Still can't watch the Twins - I can't let this go.

[Riverbrian]

I know there are Twins fans in Iowa who don't feel sorry for me. Welcome to the club is what most are likely saying. However... I still can't watch my Twins and this is getting beyond ridiculous because it appears that it isn't ending any time soon. 

Reports are that the two sides are not even looking at each other in some sort of pointless stand still while all parties are attempting to solve this through the courts which should take forever and a day. 

MLB to my knowledge has asked the court to hasten the bankruptcy. 

Diamond recently asked the court for a 41 day extension. 

This really sucks!!! 

 

 

[Sutter50]

I live in Iowa

Get FUBO.TV

[bean5302]

6 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I know there are Twins fans in Iowa who don't feel sorry for me. Welcome to the club is what are most likely saying. However... I still can't watch my Twins and this is getting beyond ridiculous because it appears that it isn't ending any time soon. 

Reports are that the two sides are not even looking at each other in some sort of pointless stand still while all parties are attempting to solve this through the courts which should take forever and a day. 

MLB to my knowledge has asked the court to hasten the bankruptcy. 

Diamond recently asked the court for a 41 day extension. 

This really sucks!!! 

 

 

I don't think you should let it go. Somebody at the top of the Twins needs to be terminated over this. Maybe the plug gets pulled on Joe Pohlad or maybe it's time for St. Peter to turn in his corner office.

The cluster#*@& fans have been handed by the front office and ownership this year has really damaged the organization's reputation. I'm very skeptical I'll have seasons again next year.

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, Sutter50 said:

I live in Iowa

Get FUBO.TV

Understood but I'm hesitant to add because this isn't my fault. I chose cable so I could watch my Twins. I paid my cable bill... I paid my money to watch the Twins! 

I don't feel like paying an extra $79 a month because I'm caught in the middle of people fighting over my money.

When the Twins finally fix this and provide a viable option for watching with prices listed on the menu... that is when I will decide weather I pick up the option... weather I cut the cord... weather I decide to read books. 

For this year... I'm going to look at that message posted on Channel 623 until I reach the point of realization that I don't NEED to watch the Twins anymore.

In other words... the Twins may have a new plan next year and I may not care.   

 

 

[Sutter50]

1 minute ago, Riverbrian said:

Understood but I'm hesitant to add because this isn't my fault. I chose cable so I could watch my Twins. I paid my cable bill... I paid my money to watch the Twins! 

I don't feel like paying an extra $79 a month because I'm caught in the middle of people fighting over my money.

When the Twins finally fix this and provide a viable option for watching with prices listed on the menu... that is when I will decide weather I pick up the option... weather I cut the cord... weather I decide to read books. 

For this year... I'm going to look at that message posted on 623 until I reach the point of realization that I don't NEED to watch the Twins anymore.

In other words... the Twins may have a new plan next year and I may not care.   

 

 

Cut the cord

[Vanimal46]

I’m still mad as well. I’ll go to a couple of live games because live baseball is still awesome. Beyond that I’m just a box score skimmer now. Soon enough that will get boring too. 

[chaderic20]

44 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Understood but I'm hesitant to add because this isn't my fault. I chose cable so I could watch my Twins. I paid my cable bill... I paid my money to watch the Twins! 

I don't feel like paying an extra $79 a month because I'm caught in the middle of people fighting over my money.

When the Twins finally fix this and provide a viable option for watching with prices listed on the menu... that is when I will decide weather I pick up the option... weather I cut the cord... weather I decide to read books. 

For this year... I'm going to look at that message posted on 623 until I reach the point of realization that I don't NEED to watch the Twins anymore.

In other words... the Twins may have a new plan next year and I may not care.   

 

 

Don't add Fubo, drop cable and switch to Fubo. The only thing that will motivate discussions to progress is when they start losing customers over it.

[lecroy24fan]

Let's add on the ridiculous $10 refund we all just got from Crapcast.Should be the full sports access fee.

[Major League Ready]

On 5/28/2024 at 10:48 AM, Riverbrian said:

Understood but I'm hesitant to add because this isn't my fault. I chose cable so I could watch my Twins. I paid my cable bill... I paid my money to watch the Twins! 

I don't feel like paying an extra $79 a month because I'm caught in the middle of people fighting over my money.

When the Twins finally fix this and provide a viable option for watching with prices listed on the menu... that is when I will decide weather I pick up the option... weather I cut the cord... weather I decide to read books. 

For this year... I'm going to look at that message posted on Channel 623 until I reach the point of realization that I don't NEED to watch the Twins anymore.

In other words... the Twins may have a new plan next year and I may not care.   

