Cincinnati Reds and Bally Sports: A New Era in Broadcasting

Welcome to the new era of broadcasting for the Cincinnati Reds! After years of being on Fox Sports Ohio, the Reds have signed a multi-year deal with Bally Sports Ohio. This landmark agreement marks a significant change for the franchise and opens up exciting new possibilities for fans.

cincinnati reds bally sports

Bally Sports is a regional sports network that has been broadcasting MLB, NBA, NHL, and college sports for over 20 years. The network is available in over 19 million homes across the country, making it one of the largest regional sports networks in the United States. With such a wide reach, the Reds will now have the opportunity to showcase their games to a much larger audience.

In addition to broadcasting Reds games, Bally Sports will also produce a variety of original programming, including pre- and post-game shows, highlights, and documentaries. This new content will give fans an even deeper look into the team and its players, providing them with a more immersive experience.

Cincinnati Reds Bally Sports Broadcast Team

Play-by-Play Announcers

The Cincinnati Reds’ television broadcasts on Bally Sports Ohio are narrated by a trio of experienced play-by-play announcers who bring a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the booth:

  • John Sadak: The lead voice of the Reds’ broadcasts, John Sadak has been calling games for the team since 2008. Known for his clear and concise delivery, Sadak provides a comprehensive analysis of the game while keeping viewers engaged with his insightful commentary.
  • Jeff Brantley: A former Reds player and coach, Jeff Brantley joined the broadcast team in 2009. Brantley’s first-hand experience as a player adds valuable insights to the broadcast, offering unique perspectives on the game’s strategies and nuances.
  • Chris Welsh: A versatile broadcaster with a background in both radio and television, Chris Welsh has been part of the Reds’ broadcast crew since 2016. Welsh’s energetic style and in-depth knowledge of the game complement the team’s play-by-play announcing.

In addition to their primary play-by-play duties, these announcers also contribute to Bally Sports Ohio’s pre- and post-game coverage, providing analysis and interviews with players and coaches. Their expertise and enthusiasm help to create an immersive experience for Reds fans, bringing them closer to the action on and off the field.

Production Crew

Producers

The Cincinnati Reds Bally Sports broadcast team is led by a trio of experienced producers: Bryan Sentz, Kevin Hearne, and Travis Nichols. Each producer brings a unique set of skills and experience to the team, ensuring that the broadcasts are of the highest quality.

Bryan Sentz has been with Bally Sports Ohio since 2018, and has been a producer for the Reds broadcasts since 2020. Prior to joining Bally Sports Ohio, Sentz worked as a producer for Fox Sports Ohio, where he covered the Cleveland Indians and Columbus Blue Jackets. He also has experience producing live events for ESPN and the NFL Network.

Kevin Hearne has been with Bally Sports Ohio since 2015, and has been a producer for the Reds broadcasts since 2017. Prior to joining Bally Sports Ohio, Hearne worked as a producer for Fox Sports Ohio, where he covered the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. He also has experience producing live events for ESPN and the NFL Network.

Travis Nichols has been with Bally Sports Ohio since 2021, and has been a producer for the Reds broadcasts since 2022. Prior to joining Bally Sports Ohio, Nichols worked as a producer for Sinclair Broadcast Group, where he covered the Cincinnati Bengals and Xavier Musketeers. He also has experience producing live events for ESPN and the NFL Network.

The three producers work together closely to ensure that the Reds broadcasts are of the highest quality. They are responsible for all aspects of the production, from planning and scripting to editing and post-production. They also work closely with the on-air talent to ensure that the broadcasts are informative, entertaining, and engaging.

Other Key Production Crew

In addition to the producers, the Reds Bally Sports broadcast team includes a number of other key production personnel, including:

  • Director: The director is responsible for the overall look and feel of the broadcast. They work with the producers to determine the shot selection, camera angles, and editing.
  • Technical Director: The technical director is responsible for the technical aspects of the broadcast. They ensure that the cameras, audio, and graphics are all working properly.
  • Audio Engineer: The audio engineer is responsible for the sound quality of the broadcast. They mix the audio from the microphones, crowd noise, and music.
  • Graphics Operator: The graphics operator is responsible for creating and displaying the graphics that are used on the broadcast. These graphics include scores, stats, and other information.
  • Replay Operator: The replay operator is responsible for replaying video clips during the broadcast. They work with the director to determine which clips to show and when to show them.
  • Assistant Producers: The assistant producers help the producers with all aspects of the production. They may be responsible for researching stories, writing scripts, or booking guests.

Broadcast Schedule

Home Games

All Reds home games will be broadcast exclusively on Bally Sports Ohio. Bally Sports Ohio is available on a variety of cable and satellite providers, including Spectrum, DIRECTV, Dish, and AT&T TV. You can also stream Reds games on Bally Sports Ohio’s website and app with a subscription.

Regular Season Games

During the regular season, Reds home games will typically start at 7:10 PM Eastern Time (ET). However, there may be some exceptions to this schedule, such as games that are part of a doubleheader or that are scheduled for a later start time. You can check the Reds’ schedule on Bally Sports Ohio’s website or app to see the specific start times for upcoming games.

Spring Training Games

Reds spring training games will also be broadcast on Bally Sports Ohio. Spring training games typically start at 1:05 PM ET. You can check the Reds’ schedule on Bally Sports Ohio’s website or app to see the specific start times for upcoming spring training games.

Postseason Games

If the Reds make the postseason, their home games will be broadcast on Bally Sports Ohio. The start times for postseason games will vary depending on the day and time of the game. You can check the Reds’ schedule on Bally Sports Ohio’s website or app to see the specific start times for upcoming postseason games.

