In a big shakeup for the MLB team known as “America’s Team,” the Atlanta Braves are taking their broadcasts in-house with the launch of BravesVision. The team-operated television network will serve as the official local home for more than 140 games this season. The club says it will control production, sales, marketing, and distribution, a major step away from the old regional-sports-network model and part of a wider reshuffle of local MLB rights this winter.
How to Watch the Atlanta Braves With BravesVision
Where to Watch: Local distribution is still being finalized, but the Braves say BravesVision will be available through traditional pay TV (cable/satellite) and streaming partners in the team’s market.
Watch the Braves for Free: A limited slate of games and special programming will also air on Gray local stations. For the second consecutive season, local fans can watch free broadcasts on participating Gray channels in the Southeast (“Braves on Gray”).
Out-of-market viewing: Braves.TV options will continue to involve MLB’s streaming platforms and MLB.TV on ESPN app.
The launch comes as the Braves and other MLB clubs have lost confidence in the old RSN ecosystem, after their former home, FanDuel Sports Networks, missed right fees payments. By building BravesVision, the club keeps editorial control, owns the ad inventory, and can experiment with storytelling and direct fan products. The team says distribution will be announced ahead of Opening Day.
“This endeavor will bring the most vital link to our fanbase – our television broadcast – back under the control of our organization,” said Braves President and CEO Derek Schiller. “Generations of Braves fans were raised watching games on a network that shared ownership with the baseball team. With BravesVision, we believe that we can present Braves baseball in new and innovative ways allowing us to expand and elevate our storytelling capabilities across all of our platforms.”
Other MLB clubs have sought alternatives for their local broadcasts this season. Notably, the St. Louis Cardinals are launching a Cardinals.TV offering produced with MLB assistance, with subscription options announced ahead of spring. Likewise, the Kansas City Royals will have more games on free TV and MLB-produced Royals.TV this year, along with their in-market streaming service. BravesVision will be the latest option for fans to watch all non-national exclusive games on the MLB’s streaming platforms without blackouts.
The Braves haven’t announced a standalone consumer price as of yet. Many team networks negotiate carriage with providers first and may offer direct subscriptions later. Keep an eye on the team’s official channels for pricing and sign-up details.