customers

Thirteen years ago, on the final Sunday in September, Skip Schumaker struck out. It was the last out in the last game of the regular season.

For the Dodgers, no big deal: They had won the National League West, and the playoffs were four days away.

For Dodgers fans that subscribed to Cox Communications, it turned out to be the start of a bizarre and protracted blackout that cost viewers the final years of Vin Scully and the golden years of three World Series championships.

After 4,560 days, the blackout is over.

On Friday, for the first time in 13 years, Cox subscribers within the Dodgers’ broadcast territory will be able to watch the team on their local television home. Fans can find SportsNet LA on Channel 63 in Orange County, Channel 54 in Palos Verdes, Channel 36 in Santa Barbara and Channel 50 in Las Vegas.

How did this finally come to pass? Those channels no longer belong to Cox.

Charter Communications, the company responsible for getting SportsNet LA on as many cable, satellite and streaming options as possible, on Thursday closed its $34.5-billion purchase of Cox.

For Dodgers fans, the takeaway is this: It no longer matters that Cox did not want to pay Charter for the rights to air SportsNet LA. Charter made the 13 years of that moot by buying Cox.

Charter offers broadcast service under the Spectrum brand.

In 2013, with the team in the final year of its local television agreement with Fox Sports, the Dodgers announced it would launch a team-owned channel the following year.

In exchange for the rights to market and distribute that SportsNet LA channel, Time Warner Cable agreed to pay the Dodgers $8.35 billion over 25 years. It was the last great regional sports network deal, with traditional broadcast audiences about to fragment amid the rise of streaming and cord-cutting.

The guaranteed rights fees are as sure of a revenue stream as anything in baseball, and the Dodgers’ success amid all that cash is one of the triggers for major league owners in their push for a salary cap.

However, the great regional sports network deals relied on cable and satellite subscribers paying for every channel in a bundle, most of which viewers never watched.

With DirecTV leading the resistance, cable and satellite providers balked at signing up for SportsNet LA: a few dimes per month per subscriber for a news or entertainment channel was fine, but they drew the line at $5 per month subscriber for a baseball channel.

No major Los Angeles outlet besides Time Warner Cable carried SportsNet LA until 2016, and then only because Charter bought Time Warner Cable. Even then, less than half the households in the Los Angeles market could get SportsNet LA.

In 2020, DirecTV and AT&T struck a deal with Charter, not so much to liberate Dodgers fans as to help the parties maintain a shrinking base of subscribers amid a proliferation of video options.

“I think I can speak for a lot of people who will say this is, maybe, long overdue,” Dodgers star Justin Turner said then.

Six years later, as a longtime Cox subscriber excited to see SportsNet LA for the first time, your humble correspondent can say this: I think I can speak for a lot of people who will say this is definitely long overdue.

Budget airline easyJet cancelled around 100 flights out of France last weekend with the possibility of further disruption this summer due to industrial action

Thousands of UK passengers are being urged to check if they are eligible for compensation after strikes by easyJet’s French cabin crew.

The budget airline cancelled around 100 flights out of France last weekend with the possibility of further disruption this summer. easyJet passengers flying through Paris, Nice, Bordeaux and Lyon are among those that have faced cancellations and delays.

Under EU regulation 261/2004, passengers can claim compensation if their flight is cancelled in certain circumstances. This can range from €125 (£106) to €600 (£513) – and this is per person.

How much money you are due depends on the length of the flight, plus how much notice you were given for the cancellation and the time of your alternative flight.

For example, if your flight distance was less than 1,500km and it was cancelled less than seven days before you were due to depart, you would be due €125 compensation if your rescheduled flight takes off more than one hour before your original flight, and arrives less than two hours after it.

You can find a full breakdown of the payouts below. But it is important to note that the airline normally only has to pay if it was their fault your flight was cancelled. This can include strikes involving an airline’s staff, including cabin crew, as this is deemed the responsibility of the airline.

Strikes outside of an airline’s control – such as air traffic control, airport security or baggage handlers – are seen as extreme circumstances, and would therefore be unlikely to qualify for compensation.

