Orioles Regional TV Network Mistakenly Charged Fans Nearly $9,000 to Stream Games

The 2025 baseball season got off to a rocky start for fans of the Baltimore Orioles and the team’s regional sports network, MASN (Mid-Atlantic Sports Network). What should have been an exciting time for fans to watch their favorite team in action quickly turned into an unfortunate mishap that left many viewers both frustrated and financially impacted.

MASN, the regional television network that carries the Orioles’ games, found itself embroiled in a significant controversy when it was discovered that the network had mistakenly charged fans exorbitant amounts — as high as $9,000 — to stream games. This billing error, which affected many fans across the Baltimore area and beyond, has sparked outrage, confusion, and a demand for answers from both the network and Major League Baseball (MLB).

Here’s a breakdown of the situation, the technical and procedural errors behind the charges, and the steps taken to resolve the matter. We’ll also explore how this error reflects broader challenges in the way sports networks handle streaming services and the complex relationship between fans, media rights, and the ever-evolving world of digital content distribution.

For many fans, the 2025 Orioles season was meant to bring renewed hope, following the team’s promising performance in the previous year. As the first game of the season approached, many fans eagerly signed up for MASN’s streaming service to watch the Orioles live from the comfort of their homes.

MASN offers several subscription options for fans who want to stream Orioles games, including both monthly and annual packages. For fans without access to cable or satellite television, streaming has become a popular way to watch their teams play. Unfortunately, it was through this very subscription service that the error began to unfold.

Some fans who tried to purchase an individual game pass or sign up for a streaming subscription found themselves charged exorbitant amounts—well beyond the typical cost of a monthly or annual subscription. The charges ranged anywhere from hundreds of dollars to a jaw-dropping $9,000 for a single streaming package.

At first, many fans thought it was an anomaly or perhaps an issue with the billing system, but as more and more people reported similar problems, it became clear that this was a widespread issue. A number of fans reached out to MASN’s customer service, only to be met with confusion, frustration, and vague responses. Many were left wondering how such a costly error could have occurred in the first place.

The magnitude of the error became apparent as media outlets and fans began to demand answers. MASN’s team launched an internal investigation to determine what went wrong. What they discovered was an issue tied to the billing system and a series of technical malfunctions.

At the heart of the problem was a coding error in the backend system that was responsible for processing the subscriptions. The code governing how individual game passes and subscription packages were priced had a serious flaw. Instead of applying the correct pricing structure, the system mistakenly generated an inflated charge for many users.

Specifically, the error occurred in a module that was responsible for calculating the total amount for users who selected a specific bundle or subscription. For some fans, instead of being billed $50 for a month of streaming or a set price for an individual game, the system added additional zeroes, sending the total amount into the thousands.

This error likely occurred when the system was updated for the new season or in connection with a new promotional offer. Unfortunately, the developers didn’t catch the mistake before it was launched, leaving many fans to bear the brunt of the incorrect charges.

As news of the error spread, fans were understandably upset. For those who had been charged massive amounts, the shock was compounded by the lack of immediate answers from MASN’s customer service. Some fans reported seeing charges of $9,000 or even higher, which they had never agreed to pay. The disparity between the advertised subscription costs and the actual amounts billed left many feeling misled and financially violated.

Several Orioles fans took to social media to express their frustration. Tweets, Facebook posts, and online reviews flooded in, with users demanding refunds and clarification from MASN. The situation quickly gained traction, and major sports and news outlets picked up the story, amplifying the outrage.

The timing of the error only added to the frustration. Many of the fans who were charged exorbitant amounts were long-time Orioles supporters who were looking forward to the new season. The mistake not only hurt their wallets but also left them feeling as if their loyalty and enthusiasm for the team were being taken advantage of.

Once the scale of the mistake became clear, MASN issued a public apology, acknowledging the error and promising to rectify the situation. The network’s official statement expressed regret over the incident and assured fans that refunds would be processed as soon as possible.

MASN also temporarily suspended the affected streaming service to prevent further erroneous charges while the issue was being resolved. The network stated that they were working with their payment processing partners to identify and fix the glitch in the system, and that an internal review was underway to prevent such errors in the future.

In addition to the refund process, MASN offered affected fans compensation in the form of discounted future subscription rates, free access to a certain number of games, or other perks. While these gestures were appreciated by some fans, many still felt that the network’s response was inadequate given the scale of the error and the distress it caused.

Refund processing was expected to take several days, with some fans reporting that their money was returned promptly, while others experienced delays. In some cases, fans were required to submit additional documentation to prove that the incorrect charges had been applied to their accounts.

This incident has not only shed light on the vulnerabilities in MASN’s system but also raised larger questions about the way streaming services handle sports media rights and pricing models. As more fans turn to digital platforms for access to live sports content, issues like this one will become increasingly important for networks and service providers to address.

One of the primary concerns for fans is the transparency of pricing models. As streaming services become more ubiquitous, it is essential that customers fully understand the costs involved before signing up. Misleading pricing structures and technical errors can erode trust in a service and leave viewers frustrated, as we saw with MASN’s billing debacle.

For the Orioles and other teams in similar situations, the incident is a reminder of how dependent the sports industry has become on digital revenue. With more and more viewers cutting the cord and opting for streaming, regional sports networks and teams must ensure that their digital infrastructure is robust and reliable. This includes thorough testing of payment systems and customer support processes, especially when offering streaming services for live events.

Additionally, this incident highlights a larger issue in the way sports leagues and networks manage broadcast rights. In the case of the Orioles, MASN serves as the exclusive broadcaster for the team, meaning that all local games must be aired through their network. As streaming becomes the primary way many fans access content, it’s crucial for these entities to remain vigilant in their technical systems and ensure that the fan experience is seamless.

The Orioles’ regional TV network’s mistaken charges sent shockwaves through the fanbase, but it also served as an important reminder about the complexities of modern media distribution. As technology continues to evolve and streaming becomes the primary means for fans to engage with their teams, networks must take the necessary precautions to ensure that these mistakes don’t happen again.

For fans, this incident highlighted the potential pitfalls of digital subscription services, reminding them to remain vigilant when providing payment details online. For MASN, it’s an opportunity to rebuild trust with its viewership by making the necessary adjustments to prevent similar errors in the future.

Ultimately, the $9,000 mistake was not just a technical blunder but a lesson for the sports industry as a whole. It’s clear that as digital platforms take center stage in sports broadcasting, the stakes are higher than ever before. How networks handle issues like this one will determine whether fans remain loyal or look for alternative ways to support their teams.