In a major shift for North American sports media, Major League Baseball (MLB) will produce local broadcasts for 15 teams during the 2026 season. This comes after the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers officially cut ties with Main Street Sports (formerly Diamond Sports Group), which has been plagued by ongoing financial instability.
The move marks a significant milestone in MLB’s strategy to centralize media rights. Currently, half of the league’s teams have moved away from traditional Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in favor of the league’s in-house media division.
Key highlights of the new broadcasting landscape:
- Centralization: MLB aims to maximize media deal values ahead of the 2028 renewal cycle.
- ESPN Partnership: A revamped deal with ESPN integrates MLB.TV into ESPN’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) ecosystem, offering fans a seamless streaming experience.
- Reach vs. Revenue: Teams are trading the “guaranteed” fees of the old cable model for a future-proof digital approach that prioritizes fan reach and accessibility.
While 21 teams will offer in-market subscriptions through MLB’s platforms, six clubs—including the Dodgers and Mets—continue to stick with their current RSN partners. As the 2026 season approaches, the “post-RSN future” of baseball is officially taking shape.