Away Games

The vast majority of Cincinnati Reds away games will be broadcast on Bally Sports Ohio, the team’s regional sports network. Bally Sports Ohio is available in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and parts of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. If you reside outside of these areas, you can still watch Reds away games on MLB.TV, the league’s streaming service. A subscription to MLB.TV costs $24.99 per month or $129.99 per year.

In addition to Bally Sports Ohio, some Reds away games will also be broadcast on national networks such as ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and MLB Network. These games are typically the most important games of the season, such as Opening Day, rivalry matchups, and games against other playoff contenders.

Bally Sports Ohio Coverage

Bally Sports Ohio’s coverage of Reds away games typically begins 30 minutes before the first pitch. The pregame show includes highlights from the previous game, interviews with players and coaches, and analysis of the upcoming matchup. The game itself is called by play-by-play announcer John Sadak and color commentator Chris Welsh.

During the game, Bally Sports Ohio provides a variety of features to enhance the viewing experience. These features include:

  • Live look-ins to other games around the league
  • Stat overlays and graphics
  • Interviews with players and coaches
  • Exclusive behind-the-scenes footage
  • Postgame analysis and highlights

National Network Coverage

Reds away games that are broadcast on national networks typically have a different production team than games that are broadcast on Bally Sports Ohio. The national broadcasts typically feature more polished graphics and commentary, and they may also include interviews with national analysts.

The following are the national networks that typically broadcast Reds away games:

  • ESPN
  • Fox Sports 1
  • MLB Network

In addition to these networks, Reds away games may also be broadcast on regional sports networks in other markets. For example, Reds games against the Chicago Cubs may be broadcast on Marquee Sports Network, and Reds games against the Los Angeles Dodgers may be broadcast on Spectrum SportsNet LA.

Where to Watch Bally Sports Ohio

Bally Sports Ohio is the exclusive television home of the Cincinnati Reds, as well as other popular Ohio-based sports teams. If you’re a Reds fan living in Ohio, here’s how you can watch the games:

Cable/Satellite Providers

Bally Sports Ohio is available on most cable and satellite providers in Ohio, including:

  • Spectrum
  • DirecTV
  • Dish Network
  • AT&T U-verse
  • WOW!
  • Mediacom
  • Frontier Communications
  • Consolidated Communications
  • Time Warner Cable
  • Suddenlink

Note that channel numbers may vary depending on your provider. You can usually find Bally Sports Ohio on channel 620 or 670. If you’re not sure which channel it is, check your provider’s channel lineup or call customer service.

Streaming Services

In addition to cable and satellite providers, you can also stream Bally Sports Ohio online through the following streaming services:

  • Bally Sports+
  • fuboTV
  • Hulu + Live TV
  • YouTube TV
  • DIRECTV STREAM
  • Sling TV

These services require a subscription fee, but they offer a variety of package options to fit your budget and viewing needs.

Other Ways to Watch

If you don’t have cable or satellite TV, or if you prefer to watch games on your mobile device, there are a few other ways to watch Bally Sports Ohio:

  • The Bally Sports app (available for iOS and Android devices)
  • The FOX Sports app (available for iOS and Android devices)
  • The Cincinnati Reds app (available for iOS and Android devices)

These apps require a subscription to Bally Sports+ in order to watch live games. However, you can sometimes find free streams of games on YouTube or other online platforms.

Out-of-Market Options

If you live outside of Ohio, you will not be able to watch Bally Sports Ohio on your local cable or satellite provider. However, you can still watch games online through Bally Sports+, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV STREAM, or Sling TV. These services offer out-of-market packages that allow you to watch games from any team, regardless of your location.

Additional Information

  • Bally Sports Ohio is also available in select areas of Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia.
  • If you are having trouble finding Bally Sports Ohio on your cable or satellite provider, you can contact customer service for assistance.
  • You can also find the latest Bally Sports Ohio schedule and team news on the Bally Sports website or app.

Streaming Services

Bally Sports Ohio, the regional sports network that broadcasts Cincinnati Reds games, is now available on various streaming services. These services offer flexibility and convenience for fans who want to watch the Reds without a traditional cable subscription.

One of the most popular streaming services for accessing Bally Sports Ohio is AT&T TV Now. This service offers a variety of subscription plans, including one that includes Bally Sports Ohio and other regional sports networks. AT&T TV Now allows you to stream games live or on demand, and you can also download games to your device for offline viewing.

fuboTV is another excellent option for streaming Bally Sports Ohio. This service offers a base package that includes Bally Sports Ohio and dozens of other channels. fuboTV also offers add-on packages that include additional sports channels, such as NFL RedZone and MLB Network. Like AT&T TV Now, fuboTV allows you to stream games live or on demand, and you can also download games to your device for offline viewing.

Hulu with Live TV is a great choice for streaming Bally Sports Ohio if you already have a Hulu subscription. This service offers a bundle that includes Bally Sports Ohio and over 75 other live channels. Hulu with Live TV also includes access to Hulu’s on-demand library, which includes a wide variety of movies and TV shows. You can stream Bally Sports Ohio games live or on demand, and you can also download games to your device for offline viewing.

In addition to the streaming services listed above, Bally Sports Ohio is also available on a few other smaller streaming services, such as Vidgo and Sling TV. However, AT&T TV Now, fuboTV, and Hulu with Live TV are the most popular and reliable options for streaming Bally Sports Ohio games.

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