Washington Nationals fans, we are finally free from MASN. After a long and unhappy marriage, the Nationals are leaving MASN and partnering with MLB TV to broadcast their games. The Nats announced the move
this morning. After much uncertainty, we know how we are going to watch Nats games in 2026.
This move comes with some steps for Nats fans. In market fans are going to have to buy a streaming package. The package will cost $19.99 a month, or $99.99 for the season. These packages will be available for purchase in February. For folks who already have cable this is a bit of a bummer, but we are in a cord cutting world now I guess.
For out of market fans, not a whole lot is going to change to be honest. This package is a whole lot cheaper than MASN+ was and there are no blackout restrictions. For Nats fans, this is a big change, but one that has been years in the making. MASN always made the relationship between the Nats and the O’s contentious, but now that is over.
Nats fans always rightfully felt like they were getting the short end of the stick in this MASN deal. The O’s basically controlled the Nats media rights and let us take the scraps. Now that we are partnering with the MLB, that will no longer be the case. Let’s just say, Nats fans are not shedding any tears about leaving the network.
Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post wrote a really good writeup about what is going on here. She also had some important information. Janes wrote that color commentator Kevin Frandsen is expected to be back next year. However, she also added that the Nats are still in the market for a play-by-play guy following Bob Carpenter’s retirement.
Dan Kolko has gotten a lot of reps on MASN over the past few years, so I would imagine that he is in the mix. However, the Nats have not given him the role yet. This will be an interesting situation to monitor.
Leaving MASN marks the end of an era. The Nats have been on the network for their whole existence. It will be a bit odd to watch Nats games elsewhere, but here we are. The Nats are now going to be broadcasting their games with the MLB on Nationals TV.
I am curious how long the Nats stick with this set up. This could be a long term home, but there is also a chance that this is just a short term thing. Ted Leonsis has been circling around the team for a while and if the Lerner’s put the team on the market, he will be in the mix. Leonsis has his own RSN with Monumental, so that is worth watching.
Whether this is long term or not, the Nationals finally have a new broadcast home for 2026. It will not be MASN though. After a 2 decade run, the Nats are leaving the network and partnering with the MLB.
