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Why is my game blacked out?

Author

Daniel Moore

Published Jan 18, 2026

A sports blackout is when a sports event that was scheduled to be televised is not aired in a particular media market. This blackout may prevent transmission of sports programming on local broadcast networks and/or non-broadcast platforms such as cable and satellite television.

How do I stop blackout games?

Bypassing local blackouts with a browser and a VPN is simple. Load the app from your VPN provider of choice, select a VPN server outside of the blacked-out area, load your browser of choice, and visit the ESPN website. Enjoy the show.

Why does ESPN blackout games?

Blackouts are implemented to protect the primary rights holder, as defined by the professional and college sports leagues or teams in a given market. If you are receiving blackout messaging on ESPN, check your local listings to find the television network carrying the event.

How do I watch a blacked out game?

You should be able to view games that are blacked out on NBA League Pass on a regional sports network in your area or a national TV network such as NBA TV, TNT, ESPN, ABC, Sportsnet or TSN. Blacked out games are available for viewing on-demand as soon as they are moved to the NBA League Pass Archives.

Why do NBA games get blacked out?

Blackouts for nationally televised NBA games are determined by whether the national TV broadcast has exclusive or merely simultaneous rights. There are a number of NBA games that are broadcast nationally throughout the season on ABC, ESPN, and TNT. For example, the Lakers appear on national TV more than any other team.

16 related questions found

How do I get around blackout restrictions?

Get Around The Blackout with a VPN

Services like Netflix block viewing content based on which country you are located. This technique is called geo-blocking. Technologies like Smart DNS or a VPN can get around geo-blocking and make it appear your computer or smart device is located in another state or even country.

How do you stop NBA blackouts?

You can use your PC or Mac to bypass NBA League Pass blackouts. All you need to do is connect to a VPN server outside the blackout zone. For example, if it's a local blackout, you'll only need to connect to a server in another US state.

Why is wild game blacked?

For the NHL specifically, blackouts are present to allow regional sports networks to broadcast as many games as possible. “Blackout restrictions exist to protect the local television telecasters of each NHL game in the local markets of the teams.

Are there blackouts on ESPN+?

For example, if you are in the home television territory of a team participating in a game, then the game may be blacked-out for viewing or live viewing as part of your ESPN+ service subscription (or other applicable third-party service).

Why are Dodgers blacked out?

Major League Baseball has several blackout rules. Games are blacked out based on two criteria: A local broadcaster has priority to televise games of the team in their market over national broadcasters. For example, at one time TBS showed many Atlanta Braves games nationally and internationally in Canada.

Why are local sports games blacked out?

Most blackout policies serve to protect local broadcasters (primarily regional sports networks) from competition by "out-of-market" networks that carry different teams, by only allowing viewers to watch non-national telecasts of teams within their designated markets (with television providers blacking out regional ...

Does FUBO have blackouts?

Our agreements require us to black out content for various reasons: Sports blackouts based on viewing area: If a national network and regional or local channel are airing the same game, there may be blackouts based on where you're located.

How do I watch blackout games on ESPN?

How to bypass NHL blackouts: a quick guide

  1. Start by signing up for a suitable VPN. We recommend NordVPN.
  2. Install the VPN software, making sure to get the right app for your operating system, and log in.
  3. Connect to one of your VPN's servers in the required location. ...
  4. Log in to your ESPN+ or NHL.tv account.

How can I watch NHL games 2021?

Starting with the 2021-22 season, out-of-market games will stream in the following products:

  1. ESPN+ (US Users Only) Hockey has a new home on ESPN+. ...
  2. NHL LIVE (Canada Users Only) ...
  3. For more information about NHL.TV (outside of the United States) or to purchase, visit NHL.TV. ...
  4. Star+ ...
  5. ESPN Player. ...
  6. ESPN Play. ...
  7. ESPN App. ...
  8. Viaplay.

Where to watch Wild game tonight?

ESPN+ Five Minnesota Wild games will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+ this season.

Why is TNT NBA game blacked out?

Only some games airing on ESPN and TNT are exclusive to those networks, while others are subject to blackouts because they'll air on a local station or regional network instead. In addition, all games on NBA TV are subject to blackouts. Note: Local and regional airings are rarely blacked out.

Why are Lakers blacked out?

NBA League Pass was designed by the NBA to give access to fans out of market, but not to preempt the local broadcast agreements, which has led to their blackout rules. You would be able to watch other teams' games, but the Lakers games would be blacked out.

Why are there blackout restrictions?

There isn't an exact fix for this, either. MLB.tv, the league's streaming service, doesn't allow for in-market viewers to stream games. The reasons for the blackouts is simple and twofold: the first reason is cable providers' desire for exclusive broadcasting rights in their local networks.

Why is fuboTV not working?

Uninstall and then reinstall the app on your device. Try streaming from another device with the fuboTV app, so you can continue watching right now: If you are experiencing an issue watching on a TV device such as a Roku or Apple TV, try watching on a mobile device or computer to see if you experience a similar issue.

Who owns fuboTV?

On March 23, 2020, fuboTV was acquired by FaceBank Group, a publicly listed virtual entertainment technology company founded by media technology entrepreneur John Textor.

What does FUBO stand for?

The DNA for fuboTV comes from there. After learning that the name “fubo” is short for football, Gandler filled in more details regarding the company and its vision. “The platform was built for soccer fans,” said Gandler.

Does the NFL still blackout games?

The league blackout policy has been suspended on a year-to-year basis since 2015. Furthermore, the NFL is the only league that imposes an anti-siphoning rule in all teams' local markets: the NFL sells syndication rights of each team's Thursday and Monday night games to a local over-the-air station in each local market.

Why is my game blacked out on Sunday Ticket?

Blacked out games on NFL SUNDAY TICKET

In general, you receive all games outside your local market unless your local FOX or CBS station shows the game. A regular season Sunday afternoon home game could also be blacked out in the home team's territory if the game fails to sell out 72 hours before kickoff.

Why is directv blacking out the game?

This error indicates that the sports program you're trying to watch is blacked out in your area. Try tuning in to one of your local channels or regional sports networks to watch the game. Blackout restrictions are designed to protect the television rights holders in the competing teams' respective home markets.

Why can't I watch all the games on NFL Game Pass?

NFL Game Pass provides exclusive access to live out-of-market preseason games. While regular season and postseason games are not available to watch live, NFL Game Pass does offer live audio for every game of the season. And we've got you covered on replays, too.