Consumer rights expert Martyn James said: “The strike compensation rules can seem a little confusing, but the rule of thumb is: if the staff work directly for the airline (cabin crew, pilots) then you should get compensation for delayed or cancelled flights.

“If the staff work as ground crew or for the airport, they don’t directly work for the airline, so the business can’t be considered to have ‘anticipated’ the situation and prevented it.

“Needless to say airlines don’t like this reading of the law. And in fact it was only clarified after they were taken to court by a disgruntled passenger.

“So remember to push back if they refuse your claim – or if they try to blame something else, like the weather or ground crew. As for a written response to your claim, especially if they turn it down.”

The flight you were on must have departed from a UK airport on any airline, or arrived at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline, or arrived at an airport in the EU on a UK airline.

If you believe you are entitled to compensation for a cancelled flight, you can make a complaint directly to your airline.

If the airline refuses to pay out, your next step should be to contact the relevant alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme.

Flight was cancelled between 7 and 14 days before departure

• Distance; Less than 1,500km – Rescheduled flight takes off more than two hours before your original flight, and arrives less than two hours after it – €125 compensation
• Distance; Less than 1,500km – Rescheduled flight takes off more than two hours before your original flight, and arrives more than two hours after it – €250 compensation
• Distance; Less than 1,500km – Rescheduled flight arrives more than four hours after your original flight – €250 compensation
• Distance; Between 1,500km and 3,500km – Rescheduled flight takes off more than two hours before your original flight, and arrives less than three hours after it – €200 compensation
• Distance; Between 1,500km and 3,500km – Rescheduled flight takes off more than two hours before your original flight, and arrives three to four hours after it – €400 compensation
• Distance; Between 1,500km and 3,500km – Rescheduled flight arrives more than four hours after your original flight – €400 compensation
• Distance; More than 3,500km – Rescheduled flight departs more than two hours before your original flight, and arrives less than four hours after it – €300 compensation
• Distance; More than 3,500km – Rescheduled flight arrives more than four hours after your original flight – €600 compensation

Flight was cancelled less than 7 days before departure

• Distance; Less than 1,500km – Rescheduled flight takes off more than one hour before your original flight, and arrives less than two hours after it – €125 compensation
• Distance; Less than 1,500km – Rescheduled flight arrives more than two hours after your original flight – €250 compensation
• Distance; Between 1,500km and 3,500km – Rescheduled flight departs more than one hour before your original flight, and arrives less than three hours after it – €200 compensation
• Distance; Between 1,500km and 3,500km – Rescheduled flight arrives more than three hours after your original flight – €400 compensation
• Distance; More than 3,500km – Rescheduled flight departs more than one hour before your original flight, and arrives less than four hours after it – €300 compensation
• Distance; More than 3,500km – Rescheduled flight arrives more than four hours after your original flight – €600 compensation

Anyone who’s jetting off this summer will want to know about a fairly new safety rule that you must follow when you’re on board.

Going on holiday is always an exciting time, but there’s a lot of reasons that they can be stressful too. For many people, the flight itself is a source of anxiety, while others aren’t keen on the packing, the security process or the bag regulations.

I love a trip abroad, and although I can sometimes get nervous during takeoff and landing – as I’m sure many people do – I try to push it aside because I know there’s a holiday waiting for me at the other end.

If I can afford it, I’ll go on two or three holidays a year, so I like to think I’m pretty savvy when it comes to knowing what to pack, how big your bag can be, and just having a general know-how about the process. But on my most recent holiday, I was shocked to hear a safety announcement onboard that I’d literally never heard before, and it really threw a spanner in the works.

Picture the scene – it’s 5.30am, I’ve had three hours of sleep, two coffees down in Manchester Airport and I’m about to board my flight to Bilbao. Because I’ve desperately been trying to keep myself awake, I’ve been scrolling endlessly, so by the time I’m sat in my seat, my phone battery is looking a little unhealthy.

Luckily I’ve got a portable charger in my bag, ready to give my phone a much-needed boost. It’s been a rule for a while now that you can’t pack these in your checked luggage due to the potential danger from lithium ion batteries, but it’s always handier to have them in your hand luggage anyway.

But as the safety announcements kicked off, I was very surprised to hear that on this easyJet flight, you couldn’t use portable chargers at all.

