The Tampa Bay Rays are making a major broadcast pivot ahead of the 2026 season, joining a growing list of MLB teams shifting their local TV rights from the financially embattled FanDuel Sports Network to Major League Baseball’s in-house media group. What does that mean for fans? In short: more ways to watch, fewer blackout headaches, and a new chapter in how Rays baseball reaches your screen.
This move puts the Rays in line with a broader trend across the league, as teams look for stability and flexibility in an increasingly fractured media landscape. The change ensures that Rays games will still be available through traditional cable and satellite providers like Spectrum, while also opening up direct-to-consumer streaming via MLB’s platform - a long-awaited solution for in-market fans who’ve been boxed out by blackout restrictions.
“With MLB’s best-in-class streaming platform, Rays fans in our home market will finally be able to stream games on the MLB app without local blackouts,” said Rays CEO Ken Babby. “And just as importantly, fans who prefer the tradition of watching Rays baseball on television will continue to find our games on cable and satellite.” Babby emphasized that the move is part of the franchise’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the fan experience - something the team has leaned into since new ownership took over.
The Rays are far from alone in this transition. On Monday, they were one of six teams - alongside the Brewers, Cardinals, Marlins, Reds, and Royals - to announce a new partnership with MLB for local broadcasts.
That brings the total number of MLB teams under the league’s media umbrella to 13. The remaining three teams still tied to FanDuel - the Braves, Angels, and Tigers - are also moving on, with the Braves hinting at plans to launch their own network and the other two exploring options, either with MLB or independent streaming services.
So what can fans expect? For starters, the convenience of watching Rays games without needing to jump through hoops.
Whether you’re flipping channels on your TV or streaming on your phone, the goal is to make access seamless. Pricing for the streaming service hasn’t been finalized yet, but if the Cardinals’ model is any indication - $99.99 for the full season or $19.99 per month - Rays fans can expect something in that ballpark.
Sales are expected to begin later this month, with more details to follow.
And yes, blackout restrictions are mostly a thing of the past - with one caveat. Games that fall under exclusive national rights, like the Rays’ three appearances on Peacock’s Sunday Leadoff, will still be subject to blackout rules. But for the vast majority of the season, fans will be able to watch every pitch without issue.
There’s also the matter of the broadcast team. MLB typically retains the same on-air talent fans are used to, but in the Rays’ case, that could require some behind-the-scenes negotiations.
Their TV broadcasters were employed by FanDuel, while the radio crew works directly for the team. Expect some continuity, but don’t be surprised if there are a few changes in the booth.
As for the production itself, MLB’s broadcasts usually include pregame and postgame coverage, though it may not be as extensive as what FanDuel (and previously Bally Sports) provided. That could mean fewer in-depth interviews and analysis segments, but the core game coverage will remain strong.
From a business standpoint, this shift comes with trade-offs. Under the old regional sports network model, teams received a set rights fee - a predictable stream of revenue.
Under the new MLB-run model, teams earn money through a combination of streaming subscriptions, cable/satellite placement, and ad sales. That introduces some financial uncertainty, especially since local TV rights account for a significant chunk of team revenue - on average, about 21%, with some teams relying on it even more.
For the Rays, the exact financials of their previous deal with FanDuel (formerly Bally Sports) have never been made public. While some reports pegged the annual revenue at around $82 million, former owner Stuart Sternberg publicly disputed that figure, calling it “well, well, well under” that number.
Forbes estimated the team earned $56 million in TV revenue in 2022. In late 2024, as FanDuel’s parent company, Main Street Sports Group (formerly Diamond Sports), was navigating bankruptcy, the Rays restructured their deal - though those terms were also kept under wraps.
Now, with Main Street reportedly headed for another bankruptcy filing, the Rays’ move to MLB’s media group offers a much-needed lifeline. It’s a quick and reliable solution that ensures fans won’t miss a beat as spring training approaches. But it also signals a bigger shift in the baseball broadcast landscape, where teams are increasingly taking control of their media futures - even if it means giving up the guaranteed checks of the past.
For Rays fans, the bottom line is this: more access, fewer barriers, and a new era of watching baseball in Tampa Bay. Whether you’re tuning in on cable or streaming on your phone, the games will be there - and that’s a win in itself.