Rays find new home for game broadcasts

The ongoing uncertainty involving broadcasts of the Tampa Bay Rays and other MLB teams has a new chapter.

The Rays announced this week that Major League Baseball will take over production and distribution beginning this season. The move marks the end of the relationship with the cash-strapped FanDuel Sports Network.

The Rays were among nine teams that had been with FanDuel that announced this week they would move away from the network, owned by Main Street Sports Group.

Of the nine teams, the Rays and five other teams are partnering with the MLB’s media division to broadcast games this season. The Atlanta Braves are expected to launch their own network. The Angels and Tigers have not announced plans.

There are seven other clubs that previously moved to MLB productions.

What does the move mean for Rays’ fans?

Fans in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area will still be able to watch games on cable and satellite systems. Details on channel lineups will be announced soon, according to the team.

Fans can also purchase local market streaming on MLB.com and the MLB app starting later in February.

For fans outside of the Tampa-St. Pete area, Rays’ games can be seen via a subscription on MLB.TV.

“Since our first days of taking ownership of the club, we’ve been committed to delivering a world‑class fan experience,” said Tampa Bay Rays CEO Ken Babby.

“This transition reflects that commitment. 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. 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. Every decision we make is done first and foremost with our fans in mind.”

So far, no details on pricing or changes in broadcast personnel or pre- and post-game coverage have been announced.