MLB.TV blackouts can prevent subscribers from watching games involving teams in their local broadcast territory. Comparitech's guide explains how location checks work and why browsers and mobile apps can handle those checks differently. The guide notes that VPN use can change a device's IP location, although mobile apps may also use GPS and other location signals. Fans should also be aware that bypassing blackout restrictions may violate a streaming service's terms of use.

The US Open – All Week

11:00 AM ET | 4:00 PM London  | 12:00 AM Tokyo – ESPN/ESPN Unlimited

The tennis world ascends on New York City and Arthur Ashe Stadium for one of the sports coveted majors. Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka are defending their titles, while fellow star Novak Djokovic has already been eliminated in a first-round upset.

Milwaukee Brewers (85-52) @ Chicago Cubs (77-60)– Tuesday, September 1st

7:40 PM ET | 12:40 AM London (Wed) | 8:40 AM Tokyo (Wed)  – MLBTV/TBS

A classic rivalry and a battle of the top two teams in the NL Central. Milwaukee holds an 8-game cushion for now, but with seven meetings over the next 10 days, Chicago could quickly add pressure to the end of the season.

Philadelphia Phillies (77-60)  @  Arizona Diamondbacks (73-65)  – Wednesday, September 2nd

3:40 PM ET | 8:40 PM London  | 4:40AM Tokyo (Thurs)  – ESPN Unlimited/MLBTV

Wild card teams battle in the desert. Philly has distanced itself from Arizona, but the DBacks own the final NL playoff spot by just half a game over San Diego. All the pressure is on the Diamondbacks against Phillies teams that can pile on the runs.

Chicago White Sox (72-64) @ Houston Astros (69-68) – Thursday, September 3rd

2:10 PM ET | 7:10 PM London  | 3:10 AM Tokyo (Fri)  – ESPN Unlimited/MLBTV

Chicago is starting to run away with the AL Central, while Houston has little margin for error in the West. The Astros have had the advantage so far, but this time, there are pretty big playoff-seeding implications.

Boston Red Sox (74-63)  @ Baltimore Orioles (68-69) – Thursday, September 3rd

7:15 PM ET | 12:15 AM London (Fri) | 8:15 AM Tokyo (Fri)  – MLBTV/FS1

Boston dropped 3 of 4 against the Yankees over the weekend but is still in good shape to return to the playoffs. Meanwhile, Baltimore is closing in on the third wild card spot, battling several other teams as things stay interesting in the American League.

UMass (0-0) @ Rutgers (0-0) – Thursday, September 3rd

6:00 PM ET | 11:00 PM London  | 7:00 AM Tokyo (Fri)  – Big Ten Network

This game means relatively nothing as both teams will likely struggle to reach bowl eligibility. However, it’s the first official college football game of Week 1, so plenty of people will be tuned in.

Arkansas Pine Bluff (0-0) @ No. 25 Missouri (0-0)– Thursday, September 3rd

8:00 PM ET | 1:00 AM London (Fri) | 9:00 AM Tokyo (Fri)  – SEC Network

Missouri is the first ranked team to play during Week 1. Arkansas Pine Bluff shouldn’t be much of an issue, but some question whether the Tigers deserve to be ranked ahead of the season.

Colorado (0-0) @ Georgia Tech (0-0) – Thursday, September 3rd

8:00 PM ET | 1:00 AM London (Fri) | 9:00 AM Tokyo (Fri)  – ESPN

Many are high on Georgia Tech entering the season after the Yellow Jackets emerged in the ACC last year. Their new quarterback is a familiar name in Alberto Mendoza – the younger brother of former Indiana star and No.1 NFL Draft pick Fernando Mendoza – and his first test will be hosting a Deion Sanders led Colorado squad looking to show it can compete.

MMA: Dana White’s Contender Series – Season 10 – Tuesday, September 1st

6:30 AM ET | 11:30 AM London | 7:30 PM Tokyo – Paramount+

The season enters Week 4 as 10 fighters battle in five bouts, looking to inch closer to a season record for contracts awarded to hopefuls. Fifteen have been added already. Who’s next?

Netflix: Jared Freid: The Family Plan

A stand-up comedy special centered around all too-relatable issues in family life.

Netflix: Untold Raygun: Breaking Badly

A documentary following Australian breakdancer Rachael “Raygun” Gunn and the fallout of her viral performance at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Paramount+: The Varnell Hill Show

A new spin-off of the hit 1990s series Martin. The Varnell Hill Show follows a fictional late-night talk show dealing with the demands of the new media world after decades of success on the air.

Hulu/Disney+: Lego Star Wars: The Mandalorian

The Mandalorian and Grogu celebrate their victory with their friends, but an imminent threat interrupts the jubilation as they are thrust back into action. 

Hulu/Disney+: Chad Powers – Season 2

The Glen Powell-led series about a troubled former Division I quarterback who fools everyone and gets another chance at glory by altering his appearance is back for another season. After several discover his true identity at the end of Season 1, how will things play out for Russ Holiday and the Catfish?

Netflix: Folktales

A documentary set in the Arctic regions of Norway, where several teenagers have chosen to spend a year learning to survive in the wilderness.

Netflix: The Gentlemen – Season 2

After finding his footing in Season 1, Eddie is now adding to his empire in the criminal underworld. With the help of his new accomplices, he finds that his new lifestyle fits him well.

For major sporting events, test the full streaming setup a few hours before kickoff or tip-off—not just the streaming app. Check the connection on the exact device that will be used, restart the router if needed, and close bandwidth-heavy apps on other devices. If using a VPN for privacy while traveling, test the connection before the event and avoid changing settings once the stream has started. Also keep a backup option ready, such as a mobile connection or another authorized device.

Here is this week’s poll.