How to bypass MLB.TV Blackouts in 2020


We’re sorry. We have determined that you are located inside one of the applicable Club’s home television territories and are therefore blacked out of watching the game you selected. Live Audio of this game is available as part of your MLB.TV subscription.


Here we are in the year 2020 and MLB.TV blackouts are still a thing. 🤦‍♂️ It's disappointing, but fortunately you don't have to live with blackouts if you learn how to avoid them.

I've managed to watch MLB.TV without blackouts since 2009 and I started this blog to help people get access to the games they paid for when they purchased their MLB.TV subscription.

Over the years the I've used various methods to get around the blackouts, but the easiest I've found is to use the smart DNS service from Unlocator.

*Note: If you sign up for Unlocator via a link on on this page, I may earn an affiliate commission.


Here's a video of me watching a blacked-out game on Opening Day.



What is "smart DNS?"

Think of it as a way of tricking MLB.TV into believing you are located outside of the United States, where games are not subject to blackout restrictions.

Why smart DNS and not a VPN?

You may have have heard of using a VPN as a way to get past blackouts. So why do I recommend smart DNS instead? Ultimately it's personal preference, but a smart DNS service is usually cheaper (~$5/month) than a VPN subscription. Smart DNS is also simpler to set up and is compatible with more device types. A VPN can provide extras like encryption and anonymity, but if you are only looking to bypass MLB's blackouts you are better off going with smart DNS.

Why Unlocator?

Good question. I have been using Unlocator since 2014 and they have consistently provided an excellent service. One thing I value highly is reliability. MLB is aware that users are taking steps to bypass blackouts and they will occasionally crack down on known methods. You can expect this to happen about once or twice a season, in my experience. When it does happen, unblocking providers are caught with their pants down and have to scramble to figure a new approach to get around MLB's detection mechanisms.

In these situations, Unlocator has been quicker to respond than other providers and usually has me up and running again within 24 hours.

Need Help?

If you need help getting things set up or have other questions, feel free to contact me on Twitter: @mlbtv_blackout.

Comments

  1. Thanks! I was pulling my hair out trying to find watch my Red Sox at work!

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  2. Is 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.

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  3. Will 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.

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  4. I've had proxies that can handle an HD stream. It's a luck of the draw kind of thing.

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  5. I keep getting an error screen once the game begins to load. Any suggestions?

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  6. Jason, 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.

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  7. Do 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!

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  8. also I'm using Firefox's Add on "Foxy Proxy" but my IP is getting changed. Verified through whatismyip.com.

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  9. GOT IT! After trying 15+ IPs! But oh so worth it, thanks!

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  10. Can anyone tell me a working proxy address?

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  11. Tried 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..

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  12. It even works on Saturday blackout games if you pick a proxy outside of the country. Thanks.

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  13. I tried this repeatedly last year with a dozen different proxies and never got it to work.

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  14. After trying several proxies... it worked! it worked! it worked! Thanks for posting this useful and simple guide.

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  15. Is there anyway to do this on a Ps3? I have mlb.tv on my Ps3

    Bild62@gmail.com

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  16. do they look at both you ip address and your billing zipcode?

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  17. i 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?

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  18. when using free proxy list its difficult to find one that has a fast enough connection to stream the games.

    tried 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

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  19. 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.

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  20. Anyone know how to set up a proxy server through a Playstation 3?

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  21. Has 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

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, they detect elite proxies now. You need to use a regular proxy.

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  22. thank you, working perfectly from the second proxy list link.
    hope the bronx bombers can figure out dan haren.

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  23. Anyone know the way to do this for the iPad app?

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  24. I am having problems using this on Saturdays now that Fox has started blacking out basically all games. I'm using the above method and have tried a number of proxy servers but when i login on mlb tv, the games are still blackout restricted. Does anyone else have this issue, or am i doing something wrong?

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  25. I completely understand this method for local blackouts. The problem is that I cant seem to find anyone who can help me with the Saturday and Sunday Fox national blackouts. I haven't ran into a problem with the local blackout issue but have problems almost every Saturday. Can anyone help?

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  26. @Sean and Philip: The national blackout is just that. A nation wide black out. MLB.TV does not broadcast nationally blacked out games. Proxies won't get around this as the game isn't available.

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  27. @Sean, Philip, and TxRob:

    All you need to do is use a proxy located in another country. I do it all the time, especially for playoff games which are blacked out nationwide. Try South American countries so the latency isn't terrible.

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  28. Any update on getting this working on a Mac? Works for the PC but Mac is a no go...

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  29. What if I were looking to stream MLB TV through a device like Apple TV, Roku, PS3, etc? How would these devices recognize the new proxy through Chrome/Firefox/IE? Would additional hardware be required (i.e. specific router) to make this work?

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  30. Does this still work in 2014

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  31. I signed up for Unlocator the other day and reconfigured both my Mac and my router. Got my Mets game and was thrilled . . . until the next morning when my internet went kablooey. Service person came and replaced the router, but I'm wondering if changing the DNS messed things up? This is probably a really stupid question, but should I worry about trying this process again with the new router, or am I worrying for nothing? Also, once I reconfigure the router, can I just leave it like that, or do I have to go back to original settings when I'm not watching baseball? Thanks!

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