Baseball fans, rejoice! The Arizona Diamondbacks are coming to your living rooms in a big way. But here's where it gets exciting: Tegna's 12 News KPNX, the NBC affiliate in Phoenix, has just renewed its deal to broadcast Diamondbacks games, ensuring that more fans than ever can catch the action over-the-air. And this is the part most people miss: this partnership isn't just about airing games—it's about deepening the connection between the team and its community, bringing fans closer to the players, and showcasing the unique experiences that make Chase Field and D-backs baseball so special.
In a move that’s sure to delight fans, 12 News will broadcast 11 Diamondbacks games during the 2026 season, including the highly anticipated season opener as part of Major League Baseball’s national broadcast agreement with NBC. This builds on the success of last year’s partnership, which saw strong viewership and overwhelmingly positive feedback from fans craving more Diamondbacks action. But here's the controversial part: while many celebrate the expanded access, some critics argue that over-the-air broadcasts could impact regional sports network viewership. What do you think? Is this a win-win for fans, or does it disrupt the traditional viewing landscape?
Derrick Hall, D-backs president, CEO, and general partner, couldn’t be more thrilled. “Our partnership with 12 News exceeded every expectation,” Hall said. “Not only did we reach more households, but we also connected with fans on a deeper level, introducing them to our players, our organization, and our community ties. We’re excited to build on that success and bring even more baseball to the fans who love it.”
12 News boasts a massive reach, with approximately 1.59 million television households in the Phoenix market alone. But it doesn’t stop there—over-the-air broadcasts will extend to surrounding regions, including Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and parts of Nevada. According to comScore, the combined market reach totals a staggering 3,778,503 TV households across cities like Phoenix, Tucson, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, and Albuquerque-Santa Fe.
Kate Morris, president and general manager of 12 News, echoed the excitement. “The fan response made it clear that viewers want more over-the-air baseball,” Morris said. “This partnership is about more than just games—it’s about hometown pride, shared storytelling, and serving fans across Arizona.”
The full lineup of over-the-air games includes matchups against some of baseball’s biggest names: the Dodgers, Yankees, Cardinals, and more. Dates and matchups are subject to change, but mark your calendars for these highlights: March 26 (Season Opener vs. Dodgers on MLB on NBC), March 30 (Home Opener vs. Tigers), July 4 (vs. Brewers), and September 18 (vs. Yankees).
In addition to live games, 12 News will continue to produce D-backs on Deck, a one-hour gameday show hosted by sports anchors Cameron Cox, Lina Washington, and Jake Garcia. The program offers behind-the-scenes access, player interviews, and expert analysis, giving fans an insider’s look at the team they love.
Season coverage kicks off with special Opening Day programming on March 26. For those who live and breathe the professional video industry, this is a partnership worth watching—not just for the baseball, but for the innovative ways it’s connecting teams with their communities.
Now, we want to hear from you: Do you think over-the-air broadcasts are the future of sports viewing, or do regional networks still hold the upper hand? Let us know in the comments below!
