Watching BCS Championship from Russia

[noelscot]

Hi guys,
 
I'll be in Russia during the Alabama-Notre Dame championship game. I have some concerns that ESPN might not allow me to view it online if the internet service provider is foreign.
 
A proxy server will most likely allow me to view the game online. A colleague who traveled to China told me http://www.expressvpn.com/ is a good proxy server, and it worked.
 
If not, I should be able to go to WJOX 94.5 FM (http://www.dixie945.com/) and listen to Eli Gold's play-by-play commentary.
 
Worst case scenario is to go to Tider Insider (www.tiderinsider.com) and go to the Huddle forum, then read people's comments on what's happening in the game.
 
Has anyone else experienced this same situation? If so, how did you watch the game when you were abroad?
 
Thanks for any tips. Roll Tide!
 

[Faux Pas]

Espn3 no doubt will offer it but you'll have to pay. I watched a game from France last year and I think it was about $10 bucks

[LAman]

Ever heard of slingbox???

[noelscot]

Ever heard of slingbox???

That's an idea to consider, but I don't have a cable or satellite subscription.

[LAman]

That's an idea to consider, but I don't have a cable or satellite subscription.

Don't you have internet at home?
Hook up it there and anywhere in world you have internet access, you can watch  like you were at home.

[Danchik]

To the OP, what city will you be in? In the bigger cities, many bars have satellite TV hookups with a feed for college sports from America via Skysports, which has a contract with NASN (North American Sports Network).

Problem is, the game most likely will be on at around 5am local time, unless you're in Vladivostok, for instance.   

[noelscot]

To the OP, what city will you be in? In the bigger cities, many bars have satellite TV hookups with a feed for college sports from America via Skysports, which has a contract with NASN (North American Sports Network).

Problem is, the game most likely will be on at around 5am local time, unless you're in Vladivostok, for instance.

i'll be in Ulan-Ude. everything's cool. i got a 1-month subscription to Express VPN and will be able to watch the game on ESPN online.
 
the game will be on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 10:30:00 AM in Ulan-Ude.
 
 

[calmissile]

i'll be in Ulan-Ude. everything's cool. i got a 1-month subscription to Express VPN and will be able to watch the game on ESPN online.
 
the game will be on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 10:30:00 AM in Ulan-Ude.

I have known sport fans, but your effort really takes the cake.  LOL

[noelscot]

I have known sport fans, but your effort really takes the cake.  LOL

I would not miss this game for anything!

[mendeleyev]

Years ago when I worked for a multi coloured bird I'd have my friends at the uplink centre send Cornhusker games on what is called a "back haul" via a sideband satellite channel. These days the big round eye guys frown on such alleged theft of copyrighted material and have sophisticated ways of detecting such tricks. So if you're in a large city like Moscow go to the nearest Hudson Bar, Frendy's Diner, American Cafe, TGI Friday's, Starlight Diner, El Patio, the Flat Iron, Hard Rock Cafe or the Beverly Hills Diner to see the game.

Call ahead for info to make sure your game will be available.

[Faux Pas]

Years ago when I worked for a multi coloured bird I'd have my friends at the uplink centre send Cornhusker games on what is called a "back haul" via a sideband satellite channel. These days the big round eye guys frown on such alleged theft of copyrighted material and have sophisticated ways of detecting such tricks. So if you're in a large city like Moscow go to the nearest Hudson Bar, Frendy's Diner, American Cafe, TGI Friday's, Starlight Diner, El Patio, the Flat Iron, Hard Rock Cafe or the Beverly Hills Diner to see the game.

Call ahead for info to make sure your game will be available.

So Mendy, are you still a Husker fan, watching the Cap1 bowl?

[mendeleyev]

Still a believer. 

[Faux Pas]

Still a believer. 

Heh heh. In the words of Khruschev "We will CRUSH you!" Good Luck to your Huskers Mendy but not to much 

GO DAWGS!!

[jone]

Hey, Jim,

Did I tell you what my Alma Matter is?  Can you say 70-31?  Don't sweat it.  My Badgers are going to get wiped out by the Stanford Cardinal.  And we will have nothing in our tank next year with a new coach. 

[mendeleyev]

Wisconsin is a great school with a proud tradition. I heard recently that the coach left and wondered why.

Georgia is a great team too.

I wish it were possible to watch more college football, it is such a fun version of the sport.

I'm becoming a real football (soccer) fan though, a way to relate with my new son-in-law. Add hockey to the mix, too.

[Faux Pas]

Wisconsin is a great school with a proud tradition. I heard recently that the coach left and wondered why.

Georgia is a great team too.

I wish it were possible to watch more college football, it is such a fun version of the sport.

I'm becoming a real football (soccer) fan though, a way to relate with my new son-in-law. Add hockey to the mix, too.

College football  is (to me) the best of football. I don't personally care for Pro. I gave up on it a few labor disagreements ago. I'm not a Georgia alum but, I have been a life long fan growing up there. When I went to college only the superior athletes or the wealthy kids made it to UGA. I was neither but, I did play some. I usually go to a few Georgia games a year. I won't make the CapOne though this time around.

[noelscot]

Still a believer. 

