Finding a specific show can feel like a part-time job. Seriously. You search one app, then another, and then you realize your subscription just lapsed or the licensing rights hopped over to a different platform while you were sleeping. If you're trying to figure out where can i stream The Americas, you've probably already hit a few dead ends.
It’s confusing.
The title itself causes issues. Are you looking for the 2024 NBC nature docuseries narrated by Tom Hanks? Or maybe that gritty 2013 spy drama The Americans? Sometimes people even mean the soccer tournament Copa América. For the sake of clarity and because it's the biggest thing on everyone’s radar right now, we’re talking about the massive, high-budget natural history event: The Americas.
The NBC and Peacock Connection
Right now, the primary home for The Americas is NBC. Since it’s an NBC original production—a collaboration with the BBC Studios Natural History Unit—the streaming rights are tied tightly to the Comcast ecosystem.
You can watch it on Peacock.
Peacock is the default. It’s where NBC dumps all its prestige content the day after it airs on linear television. If you have a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus subscription, you’re good to go. The episodes usually drop around 6:00 AM ET the morning after they premiere on the broadcast channel. It’s simple, but it costs a few bucks a month.
If you’re a cord-cutter who still uses a digital antenna, you can technically "stream" it for free if you have a tuner like HDHomeRun that pushes the signal to your devices. But for most people, the app is the way.
What about Hulu?
This is where people get tripped up. Back in the day, NBC and Hulu were best friends. Now? They’ve basically divorced. You won't find the new The Americas episodes on the standard Hulu library. However, if you pay for Hulu + Live TV, you can watch it live as it airs on your local NBC affiliate or catch it on-demand through the "network" section of the app. It's a pricey workaround if you don't already have the service.
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International Viewers: It Gets Complicated
Location matters. Everything in streaming is dictated by "geofencing," which is a fancy way of saying lawyers decided where you’re allowed to click "play."
In the UK, the BBC is the heavy lifter. Because the BBC Studios Natural History Unit (the folks behind Planet Earth) co-produced this, it often surfaces on BBC iPlayer. But wait. The versions sometimes differ. Sometimes the narration is swapped. In the US, we get Tom Hanks. In other regions, you might get a different voice entirely, though the footage remains the spectacular, 4K eye-candy we expect.
Canadian viewers usually find this type of content on CTV or the Crave app. It’s a bit of a toss-up depending on who won the bidding war for the current season. If you’re in Australia, keep an eye on Channel 9 or 9Now.
Why This Show is Different From Your Average Doc
We’ve seen a thousand nature shows. Truly. But The Americas is trying to do something specific by focusing purely on the Western Hemisphere. It’s not just about lions in Africa or penguins in Antarctica. It’s about the stuff in our own backyard—from the Andes to the Rockies.
They used new camera tech for this.
Low-light sensors that didn't exist five years ago allowed the crew to film nocturnal behaviors in the Amazon that look like they were shot in broad daylight. It’s eerie. It’s beautiful. If you’re streaming this on a tablet, you’re doing yourself a disservice. This is "big screen, 4K, HDR" territory. If your streaming service or internet speed throttles you to 1080p, you’re missing the fine detail in the fur of a spectacled bear or the mist in a cloud forest.
Buying vs. Streaming
Sometimes you just don't want another monthly bill. I get it.
You can usually buy the entire season of The Americas on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV (formerly iTunes), or Google TV.
The math works out better if you plan on re-watching it. A season pass usually runs between $15 and $25. If you keep a Peacock sub for six months just to watch this and a few other shows, you've already spent more than the "buy" price. Plus, when you buy it, it stays in your digital locker. It won't disappear when a licensing deal expires and moves the show to a random service like Tubi or Pluto TV.
Common Myths About Streaming Locations
People often think everything eventually hits Netflix.
Not this time.
Netflix has its own massive natural history slate (like Our Planet). They aren't in a hurry to pay NBC for the rights to The Americas. Don't wait for it to show up there; you'll be waiting a long time.
Another misconception is that it’s on Disney+. While Disney owns National Geographic, The Americas is a different beast entirely. It’s NBC’s play to compete with the Nat Geo/Disney powerhouse. So, if you’re searching the Disney+ library and coming up empty, that’s why.
Technical Hurdles You Might Face
Streaming 4K nature footage is a bandwidth hog.
If your stream keeps buffering, it might not be the app. It’s likely your ISP or your Wi-Fi signal. To get the most out of The Americas, you need at least 25 Mbps of consistent download speed. Honestly, 50 Mbps is safer if other people in your house are also on the internet.
- Check your Peacock settings. Sometimes the app defaults to "Data Saver" mode. Flip that to "Best" or "4K" if your hardware supports it.
- Use a wired Ethernet connection for your TV if possible.
- If you're using a VPN, you might get blocked. NBC and Peacock are notoriously aggressive at sniffing out VPNs to prevent people outside the US from watching.
How to Get the Best Deal Right Now
If you are new to the platform, look for the "student discount" or "first-year" promos Peacock usually runs around the Super Bowl or the Olympics. You can sometimes snag a year of streaming for $20.
Another trick? Check your credit card rewards. Amex and Chase frequently have "offers" where you get a $5 or $6 statement credit for subscribing to Peacock. It basically makes the first month or two free.
Actionable Steps for Viewing
- Verify your hardware: Ensure you have a 4K-capable device (Apple TV 4K, Roku Ultra, or a newer Smart TV) to actually see the production value.
- Check your current subs: If you have Comcast Xfinity or Cox internet, you might already have a version of Peacock included, though they've been phasing out the "completely free" tiers lately.
- Choose your path: If you want the "set it and forget it" route, buy the season on Apple TV or Amazon. If you want the cheapest immediate entry, grab one month of Peacock Premium.
- Download for travel: If you're going on a flight, remember that only the higher-tier Peacock Plus ($11.99/mo or more) allows you to download episodes for offline viewing. The base "Premium" tier usually does not.
Stop searching and start watching. The footage of the deep-sea vents alone is worth the five minutes it takes to sign up.