Why can’t you use portable chargers on flights?

This was the first I’d heard of power banks being completely banned from use onboard flights. However, it’s clear to see in the ‘dangerous goods’ section of the easyJet website, which says they can’t be used to charge other devices.

They also must be ‘individually protected’ like placed in original retail packaging or a plastic bag, and customers are only allowed a maximum of two each.

Explaining why the rules are so strict, Jonathan Nicholson from the Civil Aviation Authority told BBC News that compared to the likes of digital cameras and laptops, “power banks have a much bigger battery, much stronger and get a lot hotter”.

“These things, when they catch fire, they go – they really go – they are big, big issues and big fires,” he added.

This makes total sense, and it obviously explains why most airlines have banned portable chargers in hold luggage – it was only a matter of time before they were banned from being used on planes too.

It’s worth noting that they are not outright prohibited – you just can’t use them, on easyJet flights anyway. So it’s definitely worth making sure you’re fully charged before you board, and don’t make the same mistake I did.

Which airlines have banned power banks?

As well as easyJet, several other airlines have started to enforce strict rules surrounding power banks. British Airways recently tightened its regulations – they must display the capacity rating information, they can’t exceed exceed 100Wh and they must be stored either in the seat pocket or in a bag placed under the seat in front.

Emirates has outright banned the use of power banks on all flights, nor can you plug the power bank into the seat’s power supply to charge it.

Most other airlines, such as Ryanair, Jet2 and TUI, do allow you to use them on board – just not during taxi, takeoff and landing, and restrictions can apply on the wattage. And you’re definitely not allowed to pack them in your hold luggage under any circumstances.

It’s recommended to check with the airline you’re flying with if you’re not sure, but always better safe than sorry.

Customers are being sent emails that explain everything they need to be aware of

Sky is sending emails out to customers with a message about ‘security’. In the UK, Sky serves more than 25 million people, about 36% of all households. Sky Broadband boasts nearly 5.8 million active users and employs around 20,000 people across the UK.

In a new email delivered to its customers, the connectivity company reminded people about the importance of watching out for scammers. It said: “At Sky, we’re committed to helping you keep your account secure. So, we wanted to give you some tips on how to stay vigilant.”

Urging customers to stay safe and explaining what steps to take, Sky added: “Sometimes, scammers pretend to be trusted brands so that they can try to trick you into sharing your personal information or even placing an order they may ask you to send on to them when it arrives.

“If you’re unsure about a call, text or any other message, end the conversation. Head to the My Sky app or sky.com to see if anything looks wrong — be sure to check your account details and your recent orders.”

For customers who receive calls, texts and WhatsApp messages, Sky advises “stay vigilant”. It says: “Fraudsters can sound convincing, especially if they rush you, pressure you, or offer a deal that seems too good to be true.”

Remembering the following information “will help you stay in control”

• Sky will never ask for the password you use to sign into the My Sky app or sky.com
• Ask you to place an order on our website while on the phone with you.
• Tell you to share your screen on any device.
• Ask you to read out your full payment card details (unless you contacted us first).
• Pressure you into making decisions.

Sky says it always sends texts “from Sky”, adding: “Be cautious of other senders claiming to be us.” The company also says it will always give you the option to hang up and contact the customer service team if you’re unsure.

It added: “Use our verified Sky UK WhatsApp Business account — look for the blue tick. Remember, if anyone contacts you unexpectedly, sounds urgent, or asks for details, stop and take a moment.”

In terms of deliveries, Sky urges customers to be aware that if someone asks to return items they weren’t expecting to receive, or pressures them to return something using a QR code or courier. It says: “If you ever need to return Sky equipment, always use Sky’s official returns process.”

For more info, head to sky.com/returns. To find out more about how to protect yourself from scams, visit: sky.com/scamsafe.

What to do if you think you’re a victim of a scam

If you believe you’ve fallen victim to a scam, reach out to your bank right away if you shared any money or personal information. After that, make sure to report the incident to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre. You can do this by calling 0300 123 2040 or by visiting the Action Fraud website. It’s important to act quickly to protect yourself.

