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Tuesday, May 01, 2007
How to Watch ABC, NBC, FOX, and CBS TV Streams From Outside the USA
What are your options (assuming you don't just give up)?
- Use a web-based proxy in the US. As we've stated before, this almost never works because the proxy can't detect the URLs that are hidden in the Flash and Javascript files used by these video sites. Plus, proxy sites don't like to incur the massive bandwidth costs of proxying video streams. There are exceptions like YouTubeProxy, however.
- Try out one of the many online video sites that host links to a virtual library of TV shows.
- Use a US-based VPN, or virtual private network. We've written about VPNs before in conjunction with bypassing bandwidth throttling of BitTorrent downloads.
So, let's examine the third option a little more. A VPN essentially acts like a second ISP. You get a new IP address to show the world (including, say, ABC.com) so ABC has no idea that you're outside the US. That means you get to watch all the Desperate Housewives you want.
We have recommended SecureIX for a good publicly accessible VPN before. The free version limits you to a bandwidth of 256kbits/sec so you'll probably encounter annoying pauses while watching a video (as you can see below). The pay version at 5000kbits/sec should work better.
If you want a speedier and also free alternative, try out Hotspot Shield from AnchorFree, which operates a network of free Wi-Fi hotspots. The program encrypts your Internet traffic by setting up a connection to a VPN. Our tests showed speeds of up to 600kbits/sec, twice as fast as SecureIX. When installing HotSpot Shield, make sure to de-select the AnchorFree toolbar.
Tags: tv, video, vpn, digitalalchemy, moderndayalchemistLabels: Technology
Comment Archive
Reader Comments:
Anonymous writes @ 2:58 PM, October 22, 2007 Hi....I have been using SecureIX and it works great for the American stations, but when I tried to watch something on a Canadian network, it wouldn't play. Do you know of any Canadian based VPN's that I can connect to? Thanks for your help.
Anonymous writes @ 9:35 PM, November 01, 2007 Hi
Just checked the Secureix site but it's up for sale and looking for buyers. Anyway not taking any new members. Suggestions for a similar site anybody?
Thanks Pats
Medusa in NS writes @ 9:20 AM, November 21, 2007 Just downloaded and tried AnchorFree HotSpot Shield and it seems to work very well from Canada. Couldn't previously get into any of the U.S. network sites or AOL's In2TV and they are all working now. A bit slow to load initially, but the video plays great with few slowdowns at all. Wow! Speed seems to limit multiple windows open at the same time but it's a small sacrifice to be able to access the video sites. Thanks for the suggestion and I will report back as I use it more.
Anonymous writes @ 7:11 PM, November 25, 2007 hotspot shield slows down my connection. An suggestions?
Bruce Sinner writes @ 6:11 AM, November 26, 2007 SecureIX doesnt accept new members...
And Hotspot Shield doesnt work for me, i still cant watch videos from In2TV...
Any help ?
Anonymous writes @ 10:33 AM, December 07, 2007 Hotspot Shield doesn't work for me (Belgium) - it immediately says bandwidth is exceeded as soon as the connection to the server is made.
What commercial VPNs are to be recommended? Is StrongVPN any good?
Anonymous writes @ 1:42 PM, December 07, 2007 why not pay for a service like 14.99 at VPN for TV they may have something cheaper :0
Anonymous writes @ 9:37 AM, December 09, 2007 Hi im in the UK i installed hotspot and tried to access NBC's video's but its doesnt work, hotspot connected, have i missed something????
Anonymous writes @ 5:20 AM, December 17, 2007 Hi...
Thanks for your writing. I have tried Hotspot from Japan and it doesn't work. Any ideas about alternatives?
Anonymous writes @ 11:57 PM, December 20, 2007 I took a Strong VPN account, and while my IP is now apparently American-based, NBC's site still didn't give me access to the videos on account of my location...
Anonymous writes @ 9:18 PM, December 29, 2007 I use http://www.VpnAccounts.com they were in beta phase but now it works and i can watch NBC and the rest. They dont have the info on their site yet but drop them a line and im sure they will give you more details!
