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Kurri

macrumors 6502
Mar 6, 2009
401
126
I am a bit concerned about this, but I also don't want to use a location-spoofer with Netflix. With AdFreeTime, there is a setting for Netflix location spoofing, and it is turned-off by default. Indeed, they have a lengthy post on Reddit about Netflix and its recent stance on location spoofing. So I simply leave that setting off, and there is no issue.

did you find it is easy to cancel ad-free time? just in case this doesn't work the way I was hoping.
 

jblagden

macrumors 65816
Aug 16, 2013
1,162
641
No, MLB atBat also delivers both TV and radio. The audio overlay feature substitutes the synchronized audio of a radio broadcast (or just ambiant ballpark sounds) over the video of a television broadcast.

I don't believe radio play-by-play was ever subject to blackout. I also seem to recall that the rules for television blackouts have recently been loosened. Perhaps someone can provide a better answer regarding blackouts.
The weird thing about blackouts is that they’re only supposed to affect people who live within 35 miles of the baseball game. Also, the FCC eliminated the blackout rules in 2014. I actually started a petition regarding this issue: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/mlb-please-eliminate-blackouts
 
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Hookemfins

macrumors 6502
Jan 13, 2013
325
27
Florida
My goal is to show the MLB how many MLB.TV subscribers they could gain if they got rid of the blackouts.

It's not in MLB's hands. The RSN's rule the show. MLB signed an agreement with FOX to show local streaming of in market games on the FOX Sports Go App. The signing of that agreement shows that MLB understands the issues.

Where you need to direct your frustration with with your local RSN.

And as I said in your other post, the 35 mile rule applies only to TV broadcast of the games and only to the NFL games.
 

Creek0512

macrumors 6502
Jun 15, 2012
497
450
For MLB the blackout rule is anywhere the RSN is available as part of a regular cable TV subscription. I live over 150 miles from St. Louis, but the Cardinals are blacked out here because I live in the FS Midwest broadcast region.
 
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jblagden

macrumors 65816
Aug 16, 2013
1,162
641
For MLB the blackout rule is anywhere the RSN is available as part of a regular cable TV subscription. I live over 150 miles from St. Louis, but the Cardinals are blacked out here because I live in the FS Midwest broadcast region.
What is the RSN?
[doublepost=1461450268][/doublepost]
It's not in MLB's hands. The RSN's rule the show. MLB signed an agreement with FOX to show local streaming of in market games on the FOX Sports Go App. The signing of that agreement shows that MLB understands the issues.

Where you need to direct your frustration with with your local RSN.

And as I said in your other post, the 35 mile rule applies only to TV broadcast of the games and only to the NFL games.
What’s the deal with MLB.TV’s blackouts?
 

Hookemfins

macrumors 6502
Jan 13, 2013
325
27
Florida
What is the RSN?
RSN stands for Regional Sports Network like FSFL for Fox Sports Florida or MASN..ect. The network that has the rights to broadcast a particular team's game.

What’s the deal with MLB.TV’s blackouts?

Each team signs a broadcast agreement with an RSN. In the case of the Yankees they created their own network.
From what I understand it may have to do with not seeing the local ads on MLB.TV. Since ads are not shown MLB.TV, the RSNs have balked at lifting the blackouts. Now with the local games on Fox Sports Go, regular ads are shown as seen on TV. You mention that lifting the blackouts would bring more revenue to MLB. MLB is receiving 4% of the team’s cut of the local television deal.

My biggest issue with the blackouts is if FSFL isn't showing the Marlins game then why can't I watch on the team's RSN? There is no conflict on since the game is on locally.
 

Kurri

macrumors 6502
Mar 6, 2009
401
126
It's not in MLB's hands. The RSN's rule the show.

RSN pays way too much money for exclusive rights to care what mlb.tv shows. Which is why I highly doubt this blackout will be over anytime soon. Take the Dodgers for example. Most of L.A. can't even watch them unless they have Time Warner Cable, and this is not going to be resolved soon.
 

Hookemfins

macrumors 6502
Jan 13, 2013
325
27
Florida
RSN pays way too much money for exclusive rights to care what mlb.tv shows. Which is why I highly doubt this blackout will be over anytime soon.

