The Cleveland Guardians are set to kick off their 2025 season today, March 27, with an exhilarating matchup against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. Eastern, and fans are buzzing with anticipation as the Guardians, last year’s American League Central Division champions, look to make a strong start to the new season.
In a significant development for fans eager to catch the action, a multitude of cable and streaming services have secured broadcasting rights for Guardians games this season. This marks a new chapter in how fans can access their favorite team’s games, especially following the recent turmoil surrounding the Diamond Sports Group and its bankruptcy proceedings.
Bob Costas, the legendary sports broadcaster, has lent his voice to a short video welcoming Guardians fans to the new season via the newly launched CLEGuardians.TV. This direct-to-consumer streaming service, presented by Progressive, is aimed at making Guardians games more accessible than ever. Fans can subscribe to CLEGuardians.TV for $99.99 for the entire season or $19.99 per month, with no blackouts in the home territory.
"Our new TV partnership with Major League Baseball expands our ability to put Guardians games in nearly 5 million fans’ homes," said Alex King, Guardians executive vice-president of marketing and brand strategy. "The Guardians are committed to making our games significantly more accessible to watch on TV. In addition to extending agreements with traditional cable providers, we’ve introduced the CLEGuardians.TV streaming service for all fans in our viewing area."
As of Thursday morning, several cable providers, including AT&T U-verse, COX, and Spectrum, have reached agreements to broadcast Guardians games. Specifically, fans can find the Guardians on:
- AT&T U-verse: Channel 736 or HD1736
- COX: Channel 80
- DIRECTV Satellite and Streaming: Channel 662
- Spectrum: Channels 306 and 1306
However, some viewers have reported mixed results accessing the new Guardians channel on Spectrum, with some channels appearing locked. A spokesperson for Spectrum indicated that the current arrangement is temporary while they finalize a longer-term agreement with Major League Baseball.
In addition to these local broadcasts, the Guardians will also make appearances on national television platforms such as Fox, ESPN, Apple TV+, and Roku, where they are scheduled to play at least nine times. This is expected to further enhance the visibility of the team and engage a broader audience.
Furthermore, the Guardians have partnered with Armstrong, a Northeast Ohio cable operator, which announced on March 26 that it has reached a multi-year deal with Major League Baseball to carry approximately 150 games this season. This deal adds yet another option for fans in the region, ensuring that they have multiple avenues to catch the action.
For those looking to explore streaming options, FuboTV will also broadcast the Guardians’ games starting with today’s opener. FuboTV is offering a seven-day free trial, allowing fans to experience the service without commitment. After the trial, FuboTV offers plans starting at $84.99 per month, with a special $30 discount on the first month for Pro and Elite plans, making it an attractive option for fans.
DirecTV Stream is another viable option for fans, offering a five-day free trial and a range of plans to fit different budgets. The entertainment plan starts at $74.99 per month, while the Premier Plan costs $164.99 per month, providing flexibility for viewers.
The Guardians' broadcast team remains a familiar sight for fans, with Matt Underwood, Rick Manning, and on-field reporter Andre Knott returning for their 11th consecutive year to anchor local Guardians TV games. They will be joined by Al Pawlowski as the main host for pre and postgame shows, alongside a talented roster of contributors including Chris Gimenez, Cody Allen, and Jason Kipnis.
As the Guardians prepare to take the field, fans are reminded that they can expect a 30-minute pregame show for all home games and a 15-minute postgame show for every game, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
With the Guardians poised to defend their title in the American League Central, the excitement surrounding the season opener is palpable. Fans are eager to see how Tanner Bibbee, who is taking the mound for the Guardians, will perform against Royals pitcher Cole Ragans. The matchup promises to be an exciting start to what fans hope will be another successful season.
As the game unfolds this afternoon, all eyes will be on how the new broadcasting agreements play out and whether fans can access the games seamlessly. With the Guardians' commitment to accessibility and engagement, the 2025 season is shaping up to be one to remember.
