In a significant shakeup for Seattle Mariners fans, the team is set to shutter its primary broadcasting network, ROOT Sports, in 2026, according to two sources familiar with the decision. The Mariners, who became sole owners of ROOT Sports after purchasing the remaining stake from Warner Bros. Discovery in 2023, will transition their game broadcasts to Major League Baseball’s Local Media division starting next year. This move marks the end of an era for the regional sports network, which has been the primary home for Mariners games but has faced mounting challenges in recent years.
This is one of multiple cable TV networks to shutdown in 2025 including NBCUniversal’s Universal Kids.
The decision comes as no surprise to industry observers, given the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting and the difficulties ROOT Sports has encountered. MLB Local Media, established in 2023, already handles distribution for several teams, including the San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Guardians, and Minnesota Twins. By aligning with this centralized platform, the Mariners aim to streamline their broadcast operations and adapt to the shifting preferences of fans in an increasingly digital era.
Watching Mariners games has become progressively more difficult for fans in recent years. Comcast, a major cable provider, moved ROOT Sports to a higher-priced tier, making it less accessible for casual viewers. In response, the network launched a direct-to-consumer app and website this season, priced at $19.99 per month. However, this option has not fully addressed the frustrations of cord-cutters, who have increasingly abandoned traditional cable subscriptions. For the 2025 season, fans without cable were limited to streaming games through the ROOT Sports app or FUBO, a live TV streaming service. Meanwhile, MLB.tv, the league’s long-standing streaming platform, imposes local blackout restrictions, preventing Seattle-area fans from accessing games online, further complicating viewership.
The decline in ROOT Sports’ subscriber base has been stark. In 2014, the network boasted 3.3 million subscribers, but by 2024, that number had plummeted to just 1.2 million. This steep drop reflects broader trends in the media industry, where regional sports networks have struggled to retain audiences amid the rise of streaming services and changing viewer habits.
Beyond Mariners games, ROOT Sports has faced challenges in diversifying its programming. The network previously held broadcasting rights for Seattle Kraken games from the team’s inaugural 2021-2022 season through 2024, but that agreement has since expired. Similarly, ROOT Sports lost the rights to Portland Trail Blazers games in 2024, further diminishing its content offerings. With limited programming outside of Mariners-related content, the network has struggled to remain a viable standalone entity.
The transition to MLB Local Media is expected to bring changes to how fans access Mariners games, potentially offering more flexible streaming options. However, details about the new distribution model, including pricing and availability, remain unclear. For now, the move signals the Mariners’ acknowledgment of a rapidly changing media landscape and the need to adapt to reach their fanbase effectively. As the 2026 season approaches, fans will be watching closely to see how this shift impacts their ability to cheer on the team.
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