Connected to my Home Wi-Fi Fibe TV app error: Program can only be watched at home while connected to Wi-Fi

[Laverne]

On the Fibe app program guide, there are programs with the house icon in the corner that say they can only be watched at home while connected to wi-fi, and I’m unable to watch them. But I am at home on wi-fi and without a VPN. Why would I be restricted from these?

[BellNick · Accepted solution]

Hi there @Beushy 
Thank you for your post and welcome to the Community.
Some channels provide the ability to watch the station on the Fibe TV app, whether at home or out of home. Some stations only allow viewing on the receiver or on the Fibe TV app while connected to your home internet through Bell (WHI / Wireless Home Internet excluded). 
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Community.

[Beushy]

This doesn't make sense to me. I have been off of Bell's internet (wi-fi) for over a year and have had access to all the channels I subscribed to on my home PVR as well as on all devices using the FibeTV app. This change became evident yesterday for me.

The idea that the FibeTV app allows paying customers access to their paid for services while (taken from the Bell support tech litterally) "on the go" doesn't allow some channels to be viewed on the go is contradictory to its marketing. 

This worked for me for a year while at home or on the go. Now they broke it.

[BellNick]

Hi there @Beushy 
Are there any stations in particular that you are trying to access on the Fibe TV app that should be available and you're not able to watch them (as per the list)?

[Beushy]

Yes, several that I have had access to for a year:

1204, 1220, 1221 1222, 1223, 1224 to name a few.

All were working 2 days ago.

[BellNick]

Hi there @Beushy 
All the stations you have indicated are all showing in the list that they are at home viewing only. These channels would need to be watched directly on the receiver or through the Fibe TV app (while at home and connected to your Bell Fibe internet).

[Beushy]

When did that change? As I stated, I had access to these channels for the past year while on the go and not on a Bell wi-fi network. 

For 1 year no issues. Just stopped yesterday. 

[Wal]

I am at home, under wifi and still unable to view several channels on the Bell Fibe App. Same channels as Beushy indicated. 
Why are they not working if I’m at home?

Secondly, were Bell customers made aware of this recent change because as of a few weeks ago…these restrictions and limitations didn’t exist. 

[Wal]

Did you ever receive a reply to this comment?

[BellNick]

Hi there @Wal 
Thank you for your post and welcome to the Community.
The indicated channels (1220, 1221, 1222, 1223, 1224) are not available for out of home viewing and must be watched while being connected to your home internet (Wireless Home Internet excluded). Channel 1204 should be available for viewing.
If you are still experiencing issues when attempting to watch these channels while correctly connected, we'd recommend rebooting both your modem and receiver. Additionally, if you're using any VPN service, please disable it when attempting to watch content.
Looking forward to hearing back.

[Rob Howden]

I'm attempting to watch TSN1 on my laptop, but when using the tv.bell.ca portal on my MacBook, I don't have access to all my channels. None of my TSN channels are available, in addition to many others.

Does anyone have any insight on why this may be?

To clarify, my internet and TV are down right now, and I have a technician coming tomorrow to diagnose the issues (Error code 1202). In the meantime, I'm connected to my neighbor's Bell wifi and can stream a number of channels on the tv.bell.ca page. 

[Gronk]

New to the Forum, guessing I can add to this discussion??  I have read so many responses and cannot figure this out. I too am posing the exact same question. I'm at home, watching TV on Bell Fibe subscription, not on any app on phone or computer or other devices and not on wireless home internet. I can't watch the Detroit channels, says I must be at home and connected to Bell WIFI.  Which as everyone else says the same, I am!   Here's a couple twists to the question perhaps. I can RECORD the channels and watch them later. Why would that be? And, if I go to my other TV without a Bell Fibe box,  watch Bell Fibe TV using Amazon Fire Stick, I can watch these American channels live. Why is that?  Thanks.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

This is a peer-to-peer website. As such, we do not have access to your account and equipment records. We would like to help you but cannot do so with the limited information you have provided. "Watch recording while recording."

