If you are looking for the Braves game on your TV guide right now, specifically for Friday, January 16, 2026, you might notice something's missing. There isn't a game. No cracks of the bat, no Tomahawk Chop, and no "Wash" waving runners home from third base.
It is mid-January. While the hot stove is definitely simmering with trade rumors and free-agent signings, the actual Atlanta Braves squad is still about a month away from meaningful action. We are currently in that weird sports limbo where the NFL playoffs are dominant and baseball fans are just staring at pictures of sunny Florida.
But don't let the lack of a game today fool you. The 2026 season is going to be a wild ride for how we actually watch the team. The TV landscape for the Braves has shifted more in the last six months than it did in the previous decade. If you're trying to figure out what channel is the braves game on today or where to find them once the season starts, the answers have changed.
The 2026 TV Shuffle: Where to Find the Braves
The old days of just flipping to "Bally Sports" are officially dead. As of late 2025 and heading into this 2026 season, the regional sports network (RSN) formerly known as Bally has rebranded to FanDuel Sports Network. That is your primary home for the vast majority of regular-season games.
Honestly, the name change is the easy part. The harder part is the fragmentation.
💡 You might also like: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
Local Coverage on FanDuel Sports Network
For those living in the Braves' home territory—which covers Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, and parts of North Carolina and Tennessee—FanDuel Sports Network South and FanDuel Sports Network Southeast are your go-to spots.
You’ll find them on:
- DirectV/DirectV Stream (usually the most reliable for RSNs)
- FuboTV
- Spectrum
- Xfinity (Check your local tier, as these channels often move between packages)
The New NBC and Peacock Deal
Here is where it gets interesting for 2026. Major League Baseball shook up its national broadcast rights over the winter. Sunday Night Baseball has largely migrated. While ESPN still has a slice of the pie, NBC and Peacock have secured a significant weekly block.
The Braves are already locked in for four major national broadcasts on these platforms this year. Mark your calendars for April 12 against the Cleveland Guardians and April 19 against the Phillies. These aren't just "available" on Peacock; they are often exclusive, meaning your FanDuel Sports subscription won't help you those nights.
📖 Related: South Carolina women's basketball schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
What Channel Is the Braves Game on Today? Not Today, but Soon
Since it's January 16, the only "Braves" content you’ll find on a channel today is likely a replay of a 2021 World Series game or a "Season in Review" special on MLB Network.
However, the real action starts on Saturday, February 21, 2026. That is the official Spring Training opener. The Braves head to Charlotte Sports Park to take on the Tampa Bay Rays.
Spring Training broadcasts are notoriously hit-or-miss. Usually, the first few games of the Grapefruit League are broadcast on the radio via 680 The Fan. If you want video, you’ll usually have to wait for the home games at CoolToday Park in Venice, Florida, which typically get the full FanDuel Sports Network treatment.
Key Dates for Your 2026 Calendar
- February 21: Spring Training Opener vs. Rays
- March 4: World Baseball Classic Exhibition vs. Colombia (This will be a must-watch)
- March 26: Opening Day at Truist Park vs. Kansas City Royals
Why Watching the Braves Is Getting Complicated
We have to talk about the "Blackout" problem. Even in 2026, MLB blackouts remain a massive headache for fans. If you buy MLB.TV thinking you can watch every game from your couch in midtown Atlanta, you’re going to be disappointed. You'll be blacked out for every single live game.
👉 See also: Scores of the NBA games tonight: Why the London Game changed everything
MLB.TV is strictly for out-of-market fans. If you live in Braves country, you must have a provider that carries FanDuel Sports Network, or you have to use their standalone streaming app, which currently runs about $19.99 a month.
Then there’s the Gray Media factor. To combat some of the reach issues, the Braves have partnered with Gray Media to broadcast 15 regular-season games—including every Friday home game at Truist Park—on local over-the-air stations. This is a huge win for fans who don't want to pay for a massive cable bundle.
Actionable Steps for the 2026 Season
Don't wait until Opening Day to figure out if your login works. The tech is changing, and the apps are being updated.
- Check your local Gray Media station: If you have an antenna, find out which local channel (like Peachtree TV in Atlanta) is carrying those 15 Friday games. It’s free HD baseball.
- Audit your streaming service: If you're on YouTube TV, remember they often struggle to reach deals with regional sports networks. You might need to pivot to Fubo or DirectV Stream before March.
- Download the FanDuel Sports Network App: Even if you have cable, the app is usually the best way to watch on the go, provided you authenticate with your provider.
- Sync your calendar: The MLB app allows you to sync the Braves schedule directly to your phone. It usually updates with the specific TV channel about 24 hours before first pitch.
The hunt for "what channel is the braves game on today" is a seasonal rite of passage. While the stadium is quiet today, the broadcast map is already being drawn. Get your setup ready now so you don't miss a single pitch when the Royals come to town in March.