Rays Seal Deal for 10 Free Games on Treasure Coast TVs

Treasure Coast baseball fans will be able to catch select Tampa Bay Rays games on free, over-the-air television this season after the club reached a broadcast agreement with Hearst Television covering stations across Florida, including outlets serving the West Palm Beach market.

Ten games will air on local stations throughout the state, beginning with the Rays' home opener at Tropicana Field on Monday, April 6, at 4 p.m. against the Chicago Cubs. Viewers in the Treasure Coast area can tune in through local media included in the package alongside Gulf Coast NBC and ABC affiliates, plus Tampa and Orlando stations.

The deal gives fans a free alternative to Rays.TV, the team's new MLB-backed streaming service that costs $100 per season or $20 per month. The Rays ceded their local broadcast rights to Major League Baseball earlier this year after terminating their deal with FanDuel Sports Network, which has faced financial difficulties. The Brewers, Cardinals, Marlins, Reds and Royals made similar moves.

"Providing Tampa Bay Rays games on free, over-the-air television gives fans a new way to connect with their team," said John Soapes, president and general manager of WESH 2, CW18 and WMOR. "The connection to this team runs deep across the region, and this expanded access makes it easier for fans everywhere to be a part of it."

Ten games out of a 162-game regular season is a modest offering, but for Treasure Coast fans without a streaming budget, it represents the only free window into a full Rays broadcast this year. Notable matchups available on local media include road games against the New York Yankees on May 24 and the Miami Marlins on June 5.

The full schedule of locally televised games runs through Aug. 12, when the Rays face the Athletics.

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