“PEN15” is an American comedy television series that premiered on Hulu in 2019, created by Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, and Sam Zvibleman. It’s a unique coming-of-age story that captures the essence of middle school as it was in the early 2000s. The show stars Erskine and Konkle, who play versions of their 13-year-old selves amidst actual 13-year-olds. In “PEN15”, Erskine and Konkle manage to cleverly bridge the age gap, portraying the awkward and often painful experiences of adolescence with raw honesty, while also injecting a level of humour that keeps audiences engaged. The series explores themes such as friendship, puberty, identity, and the trials and tribulations of middle school. CBC Gem, a Canadian online streaming platform operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), offers a diverse selection of content, including “PEN15”. This provides Canadian viewers with an opportunity to experience this unique series that has won acclaim in the United States.
PEN15 consists of 2 Seasons with 25 Episodes. All available to watch for free on CBC Gem.
CBC Gem is an free online streaming service provided by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). It was launched in December 2018 to serve as the national public broadcaster’s primary online platform for its TV content. It’s comparable to services like BBC iPlayer in the UK, but for the Canadian market.
Here’s a detailed look at what CBC Gem offers:
Content:
CBC Gem offers a wide variety of content, including CBC’s original programs, documentaries, feature films, and kids content. This includes popular Canadian series, like “Schitt’s Creek”, “Murdoch Mysteries”, and “The Fifth Estate”. It also includes news programming, like “The National”. Some international content is also offered, often from public broadcasters in other countries.
Live TV:
In addition to on-demand content, CBC Gem also allows users to stream CBC Television live, which is a feature not always available on online platforms. This means that users can watch the same content that is being broadcasted on CBC at any given moment.
Accessibility:
CBC Gem is available on multiple devices, including computers, smartphones, tablets, Apple TV, Android TV, and more.
Free and Premium tiers:
CBC Gem offers a free tier, which provides access to a certain amount of content, but it’s ad-supported. There’s also a premium tier, which, for a monthly fee, offers access to the full library of content, live streaming of CBC TV without ads, and the ability to watch in higher quality. As of my last knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the Premium subscription was priced at CAD 4.99 per month.
Region:
CBC Gem is primarily aimed at the Canadian market, and much of its content can only be streamed within Canada due to licensing agreements. However, some content, particularly news programming, can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
Remember that the specific offerings and pricing might have changed post-September 2021, and it would be best to visit the official CBC Gem website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
How to Access CBC Gem from Australia?
Step-by-Step guide on how to access CBC Gem from Australia using Express VPN. Please note that you’ll need a subscription to Express VPN for this.
-Install Express VPN:
If you haven’t done so already, go to the Express VPN website, purchase a subscription, and download the VPN software to your device. Express VPN supports all major platforms including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.
-Choose a Canadian Server:
After installation, open Express VPN, and from the list of servers, select a server located in Canada. This is because CBC Gem is a Canadian service and is geographically restricted to users in Canada.
-Connect to the VPN:
Once you’ve chosen a Canadian server, click to connect to the VPN. Your internet connection will now appear to be coming from Canada.
-Create a CBC Gem Account:
If you don’t already have a CBC Gem account, you will need to create one. Go to the CBC Gem website and follow the instructions to sign up. Although CBC Gem is a free service, they also offer a premium version with added features.
-Access CBC Gem:
Once you’re connected to a Canadian server and have a CBC Gem account, you can access CBC Gem content as if you were in Canada. If you are prompted to share your location, ensure your browser is set to do so. This should confirm you’re in Canada (based on your VPN connection) and allow you access.
-Troubleshooting:
If you still have issues, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies or try a different Canadian server. Alternatively, you can try using a different browser or use an incognito window. Please note that while VPNs are a popular method for accessing region-restricted content, they are technically against CBC Gem’s terms of service. Using a VPN to access CBC Gem could potentially result in your account being banned, so proceed with caution. Also, please be aware of the legalities in your own country regarding the use of VPNs to access content that is normally geographically restricted. In some locations, this can be considered illegal. It’s important to research and understand the potential consequences before proceeding.
