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Reds, FOX19 Announce Broadcast Partnership

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, March 9th 2026 at 17:49 GMT by The Cincinnati Enquirer
      Locales: Ohio, UNITED STATES

Cincinnati, OH - March 9, 2026 - The Cincinnati Reds today announced a new agreement with Gray Media Group that will see 10 regular-season games broadcast on FOX19 (WXIX), the local affiliate. This partnership, announced this morning, adds another layer to the Reds' existing broadcast strategy, which already heavily relies on Bally Sports Ohio. While details regarding the specific games scheduled for FOX19 are yet to be released, the deal represents a significant move toward broader accessibility for fans and a potential indicator of evolving trends in regional sports broadcasting.

For years, regional sports networks (RSNs) like Bally Sports Ohio have been the primary way for fans to watch their local teams. However, the landscape is shifting. The increasing fragmentation of cable and satellite subscriptions, coupled with the rise of streaming services, has created challenges for RSNs. Bally Sports, in particular, has faced financial headwinds and restructuring in recent years, leading to concerns about long-term accessibility. This agreement with Gray Media and FOX19 appears to be a proactive step by the Reds to mitigate these risks and ensure their games reach a wider audience, especially those who may no longer subscribe to traditional cable packages.

"We are thrilled to partner with Gray Media and FOX19 to bring Reds baseball to more fans across Cincinnati," said Reds CEO, Bob Castellini, in a prepared statement. "This agreement allows us to supplement our existing coverage on Bally Sports Ohio and provide an over-the-air option for those who might not have access to cable or streaming services."

The impact of this deal extends beyond Cincinnati. Gray Media Group owns and operates television stations in markets across the United States. The agreement includes provisions that will benefit these other stations as well, suggesting a larger strategic collaboration is underway. This points to a potential model for other MLB teams and Gray Media to replicate, offering a blueprint for increased local broadcast reach. Some analysts speculate Gray Media may be aiming to establish itself as a significant player in the regional sports broadcasting space, providing an alternative to the established RSN model.

While 10 games represent a relatively small portion of the 162-game season, the choice of those games will be crucial. It is likely the Reds and FOX19 will prioritize games with broad appeal - perhaps featuring popular opponents like the Cardinals or Dodgers, or key divisional matchups. They may also select games that fall on traditionally high-viewership nights, such as Friday or Saturday evenings. Strategic game selection can maximize viewership and demonstrate the value of the partnership to both the Reds organization and FOX19.

The financial details of the agreement remain undisclosed, but experts believe it's structured as a revenue-sharing model. This would incentivize both parties to drive viewership and advertising sales. FOX19 benefits from the influx of sports-related advertising revenue, while the Reds gain increased brand exposure and fan engagement. The agreement also allows the Reds to experiment with different broadcast models and potentially gauge fan interest in a more extensive over-the-air strategy in the future.

Industry watchers are keen to see if this move spurs other MLB teams to explore similar arrangements. The trend towards direct-to-consumer streaming options for sports is also gaining momentum. Teams are increasingly interested in controlling their own broadcast rights and reaching fans directly, bypassing traditional cable and satellite providers. The Reds' agreement with Gray Media could be viewed as a stepping stone towards that ultimate goal, allowing them to test the waters with a more accessible broadcast option while maintaining their existing relationship with Bally Sports Ohio.

It's also worth noting the potential impact on local advertising. With more viewers tuning in to FOX19 for Reds games, local businesses will have another avenue to reach a large and engaged audience. This could lead to increased ad spending and economic activity in the Cincinnati area. The partnership is poised to be a win-win for the Reds, Gray Media, FOX19, and the local community. Fans can expect further announcements regarding the specific game schedule in the coming weeks.