Any workaround for blacked out games on B1G Network games involving former Pac-12 teams?

#1

For several years I've paid extra to get the B1G Network on my Seattle area Xfinity/Comcast cable lineup. I set a recording for the Oregon-Idaho game and for the Washington-Weber State game only to find out they've been selectively blacked out. I'm not sure what's behind this other than some kind of blackmail attempt, but I can see all the other games on the B1G Network just fine.

What I'm wondering is if there's any way - I'm sure there's not - to have Channels go through some kind of a VPN for just these kinds of events?

Short of that I would have to subscribe to ANOTHER streaming service that would add a minimum of $80 (Fubo or Hulu + Live TV) to my already far too high viewing expenses.

#2

I've had success with using a VPN with Fubo Project using a NAS setup for testing purposes to have the server think I was in another location. it's a bit of a hassle and probably breaks your local TVE channels if you aren't using an antennae.

You may also have the blackout restrictions even with Fubo or Hulu Live as they validate your location.

If you have any questions on my previous test setup, ping me and I'll elaborate.

#3

With BTN you usually get acess to all of the games, but providers have to pay a higher rate if a B1G team is in territory, which Comcast is refusing to do for the ex-Pac12 teams in Washington, Oregon and California, so viewers with accounts in those areas are blacked out of those teams. SEC and ACCN have a similar price structure, along with the defunct Longhorn and Pac-12 nets

Fubo, DIRECTV, Hulu, DISH, Sling and others all agreed to the terms, so they aren't affected. This issue is only affecting Comcast:

#4

This is straight up unjustified greed and blackmail by the B1G against Xfinity. When they acquired the most valuable schools of the West Coast, their reach expanded immeasurably, so if anything Xfinity should be compensated for already having had a B1G service tier on the west coast. Of course ALL the streaming services agreed to the terms because they aren't being subjected to a region penalty.

The B1G Networks are pulling this coup simply because they've acquired a huge region that will storm the gates of Xfinity in protest on their behalf.

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#5

That sevice tier/sports pack is how BTN and some other regional conference stations are provided to customers out of territory.

In territory customers in states like Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan have always received BTN as part of the lower Popular TV/expanded basic tier, and they extended that to Nebraska, New Jersey (Rutgers) and Maryland for previous B1G expansions, but now Comcast is the ONLY provider in the country refusing to accept those terms for Washington, California and Oregon.

#6

As in most disputes, each side doesn't think they should have to compromise as much as they're being asked to, but at some point I'm sure Xfinity/Comcast will bow to the demands of their customers by paying BTN, but then simply pass the additional cost on to us. These cable and streaming business models are just not sustainable as in order to not miss out I'd have to pay for 100 times the amount of TV than I'd ever have time to watch.