With the abrupt end of the Baltimore Ravens’ partnership with MASN after a deal was unable to be worked out, the organization is taking steps to ensure that its programming will be broadcasted to the widest possible audience.
Ravens team president Dick Cass told 24×7 that progress is being made in the wake of the end of the MASN deal after four years.
“We’re working hard,” Cass said. “There’s two parts. Our preseason games are covered with WBAL in the Baltimore television market. We believe we have an arrangement in Harrisburg, Pa. and we’re covered in the Eastern Shore. We’re working on getting coverage in the Washington television market.”
Cass emphasized that the first two preseason games will be available in the Washington market because the Aug. 12 preseason opener at M&T Bank Stadium is an ESPN national game. Plus, the Ravens play the Washington Redskins in the second preseason game.
The first preseason game will be on WJZ as well as ESPN. The remaining three preseason games will be on WBAL.
As for where the in-season programming will be broadcasted, including the weekly John Harbaugh show, Cass said the team is talking with WBAL.
“We’re working with WBAL to get on in the Baltimore market with that and, of course, we’ll see if we can do anything out of market,” Cass said. “That will be more difficult. We have a very limited time frame to get anything done.
"If we’re unable to get anything done in the other markets, we’ll definitely be in the Baltimore television market, then we’ll broadcast our programs on our website.”
WBAL has digital channels where the in-house programming produced by the Ravens could be shown.
Comcast SportsNet has also been rumored as a potential candidate for Ravens programming because of its reach into Pennsylvania and Virginia.
“That’s what we probably would be on is a digital channel like how MASN would replay the shows three times per week,” Cass said.
Cass added that business has been positive in terms of ticket and suite sales.
“We’re doing well,” he said. “We’re sold out obviously, all our tickets for the regular season with a few left for the preseason. Our suites, we’ve got, I think, one suite to go. Other than that, we’re sold out.”
