Major League Baseball (MLB) is significantly expanding its role in producing team broadcasts, with six additional franchises opting for MLB to manage their television coverage for the upcoming 2026 season. This development, driven by the financial difficulties encountered by Main Street Sports Group, brings the total number of teams under MLB's direct broadcast umbrella to thirteen. This shift represents a growing trend within the league as teams seek stable broadcast solutions, albeit with potential adjustments to their revenue streams.
MLB Takes Over Broadcasts for Six More Teams
In a significant development for Major League Baseball's broadcasting landscape, as of Monday, February 2, 2026, six additional teams have officially announced their transition to MLB for their broadcast production needs. These teams include the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays. This decision comes in the wake of financial instability affecting Main Street Sports Group, a previous broadcast partner for several franchises. This expansion brings MLB's direct involvement in team broadcasts to a total of thirteen clubs. Previously, in the last season, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins, and San Diego Padres made a similar move following the default of their regional sports network agreements. More recently, the Seattle Mariners and Washington Nationals also joined this growing roster. While MLB's productions are reportedly on par with their predecessors in terms of quality, the new arrangements indicate that teams might receive variable payments based on streaming figures, a departure from the guaranteed fees typically provided by regional sports networks. The Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, and Los Angeles Angels, who also separated from Main Street (operating as FanDuel Sports) in January, are currently finalizing their broadcast plans for the current season.
This ongoing transition within MLB broadcasting highlights the evolving dynamics between sports leagues, media rights, and financial stability. The league's increased direct involvement could offer a more consistent broadcast experience for fans, ensuring wider accessibility via both traditional cable and modern streaming platforms. However, the reported shift to variable revenue models based on streaming performance could present new financial considerations for franchises, encouraging them to actively engage with and grow their digital viewership. This move also underscores the fragility of traditional regional sports network models in the face of changing media consumption habits and economic pressures, potentially paving the way for a more centralized and digitally-focused future for sports broadcasting.