Watching (American) Football in India

December 10, 2010 9:30 AM

Total long shot: The University of Washington is going to bowl game for the first time in 8 years. I won't be able to travel to the game, but would like to watch it...in New Delhi.

The Huskies play Nebraska on Dec 30 in San Diego at 7pm PST (5:30am on Dec 31 in New Delhi).

Do I have any options to watch the game live? I'm guessing bars catering to westerners are out of the question given the time. ESPN 3 will be streaming the game, but it doesn't look like they allow viewing outside of the US.

I suppose I'll just have to DVR the game, but wanted to check in for advice.

Thanks!

posted by ASM to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (12 answers total)

Perhaps you could connect to the internet through a proxy or VNC in the United States and then watch the streaming video.
posted by rancidchickn at 9:39 AM on December 10, 2010

I use Banana vpn to get an american ip.
posted by mewmewmew at 10:02 AM on December 10, 2010

Can someone send you a Slingbox?
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:02 AM on December 10, 2010

Best answer: This Lifehacker article discusses various ways to access blocked stuff online. It's got some pointers on how to use proxies and even create your own. I know some people also use Ultrasurf, which is not mentioned in that article, but I don't have personal experience with that.

A simpler option is to use a site like ATDHE.net. There's a good chance it'll have a live stream of the game, though maybe not in as great quality as you'd get direct from ESPN3. If you need more info on that, I wrote a short article on ATDHE that discusses how it works, and mentions some possible issues and alternatives.
posted by philipy at 10:13 AM on December 10, 2010 [1 favorite]

I second ATDHE.net. That's how I watch most of my foreign soccer games at home.

Rojadirecta also lists a lot of streaming sports games, more than ATDHE in fact. If ATDHE doesn't list the game, Rojadirecta probably will.
posted by spinifex23 at 10:19 AM on December 10, 2010

Best answer: Go to the embassy and ask the Marine sentry whether he knows anywhere you can catch the game. There's a non-zero chance he'll A) know a place, B) know someone who'll know a place, or C) say "Yeah, we're watching it in the barracks. Stop by and ask for Corporal Shmedlap and I'll get you in."
posted by Etrigan at 12:26 PM on December 10, 2010

Sorry. Preview button moved on me, I swear. I was going to edit that to make sure I said the U.S. embassy, and also to emphasize that I meant to find a U.S. Marine sentry, not just the first guard you saw on the street, who might be a local civilian working for Wackenhut.
posted by Etrigan at 12:28 PM on December 10, 2010

I would second ATDHE, and also checking ustream.tv and justin.tv directly. Another possibility is to find a U. Washington fan forum and asking for live internet feeds there (just before the game is scheduled to begin, no point in asking 14 days in advance because noone would know).

I have done this several times for Michigan State games, and have had no difficulty finding a feed to watch whenever I'm travelling internationally.
posted by tuxster at 1:13 PM on December 10, 2010

Veetle.com is some of the highest quality sports streaming. Be prepared for the feed to possibly get cut off in the 3rd quarter though.
posted by ejoey at 1:23 PM on December 10, 2010

Seconding the Marine guards at the Embassy. They know where to get the AFN (american forces network or armed forces network) which is how I saw my college team win their national championship a few years ago in an equally unlikely country!
posted by oneaday at 3:32 PM on December 10, 2010

AFN Sports is showing a 2hr cutdown broadcast of the game on 12/31 at 2:00pm, New Delhi time.

At least you won't be inconveniencing anyone with an AFN dish at the crack of dawn.
posted by panmunjom at 10:35 PM on December 10, 2010

Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions! It sounds like ATDHE is probably my best bet.

I'm going to try the Marine sentry route as well. It would definitely be fun to watch with others!

Thanks!
posted by ASM at 1:46 PM on December 13, 2010