SARASOTA, Fla. — The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network’s contract with Comcast will now expire in March, keeping Orioles and Nationals games available to Xfinity cable customers for at least a little longer.

The contract was set to expire at the end of February.

MASN did not respond immediately to requests for comment, and a Comcast spokesperson confirmed that the network would remain available while negotiations continue. The spokesperson would not say when the deal is set to end; the Xfinity site lists the MASN agreement as ending in March. It previously said February.

The Orioles own a majority of MASN, which broadcasts both Orioles and Nationals games. The team, including the network, was sold to a group led by David Rubenstein last month, though MLB owners must give final approval. That process is moving rapidly, sources said, and this extension could make it possible for the new ownership group to negotiate the new contract with Comcast.

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MASN, which launched in 2005, has had an agreement with Comcast since 2006. The number of MASN subscribers has been declining — from 5.6 million in 2018 to 3.3 million in 2023, according to figures from S&P Global Market Intelligence — and removing the network from Comcast, which provides cable throughout the region, would cause a further drop.

Last year, the network was unable to renew its contract with Charter (which provides cable subscriptions under the Spectrum brand name, including in parts of North Carolina that were traditionally considered Orioles territory.)

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With Orioles sale moving rapidly, what’s next for MASN?

Comcast recently moved the network carrying Pittsburgh Pirates and Penguins games to a more expensive package, though it remains unclear whether the provider is seeking to do the same with MASN.

There is no direct-to-consumer streaming option available for Orioles or Nationals games, and sources have said all major decisions concerning the team and network are on hold until new ownership is in place.

Danielle Allentuck

danielle.allentuck@thebaltimorebanner.com

Danielle Allentuck

Danielle Allentuck covers the Orioles for The Baltimore Banner. She previously reported on the Rockies for the Denver Gazette and general sports assignments for The New York Times as part of its fellowship program. A Maryland native, Danielle grew up in Montgomery County and graduated from Ithaca College.

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