WASHINGTON, D.C. — Watching the National League MLB team that plays its home games a stone’s throw away from NAB Headquarters in the Nation’s Capital is getting a little easier, thanks to the FOX Television Stations property serving the sprawling Washington DMA — and Gray Media properties in surrounding DMAs.
Through partnerships with WTTG “FOX 5,” the FOX O&O in Washington, and Atlanta-headquartered Gray, 10 regular-season games will be simulcast live on over-the-air channels — another result from the continued crumbling of the regional sports network model.
WTTG FOX 5 will produce expanded local pregame shows with host Chad Ricardo for each simulcast leading in to Nationals TV broadcasts called by play-by-play announcer Dan Kolko, analyst Kevin Frandsen and host and reporter Alexa Datt.
The schedule of over-the-air simulcasts is as follows:
|
Date
|
Matchup
|
WTTG Pregame
|
Nationals.TV
|
First Pitch
|
|
Friday, April 17
|
San Francisco Giants at Washington Nationals
|
6:00 PM
|
6:15 PM
|
6:45 PM
|
|
Friday, May 1
|
Milwaukee Brewers at Washington Nationals
|
6:00 PM
|
6:15 PM
|
6:45 PM
|
|
Friday, May 15
|
Baltimore Orioles at Washington Nationals
|
6:00 PM
|
6:15 PM
|
6:45 PM
|
|
Friday, May 29
|
San Diego Padres at Washington Nationals
|
6:00 PM
|
6:15 PM
|
6:45 PM
|
|
Friday, July 10
|
New York Yankees at Washington Nationals
|
6:00 PM
|
6:15 PM
|
6:45 PM
|
|
Friday, July 24
|
Arizona Diamondbacks at Washington Nationals
|
6:00 PM
|
6:15 PM
|
6:45 PM
|
|
Friday, July 31
|
Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves
|
6:30 PM
|
7:00 PM
|
7:15 PM
|
|
Friday, Aug. 7
|
Cincinnati Reds at Washington Nationals
|
6:00 PM
|
6:15 PM
|
6:45 PM
|
|
Wednesday, Aug. 12
|
Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals
|
6:00 PM
|
6:15 PM
|
6:45 PM
|
|
Friday, Aug. 28
|
Miami Marlins at Washington Nationals
|
6:00 PM
|
6:15 PM
|
6:45 PM
|
“We are so excited to partner with WTTG FOX 5 and Gray Media to deliver Nationals games via free, over-the-air television,” said Washington Nationals President of Business Operations Jason Sinnarajah. “Whether you’re in the Washington, D.C., area or elsewhere in the Mid-Atlantic, it’s easier than ever to tune in and cheer for your hometown team.
WTTG will also serve as the Nationals’ Weather Day partner, which welcomes local school children for an afternoon of interactive education and baseball, this year held on May 7. WTTG will also provide radar and other meteorological updates during weather delays this season, helping keep fans informed on the status of inclement weather.
“We are proud to partner with the Washington Nationals to televise select games this season. Between game day forecasts, pregame programming, and live games, FOX 5 remains committed to delivering expanded coverage that reflects the passion and pride of Nats fans to bring them closer to their hometown team,” added Sue Diviney, Senior Vice President and General Manager of WTTG.
Game coverage on Gray Media stations within the Nationals territory, located in Virginia and North Carolina, will also be seen. Gray COO Sandy Breland did not disclose exact stations or digital multicast channels aligned with the company’s DT1 properties.
