Washington Nationals fans, we are finally free of 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 a lot of uncertainty, we know how we will watch Nats games in 2026.
This move comes with some steps for Nats fans. At the market, fans will have to purchase a streaming package. The package costs $19.99 per month, or $99.99 for the season. These packages will be available in February.
For fans outside the market, honestly, not much will change. This package is a lot cheaper than MASN+ and there are no blackout restrictions. For Nats fans, this is a big change, but one that has been in the making for years. MASN used to make the relationship between the Nats and the O’s contentious, but now that’s over.
Nats fans always rightly felt like they got the short end of the stick in this MASN deal. The O’s basically controlled the Nats’ media rights and let us take the leftovers. Now that we are working with the MLB, that will no longer be the case. Let’s just say Nats fans aren’t shedding any tears about leaving the network.
Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post wrote a very good article about what’s going on here. She also had 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 looking for a play-by-play guy following the retirement of Bob Carpenter.
Dan Kolko has gotten a lot of reps on MASN in recent years, so I imagine he’s in the mix. However, the Nats haven’t 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 entire existence. It will be a little strange to watch Nats games elsewhere, but here we are. The Nats will now broadcast their games with the MLB on Nationals TV.
I’m curious to see how long the Nats will stick with this setup. This could be a long-term home, but there is also a chance that this is only for the short term. Ted Leonsis has been circulating around the team for a while and when the Lerner’s put the team on the market, he will be in the mix. Leonsis has its own RSN with Monumental, so that’s worth checking out.
Whether this is long-term or not, the Nationals finally have a new broadcast home for 2026. It won’t be MASN, though. After twenty years, the Nats are leaving the network and partnering with the MLB.
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