Introduction to the Texas Rangers’ Season
The biggest highlight of the Texas Rangers’ season was watching the starting rotation dazzle its way to the lowest ERA in the majors. The second biggest highlight: People could actually watch them. Numbers suggest that the first year of the Rangers’ grand experiment to create, operate and distribute their TV broadcasts was largely a success. Fans watched Rangers Sports Network (RSN) broadcasts on cable and, in a twist too long in coming, on direct-to-consumer streaming platforms. They could even get a bi-monthly taste via good, old-fashioned over-the-air channels.
Viewership and Revenue
Of course, this doesn’t mention the single-most important factor: Revenue generated. With good reason. It’s hard to get a complete picture on how much the Rangers made vs. what they made in 2024 and, more importantly, how it will impact the 2026 payroll and beyond. According to Nielsen ratings, RSN broadcasts produced a 37% increase in households delivered over the 2024 season average in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. On streaming broadcasts delivered through the Victory+ app and available through the club’s five-state territory, just over 100,000 viewers tuned in per game.
The Creation of Rangers Sports Network
What the Rangers pulled off after the implosion of the cable rights fees market was no small feat. They created RSN from scratch over the course of an offseason. While most of the clubs in the Rangers’ position took either further discounted rights from the newly-branded FanDuel Sports Network or allowed MLB to produce its games, also for a steep discount, the Rangers opted to invest in their own product with the idea to eventually grow revenue, but immediately increase viewership. They negotiated their own carriage deals with multiple providers across multiple platforms and sold their own advertising for broadcasts.
Upgrades and Improvements
They reimagined their own broadcast with their own imprint and their own technological upgrades that included occasional drone cams, a “dirt” cam and increased the number of broadcast cameras. They enlarged the pre- and post-game shows to better feature rising star Jared Sandler and to simulcast it on radio and TV. Both shows drew less than a one in terms of Nielsen ratings; the numbers were small, but in 2024 they had been microscopic.
Goals and Expectations
“The goal was to give fans more options,” Swint said. “Ownership could have made a number of decisions and we’re so thankful that they trusted us to build and manage this undertaking internally. We were able to execute the vision for RSN without any major disruptions for fans watching our games and that’s a good feeling. I’m incredibly proud of the work our team did to make it happen and their commitment to building a quality broadcast.”
Financial Performance and Future Plans
It doesn’t, however, mean the Rangers are in the clear for the long-term. The club declined to answer whether the revenues from the RSN undertaking matched the $90-95 million it received in 2024 from the parent company of Bally (also the parent company of re-branded FanDuel). And that figure had already been discounted from the $112 million-115 million annual fee the Rangers had negotiated in the initial contract. In addition, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said during the season that he wants to centralize local TV rights under the league’s control by 2028.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Texas Rangers’ experiment with creating and operating their own TV broadcasts, Rangers Sports Network, was largely a success in terms of viewership. However, the financial performance of the network is still unclear, and the team’s payroll for 2026 is expected to decrease. The Rangers are well-positioned for the immediate future, but the long-term success of RSN will depend on various factors, including revenue growth and the team’s performance on the field.
FAQs
Q: What was the biggest highlight of the Texas Rangers’ season?
A: The biggest highlight of the Texas Rangers’ season was watching the starting rotation dazzle its way to the lowest ERA in the majors.
Q: How did the Rangers’ TV broadcasts perform in terms of viewership?
A: The Rangers’ TV broadcasts, Rangers Sports Network, produced a 37% increase in households delivered over the 2024 season average in the Dallas-Fort Worth market.
Q: What is the future of local TV rights in MLB?
A: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred wants to centralize local TV rights under the league’s control by 2028, but this plan may face opposition from teams with stable and lucrative TV deals.
Q: How will the Rangers’ payroll be affected in 2026?
A: The Rangers’ payroll is expected to decrease in 2026, but the exact impact of TV revenues on this decision is unclear.
Q: What is the Rangers’ goal for Rangers Sports Network?
A: The Rangers’ goal for RSN is to give fans more options and to build a quality broadcast that will increase viewership and revenue.
