Nationals Broadcasts Move to MLB Network | MASN Out

WASHINGTON, March 26, 2024 – The Washington Nationals are taking control of their broadcast future, announcing today they will produce and distribute games directly to fans through Major League Baseball, effectively ending a 21-year partnership with MASN.

A New Ballgame for Nationals Fans

The Nationals are joining a growing trend of MLB teams bringing game broadcasts in-house, promising enhanced viewing experiences for fans in the Mid-Atlantic region.

• Nationals.tv will broadcast all locally televised games starting in 2026.
• The move mirrors similar decisions by six othre MLB franchises.
• The arrangement allows for technological upgrades and closer collaboration with broadcasters.

This shift means fans will be able to access Nationals games through cable and satellite providers, as well as MLB’s direct-to-consumer streaming platform. What does this mean for Nationals fans? It signifies a direct line between the team and its audience, possibly leading to a more tailored and technologically advanced broadcast experience.

Did you know? – MASN, the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, was formed in 2005 when the Montreal Expos relocated to Washington, D.C., and became the Nationals.The network was jointly owned by the Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles.

Following a league-Wide Trend

The Nationals aren’t alone in this move. In recent years, the padres, Diamondbacks, Mariners, Rockies, Twins, and Guardians have all opted to leave their regional sports networks and partner directly with MLB for game broadcasts. This trend reflects a broader industry shift as teams seek greater control over distribution and revenue.

“Today’s announcement represents a new chapter for Washington Nationals baseball,” said managing principal owner mark lerner in a statement. “We are excited to have already begun work with the talented team at MLB, and the collaboration is off to a strong start as we work together to elevate the viewing experience with world-class broadcasts across television and streaming.”

Lerner further emphasized the benefits of the partnership, stating, “Partnering with MLB offers us several new opportunities that will greatly improve the on-air product, including technological enhancements, the ability to work more closely with our broadcasters, and create added opportunities for our valued corporate partners. We’re thrilled to be able to offer the kind of presentation that our dedicated fans across the entire Mid-Atlantic region deserve.”

Pro tip – Fans should check nats.com/watch for updates on cable and satellite provider participation, as well as the spring training broadcast schedule and announcing team details.

A Two-Decade Run with MASN

The Nationals’ games have been broadcast on MASN since the franchise relocated from Montreal in 2005. The arrangement involved the club, MLB, and the Orioles, who hold a majority stake in the network. However, in March, the three parties reached a new agreement allowing the

Description of Changes & Answers to Questions:

* Why did this happen? The Nationals, like other MLB teams, are seeking greater control over broadcast distribution and revenue. They want to enhance the viewing experience with technological upgrades and closer collaboration with broadcasters.
* Who is involved? The Washington Nationals, Major League Baseball, MASN (Mid-Atlantic Sports Network), the Baltimore Orioles (who have a stake in MASN), and Nationals fans.
* What is the change? The Nationals are ending their 21-year broadcasting partnership with MASN and will now produce and distribute games directly to fans through MLB, starting in 2026.
* How did it end? The Nationals, MLB, and the Orioles reached a new agreement in March