Major League Baseball to Produce and Distribute Local Games for Guardians, Brewers, and Twins in 2025

Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced a significant shift in its broadcasting strategy, taking over the production and distribution of local games for the Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, and Minnesota Twins starting in 2025. This move comes as a result of the expiration of their previous agreements with Diamond Sports Group, which owns the Bally Sports Networks.

The decision to assume control of these broadcasts is part of MLB's broader strategy to enhance fan access and reduce blackouts. Noah Garden, MLB's deputy commissioner for business and media, emphasized the league's commitment to ensuring fans can watch their favorite teams without interruptions. The new arrangement aims to expand the reach of MLB games, particularly with the expected surge in viewership for the Guardians, whose local games were previously accessible to approximately 1.45 million households via their regional sports network. This number is projected to increase by 235% to around 4.86 million households.

Similarly, the Twins' local game reach is expected to rise by 307%, from 1.08 million homes to about 4.4 million households. This expansion is part of MLB's effort to cater to changing consumer preferences and the decline of traditional cable TV subscriptions. Fans will be able to sign up for direct-to-consumer streaming packages without blackouts, except for nationally broadcasted games.

The Texas Rangers, whose contract with Diamond also expired in 2024, are exploring alternative broadcasting options for the upcoming season. This development follows MLB's previous takeovers of local broadcasts for the San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Colorado Rockies. By assuming control of these broadcasts, MLB aims to enhance the market presence of its teams and provide a more seamless viewing experience for fans.

As Diamond Sports Group navigates bankruptcy proceedings, MLB may take on additional teams. The largest owner of regional sports networks in the U.S. might be left with only the Atlanta Braves broadcasts by 2025. Diamond's reorganization plan includes the cancellation of contracts with several teams, including the Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays, as well as efforts to renegotiate agreements with partially owned regional sports networks.

The transition to direct-to-consumer streaming is expected to have both positive and negative impacts on the teams involved. While it will provide fans with greater flexibility and access to games, it may also lead to reduced broadcast revenue for the teams. The Twins, for instance, have already cut their payroll significantly in response to uncertainty surrounding their broadcasting deal. However, Twins president Dave St. Peter expects greater revenue in the future as the streaming model continues to evolve.

Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed plans to market a streaming package consisting of multiple teams in the future, potentially as early as 2025. This initiative aims to create a blackout-free version of MLB.TV, although it faces complications due to teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, and Cubs handling their own games through partially owned broadcasters.

In summary, MLB's decision to produce and distribute local games for the Guardians, Brewers, and Twins in 2025 represents a significant shift in the league's broadcasting strategy. This move is designed to enhance fan access and reduce blackouts, while also adapting to changing consumer preferences in the media landscape.

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