The Atlanta Braves decision to launch BravesVision and bring local broadcasts in-house is not simply a response to the collapse of the regional sports network model. It represents a return to a philosophy the organization helped pioneer decades ago -- team-aligned distribution.
As Major League Baseball's local media structure continues to shift, the Braves' move stands out not only for its timing, but for its historical symmetry.
The Superstation Model: National Reach Before Streaming
In the 1970s, Ted Turner transformed Atlanta's local station WTBS into a national cable superstation. Braves games, once regional broadcasts, became widely available across the country.
The implications were substantial:
- Near-national distribution of regular-season games
- Consistent availability through cable systems
- Expansion of the fan base beyond the Southeast
- A team identity tied directly to its broadcast platform
The Chicago Cubs later followed with a similar approach through WGN-TV, but the Braves were first to operationalize national cable baseball at scale.
Access defined that era. Distribution expanded fandom.
The RSN Era: High Revenue, Restricted Access
The rise of the regional sports network (RSN) system fundamentally changed local sports economics. Teams sold exclusive local rights to third-party networks in exchange for significant guaranteed fees.
Under this model:
- Broadcast rights were geographically segmented
- Blackouts were formalized within home territories
- Streaming options were limited or unavailable in-market
- Access became dependent on traditional pay TV bundles
For many consumers -- particularly cord-cutters -- the RSN structure created friction. Live TV streaming services frequently dropped RSNs due to carriage disputes and rising costs. Meanwhile, in-market fans were often unable to use out-of-market services such as MLB.TV because of blackout rules enforced by Major League Baseball.
The financial model proved lucrative for teams, but increasingly misaligned with shifting consumer behavior.
BravesVision: Internal Control in a Post-RSN Environment
With BravesVision, the club is ending its relationship with FanDuel Sports Networks and assuming control over production, advertising sales, and distribution negotiations.
Several elements are notable:
- Team-operated production and editorial oversight
- Direct negotiation with cable and streaming distributors
- Limited free over-the-air broadcasts through Gray-owned stations
- Potential for future standalone subscription offerings
Other clubs, including the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals, are pursuing similar alternatives as the RSN system contracts.
This is not a return to the superstation era. Distribution will remain geographically defined. However, the underlying strategy -- aligning broadcast control with the franchise itself -- reflects the same structural principle that defined the WTBS period.
A Structural Shift With Historical Roots
The Braves were early innovators in leveraging distribution to build reach. The RSN era prioritized guaranteed rights revenue through third-party networks. BravesVision marks a recalibration -- one that reflects broader industry instability and evolving consumer expectations. Whether BravesVision ultimately improves accessibility will depend on execution.
Sources:
- Raymond McCain, "Atlanta Braves Go In-House With BravesVision, Ending FanDuel Sports Networks Era," Cord Cutters News, February 24, 2026.
https://cordcuttersnews.com/atlanta-braves-go-in-house-with-bravesvision-ending-fanduel-sports-networks-era/ - "BravesVision launches as television home of the Braves," MLB.com.
https://www.mlb.com/news/bravesvision-launches-as-television-home-of-the-braves - "How Braves’ TV venture can be traced to Ted Turner and TBS," Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
https://www.ajc.com/sports/2026/02/how-braves-tv-venture-can-be-traced-to-ted-turner-and-tbs/ - "How the Atlanta Braves became ‘America’s Team’," Atlanta News First.
https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/02/26/how-atlanta-braves-became-americas-team/ - Braves TBS broadcast history, Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braves_TBS_Baseball - Regional sports network overview, Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_sports_network