On sports media: Twins moving ahead with new TV plan, even as some teams decide to return to FanDuel Sports Network
The Brewers and Reds decided to return to the regional sports network, but the Twins remain all in on their new partnership with MLB. On Thursday, the team announced its lineup of broadcasters.
The Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers both have done an about-face in recent weeks, returning to FanDuel Sports Network instead of following through on their original plan to partner with Major League Baseball to produce and distribute their games this season.
The Twins have no intention to follow suit and go back into business with FanDuel Sports Network, which is run by the newly named Main Street Sports Group. The company, formerly known as Diamond Sports Group, emerged from bankruptcy on Jan. 2 after nearly two years.
The Twins announced in October their plan to join forces with MLB and make games available via cable, satellite and video providers, as well as through in-market digital streaming on MLB.TV. That will give fans in Minnesota, northern Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and western Wisconsin the ability to stream games without facing blackouts.
The plan for Twins.TV took a step on Thursday as the team announced its lineup of broadcasters. It will be very similar to what fans saw last season when games were carried by FanDuel.
Cory Provus will return for his second season as the Twins’ television voice and his 14th overall with the team. Former Twins first baseman Justin Morneau will serve as the primary analyst, with former Twins LaTroy Hawkins, Glen Perkins, Trevor Plouffe and Denard Span also working games alongside Provus.
There was some question as to whether there would be pre- and postgame shows, or who would serve as the on-the-field reporter, but those have been answered. Katie Storm and former Twins catcher Tim Laudner will anchor the pre- and postgame shows, and Audra Martin will be the on-field reporter. All three served in the same role for Twins’ telecasts on FanDuel, and Storm and Martin continue to work for the network. Storm is the courtside reporter for Timberwolves games, and Martin is the host for the Wild studio show.