I was a beta tester so i got a month free. Last email they said it would be around 24 usd.
As far as i know they are the only site that have managed to make it work.
Watch US TV
:)
Anonymous writes @ 4:21 PM, January 03, 2008 so how do you de-select the AnchorFree toolbar?
It works here and I can now enjoy a lot of online shows with the lates episodes.
But that toolbar keeps annoying me
Anonymous writes @ 8:54 AM, January 10, 2008 If it is not working clear your browser cache and history and if still not change your region and clock time to USA that worked for me
Anonymous writes @ 2:50 PM, January 13, 2008 Hi!
I am in Argentina, and downloaded the HotSpot from Anchor free, and it works perfectly!!!
It makes the connection a little bit slow, and the bar is a little bit annoying (does anybody know how to disable it?), but it is definetely a price worth to pay, to see the shows online!!!
Thank you so much for the tip!!! I have tried several things to watch ABC shows, and this is the first one that works!!!
Anonymous writes @ 2:02 PM, January 23, 2008 Hi
I have just downloaded AnchorFree HotSpot and it works fine in DK. I am just looking at Bones on Fox and it's running fine(-:
How can I remove the toolbar as it didn't give me a chance to de-select it during the installation?
DK
Famille writes @ 6:50 PM, February 01, 2008 There is a monthly bandwidth limit with "Hotspot shield". Anyone know how to get around that?
Anonymous writes @ 1:14 PM, February 03, 2008 StrongVPN works fine, I was able to stream with no problems. They also have 24 hour support and unlimited bandwidth.
I also have a IpodTouch, worked on that too.
I don't mind paying for the service since I use my IpodTouch in airports, would not want to do that without a VPN provider.
I had a vpn provider before and it was horrible support, glad I got a company that's responsive.
Canuck writes @ 1:03 AM, February 10, 2008 To "Famille" and anyone having issues with bandwidth limits or speed issues when using Hotspot Shield:
I've found a way to play NBC videos without having to stream the entire video through Hotspot Shield. If you start the video and then disconnect Hotspot Shield during the first few seconds of playback, the video will momentarily cut out for a few seconds. However, the video will eventually resume by itself without the need for Hotspot Shield running. This means that the IP address check is only done when initially loading the video, and once the video is started, it doesn't check that the stream is transferred to a non-us IP when you disconnect from Hotspot Shield. The player will manage to continue streaming the video by establishing a direct connection to your computer.
The benefits of this are that most of the video will be streamed directly and not through Hotspot Shield, saving on bandwidth, and the video will also stream better since you'll be watching most of it directly.
Haven't tested this elsewhere but it's worth a try. Hope this helps.
Canuck writes @ 1:13 AM, February 10, 2008 To those asking how to turn off the toolbar:
As far as I know, it's not possible since it's not really a toolbar, at least in the browser sense. It wasn't installed into IE or Firefox when you installed Hotspot Shield. Instead it is being dynamically injected into every page you view through the VPN. Notice how the "toolbar" is in fact part of the page itself. The VPN is changing the webpage's code by injecting its own code for the advertising banner. So the most you can do is run an ad blocker or something.
diny writes @ 9:44 AM, February 23, 2008 hi,i install hotspot shield,and i kan kom asfar as abc player.
but than it takes forever to loading page,i khan see the the ads,but the video keeps loading.
i changed the clock in tho central usa en canada.
what do i have to do tho watch the video.
gerardina
Anonymous writes @ 6:06 AM, February 26, 2008 As the program is about to start, you have seen the advert and have the words Loading..., Right click the Hotspot icon and press disconnect.
The program will start and play as normal, I have just watched Lost this way.
Anonymous writes @ 11:00 PM, March 10, 2008 Just setup AnchorFree on my pc in the UK (England) and it works woo hoo!!. Great bit of kit.
Anonymous writes @ 10:07 PM, March 12, 2008 Ok, I just installed it and it is telling my that my bandwidth has been exceeded. I´ve seen many other sites with people complaining about this problem. Does anybody know a way to work around this, or why it is caused, since I just installed it haven´t used the 10Gb limit yet.