 

 

My provider engaged in the same fight with Bally's and ended up dropping them.  The Twins can't fix the problem between Comcast and Bally's and they can't offer an alternative mid-season.  It's pretty simple.  Switch providers.  You can rectify the situation if you elect to do so.

[MABB1959]

I have not been able to watch for at least 3 years.  How are fans supposed fall in love with an animated team via MLB.  So disappointed that they are letting money rule us out.  Was excited to see the free games on Mothers Day weekend but of course it was blacked out.  Pretty sure that has something to to with the satellite/cable companies,  I dropped my MLB radio after that. 

We only get to watch 3-4 games this year!

Now that we can watch the Timberwolves live you can't help but fall in love.  At least there is a way to stream them and I most likely will next season.

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

There's absolutely no reason to "let this go". It's crappy, it's destructive, and it's entirely the making of a bunch of billionaires who want more money from us. 

[Original_JB]

Riverbrian, I feel your pain. The wife and I have already modified our Happy Hour/evenings locales based on who does or doesn't carry the games. At least in here in the Twin Cities some establishments* are "working" the strife/turmoil:

* Please remove if disallowed. I do not work for Pub42, it's just one of the local establishments in my area I frequent from time to time.

[Riverbrian]

21 hours ago, chaderic20 said:

Don't add Fubo, drop cable and switch to Fubo. The only thing that will motivate discussions to progress is when they start losing customers over it.

I don't know a lot about Fubo. I will certainly consider Fubo if it is indeed the vehicle for Twins broadcasts into the future but to my knowledge Fubo is getting the broadcast from Bally and I don't think the Twins will be tied to Bally next year and beyond... therefore I'm not sure where that will leave Fubo next year and I don't want to go through this redesign process again for a temporary fix. Who knows... maybe when this said and done... baseball is back on cable next year. I need to know what they are going to do before I redesign things.  

Cutting the cord will be a major redesign in our household. My wife also gets a vote. Baseball is important to me... not so much for her. Cutting the cord requires agreement between us and planning so we don't lose programming we want in the pursuit of one product. 

We only have one cable provider where I live so I'm at the mercy of Comcast/Midco for cable. I do believe that I will drop cable over this but not until I know where the Twins will be and how much? And the how much is something that I will certainly factor in. If the Twins are hoping to get a higher dollar amount from me next year... they won't the longer this drags out. I'm learning to live without the Twins RIGHT NOW!  watching Netflix

I also need to know how much for the other options that I want (not many) and the options that my wife wants. Once the Twins are settled... I can take a serious look at cutting that cord and redesign that package/budget allocation including my internet provider.

For now... I'm just not going to give an extra $79 a month because three large corporations are playing a game of chicken with me.

I could care less about Comcast/Midco or Diamond Sports Group. They can all go bankrupt and go away for all I care. What I do care about it is the Twins... My Twins... although that level of care will wane as this drags out. 

How the Twins allowed themselves to get into this position is shocking. Why baseball hasn't addressed this before now is sad. 

In the meantime. We wait for the courts? As I learn how little I care for the other channels that I get.        

 

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

51 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I don't know a lot about Fubo. I will certainly consider Fubo if it is indeed the vehicle for Twins broadcasts into the future but to my knowledge Fubo is getting the broadcast from Bally and I don't think the Twins will be tied to Bally next year and beyond... therefore I'm not sure where that will leave Fubo next year and I don't want to go through this redesign process again for a temporary fix. Who knows... maybe when this said and done... baseball is back on cable next year. I need to know what they are going to do before I redesign things.  

The biggest upside to cutting the cord is fluidity of services. You can cancel Fubo in two minutes and move to YouTube TV. No contracts, no obligations, just month-to-month service.

[mrtwinsfan]

V.P.N.  = NO ISSUES

[Riverbrian]

3 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

The biggest upside to cutting the cord is fluidity of services. You can cancel Fubo in two minutes and move to YouTube TV. No contracts, no obligations, just month-to-month service.

Can't rule out the Twins saying that they are going back to cable next year and going back to cable for me will require a guy coming to house.

My wife will make me clean up the living room in preparation for his visit. 

I really don't want to do that.

55+ demographics can be difficult that way in regard to change. 😄 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

I need to know what they are going to do before I redesign things.  

Cutting the cord will be a major redesign in our household. My wife also gets a vote. Baseball is important to me... not so much for her. Cutting the cord requires agreement between us and planning so we don't lose programming we want in the pursuit of one product. 

We only have one cable provider where I live so I'm at the mercy of Comcast/Midco for cable. I do believe that I will drop cable over this but not until I know where the Twins will be and how much? And the how much is something that I will certainly factor in. If the Twins are hoping to get a higher dollar amount from me next year... they won't the longer this drags out. I'm learning to live without the Twins RIGHT NOW!  watching Netflix

I also need to know how much for the other options that I want (not many) and the options that my wife wants. Once the Twins are settled... I can take a serious look at cutting that cord and redesign that package/budget allocation including my internet provider.

