The Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals were the latest teams to launch a direct-to-consumer streaming service when MASN+ went live earlier this week. Unfortunately, some customers were mistakenly charged 100 times more than the subscription price, per a WBAL TV report.
A MASN+ subscription goes for $89.99 for the remainder of the season, but some subscribers who signed up ahead of Tuesday night’s games were charged $8,999. Customers who were overcharged were issued refunds, and the issues were immediately resolved, according to the report.
MASN+ gives viewers access to the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) without the need for a satellite or cable TV subscription. The RSN provides 24/7 coverage of the Orioles and Nationals, including live in-market games without blackout restrictions, classics, and extras featuring each franchise and content on MASN2. The network is available in millions of homes across a seven-state region of Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and parts of West Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
Since its launch in 2005, the network has been co-owned by both teams, with the Nats having a 23% interest. However, next season the Nationals will be searching for a new RSN after settling a rights dispute with the Orioles. The Nats are likely to be highly sought after, and they could join other D.C.-based teams, including the Capitals and Wizards, on the Monumental Sports Network.
Orioles President of Business Operations Catie Griggs told the Sports Business Journal Media Podcast that they “would love to keep them” on MASN. Noting that they would “want to make sure” they can keep them in a way that makes sense for both franchises, they “look forward to having that conversation later this year.”
When asked on the SBJ podcast if MASN would ever pursue a merger or sale, Griggs replied, “Never say never,” but she thinks they are in a good spot and as the world evolves, they will evaluate opportunities as they present themselves.
MASN+ is available on iOS, Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV, and monthly for $19.99 per month.