The Tampa Bay Rays are ushering in a new era for how fans in the Bay Area and throughout Florida watch their games. With the launch of Rays.TV, the team-owned streaming network, will have direct access to every Rays game. To mark this milestone, the opening game of the 2026 Spring Training season against the Braves will be available for free, giving fans a preview of the new viewing experience.
This transition comes as many teams reclaim their local TV rights and join MLB.TV is reshaping the landscape of baseball broadcasting. While the move promises greater control and more viewing options for fans, there are still several unknowns as the new model takes shape.
The Rays have joined 15 other teams in leaving Main Street Sports to reclaim their local TV rights and partner with the league under the MLB.TV platform. As a result, MLB.TV will now produce and distribute all 162 regular-season games for these teams. The Rays are launching Rays.TV as their new direct-to-consumer streaming hub, offering fans more viewing options and access.
This transition marks a significant shift, promising increased stability for the teams and steadier revenue streams. By centralizing production and distribution and leveraging direct-to-consumer technology, both the league and its teams can better engage fans while benefiting from a more predictable and potentially lucrative financial model.
Rays.TV Pricing Details
Rays.TV costs $99.99 for the full season. Season ticket holders snag 50% off. That drops to $49.99. Bundle it with full MLB.TV out-of-market access. Pay $199.99 total. MLB calls this 20% cheaper than separate buys. You score all Rays in-market games. No blackouts. Add every other team’s out-of-market action. MLB Network streams 24/7. MiLB games join in. Live audio covers all clubs.
MLB Takes Over Production
The league’s 2025 success with Diamondbacks.TV, Rockies.TV, and Padres.TV demonstrated how taking over local broadcast production could ease the transition away from the RSN model for fans. Recognizing the importance of familiarity, MLB ensured that beloved local broadcasters remained part of the broadcast experience. For the Rays, this means the broadcast team stays intact: Dewayne Staats continues with play-by-play, Brian Anderson provides analysis, and Ryan Bass reports.
With the launch of Rays.TV, select Spring Training games will be streamed for free, giving fans an opportunity to experience the new platform. For the latest updates, fans are encouraged to visit the team website and check Sports Talk Florida for ongoing coverage.
Distribution Expands Reach
Many fans have expressed concern that Rays games will still be available on the platforms they used when broadcasts were on FanDuel. MLB has made significant progress negotiating with major providers—including DirecTV, Comcast/Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, Fubo, YouTube TV, and Hulu Live TV—to ensure Rays.TV will be widely accessible. If you subscribe to one of these services, you are very likely to get Rays games without interruption. Exact channel numbers will be announced soon, and games will be simulcast on participating providers.
Fans can also use the MLB App, logging in with either their Rays account.TV credentials or their pay-TV login. National exclusive games will continue to air on FOX, NBC, TBS, HBO MAX, Peacock, Netflix, and Apple TV, as those platforms retain rights to select matchups.
Financial Win Over FanDuel Mess
Main Street faced significant financial troubles, owing millions and missing scheduled payments. In 2025, losses ballooned to $200 million. As a result, the Rays and eight other teams terminated their agreements with Main Street in January 2026.
Major League Baseball (MLB) offers an alternative with guaranteed annual payments exceeding $50 million. The league centralizes carriage fees, subscription revenue, and bundled deals, retaining a 20-30% share for operations. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) subscriptions are driving substantial revenue growth, while enhanced data and marketing strategies are boosting overall sales. Without reliance on Regional Sports Network (RSN) subsidies, this model provides a clear path to pure profit upside.
Will Rays.TV Have A Local TV Station Partner?
Currently, Spring Training games are streaming for free, but the future of regular-season over-the-air broadcasts is also promising for Rays fans. Following the example of Arizona, San Diego, and Colorado, where the Diamondbacks, Rockies, and Padres have secured local broadcast partnerships for 10 to 15 regular-season games, the Rays may adopt a similar approach for the 2026 season. Updates on over-the-air plans will be available on Rays.TV.
This new model moves away from the 24/7 Regional Sports Network (RSN) format, instead focusing on live games, pre- and post-game shows, and replays—delivering what fans care about most without unnecessary programming.
Rays.TV transforms viewing. MLB centralizes power. RSN era dies. Fans win with choice.
