In a groundbreaking shift for baseball viewership, the Cincinnati Reds have unveiled a direct-to-consumer streaming service that liberates fans from traditional cable packages. Announced on February 21, 2025, this move ends years of frustration for cord-cutters in the Reds’ regional market who previously faced blackouts on MLB TV or costly cable bundles.
Streaming Options & Pricing
Through the FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, fans can now access all Reds games—home and away—without local blackouts. Three subscription tiers are available:
- Monthly Plan: $19.99/month (includes spring training, regular-season games, Columbus Blue Jackets NHL games, and Cleveland Cavaliers NBA coverage).
- Season Pass: $105.99 (valid March 20 through season end) or $122.99 with spring training access starting February 21.
- Annual Pass: $189.99 for 12 months of Reds games plus NHL/NBA coverage.
How to Watch
The service is accessible via the FanDuel Sports Network app (iOS/Android/connected devices) or through Amazon Prime Channels. Cable/satellite providers will still carry games, but streaming marks a historic first for direct access in the Reds’ 142-year history.
Why This Matters
For nearly a decade, Cincinnati fans outside cable subscriptions could only follow their team via radio or highlights. The shift reflects broader MLB trends to reduce blackouts and embrace streaming—a win for younger audiences and tech-savvy households.
Spring Training Updates
The Reds began Cactus League play on February 22 with split-squad games against Cleveland and Milwaukee in Goodyear, Arizona. Manager Terry Francona made headlines by asking veterans to avoid automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge systems during spring training, prioritizing real-time pitcher-catcher coordination.