Anonymous writes @ 9:43 AM, March 14, 2008 Hi
Someone can help please?
I try to use AnchorFree HotSpot. But when i am connected i can not open other sides. Always the error: Server not found is comming. When i disconnect normal browsing works fine.
Someone can help? I am sitting in Austria and useing Firefox. But with IE its the same.
Thanks for your help Eva
Estiew2002 writes @ 2:54 PM, March 18, 2008 I am from Israel and Hotspot doesn't work for me. I can't even connect, it keeps telling me bandwidth exceeded. Very sad, I was really hoping the program will help...
LMFAO writes @ 3:43 PM, March 30, 2008 I downloaded a free program called ultrasurf 6.0 (google it) Unzipit double click the exe which will launch your browser with a little lock icon now at the bottom right of your page....and thats it
Anonymous writes @ 1:37 PM, April 05, 2008 Ultrasurf works very well for me in the UK, no ads, fast streaming, excellent. Cheers
Anonymous writes @ 11:27 AM, April 06, 2008 You wrote, "Ultrasurf works very well for me in the UK ..." congratulations, but, more details please!
Reason for request: On my system, Ultrasurf 6.0 "hangs" at 'Status: Connecting server ... ', and the browser doesn't open. Yes, 'Auto-Detect Proxy' was checked, but the detection never happens.
With version 8.8, however, three proxies are promptly detected and the browser opens to the correct web site. However attempts to view blocked video (eg., cbs.com, nbc.com, etc.) give the same 'sorry, content is not available' error message, as without Ultrasurf.
Yes, I have turned the computer's real-time clock back to Central Standard Daylight Saving Time. I think this is recommended?
Please give details of your success: including, which version are you using, and if 6.0, anything special needed to get it started? If 8.8, anything else needed other that running it and letting the browser open, then going to the desired site?
Anonymous writes @ 1:08 PM, April 07, 2008 Hotspot shield DOES NOT work, it blocks you internet conection, can't use Firefox or messenger or Skype, nothing. Don't waste your time.
Anonymous writes @ 9:33 AM, April 28, 2008 I use Arovax Smarthide and streamings work perfectly for CBS & The CW but it doesn't work for ABC
Anonymous writes @ 10:09 PM, May 07, 2008 I have a mac and hotspot shield just blocks my internet connection to anything...any suggestions?
Anonymous writes @ 4:14 AM, May 14, 2008 Thanks, have tried this "smarthide" and its great.
Hotspot was working also fine..then after sometime the horror..techno music in background everytime i start it..couldnt understand anything.
Smarthide works well for me. What u have to check is that the IP is a US one as it changes automatically in the free trial edition.
Medusa in NS writes @ 12:21 PM, May 18, 2008 I posted in November that HotSpot Shield was working and now it is not for any of the U.S. networks. I will be exploring alternatives! Thanks for the suggestions here! Does anyone know what happened to HotSpot? I am using it from Canada. Thanks!
Anonymous writes @ 6:55 AM, June 11, 2008 Hotspot must of got blocked by the t.v channels. Hotspot still works but not for watching T.V. I guess the VPN's you have to pay for will still work i.e Happy VPN but is it worth the money?
Damgaard writes @ 6:47 AM, June 15, 2008 If you have a problem with Hotspot Shield you could try to use Anonymizer. I know you have to pay for it, but i works fine for me, and i have no problem with the bandwidth. This video shows you how it is done:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLDmjyLaNEY
Filmfan writes @ 3:16 AM, June 26, 2008 VPN doesn't work any more for CBS, NBC and ABC. They don't allow anonymous proxies.
Any new solutions to watch these stations from abroad?
Arjen writes @ 11:52 AM, June 30, 2008 It worked fine for me... Thanks for sharing this great tip! I've been seaching for this for quite a time.
Anonymous writes @ 11:39 PM, July 07, 2008 I was able to watch ABC just changing the time zone in the clock. I don't know about CBS or others.