I doubt you will get the certainty you desire. We are in a time of rapid changeover and the "regional" broadcasting of sports is ending as is the all-inclusive cable bundle.

I expect the new Venu service to bid for the baseball contract but there will be other bidders (Amazon Prime) and keeping the games on MLB.TV / MLB Network is always an option if they don't get the terms they want. I have no idea if there will be service for both cable and streaming or if you will have to pick next season and I think that it will change several times in the next few years as companies merge and new companies are started. I expect the exclusive 1 game a week contracts with Apple and Roku will continue and it will probably fragment even further which means nobody is going to be able to subscribe to ALL of the Twins games with just one service.

I would guess that you will find out sometime between January and July of 2025 how to get Twins games for the 2025 season. Hopefully there is no in-season instability next year like there is this year.

[UpstateNewYorker]

This article isn't going to make anyone feel better but it does give some insights into the Diamond Sports debacle: https://www.si.com/mlb/diamond-sports-bankruptcy-regional-broadcasting-rob-manfred

[bean5302]

5 minutes ago, UpstateNewYorker said:

This article isn't going to make anyone feel better but it does give some insights into the Diamond Sports debacle: https://www.si.com/mlb/diamond-sports-bankruptcy-regional-broadcasting-rob-manfred

Manfred in the article.
 

Quote

“It’s hard to comment on whether we're going to object or not because there is no plan at this point,” he said. “Their whole plan is, you know, we’re gonna get deals with distributors. We know [they don’t have them]. We’re going to continue with the other leagues. They don’t have a deal with the NBA, they don’t have a deal with the NHL and they don’t have a deal with us. So other than that!”

Basically, this is a thinly veiled threat that Diamond Sports needs to get their stuff in order because nobody is going to contract with them in the future at this rate. It's not just MLB who is watching Diamond Sports closely.

[Riverbrian]

26 minutes ago, UpstateNewYorker said:

This article isn't going to make anyone feel better but it does give some insights into the Diamond Sports debacle: https://www.si.com/mlb/diamond-sports-bankruptcy-regional-broadcasting-rob-manfred

The last sentence of the article says it all. 

"Bankruptcy is bankruptcy. It goes at it's own pace". 

The Diamondbacks, Rockies and Padres games are being broadcast by MLB. 

The Twins sold exclusive rights to a company in bankruptcy proceedings THIS OFF SEASON. 

MLB may not be able to fix this and therefore the Twins may not be able to fix this. However... it isn't lost on me that the Twins signed the agreement to a company in bankruptcy proceedings and an expiring contract with the primary carriage.  

 

[Parfigliano]

On 5/28/2024 at 10:34 AM, chaderic20 said:

Don't add Fubo, drop cable and switch to Fubo. The only thing that will motivate discussions to progress is when they start losing customers over it.

The only ONLY thing either side cares about is the almighty dollar.  

[Parfigliano]

3 hours ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

There's absolutely no reason to "let this go". It's crappy, it's destructive, and it's entirely the making of a bunch of billionaires who want more money from us. 

To be fair some of the people involed are probably only multi millionaires.

[Mortimerkenny21]

Cut cable about 5 years ago and haven't been watching any games. Was kind of waiting to see what was going to happen with all this BSN debacle, since it seems to not be going anywhere, I finally just got Fubo. Glad I did, really nice to finally watch games.

[MMMordabito]

The "just switch to Fubo" argument doesn't work for a lot of folks.  Domestic partners, housing complexes and establishment services are often involved in said switch.  

Also, having the people around you lose access to Twins games has a negative effect on the whole baseball experience.  Most of the non-internet people that I watch or talk Twins with are cut off, and it really sucks.  "F!ck Comcast" and "F!ck the Twins" have been common phrases in my circles, and it's just sad.

[Squirrel]

4 hours ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

There's absolutely no reason to "let this go". It's crappy, it's destructive, and it's entirely the making of a bunch of billionaires who want more money from us. 

We should start a letter writing campaign to all the various entities. Still probably won't do any good. But it's preaching to the choir here at TD. We all get it, and we are all still powerless.

[lake_guy]

38 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

The last sentence of the article says it all. 

"Bankruptcy is bankruptcy. It goes at it's own pace". 

The Diamondbacks, Rockies and Padres games are being broadcast by MLB. 

The Twins sold exclusive rights to a company in bankruptcy proceedings THIS OFF SEASON. 

MLB may not be able to fix this and therefore the Twins may not be able to fix this. However... it isn't lost on me that the Twins signed the agreement to a company in bankruptcy proceedings and an expiring contract with the primary carriage.  

