FanDuel Sports Network, the regional sports broadcaster formerly known as Bally Sports, is implementing significant changes to its pregame and postgame programming across its network of channels. The overhaul, which began with NBA and NHL coverage this season, is now extending to Major League Baseball broadcasts, reflecting broader efforts to reduce operational expenses in an evolving media landscape, according to Awful Announcing.
The network has shifted pregame and postgame shows from dedicated studio setups to on-site productions at game venues for its basketball and hockey teams. This transition eliminates the need for maintaining separate studio facilities, allowing for more efficient use of resources. Baseball coverage is following suit, with adjustments particularly noticeable in markets like St. Louis, where the network airs games for the Cardinals.
For St. Louis Cardinals telecasts on FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, home games will continue to feature a traditional format including a host, an analyst, and a dedicated reporter. However, road games will adopt a streamlined approach, combining the host and reporter roles into a single position alongside one analyst. This consolidation reduces the overall staffing required for each broadcast.
Longtime broadcaster Jim Hayes, a fixture on the network for 25 years, will see his workload decrease under the new structure. Previously handling reporting duties for both home and away games, along with occasional hosting, Hayes will now focus primarily on home contests. Taking on expanded responsibilities is Alexa Datt, who will manage the combined host-reporter role for most road telecasts. Datt, in her fourth season with the network, will also alternate hosting duties for home games with veteran anchor Scott Warmann.
Datt’s increased role comes after previous shifts within the network. She had been involved in Cardinals postgame segments alongside analysts such as Al Hrabosky but stepped away from St. Louis Blues coverage earlier this year. That change occurred when the Blues broadcasts moved to a radio-TV simulcast model, resulting in several personnel adjustments, including the departure of longtime play-by-play announcer John Kelly after two decades.
These modifications align with FanDuel Sports Network’s company-wide strategy to tighten budgets. By producing shows directly from arenas and ballparks, the network avoids studio rental and maintenance costs. The role consolidation on road games further trims payroll by requiring fewer on-air personalities per telecast. The model was first rolled out for NBA and NHL properties this season and is now being applied consistently to baseball operations.
The changes come at a time when regional sports networks face ongoing challenges, including cord-cutting by viewers and shifts toward streaming platforms. FanDuel Sports Network, part of Main Street Sports Group, has been navigating these pressures while maintaining rights to multiple professional teams across various leagues.
While the adjustments may alter the familiar faces fans see during pregame and postgame segments, the core game coverage remains unaffected. The network continues to prioritize delivering comprehensive analysis and insights, albeit with a leaner operational framework designed for sustainability in a competitive industry.
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