Brewers reach deal to remain with Diamond for TV broadcasts

December 31st, 2024

The Brewers have reached an agreement with Diamond Sports Group to produce and distribute telecasts in 2025, reversing a previous move to Major League Baseball Media handling those functions.

For Brewers fans, that means Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich and William Contreras -- not to mention the team’s broadcast crew -- are staying put on the proverbial television dial. Diamond owns FanDuel Sports Network, which was recently rebranded from Bally Sports, the Brewers’ longtime broadcast partner.

“We were fortunate to have two really good options,” said Brewers president of business operations Rick Schlesinger.

The new, one-year rights agreement with FanDuel Sports Network will replace an arrangement between the Brewers and MLB that was announced in October. Six other teams have made that move amid the changing landscape of the regional sports network model.

But in the wake of that announcement, Diamond Sports approached the Brewers about re-opening negotiations and improved their offer, leading to Tuesday’s deal. Re-partnering with Diamond Sports had a number of advantages, Schlesinger said, including in pre- and postgame programming, and continuing to air on the same network as Milwaukee Bucks games.

“The decision to continue our rights agreement with FanDuel Sports Network ensures that fans will have seamless access to watch the Brewers in 2025, while enjoying the same high quality productions and roster of on-air talent that fans have enjoyed over the years,” Schlesinger said in a statement announcing the change. “We appreciate the efforts of Major League Baseball in supporting our continued long-term relationship with FanDuel Sports Network and we look forward to what we know will be an exciting year for our fans watching at the ballpark, at home, and on-the-go.”

FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin will deliver live games across cable and satellite as well as a direct streaming package available through the FanDuel Sports Network app. In 2024, the Brewers telecasts averaged a rating of 5.0 in the Milwaukee DMA, the second-highest average rating for any team in Major League Baseball (trailing only the Phillies).

Each game telecast on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin will feature a 30-minute pregame and 30-minute postgame show. With the exception of games selected for national partners, FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin will televise all Brewers regular season games, plus a selection of Spring Training contests.

Starting in 2025, streamers throughout the Brewers territory will also be able to watch Brewers games through Amazon Prime Video as an add-on subscription for even greater accessibility.

Information about pricing for the various streaming options will follow, Schlesinger said.

“It's a growth business,” Schlesinger said. “Our fans have shown a strong interest in the digital side of this, and the subscriber base is growing, so that will be offered on multiple different platforms.”

"We are thrilled to continue and expand our strong partnership with the Milwaukee Brewers,” David DeVoe, COO and CFO of Diamond, said in a statement. “As Diamond emerges in a stronger financial position and with key strategic partners, including FanDuel and Amazon, we remain committed to delivering exceptional value for the team and an unparalleled viewing experience for fans—whether they choose to watch games on traditional platforms or through our digital channels."

Fans who streamed Brewers games in 2024 on the former Bally Sports app can update to the new FanDuel Sports Network app in preparation for the 2025 campaign.

“Long term, whether it's 2026 or thereafter, I do think MLB Media is the place where we're ultimately going to land, and I think that's going to be in the best interest of the fans and the teams and the league to get a model that provides for the widest possible distribution across the most number of platforms with the highest technology and the best economics for the league and the teams,” Schlesinger said. “But we are comfortable with the quality of the production that Diamond Sports, Ballys and now FanDuel are operating under, and we like the continuity. Our fans will find the games the same places they found it last year.

“There's comfort for our fans in knowing where to find the games, and familiarity with the type of production. And obviously our on-air talent is the same. Long term, I think we can achieve all the goals that our fans want in a completely new system that will include satellite, cable, streaming, potentially over the air — all the different platforms that fans want to see the game. So that's still very real. That's still part of the near future. But for 2025, we have pivoted to the FanDuel relationship.”

MLB Media will broadcast games for the Padres, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Twins, Guardians and Reds in 2025 and remains an option for any club that is in need of a broadcast and streaming partner. The league’s goal is to ensure each club finds a partner that best fits the needs of the franchise and its fans.

Fans can learn more about all options for accessing the Brewers telecasts at getmyhometeams.com. ​