Anonymous writes @ 1:46 PM, July 20, 2008 Hi..I've used Hotspot for some time now. At work I have absolutely no problem with it. I can watch live tv stations or shows off of Hulu or Veoh etc. if I want with no pauses. At home though I have experienced some problems, these being those "pauses" and buffering moments it seems to require every so often. Lately I've tried disconnecting right at the beginning when a show starts if it pauses after I allow a few minutes of buffering. I reconnect and do the same thing. I've found that every IP location is different and the quality I receive depends on the location. Therefore, if it works for me, try disconnecting and reconnecting and check the IP address is different. See if the speed is better. Sometimes this may work. Does anyone know of another company that is similar to Anchor's Hotspot? Good Luck to all!
Akis
Athens, AT, GREECE
Anonymous writes @ 2:12 PM, July 31, 2008 hi I want to watch NBC does hotspotshield work or not??!! At firt everyone said yes and now it seems a lot of people have problems with the tool?
Anonymous writes @ 5:18 PM, August 01, 2008 I used hotspot and VPN account but I get the same problem.
I just want to watch CBS videos but they keep on stopping very often (every 8 seconds or so) while playing it. Its very annoying.
Does anyone has any suggestions?
Anonymous writes @ 4:51 AM, August 31, 2008 Hotspot shield is a scam. Doesnt work, pop-ups, ads...Dont waste time with it.
Donald writes @ 3:09 AM, September 13, 2008 Its all fine but for people with lower band widths (like me) i.e 512k, its really difficult to watch TV Screaming, thus the only option remains is to download it, I use
TV Series Download
section from RSdon, which is really helpfull!
Anonymous writes @ 6:45 AM, September 13, 2008 This is not working anymore. I don't know what NBC and CBS are doing but they know that we are from a non authorized area.
jacobb writes @ 12:23 PM, September 21, 2008 Hotspot Shield worked fine for me over a year now but lately I can't get it to connect nor it won't let me visit the main site anchorfree.com. Anyone else expirencing the same problem?
Yushi, Kimberly, and Hayate writes @ 12:02 AM, September 23, 2008 Hotspot won't work on Fox....and they won't even let us watch the PREVIEWS now... that's low. The PREVIEWS??? Come on, Fox. House isnt even OUT on DVD here, not even season 1.
Anonymous writes @ 5:24 PM, September 30, 2008 Hi, I'm in Italy and I'm using Ultrasurf 9.1. It works perfectly
Anonymous writes @ 4:30 AM, October 15, 2008 Hi!
I can confirm that Ultrasurf 9.1 works :) (at least for me here in Sweden) So far I have only tried the NBC site but I will try some other sites too, to see if they work with this program.
Anonymous writes @ 11:44 AM, October 30, 2008 It doesn't work in Sweden! Hotspot Shield works perfectly to install and to connect, but to watch full episodes on cbs.com / etc. is not an option as it doesn't work at all. It's the same result as not using Hotspot. HOW and WHAT to do in order to make it actually work? Anyone?
osmoko writes @ 1:51 PM, November 21, 2008 its getting harder...switching ultrasurf on, putting computer clock to gmt-7 and then using google chrome as broswer currenty works for nbc and cbs.
Patrick Soon writes @ 6:07 PM, November 29, 2008 Hotspot Shield works very well for me but I will also give Ultrasurf a try. For a list of Hotspot Shield alternatives click here
If you're having any trouble with Hotspot Shield, try this troubleshooting article.
Previous Posts
- World Without Oil Launches
- Playble: The Pirate Bay's Answer to Free Music
- Profiting from the Virginia Tech Shootings Online
- SHOUTcast TV: Using Winamp to Watch TV and Videos
- Rapidshare.de Premium Link Maker
- P2P News: Nine Inch Nails Says "Steal Our Music", ...
- The New, Fast Way to Read the News and Blogs
- Celebrate Technopeasant Day: Get Free Science Fict...
- How to Watch South Park Episodes Online
- Five Joost Invites: First Come, First Served
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