FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin

FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin is an American regional sports network serving Wisconsin and selected neighboring areas. It is owned by Main Street Sports Group, the company formerly known as Diamond Sports Group, and operates as the Wisconsin affiliate of the broader FanDuel Sports Network portfolio. The channel’s programming has historically centered on professional teams based in Milwaukee, especially the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association and the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball. It has also carried selected Minnesota Wild National Hockey League games, college athletics, high-school sports, outdoor programming, studio shows and nationally distributed sports features. The network developed from earlier attempts to distribute Wisconsin professional sports over cable. A short-lived 1984 venture called Sportsvue demonstrated the commercial and technical difficulty of creating a statewide sports service at a time when cable penetration was uneven and Chicago superstation WGN-TV already delivered Cubs games throughout much of the region. During the 1990s, Wisconsin Sports Network carried Brewers and Bucks games on a limited, game-by-game basis. In 1996, that operation was absorbed into Minneapolis-based Midwest Sports Channel, which soon became part of Fox Sports Net. Wisconsin was subsequently served through a Wisconsin-oriented sub-feed of the network then known as FSN North. On April 1, 2007, the Wisconsin feed became a separate channel, FSN Wisconsin, launching alongside the 2007 Brewers season. The new service originated programming from Milwaukee and initially carried 125 Brewers games and 70 Bucks games, in addition to Minnesota Wild games, University of Wisconsin athletics, Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference events and Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association competitions. It reached more than 1.5 million homes at launch and produced approximately 2,600 hours of locally originated programming annually. The network later moved its Milwaukee operations from facilities associated with WITI to a downtown Milwaukee location. The channel was renamed Fox Sports Wisconsin in 2012 as part of the wider Fox Sports Networks rebranding. In 2019, the regional networks were sold to Sinclair Broadcast Group and Entertainment Studios through Diamond Holdings after regulatory authorities required The Walt Disney Company to divest them as a condition of Disney’s acquisition of most of 21st Century Fox. Sinclair subsequently entered a naming-rights arrangement with Bally’s Corporation, leading to the Bally Sports Wisconsin name in March 2021. A 2021 agreement also gave the Brewers a minority interest in the network, according to contemporaneous reporting. Diamond Sports Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2023, creating uncertainty around regional sports-network rights and distribution. After a major change in the Brewers’ media-rights plans during 2024, the network was renamed FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin on October 21, 2024, following a naming-rights agreement with FanDuel. The Brewers initially announced that their relationship with Diamond would end after the 2024 season, but later renewed for 2025 under a renegotiated arrangement that added in-market streaming distribution through Amazon Prime Video Channels. In 2025, selected Brewers games were also simulcast on WITI and a wider Wisconsin radio and television station network through an agreement involving Good Karma Brands. The Milwaukee Brewers announced in February 2026 that they would leave FanDuel Sports Network and that Major League Baseball would assume production and distribution of Brewers games beginning with the 2026 season. That decision ended the Brewers’ long-running relationship with the network and its predecessor brands, although the channel’s broader regional sports identity and other programming rights may continue to evolve. The network has historically been distributed by cable systems…

FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin traces its lineage to several attempts to distribute Wisconsin professional sports through cable and broadcast television. In 1984, Sportsvue attempted to create a cable service for Milwaukee Bucks basketball and Milwaukee Brewers baseball. The project faced fragmented cable ownership, incomplete cable coverage in Wisconsin, weak team performance and competition from WGN-TV’s widely available Chicago Cubs broadcasts. Sportsvue ended operations in early 1985. During the following decade, Brewers and Bucks games were carried by statewide broadcast arrangements associated with WVTV and later WCGV-TV, although the teams generally offered schedules weighted toward road games. A separate game-focused operation called Wisconsin Sports Network was later controlled by Time Warner Cable’s Milwaukee franchise and Group W. In 1996, it was acquired by Minneapolis-based Midwest Sports Channel, which had become part of CBS following the company’s merger with Westinghouse, Group W’s corporate parent. Midwest Sports Channel joined the emerging Fox Sports Net system later that year. From 1996 through 2007, Wisconsin was served by a regional sub-feed of Midwest Sports Channel and then FSN North. The wider network also used separate feeds for the Twin Cities and the remainder of Minnesota and surrounding states. CBS sold the network to News Corporation in 2000, and it was renamed FSN North in 2001. Before the Fox acquisition, the Wisconsin feed also carried an overnight encore of WCCO-TV’s late newscast, reflecting its Minneapolis-centered origins. FSN North converted the Wisconsin sub-feed into a standalone channel, FSN Wisconsin, on April 1, 2007. The launch coincided with the Brewers’ 2007 season and established Milwaukee as the primary production center. The channel carried 125 Brewers games and 70 Bucks games in its first season, together with Minnesota Wild hockey, University of Wisconsin athletics, WIAC events and WIAA high-school competitions. It reached over 1.5 million homes and produced nearly 2,600 hours of local programming annually. Following the sale of WITI by Fox Television Stations in 2008, the network moved its operations to downtown Milwaukee. In 2012, FSN Wisconsin became Fox Sports Wisconsin as part of the national Fox Sports Networks identity. The service’s programming expanded to include regional studio shows, overflow feeds and selected college rights. It carried Bucks games exclusively from the 2007–08 season, Brewers games, selected Wild and later Minnesota United matches, Big Ten and Big East events, Wisconsin college sports and local high-school sports. Its Extra feed, launched in April 2012, helped resolve conflicts when Brewers, Bucks and Wild games overlapped. The ownership structure changed substantially during the late 2010s. Disney announced in 2017 that it intended to acquire the regional Fox Sports networks as part of its broader 21st Century Fox transaction. The U.S. Department of Justice required their divestiture in 2018 because Disney already owned ESPN. Sinclair Broadcast Group and Entertainment Studios, through Diamond Holdings, purchased the networks for $10.6 billion in 2019. In 2020, Sinclair announced Bally’s Corporation as a naming-rights partner, and Fox Sports Wisconsin became Bally Sports Wisconsin on March 31, 2021. That year the Brewers and Sinclair also announced an agreement that gave the Brewers a minority interest in the network. Diamond Sports Group’s Chapter 11 filing on March 14, 2023, placed the channel within the financial restructuring of the regional sports-network sector. Rights agreements, distribution economics and the shift toward direct-to-consumer streaming became central issues. In October 2024, the network adopted the FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin name. The Brewers’ media relationship appeared likely to end when MLB Local Media announced plans to take over the team’s rights, but Milwaukee later renewed with Diamond for 2025 after the company proposed a revised structure. That agreement contemplated distribution of in-market Brewers streams through Amazon Prime Video Channels. In 2025, selected games were simulcast with WITI and other stations through a partnership involving Good Karma Brands. In February 2026, the Brewers announced that they would leave FanDuel Sports Network and that MLB would handle production and distribution from the 2026 season onward. This concluded the team’s reported 28-year relationship with the network and predecessor services. The channel’s remaining role depends on its continuing regional rights, affiliate agreements and the evolving strategy of Main Street Sports Group and FanDuel Sports Network.

1. 2026Brewers leave the network

   The Brewers announce that MLB will produce and distribute their games beginning with the 2026 season.

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2. 2025Expanded Brewers simulcasts arranged

   Selected Brewers games are simulcast on WITI and other stations in Wisconsin in cooperation with Good Karma Brands.

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3. 2024FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin name introduced

   The channel adopts its current name on October 21 following a FanDuel naming-rights agreement.

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4. 2023Diamond Sports Group enters bankruptcy

   Diamond files for Chapter 11 protection amid industry-wide financial and distribution challenges.

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5. 2021Bally Sports Wisconsin launches

   The network changes its name from Fox Sports Wisconsin to Bally Sports Wisconsin on March 31.

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6. 2019Regional networks are sold to Sinclair and Entertainment Studios

   The former Fox Sports Networks are divested by Disney and acquired through Diamond Holdings.

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7. 2012Fox Sports Wisconsin branding begins

   The channel adopts the Fox Sports Wisconsin name during the national Fox Sports Networks rebrand.

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8. 2012Overflow service launches

   FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin Extra, originally branded FS Wisconsin Extra, begins carrying games affected by scheduling conflicts.

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9. 2007FSN Wisconsin launches as a standalone channel

   The former Wisconsin sub-feed of FSN North becomes an independent regional channel on April 1.

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10. 1996Wisconsin Sports Network joins Midwest Sports Channel

    The game-focused Wisconsin service is absorbed by Midwest Sports Channel, which soon becomes part of Fox Sports Net.

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11. 1984Sportsvue attempts statewide cable distribution

    An early cable venture seeks to distribute Bucks and Brewers games but is discontinued after commercial and coverage difficulties.

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A regional sports broadcaster focused on Wisconsin teams, local sports journalism and live-event distribution.

