Caption: A logo for Apple TV+'s "Friday Night Baseball" package. | Photo credit: Apple.com
- "Friday Night Baseball" begins the third season on Friday, March 29 with a pair of games: New York Yankees at Houston Astros & St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers
- The 2024 season is the first season that I will keep track of these broadcasts here on the blog (so I hope you enjoy this new feature here on the website).
Batter up! ⚾ For the third straight season, Apple and Major League Baseball (MLB) are teaming up to televise a weekly Friday night doubleheader for the subscribers of Apple TV+. Fans in 60 countries and regions have access to two signature matchups over 26 weeks without any broadcast restrictions whatsoever (keep in mind that local broadcasters aren't allowed to televise these games, as Friday Night Baseball is a exclusive national broadcast only).
"Friday Night Baseball" premieres for the 2024 season on Friday, March 29, with some of the league's most noteworthy talent set to take the field. At 8 p.m. ET, Juan Soto, Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees take on their longtime nemesis in the American League, the Houston Astros. Later that night, at 10 p.m. ET, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and the Los Angeles Dodgers play host to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Apple and MLB announced the schedule for the first half of the 2024 season, with game selections announced from Friday, March 29 through Friday, June 28 (these games will be posted below).
Two broadcast teams will once again compromise the "Friday Night Baseball" game announcing roster this season. One broadcast team has Wayne Randazzo (play-by-play), Dontrelle Willis (analyst) & Heidi Watney (sideline reporter). Another broadcast team has Alex Faust (play-by-play), Ryan Spilborghs (analyst) & Tricia Whitaker (sideline reporter). The weekly game assignments for these crews will be shared on a weekly basis, so pay special attention to these announcements.
In addition to the two broadcasting teams, former MLB umpires Ted Barrett, Brian Gorman and Dale Scott break down the calls and the rules, if needed, during each week's slate of broadcasts.
Lauren Gardner (host) is set to lead Apple TV+'s pre and postgame coverage, alongside former MLB player and current analyst Xavier Scruggs, and baseball journalist Russell Dorsey. On Friday, March 29, the "Friday Night Baseball" pregame show previewing the Yankees at Astros and Cardinals at Dodgers game will emanate from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, featuring interviews with key players, and much more. Throughout the season, the pregame show for the Friday night doubleheader will take place from various MLB stadiums across the league, including Friday, June 3 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and Friday, July 7 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York.
"Friday Night Baseball" is produced by the Emmy-Award winning production team over at the MLB Network in partnership with Apple's live sports production team, bringing baseball fans a unrivaled viewing experience every single Friday night.
I am so excited to bring you the Apple TV+ national broadcast schedule for the first time! Let's have a wonderful first season documenting these broadcasts together!
The national television schedule is attached below, with announcer assignments to be filled in throughout the season, along with any game updates.
|| 2024 MLB on Apple TV+ Schedule (Friday Night Baseball) | Subject to Change; All Times Eastern
| Friday, March 29
. Yankees at Astros - Apple TV+, 8:00 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Ryan Spilborghs, Tricia Whitaker
. Cardinals at Dodgers - Apple TV+, 10:00 PM (ET) - Wayne Randazzo, Dontrelle Willis, Russell Dorsey
- Russell Dorsey replaces Heidi Watney (back surgery)
| Friday, April 5
. Mets at Reds - Apple TV+, 6:30 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Ryan Spilborghs, Taylor McGregor
. Astros at Rangers - Apple TV+, 8:00 PM (ET) - Rich Waltz, Dontrelle Willis, Heidi Watney
| Friday, April 12
. Brewers at Orioles - Apple TV+, 7:00 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Ryan Spilborghs, Tricia Whitaker
. Cubs at Mariners - Apple TV+, 9:30 PM (ET) - Wayne Randazzo, Dontrelle Willis, Heidi Watney
| Friday, April 19
. Rangers at Braves - Apple TV+, 7:00 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Ryan Spilborghs, Tricia Whitaker
. Diamondbacks at Giants - Apple TV+, 10:00 PM (ET) - Wayne Randazzo, Dontrelle Willis, Heidi Watney
| Friday, April 26
. Cardinals at Mets - Apple TV+, 7:00 PM (ET) - Wayne Randazzo, Dontrelle Willis, Heidi Watney
. Rays at White Sox - Apple TV+, 7:30 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Ryan Spilborghs, Tricia Whitaker
| Friday, May 3
. Giants at Phillies - Apple TV+, 6:30 PM (ET) -
. Blue Jays at Nationals - Apple TV+, 6:30 PM (ET) -
| Friday, May 10
. Diamondbacks at Orioles - Apple TV+, 7:00 PM (ET) -
. Royals at Angels - Apple TV+, 9:30 PM (ET) -
| Friday, May 17
. Rays at Blue Jays - Apple TV+, 7:00 PM (ET) -
. Twins at Guardians - Apple TV+, 7:00 PM (ET) -
| Friday, May 24
. Brewers at Red Sox - Apple TV+, 7:00 PM (ET) -
. Orioles at White Sox - Apple TV+, 7:30 PM (ET) -
| Friday, May 31
. Tigers at Red Sox - Apple TV+, 7:00 PM (ET) -
. Angels at Mariners - Apple TV+, 10:00 PM (ET) -
| Friday, June 7
. Twins at Pirates - Apple TV+, 6:30 PM (ET) -
. Dodgers at Yankees - Apple TV+, 7:00 PM (ET) -
| Friday, June 14
. Rangers at Mariners - Apple TV+, 10:00 PM (ET) -
. Diamondbacks at Giants - Apple TV+, 10:00 PM (ET) -
| Friday, June 21
. Diamondbacks at Phillies - Apple TV+, 6:30 PM (ET) -
. Braves at Yankees - Apple TV+, 7:00 PM (ET) -
| Friday, June 28
. Astros at Mets - Apple TV+, 7:00 PM (ET) -
. Padres at Red Sox - Apple TV+, 7:00 PM (ET) -
- Note: Additional game selections (the second half of the season, beginning Friday, July 5) will be announced and posted later on in the season.
- Sources: Apple.com / Newsroom
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