On sports media: MLB works to close deal to get Twins on Comcast, over-the-air package also in play
While the streaming portion of Twins.TV is ready to go, the team and MLB continue to negotiate to make sure the channel is carried on cable and satellite and perhaps airs a few games for free.
The Twins’ new direct-to-consumer streaming package is set to go for this season, but there are still some details to be worked out when it comes to the distribution of the team’s games.
Major League Baseball, which is playing a key role in the launch of Twins.TV, is handling negotiations with cable and satellite providers to get a dedicated Twins channel on their systems.
The other item of interest is that MLB is in ongoing discussions with potential local broadcast partners about carrying a limited number of games on over-the-air, according to Twins President Dave St. Peter. “It’s nothing definite, but I’m optimistic we will find a way to deliver that as a third way to watch the Twins,” said St. Peter, the point person in the Twins’ transition from being on a Regional Sports Network to partnering with MLB on their own streaming service.
The obvious over-the-air partners for the Twins would be KSTC (Ch. 45) or FOX9+ because they don’t have network commitments, but it’s possible there could be other options.
For those who haven’t cut the cord, the Twins are likely to be available on cable but there is work to be done. MLB is in talks with Comcast, the largest cable operator in Minnesota, as well as other providers and DirecTV. It’s likely the 150-plus games on Twins.TV would be placed on a channel that would be offered on the same tier as FanDuel Sports Network. FanDuel, formerly Bally Sports North and the home of the Twins, still carries the Timberwolves, Lynx, Frost and Wild. (Dish Network isn’t in the mix to carry Twins.TV.)
MLB handles the negotiations with national operators because it can reach agreements for multiple teams that fall under its production. Last year, MLB produced games for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres. This year it has added the Twins and Cleveland Guardians.
The Rockies are a good comparison for the Twins because Colorado is a market in which Comcast serves more than a million customers. It took until March 28 of last season before MLB and Comcast reached an agreement. That was the day of the Rockies’ regular-season season opener. The Twins are scheduled to open the 2025 season on March 27 in St. Louis.
“We’re in regular communication with MLB on a variety of fronts relative to this venture, so we’re updated regularly,” St. Peter said. “I remain confident we’ll have a dedicated channel across all of the (same) platforms that FanDuel Sports Network has.”