Diamondbacks Finalize TV Deal With MLB
After some back-and-forth regarding where and how Arizona's games will be televised ahead of the 2024 season, the D-backs will settle back in on the shoulders of Major League Baseball to produce their 2024 broadcasts.
According to a tweet from Arizona Sports 98.7's John Gambadoro, the D-backs are finalizing a deal with MLB media to produce broadcasts, in the same fashion that they were produced in the latter half of 2023.
The Diamondbacks later confirmed this report in a press release, and on their Twitter/X account. T
The Athletic's Evan Drellich had previously reported that the D-backs, Rockies and Padres would all return to MLB.tv in 2024, however, that report was somewhat squashed when D-backs team President and CEO Derrick Hall, as well as Managing Partner Ken Kendrick said that they were still exploring all options, as there were multiple interested parties.
Hall said that the team was still talking to interested parties, and was exploring options such as over-the-air, and they hoped to be able to announce it by the end of this week so that the team could broadcast Spring Training games.
While MLB was still an option, and their production quality and efforts through the 2023 transition were praised by Hall, there was a great deal to sort out, and navigating the landscape of Regional Sports Networks, especially following Arizona's split from Diamond Sports Group and Bally was an ongoing challenge.
Ultimately, the D-backs will land back on MLB. In-market viewers will be able to purchase a single-team subscription on MLB.tv to get access to all non-nationally broadcast D-backs games for $99.99 yearly.
In the press release, Hall issued a statement on the D-backs' choice to remain with MLB Media.
“We took time to weigh all of our broadcast options for the upcoming season and how they would each impact our fans,” said D-backs President, CEO & General Partner Derrick Hall. “MLB Media stepped in last year when we needed them to and ensured a seamless transition for all viewers. They reached more households than our prior partnership, improved production quality dramatically, and offered a top-of-the-line streaming product with no blackouts.”
The team is offering five Spring Training games for free to open the 2024 season. As of now, there do not appear to be alternatives to the MLB.tv streaming option, but this could change as the season grows nearer.
Fans living outside Arizona, New Mexico or Utah will also have the option to purchase the single-team package, however, said out-of-market fans who already have the MLB.tv all-teams package will be able to access D-backs games for free.
The viewership package can be purchased on MLB.tv here.
