The Tampa Bay Rays announced today that Major League Baseball will take over production and distribution of local television broadcasts beginning with the 2026 season. The partnership ensures that fans across Florida will be able to watch Rays games through their cable or satellite provider and through MLB’s direct‑to‑consumer streaming service.
“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.”
Fans in the Rays home market will be able to access games on participating cable and satellite systems, with provider details and channel lineups to be shared soon. Streaming access will be available for purchase on MLB.com and the MLB app once subscriptions go on sale in February.
The Rays join a number of MLB clubs already partnering with the league for local broadcasts. All 162 regular‑season games in 2026 will be available either through local distribution or MLB’s national broadcast partners.
Additional details will be shared in the coming weeks.
Read the full article here