Looking to hire a car for your summer holiday? Which? has put together a ranking of some of the best and worst car hire firms, including those that have the most hidden fees and the ones likely to keep you waiting at the airport

Hiring a car can be an excellent way to explore somewhere new, but a recent survey by Which? Has revealed that one in eight car hire customers end up paying more than they expected to get on the road.

The consumer magazine surveyed over 3,600 people who’d hired a car in the past two years, asking a range of questions about their experience with customer service, value for money, ease of car pick-up and drop-off, and clarity around the overall cost.

Shockingly, 13% of participants in the survey ended up paying more than the price that they were quoted, showing that extras aren’t always made clear when customers are booking. These included surcharges for drivers over 70 and extra insurance costs that weren’t in the headline price.

Third from the bottom of the rankings was car hire giant Avis, a fixture at airports and other transport hubs. It has over 50 branches across the UK and thousands more across the world. While Avis scored highly for accurate descriptions, quality vehicles, and quick returns, it only scored two stars out of five for collection speed, and the clarity of its costs and conditions. With an average rental price of £55, it’s also far from being the cheapest option. Avis declined to comment.

Second from the bottom was Dollar, owned by the same parent company as Hertz, which also scored well for having accurate vehicle descriptions, easy-to-find locations, and easy returns. However, it received two-star scores when it came to collection speed and three stars for overall value for money.

When approached for comment, a Hertz spokesperson said: “We welcome feedback and are committed to providing a clear and transparent booking experience for our customers. Key information – including rates, inclusions, rental requirements and additional driver policies – is displayed throughout the reservation process and is available for review before payment.

“All Hertz customers also have access to a no-fee additional driver option through our free Gold+ Rewards loyalty program, which allows members to add a spouse or domestic partner at no additional charge.”

Coming in last in Which?’s survey was Goldcar. 28% of renters told Which? they had received additional charges, some of which weren’t deducted until after they returned home. Nearly a fifth of respondents said they had to queue for 30 minutes or longer to collect their car, also giving them two stars for customer service. One survey respondent said: “The risk of post-contract extras outweighs the cheaper price. Avoid at all costs.”

A spokesperson for Goldcar said: “Goldcar Spain is, of course, disappointed that the alleged experiences have been identified by Which? Travel. With regard to insurance cover, the company offers premium cover to provide a seamless process should damage occur during a customer’s rental. A customer, of course, has the right to choose to buy their cover separately; however, if this is the case, they will be charged for any damages that occur during the rental and will then need to claim the costs back from the chosen provider.

“Whilst the company has not been given the opportunity to see the footage referred to by Which? Travel is committed to investigating any incidents where a customer believes they have received service that does not match expectations for a low-cost brand.

“The company introduced a Code of Ethics for counter sales and a Guide of Good Sales Practices in 2021, both of which are reviewed annually based on customer feedback about their sales experience. If an employee breaches the Code of Ethics, they are immediately warned and penalised economically and if breaches are repeated they can be subject to termination of their contract.”

At the top of the rankings was Autoreisen, a Canary Islands-based car hire company that received five stars across all categories, despite also being the cheapest on average at £16 a day. It was named as a Which? Recommended Provider alongside the UK’s Arnold Clark, and the worldwide brand Alamo.

Arnold Clark was also the only UK rental firm that was awarded five stars for clarity of costs. One satisfied customer said: “There was no time shilly-shallying and no problem hiring in my age group (82). I was in and out in no time and dropped off back at my home.”

Guy Hobbs, head of travel research for Which?, said: “Too often we hear from holidaymakers who have faced poor customer service and unexpected charges that turn a seemingly cheap rental into an expensive one.

“The good news is that some firms show it doesn’t have to be this way. To get the best experience this summer, travellers should choose a reputable provider. Our Which? Recommended Providers are all excellent options, and using a trusted broker such as Zest Car Rental can provide extra reassurance and support if any issues arise.”

Which?’s rankings for best and worst car hire firms for 2026

1. Autoreisen
2. Cicar
3. Arnold Clark
4. Alamon
5. TopCar
6. Centauro
7. Enterprise
8. Sixt
9. Drivalia
10. Europcar
11. Thrifty
12. Budget
13. Hertz
14. Avis
15. Dollar
16. Goldcar

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com