It's the opposite. The new deal with FOX pays MLB somewhere between 5-10 million dollars per team in new broadcast rights fees for the right to offer its subscribers in-market streaming. If FOX, or any other RSN (Root or ComCrap) are going to offer in-market streaming they are going to make sure that their ads are seen. MLB doesn't want to ultimately threaten the local broadcast revenues teams are receiving from their RSN partners.
 

Kurri

macrumors 6502
Mar 6, 2009
401
126
That is Fox though. I think the Dodgers situation might be different? I don't know. This all is confusing.

Time Warner started a channel dedicated to the Dodgers (I think it is called Sportsnet L.A.) and no other cable company wants to buy it, so we don't get to watch it unless we have time warner.
 

Hookemfins

macrumors 6502
Jan 13, 2013
325
27
Florida
That is Fox though. I think the Dodgers situation might be different? I don't know. This all is confusing.

Time Warner started a channel dedicated to the Dodgers (I think it is called Sportsnet L.A.) and no other cable company wants to buy it, so we don't get to watch it unless we have time warner.

My response was mainly to the first part of your statement. Yes, right now FOX is the only network that shows in-market streaming. I imagine Root and ComCrap should follow at some point and maybe even TWC with the Dodgers. However you will have be a sub of TWC which right now screws a lot of other provider subs.

I was really trying to avoid the Dodgers TV situation. While the Dodgers are only on TWC, I can get it as part of extra innings on DTV. I am not sure if EI on other providers if it is available. I also don't know if getting EI, through a TV provider, in the LA area would allow you to watch the Dodgers.

Since there is so much money in rights fees now, I see only cable/satellite authenticated subscribers getting in-market streaming, or via a VPN. However if you use phone with location services you can't use it away from your home router.
 
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Creek0512

macrumors 6502
Jun 15, 2012
497
450
The in market streaming is through Fox Sports Go, not MLB.tv, and requires a cable/satellite subscription that includes the FSN channel you want to stream.
 

IndianBird

macrumors 65816
Dec 28, 2009
1,107
869
The in market streaming is through Fox Sports Go, not MLB.tv, and requires a cable/satellite subscription that includes the FSN channel you want to stream.


You know something weird about the Fox Sports go stream?

I can't watch the Cardinals and Rangers both. My tv sub is only good for the Rangers as I don't pay the $15 for sports back to get Cardinals.

It's a miracle.
 

boston04and07

macrumors 68000
May 13, 2008
1,834
935
are they actually doing that? I use Unlocator for the MLB app and BBC Iplayer. They have it working again for Netflix but only US region currently.

How are you liking Unlocator? I'm thinking about getting it for MLB games but since that's the only app I need it for, I'm a bit nervous about it messing up my other apps (like Netflix, etc...)
 
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i hate phones

macrumors 6502a
Jul 5, 2010
905
393
Philly Suburbs, PA
How are you liking Unlocator? I'm thinking about getting it for MLB games but since that's the only app I need it for, I'm a bit nervous about it messing up my other apps (like Netflix, etc...)
I believe there's a free trial period, so I highly recommend trying it out! I use it for MLB.tv and BBC iPlayer. There has been a ton of issues with Unlocator(and all other DNS services) and Netflix but they implemented a bypass feature so you can just watch your local Netflix. I had issues getting that to work (I have an apple TV4 and a time capsule), but once I reset my time capsule's network settings and re applied the DNS settings its been working great. So I'm hoping I won't have to deal with the Netflix issues any longer. So long as that remains the case, I'm really happy with it.
 

boston04and07

macrumors 68000
May 13, 2008
1,834
935
I believe there's a free trial period, so I highly recommend trying it out! I use it for MLB.tv and BBC iPlayer. There has been a ton of issues with Unlocator(and all other DNS services) and Netflix but they implemented a bypass feature so you can just watch your local Netflix. I had issues getting that to work (I have an apple TV4 and a time capsule), but once I reset my time capsule's network settings and re applied the DNS settings its been working great. So I'm hoping I won't have to deal with the Netflix issues any longer. So long as that remains the case, I'm really happy with it.

Awesome, thank you! I'm running the trial period now and like you, had some Netflix issues at first, but their tech support was very quick to reply and walked me through what you just described. So far, so good.

