watch TVB, TVBAnywhere is the direct, official choice. Many mainland and Taiwanese broadcasters, as well as Chinese streaming platforms, also post shows on their own apps or official YouTube channels. These are good options if you follow a single network.
TarakTV is an IPTV subscription that puts Mandarin, Cantonese and Taiwanese channels people commonly look for into one app with a TV guide, together with Vietnamese, Korean, Filipino, US and international channels. It suits mixed households, for example grandparents who want TVB dramas and parents who want Mandarin news. Line-ups on any IPTV service can change, so check during the free 24-hour trial. Plans cost $15 for one month, $130 for one year, $220 for three years and $300 for five years.
Devices and internet speed
TarakTV works on Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android smart TVs, Android TV boxes, phones and tablets, and the Cast4K player app. We also sell TVIP and Yoka TV boxes that arrive ready to use, shipped within the US and Canada, which is the simplest choice for older family members.
For a smooth picture, plan on about 15 Mbps per screen for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K. Use a wired connection or keep the router close to the TV, especially during big live events.
Time-zone tips
China, Hong Kong and Taiwan are all on UTC+8, which is 13 hours ahead of US Eastern time from November to March and 12 hours ahead from March to November. On the West Coast, it is 16 hours ahead in winter. The 7pm evening news in Beijing airs at 6am Eastern and 3am Pacific in winter.
The CCTV Spring Festival Gala airs on Lunar New Year's Eve evening in China, which is the morning of the same day on the US East Coast and the early hours on the West Coast. Many families watch a replay in the evening instead. For dramas, use the TV guide and catch-up, where the channel offers it, to watch at a normal US hour.
Choosing the right setup and common fixes
If your family only watches TVB, the official TVBAnywhere app is the direct choice. If grandparents want Cantonese dramas, parents want Mandarin news, and someone follows Taiwanese variety shows, one live TV plan with all of these is often easier than several separate apps.
If a channel freezes or buffers, start with the simple fixes: restart the Fire TV Stick or box, check that nothing else in the house is downloading, and move the router closer or use an Ethernet cable. Running a speed test on the TV itself, not your phone, gives the most accurate picture.
If only one channel has a problem while others play fine, it is usually on the channel side rather than your internet. Message TarakTV on WhatsApp with the channel name and the time, and we will check it.
Channels people look for
Line-ups change; ask for the current list or check during your free trial.
| Channel | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CCTV-4 | Mandarin general and news | |
| CCTV-13 | Mandarin news | |
| Hunan TV | Mandarin dramas and variety | |
| Dragon TV | Mandarin dramas and variety | |
| Zhejiang TV | Mandarin dramas and variety | |
| Jiangsu TV | Mandarin dramas and variety | |
| Phoenix InfoNews | Mandarin news | |
| TVB Jade | Cantonese entertainment | Official in the US via TVBAnywhere |
| TVBS | Taiwan news | |
| SET | Taiwan entertainment and news |
Frequently asked questions
How can I watch Chinese TV channels in the USA?
Cantonese viewers can use TVB's official TVBAnywhere service, and many Mandarin and Taiwanese broadcasters have their own apps or YouTube channels. TarakTV puts Mandarin, Cantonese and Taiwanese channels in one plan from $15 a month, with a free 24-hour trial.
How do I watch TVB dramas in America?
TVBAnywhere is TVB's official North American service, with live TVB channels and on-demand dramas on phones, Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV and Android TV.
Can I watch CCTV-4 in the US?
CCTV-4 is one of the Mandarin channels people most often look for, and it is commonly included with TarakTV. Check it during the free trial.
What time is the Spring Festival Gala in the US?
It airs on Lunar New Year's Eve evening in China, which is the morning of the same day on the East Coast, 13 hours earlier in winter. Many families watch the replay that evening.
Are there Taiwanese channels too?
Yes. Taiwanese channels people look for, such as TVBS, CTi and SET, are commonly included with TarakTV.
What internet speed do I need for Chinese IPTV?
About 15 Mbps per screen for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K. Use a wired connection if you see buffering.
Sources
TarakTV is an independent reseller and is not affiliated with the channels, leagues or broadcasters named on this page. Names are used only to describe what viewers look for. Check the rules where you live.