
For instance, if you are a subscriber to MLB.tv, you will be subject to all games being potentially subject to local, regional, or even national blackouts. Streaming Sports and BlackoutsĪnother area where users have to worry about geo-blocking is within the domain of streaming sports. With this router, connected devices without native SmartDNS support (such as game consoles or Smart TVs) will be able to use the service. Moreover, users looking to access the SmartDNS service on their entire home network should consider using the ExpressVPN OpenWRT WRT3200ACM FlashRouter listed above. However, with this, services cannot ban SmartDNS proxy servers in the same way they block IP addresses from VPN servers. This is not the same as using a VPN, as a SmartDNS service will not encrypt your IP address. SmartDNS works by changing the DNS of your device, re-routing your data through a proxy server.
Geo-blocked users unable to access Hulu and Netflix can take advantage of ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer SmartDNS app. Using a SmartDNS Router to Stream Geo-Blocked Contentįortunately, there are solutions. However, Hulu and Netflix both block servers from VPN services. If a program was only available in the US, selecting a US server from a VPN service would have let you access the programming.
This allows users to get around geo-blocking.
Allowing you to appear as if you are in the location of the VPN server. Providing an extra layer of protection. Tunneling your network connection to a VPN server. In the past, users would have been able to take advantage of a Virtual Private Network to access these services from outside of the licensed areas. Furthermore, these region-specific versions of Netflix have limited content based on licensing agreements. Netflix is available around the world, but you will have to subscribe to a region-specific version of the service. Hulu is only available in the United States. Hulu and Netflix are geo-restricted due to licensing agreements with content creators. As one can see from the above image, anyone who tries to watch an episode of The Handmaid’s Tale outside of the United States will be geo-blocked. Looking to get around geo-blocks? A VPN or Smart DNS router can help your entire network get to the content you desire.īut first, let’s see why online businesses limit access to users.Ī common example of geo-restriction users outside of the United States which many experience is being blocked from accessing Hulu. Nevertheless, being geo-blocked can be a massive inconvenience. While on the surface this action may seem nefarious, there are valid reasons related to licensing agreements for why a site will geo-restrict access to content for specific users. In other words, sites and services take advantage of geo-blocking technology in order to prevent users in certain locations from accessing their content. Geo-blocking is the act of preventing access to content based on the users’ geographical location.