While other professional sports teams are moving to streaming- or over-the-air-heavy models, the Pittsburgh Pirates are reportedly extending their contract with SportsNet Pittsburgh amid strong ratings.
The news comes from a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The agreement is not a long-term deal and was made through SportsNet Pittsburgh's operator, NESN. The Pittsburgh Penguins have also committed to SNP for the 2026-27 season, but have not made long-term plans.
The Pirates and Penguins continue to enjoy strong local ratings on SNP. SNP and NESN president and CEO David Wisnia told the Post-Gazette that the Penguins ranked second among all NHL teams in terms of local broadcast ratings, while the Pirates rank fifth among MLB teams. Seven NHL teams aired their games fully over the air last season.
The Pirates have been with SNP since 1986, when the network was then known as Pirates Cable Network. The network has undergone several name changes, operating under the Fox Sports brand from 1996 to 2011, Root Sports from 2011 to 2017, and AT&T SportsNet from 2017 to 2023.
After AT&T SportsNet owner Warner Bros. Discovery announced its intention to leave the regional sports network business following the 2023 MLB season, the network was acquired by Fenway Sports Group, which then owned the Pittsburgh Penguins, in August 2023. The Pirates then acquired a stake in the network that December.
#ratings
The news comes from a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The agreement is not a long-term deal and was made through SportsNet Pittsburgh's operator, NESN. The Pittsburgh Penguins have also committed to SNP for the 2026-27 season, but have not made long-term plans.
The Pirates and Penguins continue to enjoy strong local ratings on SNP. SNP and NESN president and CEO David Wisnia told the Post-Gazette that the Penguins ranked second among all NHL teams in terms of local broadcast ratings, while the Pirates rank fifth among MLB teams. Seven NHL teams aired their games fully over the air last season.
The Pirates have been with SNP since 1986, when the network was then known as Pirates Cable Network. The network has undergone several name changes, operating under the Fox Sports brand from 1996 to 2011, Root Sports from 2011 to 2017, and AT&T SportsNet from 2017 to 2023.
After AT&T SportsNet owner Warner Bros. Discovery announced its intention to leave the regional sports network business following the 2023 MLB season, the network was acquired by Fenway Sports Group, which then owned the Pittsburgh Penguins, in August 2023. The Pirates then acquired a stake in the network that December.
#ratings
3 months ago
