Frontier Nightmare- any solutions?

Jun 9, 2011
56
Background- I moved to Stamford, CT in December with Frontier service for internet/cable. I also have a subscription to mlb.tv for travel and streaming on TVs with apple tv/ xbox instead of cable. The main reason I purchased the Frontier package that I did was because it included NESN, and the salesman said I would get Sox games on that channel.

Fast forward to baseball season. NESN is showing alternate programming during the games- still haven't gotten a clear explanation as to why, they just said they cant control what NESN gives them. However, the NESN feed on Directv and optimum in my area is playing the games without issue.

Fine, although not ideal, I will use MLB.TV. However, I keep getting blocked with a message saying that I am in the local broadcast area. This is not true, according to coverage maps and my zip code (06902). MLB.TV says my IP address is locating me in Hartford, and this is in the blackout area for the red sox, mets, and Yankees. They tell me to contact Frontier and have them locate me correctly.

Frontier says that cannot properly locate me because their service hub is in Hartford, so my information will pull from there. That means even if I were to order extra innings through them, I would still be blocked from Red Sox games because they somehow are unable to give accurate information as to my actual service area.

Is anyone else experiencing these issues. Obviously, Frontier is a trash company as reflected in their $2 stock, but I'd prefer to not go through the hassle of changing providers.

Cable is out but is there any sort of MLB.TV work around that has worked for anyone?

Thank you so much for your help!!
 

foulkehampshire

hillbilly suburbanite
SoSH Member
Feb 25, 2007
5,099
Wesport, MA
You can purchase a VPN client that'll mask/reroute your IP broadcast. They're not all that pricey, typically running anywhere from 5-10 a month. Free ones exist but I would not recommend.

It also makes your connection a hell of a lot more secure.
 

jercra

No longer respects DeChambeau
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
3,147
Arvada, Co
It was mentioned in another thread as well but Opera browser now has free VPN built into it. You should try using Opera if you're just watching on a PC. If you're planning on watching via Roku or something like it, then you can get a VPN service for your router/modem that will mask every IP in your house.

Link to Opera VPN info
 

ElcaballitoMVP

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 19, 2008
3,932
Background- I moved to Stamford, CT in December with Frontier service for internet/cable. I also have a subscription to mlb.tv for travel and streaming on TVs with apple tv/ xbox instead of cable. The main reason I purchased the Frontier package that I did was because it included NESN, and the salesman said I would get Sox games on that channel.

Fast forward to baseball season. NESN is showing alternate programming during the games- still haven't gotten a clear explanation as to why, they just said they cant control what NESN gives them. However, the NESN feed on Directv and optimum in my area is playing the games without issue.

Fine, although not ideal, I will use MLB.TV. However, I keep getting blocked with a message saying that I am in the local broadcast area. This is not true, according to coverage maps and my zip code (06902). MLB.TV says my IP address is locating me in Hartford, and this is in the blackout area for the red sox, mets, and Yankees. They tell me to contact Frontier and have them locate me correctly.

Frontier says that cannot properly locate me because their service hub is in Hartford, so my information will pull from there. That means even if I were to order extra innings through them, I would still be blocked from Red Sox games because they somehow are unable to give accurate information as to my actual service area.

Is anyone else experiencing these issues. Obviously, Frontier is a trash company as reflected in their $2 stock, but I'd prefer to not go through the hassle of changing providers.

Cable is out but is there any sort of MLB.TV work around that has worked for anyone?

Thank you so much for your help!!
Are you sure there isn't another NESN channel through Frontier? I know my parents have Charter in western mass and there are two NESN channels, the main one and a backup for overflow when the Red Sox and Bruins are playing at the same time. If there aren't multiple games, the alternate channel will show alternate programming. I just did a quick search of Frontier's lineup in CT and it looks like they have a NESN on channel 712 and another on 1711 that's part of a premier package. Do you have access to both channels as part of your package with them? 1711 is listed as National HD whereas the 712 is not.

Otherwise, you're going to have to hide your IP address like others are suggesting.