Texas Rangers form broadcast network
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Spring training starts next month, and the regular season starts in March. Photo: Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images
The Texas Rangers have formed a business entity to produce and broadcast the team's games.
Why it matters: The Rangers Sports Network will oversee on-air talent, camera and audio staff and the technical staff behind all local game broadcasts.
- The move gives the Rangers direct control of how games are aired.
State of play: The Rangers, like the Stars and the Mavericks, have moved away from broadcast network Bally Sports after its parent company Diamond Sports Group went through bankruptcy.
- The Rangers recently announced its games will be streamed on Victory+.
The latest: Several traditional cable providers, including DIRECTV, U-verse and Spectrum, have agreed to carry the Rangers Sports Network for game days, the team announced Tuesday.
- The team will also have 15 over-the-air broadcasts, nearly every Friday home game, on CW33. The first will be the second regular season game on March 28 against Boston.
The big picture: Some teams have turned to Major League Baseball to produce game broadcasts as they move away from traditional regional broadcast groups like Bally.
- Other teams have also created their own sports networks like the Rangers have.
Zoom out: In the Bally aftermath, the MLB is distributing games this season for the Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota Twins.
- The White Sox are now aired by the Chicago Sports Network, owned by the families that own the Sox, the Blackhawks and the Bulls.
Flashback: The Yankees launched their own regional sports network in 2002. YES airs Yankee games and Brooklyn Nets games.
What they're saying: Rangers owner Ray Davis said the Rangers Sports Network was formed to "give fans more access to our games."
- "We feel the entity is in a strong position to deliver for Rangers fans as well as execute other potential broadcast opportunities in the future," Davis said in a written statement.
What's next: Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 12.
Editor's note: This story was updated with new broadcast information for the Rangers Sports Network.