"What is a proxy server?" you might ask. You can think of a proxy server as a computer in a location different from your own which you can connect to and route your internet traffic. The fact that the proxy server is (most likely) located in a different location than your own is key to this method of bypassing the MLB.tv blackout restrictions.
MLB.tv determines your eligibility to view a game according to this map. For instance, if you live in Los Angeles and want to watch the Dodgers play on MLB.tv, you will be blacked out.
"How does MLB.tv know where I am located" you might wonder. MLB.tv accomplishes this by looking at your IP address. Every computer with a connection has an IP address. Check out what this website knows by looking at your IP: www.whatismyipaddress.com
"So how do we get around the blackout already?!" The answer is to "trick" MLB.tv into thinking you are connecting from another part of the country or world that is not subject to blackout. This is done by changing your internet settings to use a proxy server to access pages.
For instance, if I change my internet settings to use a proxy server located in New York, upon connecting, MLB.tv will poll my IP and read the location as New York rather than Los Angeles (my actual location).
HOW TO BYPASS BLACKOUT
1. Find a suitable proxy server. What I do is browse various sites that list free, pulblic proxy servers. Here are a few I have used:
What you are looking for is proxy server information in the following form:
10.24.577.233:8080
[ proxy IP ] [proxy port]
The first section is the proxy's IP address. The numbers listed after the colon are the proxy's port. Sometimes a proxy server site will list these numbers in a different form. You will need both of the numbers.
2. Change your internet settings to use the proxy server
For Mozilla Firefox:
1) Click on "Tools" and then "Options."
2) Click on the "Network" tab and then the "Settings" button.
3) Check the circle next to "Manual proxy configuration" then fill in the proxy server
information as shown in the example below.
4) Click "OK" on all windows and then go to www.whatismyipaddress.com. This is where the trial-and-error and the only challenging part of bypassing a blackout come into play. Many proxy servers will either not work or will be too slow for streaming an MLB.tv game. By first going to www.whatismyipaddress.com you can see whether the page loads and shows your new IP address and location. If it does, then try loading up an MLB game and see if it works. If it doesn't simply repeat the process with a new proxy server until you find one that works.
For Internet Explorer (version 8):
1) Click on "Tools" and then "Internet Options."
2) Click on the "Connections" tab and then press the "LAN Settings" button.
3) In the "Proxy Server" area of the box that pops up, check the box next to "Use a proxy server for your LAN. Make sure that no other boxes are checked!
4) In the same box you will see spots for "Address" and "Port." This is where you will fill in the IP Address and Port for proxy server you chose.
5) Click "OK" on both windows and then go to www.whatismyipaddress.com. This is where the trial-and-error and the only challenging part of bypassing a blackout come into play. Many proxy servers will either not work or will be too slow for streaming an MLB.tv game. By first going to www.whatismyipaddress.com you can see whether the page loads and shows your new IP address and location. If it does, then try loading up an MLB game and see if it works. If it doesn't simply repeat the process with a new proxy server until you find one that works.
TIPS
- Look for proxy servers that are listed as anonymous or high-anonymous.
- Some sites will list proxies by location. This can help you cut down on time looking for a server that is in a non-restricted location for the game you wish to access.
Thanks! I was pulling my hair out trying to find watch my Red Sox at work!
ReplyDeleteIs the proxy server method still working for you? For the past month it has not allowed me to log into my MLBTV account using a Proxy.
ReplyDeleteWill the Proxy Server re-route cause any connection problems? I.E. can the server keep up with the demand of a H.D. stream? I am concerned that a free server would have no way to pay for such a capability.
ReplyDeleteI've had proxies that can handle an HD stream. It's a luck of the draw kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteI keep getting an error screen once the game begins to load. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteJason, the method still works. Trial and error is your friend. It sometimes takes me about 10 different tries with 10 different proxy servers to get it working.
ReplyDeleteDo you have to sign in before you change the proxy? It won't let you. If you sign in without using proxy and then go to the games and then change your proxy, the error message comes up? I've tried plenty of IP addresses!
ReplyDeletealso I'm using Firefox's Add on "Foxy Proxy" but my IP is getting changed. Verified through whatismyip.com.
ReplyDeleteGOT IT! After trying 15+ IPs! But oh so worth it, thanks!
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me a working proxy address?
ReplyDeleteTried this other day with a proxy server. MLB Wanted me to enter in my CC info so it could carge me $1 or something, anyone else get this? Kind of an extra barrier..
ReplyDeleteIt even works on Saturday blackout games if you pick a proxy outside of the country. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI tried this repeatedly last year with a dozen different proxies and never got it to work.
ReplyDeleteAfter trying several proxies... it worked! it worked! it worked! Thanks for posting this useful and simple guide.
ReplyDeleteIs there anyway to do this on a Ps3? I have mlb.tv on my Ps3
ReplyDeleteBild62@gmail.com
How instructions for Mac?
ReplyDeleteI have been trying the proxy trick for years with mixed success from public servers...I got Easy Hide IP and have watched every game this year - it's well worth the 30$
ReplyDeletegenius.
ReplyDeletedo they look at both you ip address and your billing zipcode?
ReplyDeletei was unable to do this- it asked me to log in while using a proxy, and then it still gave me the blackout restriction presumably based on my account info. is this working for anyone else still?
ReplyDeletewhen using free proxy list its difficult to find one that has a fast enough connection to stream the games.
ReplyDeletetried the trial version of easy hide ip, was pretty impressed as far as ease of use and speed. anyone have a keygen or crack for the full version?
also this only works on my computer, anyone find a work around for the Ps3? I imagine through network settings you could use one of the proxy ip addresses from easy hide ip, however they dont list the ports! any help much appreciated
Does anyone know how to change the ip address on a router so I can watch blacked out games from my roku or my ps3? Any information would be very helpful.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know how to set up a proxy server through a Playstation 3?
ReplyDeleteHas something changed on MLB? I have tried some elite proxies but mlb seems to be doing something new to prevent the use of proxies, because the game begins to start but an error reading my subscription occurs. Anybody have this working? Thanks
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your further write ups thanks once again.
ReplyDeletehtml5 media player
I recommend you by a private proxy, they are much more reliable than the free public proxy servers which can become dead after only a few hours or days.
ReplyDeleteYou can get 1 private proxy ip for just $2.50 / month.
http://usaproxies.net/
This will be 100% reliable and streams HD no problem. They are very fast proxy servers and since it's private, nobody else is using it, only you.
thank you, working perfectly from the second proxy list link.
ReplyDeletehope the bronx bombers can figure out dan haren.