TMP co-host Matt was one of the many struck by the recent Spectrum/Disney battle. Here is his story.
We had reached a sacred time of year. The Thursday before Labor Day weekend brings excitement and serves as a launching pad to the next four months of football, tailgating and neglecting all other responsibilities.
The first game to kick off the season was an anticipated matchup between the visiting Florida Gators going cross country to the mountainous city of Salt Lake to take on the Utah Utes. I flipped on the pregame coverage, and all was right with the world…until it wasn’t. Moments before kickoff, the screen went black.
Then a notification from Spectrum appeared on my screen. Honestly, hate had so engulfed my body that I cannot remember the exact message, but it was along the lines of “Call this number to voice your concerns with ESPN over the ongoing dispute in contract negotiations with Spectrum.”
What kind of sick, tasteless joke is this?
This is Labor Day weekend. I don’t want an errand. I want to eat Taco Bell, drink some Octoberfest, and watch football.
Then I saw a text from Will in our group chat:
“Just flipped it over and saw Utah just scored a 70-yard bomb lol”
What? Already?
Then a text from Jordan:
“The ole fumble to the first down”
The FOMO was strong. This sounds like the best game ever and I am missing it.
I felt betrayed and this would not stand. Spectrum’s actions must have been some violation against the Geneva Convention. I had a good bundle deal with Spectrum streaming and internet, but the damage was done.
I called Spectrum to voice my displeasure and intention to cancel their service. A young man named Jerome picked up after 10 minutes on hold and heard me out. He offered his condolences to my situation but offered to reduce my bill and take the sports package off my bill.
Why would I do that? What am I going to do, watch network television with commercials? Sure, let’s just watch the QVC channel while we are at it so I can pay for something else I don’t need.
I respectfully declined Jerome’s offer and he said I would need to speak to a “Retention Specialist.” He said I was going to be waiting a while because fellow sports lovers were making the same calls all morning.
I said, “Bring it on. I have nowhere to be.”
The call was transferred, and I was left listening to a Spectrum mobile ad on a loop.
I decided to go for a walk because I knew I was going to be waiting a while. After 6,000 steps and about an hour on hold, the Retention Specialist spoke into the phone.
“How can I help you?”
I don’t remember his name so I will call him Randy.
I repeated the same story I had shared with Jerome and this guy had the audacity to ask me about my mobile provider.
No, Randall. I am not interested in giving you more of my business. I don’t want to be on this ship when Spectrum has a stall in contract negotiations with phone towers.
I repeated that I was unhappy with my situation and wanted to cancel.
Randy then pulled up my account and saw my billing cycle was coming up. He said if I gave him a week, they could potentially have an agreement with ESPN by September 8th.
I didn’t believe him, but it bought me time to find another provider.
I responded with “You have one week” and hung up the phone before he could offer me some other useless service.
Well folks, the day has come and there appears to be no resolution in sight for Spectrumand Disney.
Today, I officially filed my name into the streaming services portal. My profile can be found below:
Matt Chance
Age: 34
Hours streamed: 49,512
Payment History: Auto-Pay
Most Watched Show: Recently fell into the rabbit hole that is “Suits.” Before Peacock, “The Office” and “Parks and Rec.” Also, 10-time Sunday Ticket holder.
Anonymous Scout: “You will not find this guy far away from the couch. He displays a (un)healthy variety of viewing pleasures from sports to comedy to any movie featuring Ana de Armas. You are looking at one of the white whales of the streaming world.”
You done messed up, Spectrum. Now it’s time I take my talents elsewhere.
The Message Pitch 