30day money-back guarantee
Why Do You Need Express VPN to Access CBC Gem from Australia?
As we’ve mentioned, CBC Gem is only restricted to locations within the Canada because of the content distribution policies. So, if you were to ever try and access CBC Gem in Australia, you would get a message like “This site can’t be reached” or “CBC Gem isn’t available to watch in your location.”
This is where Express VPN comes in handy. It will change your IP address to a region within your chosen server location. And because CBC Gem restricts you by analysing your IP address, it would be unable to do that.
That’s 15 months for the price of 12. A single subscription simultaneously supports five devices and has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
30day money-back guarantee
So, if you get Express VPN, not only are you getting access to CBC Gem but also American/Canadian Netflix content and American/Canadian Amazon Prime content.
CBC Gem Pros and Cons
CBC Gem is a Canadian online streaming service provided by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It offers live and on-demand access to a variety of shows, movies, and documentaries.
Pros:
- Content: CBC Gem offers a variety of content, including Canadian shows, CBC News, documentaries, and international series. There is also a live TV feature that allows you to watch CBC channels live.
- Free tier: It offers a free tier, which allows access to most of the content with ads. This is a great feature for those who do not mind ads and do not wish to subscribe to yet another streaming service.
- Canadian Content: For those interested in Canadian programming, CBC Gem offers a wide range of Canadian content, including popular shows and news.
- Kid-Friendly Content: It has a dedicated section for kids, which is great for families with young children.
Cons:
- Limited outside Canada: The service is primarily available in Canada. While it’s great for Canadian viewers, it’s not accessible for users in many other countries.
- Ad-supported: The free version of CBC Gem is ad-supported, which might not be preferred by some users.
- Limited content compared to other platforms: While it offers a good range of content, especially Canadian, it may not have as extensive a library as other streaming giants like Netflix or Disney+.
- Quality of streams: Some users have reported that the quality of streams can be inconsistent, particularly for live broadcasts.
Remember, your experience may vary and these pros and cons may have changed since my last update in 2021. For the most accurate information, I recommend checking out recent reviews and the CBC Gem website.
PEN15 – Official Trailer
PEN15 – Plot and Synopsis
The title of the show, PEN15, is a play on words referencing a childish prank where someone tricks a friend into writing “PEN15” on their hand, which spells out “penis”. The show’s creators use this reference to emphasise the awkwardness and discomfort of puberty.The show’s creators, Erskine and Konkle, also star in the show as the main characters, despite being in their 30s. They play younger versions of themselves, surrounded by actual 13-year-old actors, which adds to the show’s unique and sometimes uncomfortable humour.Throughout the series, Maya and Anna face a variety of challenges, including dealing with crushes, navigating new friendships, and coping with family problems. The show’s themes are relatable to anyone who has gone through adolescence, and it has been praised for its honest and realistic portrayal of the struggles of that time period.
PEN15 – Cast and Characters
- Maya Erskine – Maya Ishii-Peters
- Anna Konkle – Anna Kone
- Mutsuko Erskine – Yuki Ishii-Peters
- Taylor Nichols – Curtis Kone
- Melora Walters – Kathy Kone
- Taj Cross – Sam Zablowski
- Dallas Liu – Shuji Ishii-Pete
What else you can watch?
- Hannibal
- 9/11: One Day in America
- Snowfall
- What We Do in the Shadows
- The Handmaid’s Tale
- Letterkenny
- Normal People
- Schitt’s Creek
- Trafficked with Mariana Van Zeller
- Legion
- Wu-Tang: An American Saga
- Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields
- Mob Psycho 100
Wrap up
Overall, PEN15 is a critically acclaimed and beloved show that has gained a strong following for its unique blend of comedy and honesty. Its success has led to two seasons being released on Hulu, with a third season in the works.
