Pros and Cons: How to Watch the Minnesota Twins Without Cable

Last Wednesday, Bally Sports regional networks went dark for Comcast cable customers, which includes much of the Midwest. Diamond Sports Group, the parent company of Bally Sports, failed to come to an agreement with Comcast, which is offering $8 to $10 a month credits to current subscribers because of the dispute. Now, many Twins fans are searching for a new way to watch the team, especially those who haven’t cut the cord. There are pros and cons to each current option for the Twins in an ever-changing television landscape. 

The two options outlined below are specific to watching Twins games if a person lives within the Twins' market--their broadcast territory, under MLB rules. For MLB’s purposes, the states deemed in-market for the Twins include Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of Wisconsin and Iowa. Click here to read more about out-of-market options if you don't live in one of the states mentioned above.

Option 1: DirecTV Stream
Cost: $123.98/month for the Choice+Sports Pack
Pros: Last week, DirecTV Stream agreed to a multi-year carriage deal with Diamond Sports Group for the Bally Sports Networks, so fans won’t have to worry about making another in-season change during the 2024 campaign. There are also other perks with DirecTV Stream, including local channels, streaming on unlimited devices in your home, and unlimited cloud DVR storage. 

The sports package includes MLB Network and multiple other specialty sports stations, such as the Big Ten Network, NBA TV, and more. Navigation is much more user-friendly than some other streaming services and is easier for those who are switching from traditional cable. 

Cons: DirecTV Stream forces sports fans to purchase a higher-cost package to have access to more live sports, including the Twins. Their cheapest package that includes Bally Sports North has around 125 channels, which is fewer than Fubo’s lowest-cost option. Even with unlimited DVR cloud storage, recordings can only be stored for up to nine months. They also limit viewers to 30 recorded episodes of one TV show. There is no ability to create user profiles. 

Option 2: Fubo
Cost: $79.99/ month for the Pro Plan
Pros: Fubo was built as a sports lover’s streaming service and is a cord cutter’s dream regarding cost, because it is one of the cheaper options. The lowest-tier plan includes 185 channels, including many of the most-watched ones. There is an extensive video-on-demand library for those looking for something extra to stream. Also included is a cloud DVR with 1,000 hours of space and the ability to have 10 active screens streaming.

Many additional sports networks discussed with DirecTV Stream are also included in Fubo's lowest-tier package. Fubo is the way to go for someone looking strictly for the cheapest option. There is an ability to create up to six user profiles on the platform, helping families to keep their favorite shows tied to their profiles.

Cons: The navigation on the Fubo app isn’t as user-friendly as other streaming services. A person’s DVR can fill up rather quickly with Fubo, especially if you plan to record Twins games. Fubo has no parental controls, such as passcodes or other restrictive methods, which is a consideration for families with young children. 

How are you watching the Twins this season? What have your experiences been like with DirecTV Stream and Fubo? Leave a comment and start the discussion.