1. Which Bell TV service do you subscribe? Fibe TV, Fibe TV App or Satellite TV.
2. Please tell us more about the equipment you are using. E.g. Modem, receivers, Bell Streamer, Firestick, Computer, Application, etc.
3. Have you checked out any of the support articles for the equipment you are using? Tutorials?
4. Are you using a VPN?

Some channels provide the ability to watch the station on the Fibe TV app, whether at home or out of home. Some stations only allow viewing on the receiver or on the Fibe TV app while connected to your home internet through Bell.

We just need to know more in order to do more for you......

Let us know & we will do our best to assist in answering your questions.

Take care.

[Gronk]

Thanks. I’ll give you some information and reword my question.
I am a Bell Fibe customer with Gigabit Fibe 1.5 package for TV, Internet and home phone. My TV package is the “Better” package.

My Fibe system equipment consists of a Giga Hub Modem and a VP7802 Fibe TV box connected to a SONY Smart TV.

I have a computer connected directly to the Giga Hub via ethernet cable. I have 2 cell phones neither of which have the Bell Fibe App installed yet. I have a second TV, not smart, using an Amazon Firestick which I use to access Bell Fibe TV.

On my main TV connected via the Fibe TV box, according to the Fibe TV guide, I should be able to watch channels, 1220 NBC, 1221 ABC, 1222 CBS, 1223 FOX and 1224 PBS all based out of Detroit.

Is that correct? Should I be able to watch those channels?

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

Yes, if you have the Better TV package, you should be able to watch these channels if they are included in your subscription.

I cannot speak for the channel broadcasting location, e.g. Detroit. This can vary across Bell TV and is fixed to a mapped viewing location. E.g. Channel Map: MAP_KITCHENER_LONDON

I will assume that your main TV is the Sony Smart TV & that your Fibe VIP7802 is connected to this TV using an HDMI cable.

1. How is your VIP 7802 connected to your modem? Ethernet direct cable connection to the modem or wireless.
2. Are you using any other equipment?  VPN or switch.
3. Are these channels available & visible on the Guide? Have you set up a Favorites list?
4. Can you view these same channels on your Firestick using the Fibe TV app? 
5. Can you view these channels on your computer by logging in to: Home - Fibe TV

I have included the following weblinks that may be of assistance to. Please review all of the included sections as there is a wealth of information that can only enhance your viewing experience.

Fibe TV Voice Remote: Complete List of How-tos and Tutorials from Bell

Please pay particular attention to these sections if you wish to add or delete channels from the Guide. You may also wish to setup a Favourites channels list.

Customizing the Guide

Managing a favourites channels list

Take care.

[Gronk]

I fully reviewed the tutorials you listed. I have gone over it many times.
Answers to you questions:
1. How is your VIP 7802 connected to your modem? Ethernet direct cable connection to the modem or wireless. WIRELESS

2. Are you using any other equipment? VPN or switch. ** NO
3. Are these channels available & visible on the Guide? Have you set up a Favorites list? **VISIBLE ON GUIDE AND ON FAVORITES LIST – Selected as FAVORITES

4. Can you view these same channels on your Firestick using the Fibe TV app?
**YES, can view on Firestick and on my phone (just installed Fibe TV App)

5. Can you view these channels on your computer by logging in to: Home - Fibe TV
** YES, can watch on my Home-Fibe TV, on computer.

As noted in the original question, I can RECORD from these channels and PLAY later, but I can not watch them LIVE. The good old error comes up “This content is only available to watch while at home and connected to your Bell WI-FI”
I’m obviously at home and on my Bell WI-FI. It appears my phone and computer recognize this, but not the VIP 7802 Fibe box. How can there be any difference other than one is using the APP from the Play Store, and the other is using Bell Fibe directly.

Is there a broadcasting issue between the U.S. and Bell that restricts LIVE TV?
What if I ran an Ethernet cable to the VIP 7802 Fibe box, like I have on the computer?
Does connecting to a SMART TV (Sony) have anything to do with it?

Thanks again for your assistance. What ever you can suggest.