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NBC.com, CBS.com, ABC.com will not play videos - they claim due to adblocker. I have Firefox 56.0.2. How do I fix this?

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  • Nzaghachi ikpeazụ nke EdMc

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My Firefox was automatically updated. Hated it. So I re-loaded 56.0.2 version. I can play You Tube videos; I can play documentaries (various web sites). I cannot play any streaming shows from NBC, CBS, ABC.

For NBC I get this message: "Sorry, we can't play this video in its intended experience because we're unable to load the accompanying message from our sponsors. If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and try loading the page again."

For CBS is get this message: "Please visit www.cbs.com to watch more videos" I'm already at www.cbs.com. This is an unending loop.

For ABC is just have a blank screen ... no activity .... no message.

Prior to the update and re-load, I had zero problems with all streaming.

As far as I know there are no adblockers installed. [I can watch all with Safari browser without issue.]

Any help would be appreciated. [I use a MacBook Air]

My Firefox was automatically updated. Hated it. So I re-loaded 56.0.2 version. I can play You Tube videos; I can play documentaries (various web sites). I cannot play any streaming shows from NBC, CBS, ABC. For NBC I get this message: "Sorry, we can't play this video in its intended experience because we're unable to load the accompanying message from our sponsors. If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and try loading the page again." For CBS is get this message: "Please visit www.cbs.com to watch more videos" I'm already at www.cbs.com. This is an unending loop. For ABC is just have a blank screen ... no activity .... no message. Prior to the update and re-load, I had zero problems with all streaming. As far as I know there are no adblockers installed. [I can watch all with Safari browser without issue.] Any help would be appreciated. [I use a MacBook Air]

Asịsa ahọpụtara

Hi Steve111, thanks for the Plugins list (the Add-ons page has several categories). I'm going to paste my usual list of things to check for in this situation:

(1) Built-in Tracking Protection feature (especially in private windows).

Do you see a shield icon toward the left end of the toolbar when this problem hits? More info on how to use the shield to manage blocking: What happened to Tracking Protection?.

(2) Content blocking extensions such as Adblock Plus, Blur, Disconnect, Ghostery, NoScript, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin or uMatrix.

Some of these provide toolbar buttons to manage blocked content in a page.

You can view, disable, and often configure or remove extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions. Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Any extensions that Firefox installs on its own are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything that could be blocking content? If in doubt, disable.

Any improvement?

Gụọ azịza a na nghọta 👍 1

All Replies (6)

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What other filters do you have installed?

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I don't know. Where do I look?

These are the add-ons in my system: (1) H264 Video Codec provided by Cisco Systems, Inc (2) Shockwave Flash 28.0 (3) Widevine Content Decryption Module provided by Google Inc.

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Asịsa Ahọpụtara

Hi Steve111, thanks for the Plugins list (the Add-ons page has several categories). I'm going to paste my usual list of things to check for in this situation:

(1) Built-in Tracking Protection feature (especially in private windows).

Do you see a shield icon toward the left end of the toolbar when this problem hits? More info on how to use the shield to manage blocking: What happened to Tracking Protection?.

(2) Content blocking extensions such as Adblock Plus, Blur, Disconnect, Ghostery, NoScript, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin or uMatrix.

Some of these provide toolbar buttons to manage blocked content in a page.

You can view, disable, and often configure or remove extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions. Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Any extensions that Firefox installs on its own are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything that could be blocking content? If in doubt, disable.

Any improvement?

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jscher2000

I am not computer savvy ... which everyone probably figured out due to my initial query!

I didn't even read through your entire response. I honed in on 'tracking protection' and 'left end of tool bar.'

I went to the "i" at the left of the tool bar. (Mac device)

SURPRISE! I found something called "Tracking Protection." When I disabled it for each streaming site, I was able to view the videos. [I never knew!]

Thank you so much for your willingness to share your knowledge and for your assistance. All is well, now!

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Note that Tracking Protection is by default enabled in Private Browsing mode.

You can disable this feature in "Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security" or via the about:privatebrowsing page that get when you open a New Private Window.

  • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security: "Use Tracking Protection in Private Windows"

You can set this pref to true on the about:config page to see more Tracking Protection choices in "Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security".

  • privacy.trackingprotection.ui.enabled
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FYI - I was having trouble viewing episodes on NBC.com. I tried all sorts of things and finally resolved my problem by adding NBC.com to the DISCONNECT whitelist. Just another idea to those looking for an answer to such problems...