The Never-Ending Subscription Saga of Watching Sports on TV

Updated June. 25th, 2024

Ah, the days of flipping on the TV to catch the game! It used to be so simple—turn on the set, grab a snack, and settle in. But now, watching sports feels like navigating a maze of subscriptions, logins, and blackout restrictions. It’s as if the simple pleasure of watching a live game has turned into a digital endurance test.

And here’s the kicker—I’m not even a sports junkie! I only tune into baseball toward the end of August because, let’s be honest, the season feels way too long. When I do follow my team, I like to keep things low-stress. I don’t sit through the tension of a live game because I’d rather enjoy it knowing the result. If my team wins, I can sit back and watch, totally relaxed, with none of that gut-wrenching stress over something I can’t control.

But even with this casual approach, the hoops I have to jump through just to catch a few games are mind-boggling. Take my latest experience: I signed up for Sling Blue to watch the World Series—done and done. And who wouldn’t want to tune in for the ultimate matchup? The Dodgers vs. the Yankees—two storied franchises, the rivalry, the history, the anticipation! The Dodgers did their part, but who knew the Yankees would fumble around the baseball field like the Bad News Bears?

And when it came time to switch from baseball to football, I was back at square one. I needed to switch to Sling Orange just to catch Monday Night Football, which took so long to sort out that I missed the entire first quarter! And don’t get me started on ESPN+. I have it with my Verizon mobile account, but they only let you log in if you also have Verizon FIOS. Somebody please just shoot me.

The frustration isn’t just about cost (though that’s maddening enough)—it’s the constant juggling. You finally sit down, remote in hand, and suddenly realize that tonight’s game is on yet another app you forgot to download. And if you do manage to remember all your logins, good luck with blackout restrictions. It feels like every game has a catch, and we’re just out here trying to keep up.

So here’s to the fellow fans out there navigating this maze, wrestling with the endless passwords, and yearning for the days when all you needed was one channel, a comfy chair, and maybe a cold drink to enjoy the game—stress-free.