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Blackout For Some Twins Fans Due To Cable Dispute

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Some Minnesota Twins fans are upset with their cable TV providers because certain carriers won't be airing some of the games.    

There's a dispute going on between Fox Sports North, the station that airs all Twins games, and its subscribers. The blackout affects Charter, CableOne, Dish Network and MediaOne subscribers.

Twins fans are hoping things can be worked out before Thursday's game against the New York Yankees.

The Twins were on FSN Tuesday night but many fans missed it.

"I scrambled into the house to try and catch the end of the game, turned on Fox Sports Net and it was soccer," said Dana Severson.

Severson gets his cable from Charter Communications. He, and thousands of other Twins fans, didn't get the game because their cable or satellite provider wasn't showing it.

"Confused, upset, angry. At first I thought the game is airing on a different channel, and you go through the different channels, I thought maybe because of the extra innings," said Severson. "I called my friend and he gave me the play-by-play for the rest of the game."

This year, the Twins dropped their partnership with over-the-air channel WFTC, which aired the games for free. FSN picked up those extra games.

When FSN went to pass on the cost, some cable and satellite companies wouldn't play ball.

Charter Communications issued a statement saying its deal with FSN lets it air most games -- but an additional 45 games "are not part of (its) agreement with FSN."

"It's business and the proposal we have in front of them is a fair proposal and that's why the Comcast and DirectTV and all these independent operators are carrying the games," said Mike Dimond, senior vice president and general manager of Fox Sports North.

"As a customer, I'm peeved. I want to watch the Twins," said Severson.

The blackout could also affect the Saturday, April 9 game against the Oakland As during their Target Field opening series.

Sonya Goins, Producer
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