Every time I actually sit down to blog, I want to write about how I miss it and how I wish I did it more. Yet, nothing (and literally everything) has changed since my rant about hating the excuse, "I don't have time". Nevertheless, if the moment comes when the inspiration strikes to blog, I will do it and that moment is now (conveniently 5 days before the first two of my last ever exams).
Anyone who has known me since age 12 can confirm my love for the Manning family and in particular Peyton #18. I have followed him closely throughout his decorated career. I have celebrated his wins and shed a few tears in the heartbreakers. This Sunday (well, actually Monday morning in Germany), Peyton will likely step on the field for his final time. Despite having a the first of my last final exams on Tuesday, I would not miss staying up all night and watching Peyton and the Broncos take the field for anything.
I have had great success sharing American traditions like Thanksgiving with my study program and I thought this would be another great opportunity. So not only am I watching, but I am hosting a Super Bowl party. We have a kitchen, projector, and lounge at school, so there's really no better place to gather and cheer on the Broncos. After securing the menu - nachos, pigs in blankets, pizza rolls, and ranch dip - I needed to secure a solid livestream for the evening. I watched the playoff games on my laptop on sites such as freeTVall.net and stream2watch.co, but these fuzzy streams are not going to cut it for a Super Bowl party and watching my favorite player of all time's final game projected on the big screen.
It's been ages since I used a paid VPN service, yet after doing some research and learning that CBS is livestreaming the game on their website including commercials, I had to ensure access to this stream and this stream only. The way to do this is through a strong and reliable Virtual Private Network (VPN) service.
What is a VPN?
Well, as much as I want to be a techie, I am not one so I will use this description from Webopedia:
Consumers use a private VPN service, also known as a VPN tunnel, to protect their online activity and identity. By using an anonymous VPN service, a user's Internet traffic and data remain encrypted, which prevents eavesdroppers from sniffing Internet activity. A VPN service is especially useful when accessing public Wi-Fi hotspots because the public wireless services might not be secure. In addition to public Wi-Fi security, a private VPN service also provides consumers with uncensored Internet access and can help prevent data theft and unblock websites.
Why do I need one?
Well, if you are abroad and a TV junkie like me, it may be your lifesaver. You have two options: 1) rely on sites like Primewire.ag for illegal content in poor quality or you can 2) install a VPN, connect to your home server (for me, the US) and access sites like Hulu just like you are in the USA. That means, no "sorry, this content is not available in your geographic region" and your Google always being in English.
Which VPN should I use?
After doing some research, I quickly chose NordVPN. After installing it on my Macbook, Android phone, and Chromebook, I am certain it was the right choice at just $3/month (normally $4/month - use code 70OFF while it lasts). I have tested access across sites, including Hulu, Netflix, ABC, and CBS and all work incredibly well. Nord VPN offers VPNs across continents, so you can access whichever content you like and always be browsing securely.
With NordVPN, you can simply type in the search bar which country's network you want to connect to and voila! it is just like you and your device are in the Netherlands (as pictured above). The interface is super user-friendly and does not require any nerd knowledge. The site has great tutorials for installing on any device.
Go Broncos!
How will you watch the Super Bowl on Sunday?
This post is not sponsored. I just am pumped about the Super Bowl and forgot how much I needed a VPN in my life.
9 comments
Going to get late early in Germany as the game won't begin until 12:30 p.m. your time? Don't let the game interfere with your work.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to Peyton & the Broncos perhaps their defense can make it a closer game than most believe?
Miss, love, proud of, and for, you.
Stay safe, warm & happy!
Love always,
Daddio
This is a great idea, especially since free plugins like Hola don't work so reliably (YouTube has gotten around them... eff you, GEMA!!). Unfortunately I won't be watching the Super Bowl this year. I found that it just made me homesick last year, plus the late night staying up doesn't agree with my study schedule. Hopefully sometime in the next few years I can be in the US for it.
ReplyDeleteThis is super useful - thanks & happy to see a post from you! I am admittedly not going to watch this year (no Seahawks for the first time in 2 yrs, wahhh) but this would have been so useful to know during the football season when I wanted to watch the same games everyone else was :)
ReplyDeleteYay for new posts! I'm totally with you on being fed up with crappy streams, and was SUPER excited to learn that ran.de showed games this season. Every week they did 2-3 games online, and as long as you can live without commercials (sucks during the SB though), and with German commentary, the quality can't be beat! I'll admit that I fought it at first just because I wanted American announcers, but after almost pitching my laptop out the window a few times, I made the switch whenever they showed Packer games. So much better!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a fantastic party, and all your German friends get on board with football. :) And go Broncos! (Mostly just down with Cam Newton, but I'd like to see Peyton go out with a bang!) :)
Totally understand, it is hard to stay up when you don't care about the teams.
ReplyDeleteYeah I stopped using HOLA after I read the article about them selling your bandwidth (plus you are right, totally unreliable). At $3/month this one really seems like a steal :)
ReplyDeleteThanks SO much for the ran tip - great to know for next year as those other streams are just dreadful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! I will admit that I don't care for the NFL, but I am sure it will come in handy for some other uses (I'm looking at you, Hulu, you elusive beast).
ReplyDeleteNo prob! It's just nice to have an option, even if it does come with commentary auf Deutsch. ;) Actually ended up watching on a really good stream, because I wanted the commercial glory. Worked perfectly, which gives me hope for Packer games next season!
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