I haven't been keeping up with the bowl games, because I am in Ulan-Ude right now, but we plan to watch the Bama vs. Notre Dame game soon. I'm carving out a small niche here and making it Bama country, teaching the locals "Rammer Jammer," etc. Having a great time. Express VPN works like a charm.

[noelscot]

Ok, this is a status update. I'm in Ulan-Ude right now and ESPN games have become terribly complicated to watch online. It used to be that you just went to their site and streamed the game, but not anymore. They want you to authenticate that you have a subscription with a cable provider. I have DirecTV at my mom's, but they are not on the approved list for authentication.
I'm trying to find the a la carte option of paying per game that Faux Pas mentioned. Does anyone have any ideas?
Right now my Plan B is to listen to Eli Gold on WJOX 94.5 FM.
 
 
 
 

[Anotherkiwi]

...They want you to authenticate that you have a subscription with a cable provider...

That could be a tough one here, where we don't have cable TV!

[Danchik]

i'll be in Ulan-Ude. everything's cool.

Welcome to Russia. 

There are a few bars or hotels in the area. I would be inclined to call around and hope that one has a satellite dish. If not you can always hire a Buddhist to guide you through your pain. Good luck.

Hotel Geser, Ranjurova ul., 11. Tel.:  +7 3012 211-178    A cozy hotel with English speaking staff. 

Hotel Baikal Paza, Erbanova ul., 12. Tel.: +7 3012 210 770    'burnet' wireless internet available (access cards cost 100 RUB).

Hotel Buryatia, Kommunisticheskaya ul., 47a. Tel: +7 3012 31-18-35   About a 10-minute walk from the train station, this central hotel is located in a large and some-what run down complex. Rooms from 700R. However, if you talk to someone from Baikal Naran Tours (their office is conveniently located in the lobby), they may be able to book rooms for 500R. Or tell you where you can catch the game.

Here is alist of a few restaurants that may have a dish;
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia/siberia/ulan-ude/entertainment-nightlife

 

[Faux Pas]

Noelscot

I have a feeling you might not even need to pay for it but, I could be wrong. Go to the espn website, go to "watch now" and see what it takes to view those online channels. You'll have espn, espn2, espnU, espn3. The game will be on one of those channels. Most likely on espn

edit to add: When I  watched it in Europe I had to buy 24 hour access. You may or may not need to do that.

[TheTraveler]

if it were me, and especially with notre dame in the title game, i'd try to get an invite to watch the game at a catholic church or monastary.
 
(yes, they are few and far between in that area... but they can be found)  http://www.vladmission.org/history/siberia.htm
 
channeling the holy energy of eastern european catholic priests/monks and touchdown jesus into the satellite dish?  that would be one for the ages!
 

[ML]

Ok, this is a status update. I'm in Ulan-Ude right now and ESPN games have become terribly complicated to watch online. It used to be that you just went to their site and streamed the game, but not anymore. They want you to authenticate that you have a subscription with a cable provider. I have DirecTV at my mom's, but they are not on the approved list for authentication.
I'm trying to find the a la carte option of paying per game that Faux Pas mentioned. Does anyone have any ideas?
Right now my Plan B is to listen to Eli Gold on WJOX 94.5 FM.

Ah . . . now  you are facing the problem that I was discussing with you and GQ.

Following your and GQ's advice and instructions, I was able to access the ESPN website and view some BB games.  But I still have the unknown facing me . . . will ESPN somehow 'block' me and others from watching the high profile Alabama - Notre Dame game.

People with cable and satellite are paying to watch ESPN and other premium channels, so it seems strange ESPN is letting others watch for free via computer on their website.

We will see at 7:30 PM CST.

[Faux Pas]

Ah . . . now  you are facing the problem that I was discussing with you and GQ.

Following your and GQ's advice and instructions, I was able to access the ESPN website and view some BB games.  But I still have the unknown facing me . . . will ESPN somehow 'block' me and others from watching the high profile Alabama - Notre Dame game.

People with cable and satellite are paying to watch ESPN and other premium channels, so it seems strange ESPN is letting others watch for free via computer on their website.

We will see at 7:30 PM CST.

They can easily block you if they wish but, I doubt they wish. I say that because you are in the US and likely they want as many eyeballs as they can muster. That may not be the case for young Master Noelscot. Depending on how or if espn has sold the broadcast rights abroad will determine if or how he can view it.

[noelscot]

Ok, this is a status update. I'm in Ulan-Ude right now and ESPN games have become terribly complicated to watch online. It used to be that you just went to their site and streamed the game, but not anymore. They want you to authenticate that you have a subscription with a cable provider. I have DirecTV at my mom's, but they are not on the approved list for authentication.
I'm trying to find the a la carte option of paying per game that Faux Pas mentioned. Does anyone have any ideas?
Right now my Plan B is to listen to Eli Gold on WJOX 94.5 FM.

I caled ESPN and they gave me the link to the pay-per-view option of watching the BCS game.
If anyone else finds themself in this situation, go to www.espnplayer.com. You can get a daily or monthly pass, whichever is your preference.
By the way, Roll Damn Tide! I wanna see Granny Holz stutter uncontrollably as his Irish get destroyed by Bama.