Now if only there were a way to watch it on my iPad! Sigh. I really hope there will be a day when this blackout business is over. But that's another whole topic! :)
 

boston04and07

macrumors 68000
May 13, 2008
1,834
935
Sorry for the multiple posts, but I've been using Unlocator and so far I like it because it's working. However, I'm very unfamiliar with the concept of DNS changing and just had a few questions. Their FAQ states that

The Unlocator DNS service will make sure that the geographic detection systems used by certain tracking services can't see your real location. This allows you to enjoy an open unrestricted Internet.

Unlike traditional VPN tunnels we only redirect the traffic responsible for geographic detection. Not only does this mean that there is no slow down of your connection but all your regular services like your online banking etc. will still see your normal location. An added benefit is that you can appear in multiple locations at the same time.

Have you guys (those of you who are using it) found any issues with this? It's something I can't wrap my head around. Granted, I'm not very knowledgable on how IP addresses ans DNS numbers work, and I'm sure that's showing now (heh), but if I'm changing my whole DNS number, how is it that only a portion of my traffic gets affected?

If someone could explain this in a way that you would to a kindergartner, I'd appreciate it. :confused: Sorry for asking so many questions...
 

i hate phones

macrumors 6502a
Jul 5, 2010
905
393
Philly Suburbs, PA
This may not be the most technically correct answer, but I believe the gist is by changing your DNS to Unlocators server, you are giving them access to filter your web traffic, they then direct traffic from the streaming services they support through a proxy server which is where your location is faked, and allows all other traffic to get through without being redirected to the proxy (so these sites see your actual location, same as if you weren't using a smart DNS).



Sorry for the multiple posts, but I've been using Unlocator and so far I like it because it's working. However, I'm very unfamiliar with the concept of DNS changing and just had a few questions. Their FAQ states that



Have you guys (those of you who are using it) found any issues with this? It's something I can't wrap my head around. Granted, I'm not very knowledgable on how IP addresses ans DNS numbers work, and I'm sure that's showing now (heh), but if I'm changing my whole DNS number, how is it that only a portion of my traffic gets affected?

If someone could explain this in a way that you would to a kindergartner, I'd appreciate it. :confused: Sorry for asking so many questions...
 
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jblagden

macrumors 65816
Aug 16, 2013
1,162
641
Sorry for the multiple posts, but I've been using Unlocator and so far I like it because it's working. However, I'm very unfamiliar with the concept of DNS changing and just had a few questions. Their FAQ states that



Have you guys (those of you who are using it) found any issues with this? It's something I can't wrap my head around. Granted, I'm not very knowledgable on how IP addresses ans DNS numbers work, and I'm sure that's showing now (heh), but if I'm changing my whole DNS number, how is it that only a portion of my traffic gets affected?

If someone could explain this in a way that you would to a kindergartner, I'd appreciate it. :confused: Sorry for asking so many questions...
Your computer has to use a DNS server to find out the IP address for a particular website. The Internet doesn't actually use web addresses (URLs). When you type in, for example, www.bbc.com, into your web browser's address bar, your web browser contacts the DNS server and asks for the URL's corresponding IP address so it can actually visit the site.

Changing your computer's DNS address changes where your computer is getting IP addresses for URLs from. That wouldn't just affect part of your traffic - it would affect all of it. Also, it wouldn't disguise your location. All you would accomplish is you might be able to get more URL-IP mappings and it'll take longer for your web browser to get a corresponding IP address for a URL.
 
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oneMadRssn

macrumors 603
Sep 8, 2011
6,086
14,193
Slight update regarding the blackout restriction on MLB.tv. AdFreeTime doesn't work anymore. Idk what happened, they seem to have fallen off the face of the earth.

The most cost-effectice service this season is Yonder.tv, which is ~$3/month. The benefit is, in addition to unblocking MLB local games, it also (allegedly) unlocks BBC iPlayer and CBC, which is pretty sweet.
 

yaxomoxay

macrumors 604
Mar 3, 2010
7,439
34,276
Texas
Slight update regarding the blackout restriction on MLB.tv. AdFreeTime doesn't work anymore. Idk what happened, they seem to have fallen off the face of the earth.

The most cost-effectice service this season is Yonder.tv, which is ~$3/month. The benefit is, in addition to unblocking MLB local games, it also (allegedly) unlocks BBC iPlayer and CBC, which is pretty sweet.

I confirm that Adfreetime stopped working. I’ll try yonder tv

Update: yonder works beautifully!! Thanks!!!
 
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