 

Exactly why someone needs to get fired over this and/or control taken back from the latest Pohlad in charge.  This was preventable and their payroll reduction reflected it.  At the end of the day it is the Twins problem, doesn't matter who they want to point fingers at.

[Linus]

7 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I am a non-technical oldie and change can be difficult for me.  That said, I cut the cord and went to...

Sling who dropped Bally.  I went to YouTube TV who also dropped Bally.  I went to DirectTV Streaming who also dropped Bally.  I finally ended up with Fubo.  All of these streaming services allow recording and have many (not all) of the cable channels which made my wife happy.

Bottom line... switching is easy like five minutes to drop one and five minutes to pick up the next one with no cable boxes or contracts.  If you have Internet access streaming is the way to go.  If I can do this you can to Riverbrain.  You don't have to miss out on Twins telecasts.  Lastly, if the Twins drop Bally next year, I'm sure that I can find a streaming service (including MLB) where I can see my Twins.

I did this same song and dance and am now back to Direct stream for an arm and a leg each month. I will not switch again until and unless there is a long term solution in place.  I was really excited about the possibility of mlb streaming the games for $20 per month but that wasn’t enough for the Pohlads. I love the Twins but not nearly as much as I used to. Plus modern baseball isn’t nearly as fun to watch so I think this is my last season paying this kind of money to watch the Twins. 

[Major League Ready]

19 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

The only ONLY thing either side cares about is the almighty dollar.  

This could be said about every group.  The owners, players, Bally's, the carriers, and the fans who could have coverage but are unwilling or perhaps unable to pay the cost required for coverage.  All of the outrage is not really that coverage is unavailable, it's that we have to pay to get it.  The basic premise is that the owners should not care because they are rich.  Hello, how do you suppose they became billionaires.  If you expect a billionaire to operate their multi-billion dollar asset as a non-profit hobby you will be disappointed just as you would be disappointed if you expect players making more 10X per year what most fans make in a lifetime.   All of this angst is because adults can't accept that MLB is a business.

The industry and the options look significantly different next year.   I am wondering if Fubo is planning a new offering as we speak.  They could offer a package of regional sports and a handful of other channels for $40-50/mo and fill the void while attracting new subscribers.  Those new subscribers are good candidates to expand their subscription.  It's possible Bally's saw this potential and prohibited it contractually.

[Doctor Gast]

On 5/28/2024 at 10:48 AM, Riverbrian said:

Understood but I'm hesitant to add because this isn't my fault. I chose cable so I could watch my Twins. I paid my cable bill... I paid my money to watch the Twins! 

I don't feel like paying an extra $79 a month because I'm caught in the middle of people fighting over my money.

When the Twins finally fix this and provide a viable option for watching with prices listed on the menu... that is when I will decide weather I pick up the option... weather I cut the cord... weather I decide to read books. 

For this year... I'm going to look at that message posted on Channel 623 until I reach the point of realization that I don't NEED to watch the Twins anymore.

In other words... the Twins may have a new plan next year and I may not care.   

 

 

There are a lot of fans, especially older casual ones, who can't watch the Twins on cable and will lose interest in the Twins. Brian you are not a casual fan & if you are losing interest just think of maybe tens of thousands older casual fans will stop following the Twins all together. We knew this even before they signed a contract with Bally the outcome would not be good but this has turned into the worst-case scenario.

[wabene]

1 hour ago, Major League Ready said:

This could be said about every group.  The owners, players, Bally's, the carriers, and the fans who could have coverage but are unwilling or perhaps unable to pay the cost required for coverage.  All of the outrage is not really that coverage is unavailable, it's that we have to pay to get it.  The basic premise is that the owners should not care because they are rich.  Hello, how do you suppose they became billionaires.  If you expect a billionaire to operate their multi-billion dollar asset as a non-profit hobby you will be disappointed just as you would be disappointed if you expect players making more 10X per year what most fans make in a lifetime.   All of this angst is because adults can't accept that MLB is a business.

The industry and the options look significantly different next year.   I am wondering if Fubo is planning a new offering as we speak.  They could offer a package of regional sports and a handful of other channels for $40-50/mo and fill the void while attracting new subscribers.  Those new subscribers are good candidates to expand their subscription.  It's possible Bally's saw this potential and prohibited it contractually.

I'm not looking for a freebie and definitely not asking the Pohlads to run the Twins as a non-profit hobby. I would like them to competently run the team. Choosing short term cash from a dubious and sinking business over an option that would bring their product to a wider audience seems like it could cause long term problems for their bottom line. The way people consume media has/is changing. Baseball's fan base is ageing and shrinking. This is a crucial juncture for the Pohlads and it looks from here that they have handled it about as poorly as imaginable.