ATLANTA—Gray Media has announced a deal with baseball’s Kansas City Royals in which its stations will simulcast 10 regular-season game telecasts with incumbent rightsholder FanDuel Sports Network.
Games will be shown on Gray-owned CBS affiliate KCTV, MyNetwork station KSMO-TV or both on Sundays throughout baseball season, the station group said, with selected games announced at a later date.
The simulcasts will greatly increase the telecasts’ reach and access, providing a new way for nearly 7 million households to watch the Royals via free over-the-air broadcasts on Gray stations, the Major League Baseball team said
All 10 games will be broadcast on KSMO, with at least six also airing on KCTV. Gray stations cover much of the Royals’ home television territory, which inxludes markets in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Arkansas.
“Sharing our games, highlighting our world-class athletes, and telling our story to as many people as possible is a top priority for us,” Royals president of business operations Brooks Sherman said. “This agreement gives our fans the power to watch however they want, whether that’s on cable, streaming or local TV. We are thrilled to partner with Gray Media and know their experience and expertise will be beneficial for both the Royals and our fans.”
Added KCTV-KSMO Vice President and General Manager Curtis Miles: “KCTV5, KSMO and Gray Media are thrilled to bring the Royals back to free, over-the-air television. Gray Media has made significant investments in live sports, and we’re proud to bring viewers what they want.”
The Royals and Gray will also collaborate on ancillary programming designed to connect fans to the team, the broadcaster said. Royals players, coaches, leadership and alumni could be featured in content that brings fans closer than ever and adds ways to follow the team beyond games, Gray said.
More information on the selected games and additional programming will be released prior to opening day, set for March 27 against the Cleveland Guardians.
