Gray Media Extends Partnership with Kansas City Royals for 2026
Rhea-AI Summary
Gray Media (NYSE: GTN) extended its broadcast partnership with the Kansas City Royals for the 2026 season, delivering select free over-the-air games in up to 18 markets across 8 states. KCTV5 will air ten regular-season games, including the historic home opener on March 30, 2026, simulcast on KCTV5 and KSMO-TV. The partnership also spotlights the Royals' community outreach throughout the season.
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Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
GTN is up 0.67% while only one peer in the momentum scanner, FUBO, shows notable activity, moving -4.85% without related news, suggesting today’s move in GTN is company-specific rather than a sector-wide rotation.
Previous Partnership Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 11 | Sports TV partnership | Positive | -3.2% | Expanded Memphis Grizzlies simulcast package across six markets in four states. |
| Aug 28 | Sports TV partnership | Positive | -2.4% | New Victory+ deal to simulcast 17 Dallas Stars games across 15 markets. |
| Jul 18 | College sports deal | Positive | -1.4% | Partnership making Gray stations official TV home of Tennessee Volunteers via TVSN. |
| Jun 04 | NFL partnership | Positive | -7.8% | Extended New Orleans Saints partnership through 2029 with expanded programming slate. |
| Apr 15 | Sports distribution deal | Positive | -0.3% | Local media partnerships to expand Major League Pickleball event distribution across markets. |
Partnership announcements have consistently been followed by negative next-day moves, suggesting the stock has not historically been rewarded for similar sports and content deals.
Over the past year, Gray Media has repeatedly announced sports and content partnerships, including deals with the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Stars, University of Tennessee Athletics, the New Orleans Saints, and Major League Pickleball. Despite the strategic focus on live sports and regional networks, each of these 5 partnership headlines was followed by a negative one-day price reaction. Today’s Kansas City Royals extension continues this content-expansion theme within Gray’s broader platform reaching approximately 37% of US TV households.
Historical Comparison
In the past year, GTN issued 5 partnership announcements, mainly around sports rights and distribution. The average next-day move was about ±3%, typically negative, making partnership headlines historically a soft catalyst for the shares.
Partnership news shows a clear progression toward deeper involvement in live sports: from regional NFL and NBA deals to college athletics, NHL, pickleball, and now continued MLB exposure with the Royals.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement extends Gray Media’s sports-focused partnership strategy by bringing Kansas City Royals games free over-the-air across up to 18 markets in 8 states, including a rare home opener broadcast. It complements prior partnerships with NFL, NBA, NHL, college athletics, and pickleball, all leveraging a platform that reaches roughly 37% of US TV households. Investors may watch how these rights translate into audience growth, advertising demand, and future disclosures in upcoming earnings and filings.
Key Terms
over-the-air technical
simulcast technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Free Over-the-Air Games Return to Midwest, Including Historic Home Opener Broadcast
ATLANTA, Feb. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gray Media is excited to announce the continuation and expansion of Gray’s partnership with the Kansas City Royals for the 2026 baseball season. This broadcast partnership will bring select Royals games to fans for free in up to 18 markets covering 8 states while also highlighting the team's significant community outreach and impact initiatives.
This second year of the successful partnership features a historic moment for Kansas City baseball fans: the broadcast of the Royals' home opener on Monday, March 30th against the Minnesota Twins, which marks the first time since 2007 that the home opener will be broadcast for free over-the-air in Kansas City. The game will be simulcast on Gray’s KCTV5 and KSMO-TV in Kansas City.
Throughout the 2026 season, KCTV5 will broadcast ten regular season games across Gray Media stations throughout the Midwest. The expected broadcast schedule includes:
- March 30 – vs. Minnesota Twins (Home Opener)
- April 3 – vs. Milwaukee Brewers
- April 24 – vs. Los Angeles Angels
- May 22 – vs. Seattle Mariners
- June 12 – vs. Houston Astros
- June 19 – vs. St. Louis Cardinals
- July 17 – vs. San Diego Padres
- August 7 – vs. Chicago Cubs
- August 21 – vs. Detroit Tigers
- September 7 – vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (Labor Day)
Beyond game broadcasts, KCTV5 will showcase the Kansas City Royals' outstanding community outreach and charitable initiatives throughout the season, sharing the team's positive impact on the Kansas City community.
"We're thrilled to partner with the Royals again in 2026 to provide free over-the-air Royals games to a championship fan base here in Kansas City," said KCTV5 General Manager Curtis Miles. "This partnership exemplifies our commitment to bringing quality sports entertainment to the community we serve, and we're proud to also highlight the exceptional work the Royals do to make Kansas City better."
Cullen Maxey, Royals President of Business Operations, expressed enthusiasm for the expanded partnership: "We know that KCTV5 helped bring the personalities and talents of our exciting team to a broader audience, so we're thrilled to continue and grow our partnership. We want to build those connections with fans, and we're thrilled they can continue to access our games on cable, streaming, and local TV."
For more information about broadcast times and schedules, visit KCTV5.com.
About Gray Media:
Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE: GTN) is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company is the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 37 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 78 markets with the top-rated television station and 99 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station during 2024, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 44 markets. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Gray’s additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. For more information, please visit www.graymedia.com.
Gray Contact:
Curtis Miles, KCTV/KSMO General Manager, curtis.miles@graymedia.com
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FAQ
What games will Gray Media (GTN) broadcast for the Kansas City Royals in 2026?
When is the Kansas City Royals home opener being broadcast free over-the-air on GTN stations?
Which GTN stations will carry the Royals games in Kansas City in 2026?
How many markets and states will receive free Royals games from Gray Media (GTN) in 2026?
Will Gray Media (GTN) highlight Royals community outreach during the 2026 broadcasts?
