Home / Sports / MLB Broadcasts Expand to Free TV
MLB Broadcasts Expand to Free TV
17 Aug
Summary
- Boston Red Sox to air two games over-the-air for charity.
- Most MLB teams now offer some over-the-air games.
- No MLB team broadcasts all games over-the-air.
The Boston Red Sox are increasing their over-the-air television presence by simulcasting two regular-season games against the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 17 and 18. This initiative supports the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon, aiming to enhance cancer care and research efforts. While this marks a step toward broader accessibility, it's important to note that no Major League Baseball team broadcasts all of its games over-the-air.
This expansion by the Red Sox aligns with a larger trend across MLB, where more teams are offering some games via free over-the-air broadcasts. In 2021, only six teams had such offerings, but now only seven teams remain without any over-the-air simulcasts. The Yankees, for instance, shifted their over-the-air games to Amazon Prime Video after the 2021 season. This shift addresses the increasing prevalence of cable cord-cutting, as fewer households subscribe to traditional cable packages.
Despite these positive developments, the goal of having all local games available over-the-air remains elusive for MLB fans. Even efforts like the Chicago White Sox's previous plan to air all games via the Chicago Sports Network were impacted by carriage disputes, limiting access in certain regions. Consequently, while accessibility is improving, a fully free over-the-air viewing option for every game is not yet available.
