MLB Local Media broadcasts are distributed via ad-hoc agreements with television providers in each team's home market, as well as over-the-top (OTT) subscription packages hosted by MLB.tv (branded under names such as Padres.tv and DBacks.tv).
[9] At the time, Diamond Sports held the rights to 14 MLB teams: the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers.
In January 2023, MLB hired Billy Chambers—a former executive of Bally Sports' predecessor Fox Sports Networks—as its executive vice president of local media; Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred stated that Chambers would "play an integral role in how we navigate the rapidly evolving local media landscape in the future".
Chambers and the MLB Local Media team were on standby for the Padres' series at the Miami Marlins, and began preparing its production on May 30, with only 24 hours' notice.
[13][14] The new broadcasting arrangements would involve ad-hoc agreements between MLB and individual television providers in the San Diego Padres' market, including Cox Cable (where games would air on YurView California; under its former name 4SD, the channel was the former home of the Padres prior to their agreement with Fox/Bally), as well as an over-the-top, in-market subscription package hosted on the MLB.tv platform known as Padres.tv.
Once the team returned to San Diego, MLB Local Media inherited the mobile production units and freelance employees that had been used by Diamond.
[22] In addition, the broadcasts began to receive access to programming such as Minor League Baseball games and the MLB Big Inning whiparound show in the event of weather delays.
The three teams received updates to their graphics to add additional team-specific elements, and move the score bug to the bottom-right of the screen following feedback from directors.
[24][25] Later in November, the Cincinnati Reds mutually agreed to end its agreement with Diamond and FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, and also signed with MLB Local Media for the 2025 season.