The Los Angeles Dodgers downed the Milwaukee Brewers 3–1 on Thursday to go up three games to none in the National League Championship Series. While it was an epic showdown, all the Canadian fans missed out on it completely. They were unable to access the NLCS Game 3 on Thursday night despite holding a Sportsnet subscription. As one might expect, it drew criticism.

The Dodgers-Brewers game aired exclusively on TSN, leaving Canadian Sportsnet subscribers frustrated by Canada’s fragmented sports media scene.

For the viewers in the United States, the game was available on many platforms. However, across the border in Canada, fans immediately, in real-time, expressed their frustration all over social media at the Rogers-owned network.

Sportsnet is apparently owned by Rogers Communications. They acquired nearly 80% of the Toronto Blue Jays 25 years ago and the other 20% in 2004, the year that made them the sole owner of the club.

They hold national rights to Major League Baseball across Canada, including coverage of the Toronto Blue Jays and select playoff games. Canadian fans had their fair share of theories about the situation, but the exact reason behind Sportsnet’s decision to do so is still unknown.

The frustration has grown to the point where Canadian fans are vowing not to root for the Blue Jays if they play the Dodgers in the World Series.

It was only recently that New York fans relentlessly booed the Toronto Blue Jays during the Canadian national anthem before game 3 of the American League Division Series. It was a turning point that affected many and sparked a feud among netizens.

Canadian fans frustrated over missing the Dodgers-Brewers game

The real-time vent was real. “Imagine living in Canada, so because the stupid Jays made the ALCS, we get 8 channels of that game and not ONE of the Dodgers game. NO NLCS in Canada on tv. We’re a joke.” The thing is, as the Blue Jays made it to the ALCS, Canadian networks heavily broadcast their games. Fans are largely frustrated by how biased or one-sided the coverage feels.

You see, since Canada has a strong baseball culture, especially in Toronto and Vancouver, it’s only natural to be upset for not being able to access the NLCS clash many have been waiting for. “@Sportsnet (not SportsnetLA) is a Canadian all-sports channel and has the monopoly on MLB in Canada. Coincidentally, they own the @BlueJays, so they show the Jays on all their channels, leaving no options for # Dodgers fans in Canada.

MLB app blacked out for playoffs too.” It led to fans calling out Rogers Communications with brutal takes.

In the name of prioritizing their national team, Sportsnet has certainly lost many loyal subscribers. “There’s really NO TV broadcast of the Dodgers v. Brewers game today in Canada?? Sportsnet is dropping the ball.” The blackout feels unfair, to say the least.

Another fan noted, “Ridiculous, it’s the NLCS game and I can’t watch it. Canada sucks for so many reasons, but this is just stupid.” The Dodgers are MLB’s most successful franchise. The Dodgers don’t just have fans in Los Angeles or in the United States. Canadian fans are just as passionate and invested in the team.

Another fan quipped, “Nothing like playoff baseball. Except in Canada, where the Dodgers-Brewers game is not available on Sportsnet.” The decision to keep Canadian fans from tuning in to the Dodgers-Brewers game may cost Sportsnet—a Rogers-owned channel—a significant number of loyal viewers.