The Atlanta Braves are charting a bold new course in how their games will be broadcast moving forward - and it’s a move that could reshape how fans across the Southeast and beyond watch their team in 2026 and beyond.
While several MLB teams - including the Brewers, Cardinals, Rays, Reds, and Royals - have opted to shift their local broadcasts under the MLB Media umbrella, the Braves are taking a different route. Instead of following the pack, Atlanta is reportedly launching its own television network.
That’s right - the Braves are going independent, and they’re not just dipping a toe in the water. They’re diving in headfirst.
According to reporting from Sports Business Journal, the Braves are expected to roll out a network that could feature a hybrid distribution model - think cable and satellite deals, a local over-the-air partner, and a streaming outlet. One possible blueprint? Something similar to what the Texas Rangers have done with their Rangers Sports Network, which offers fans access via traditional TV and a dedicated streaming platform called Victory+.
For Braves fans, that kind of setup could be a game-changer. The team’s television territory is massive - covering most of the Southeastern United States - and this model would allow them to reach that entire region through cable and OTA broadcasts.
But it wouldn’t stop there. With potential partnerships with streaming giants like Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV, fans outside the Braves' traditional footprint would also have an easy way to tune in.
Now, this isn’t entirely new territory for Atlanta. Braves games have already been available on Amazon Prime through a subscription to FanDuel Sports Network, priced at $19.99 per month.
If the team sticks with that platform, the transition could be seamless for fans who’ve already been watching via streaming. But the bigger shift is what this means for the future of Braves broadcasting as a whole.
This move signals a definitive break from the Regional Sports Network (RSN) model that’s defined Braves television for decades - going all the way back to the TBS Superstation era when the team was a national fixture on cable. That chapter is closing, and the Braves are stepping into a new era where they’ll have full control over how their games are produced and distributed.
Of course, there are still details to be finalized. The team hasn’t officially announced when the new network will launch or what the exact distribution channels will be. But the direction is clear: the Braves are taking their media future into their own hands.
And they’re not waiting around to get things moving. On Monday, the team released a statement addressing the situation, acknowledging the reports and confirming that they’ve been preparing for this shift.
“The Atlanta Braves are aware of the reports regarding Main Street Sports Group. While disappointed with this development, we have been actively preparing for this outcome and are well on our way towards launching a new era in Braves broadcasting.”
The team also made it clear that they’re committed to making Braves baseball accessible to their fans - no matter where they are.
“Throughout Braves Country and beyond, we have one of the largest and most dedicated fan bases in sports, as well as one of the most expansive television territories, and we are excited about bringing Braves baseball to our fans in new ways.”
And perhaps most importantly for fans wondering how they’ll watch games this season:
“To our fans, we want to assure you that we will be ready for the 2026 season, and all Atlanta Braves games will be broadcast across the entirety of Braves Country. We look forward to sharing our path forward in the coming weeks.”
So while there’s still some uncertainty about the final product, one thing is clear: the Braves aren’t just reacting to a changing media landscape - they’re trying to shape it. And if they pull this off, they could become a model for how other franchises approach broadcasting in the future.
For now, all eyes are on Atlanta as they prepare to launch what could be the next big thing in MLB media.