Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE: GTN) has entered into a multi‑year agreement with the Atlanta Braves to simulcast 25 regular‑season games on Gray’s broadcast stations across the Braves’ home territory. The partnership began airing on Friday, March 27 2026, and will feature the games on over‑the‑air channels such as WANF 46.1 (Atlanta News First) and WPCH 17.2 (Peachtree Sports Network), as well as Gray’s network of affiliates throughout the Southeast.
The simulcasts are produced by Raycom Sports, a division of Gray Media, and are integrated with the Braves’ own BravesVision platform. This arrangement gives Gray access to the Braves’ dedicated fan base while allowing the team to maintain control over its local television presence through the newly launched BravesVision, which plans to broadcast more than 140 games during the 2026 season.
Strategically, the deal expands Gray’s sports rights portfolio and provides a predictable, recurring revenue stream that helps the company reduce its dependence on cyclical political advertising and retransmission fees. The partnership aligns with Gray’s broader strategy to diversify revenue sources and strengthen its position in the competitive local‑sports market, especially after a 24% decline in total revenue to $792 million in Q4 2025 driven largely by a drop in political advertising revenue.
Gray’s Q4 2025 earnings report, released on February 26 2026, showed an earnings per share of –$0.24, missing analyst expectations of –$0.18, and a net loss of $85 million. The earnings miss reflected weaker demand for political advertising and higher operating costs, while the revenue decline underscored the volatility of Gray’s traditional advertising mix. The Braves simulcast deal is expected to add a stable, non‑advertising‑dependent income stream that could help offset these headwinds in future periods.
Management emphasized the significance of the partnership. Chairman and co‑CEO Hilton H. Howell Jr. said, “Opening Day is a celebration that belongs to the fans, and Gray Media is committed to making it accessible to viewers across our stations in the Southeast. We’re excited to simulcast this milestone event as the Braves honor six decades in Atlanta and begin what promises to be another exciting season.” Braves President & CEO Derek Schiller added, “Gray Media has been a valued partner in bringing Braves baseball to fans across Braves Country, and we’re proud to deepen that relationship with 25 games on free, over‑the‑air television through Gray this season.”
The deal comes amid a broader trend of Major League Baseball teams taking greater control of their media rights. By partnering with Gray Media, the Braves can offer fans multiple viewing options—including streaming and over‑the‑air broadcasts—without blackout restrictions, while Gray expands its sports network footprint following the launch of Peachtree Sports Network in October 2023 and other regional sports partnerships.
The content on EveryTicker is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. We are not financial advisors. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Any actions you take based on information from this site are solely at your own risk.