• FanDuel Sports Network WisconsinRegional sports television network2007

  The primary Wisconsin regional sports channel, historically carrying live Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers games, selected Minnesota Wild and Minnesota United events, college athletics, high-school sports, studio programming and nationally distributed sports content. The service has operated under several identities, including FSN Wisconsin, Fox Sports Wisconsin and Bally Sports Wisconsin. Its operations have been centered in Milwaukee, with historical production ties to Minneapolis.

• FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin ExtraOverflow sports channel2012

  An alternate feed launched to carry live events that cannot fit on the primary channel because of overlapping schedules. It has been used for simultaneous Brewers and Bucks games, selected Minnesota Wild or Minnesota United broadcasts and certain college events. Distribution varies by provider: some systems carry it full-time, while others activate it mainly during live games.

• FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin HDHigh-definition simulcast

  A 720p high-definition simulcast of the main regional network. Major Bucks and Brewers broadcasts and nationally distributed sports programming have been presented in HD, while the standard-definition service has used a letterboxed downscaled presentation since the broader Fox cable-network transition to HD.

• 2026Brewers media rights move to MLBStrategy

  The Brewers and Diamond had maintained a relationship through the 2025 season, but the regional sports model continued to face structural and financial pressure.

  What changed. The Brewers announced that they would leave FanDuel Sports Network and that MLB would assume production and distribution beginning with the 2026 season.

  Aftermath. The decision ended the Brewers’ relationship with FanDuel Sports Network and predecessor brands after 28 years, removing one of the channel’s principal Wisconsin sports properties.

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• 2025Brewers renew for the 2025 seasonStrategy

  The Brewers initially appeared set to leave the Diamond-operated network after MLB Local Media announced plans to take over the team’s media rights.

  What changed. Milwaukee renewed with Diamond for 2025 after the company proposed a revised commercial structure. The agreement added the possibility of in-market Brewers streaming through Amazon Prime Video Channels.

  Aftermath. The arrangement retained Brewers games on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin for one further season while expanding distribution options.

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• 2024FanDuel sponsorship and network rebrandStrategy

  Diamond Sports Group pursued a new naming-rights relationship while restructuring its regional sports-network business.

  What changed. The Wisconsin channel became FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin on October 21, 2024, and began carrying selected FanDuel TV programming.

  Aftermath. The new identity connected the regional channel to FanDuel’s sports-media and wagering ecosystem while Diamond continued managing the underlying network operations.

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• 2021Bally Sports naming-rights rebrandStrategy

  Sinclair sought a new commercial identity for the regional Fox Sports networks after acquiring them from Disney.

  What changed. The Wisconsin channel changed from Fox Sports Wisconsin to Bally Sports Wisconsin on March 31, 2021, under a naming-rights agreement with Bally’s Corporation.

  Aftermath. The network operated under the Bally Sports identity until the FanDuel rebrand in October 2024.

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• 2019Divestiture and acquisition of the regional network portfolioM&A

  Disney’s planned acquisition of the regional Fox Sports networks raised antitrust concerns because Disney also owned ESPN. Regulators required the networks to be divested.

  What changed. Sinclair Broadcast Group and Entertainment Studios acquired the networks through Diamond Holdings for $10.6 billion.

  Aftermath. The transaction placed Fox Sports Wisconsin under the ownership structure that later became associated with Diamond Sports Group and the Bally Sports and FanDuel Sports Network brands.

  Acquisition price for Fox Sports Networks. $10.6 billion (2019)

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• 2026Brewers announce departure from FanDuel Sports Network

  The Brewers announced that they would leave FanDuel Sports Network and that Major League Baseball would take over production and distribution of their games beginning in the 2026 season.

  Leadership change
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• 2025Brewers games receive expanded local simulcast distribution

  A deal involving Good Karma Brands and FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin placed selected spring-training and regular-season Brewers games on WITI and other stations in the team’s territory, alongside the cable network.

  Other
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• 2025Brewers games receive additional local broadcast simulcasts

  A deal involving Good Karma Brands, FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin, WITI, and a statewide station network provided local simulcasts of selected spring-training and regular-season games.

  Other
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• 2024FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin launches under new name

  The channel was renamed FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin on October 21, 2024, under a sponsorship and naming-rights agreement between Diamond Sports Group and FanDuel.

  Product launchM&A
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• 2024Brewers renew relationship with FanDuel Sports Network for 2025

  After initially indicating that the Brewers’ relationship with Diamond would end, Milwaukee announced a renewed 2025 arrangement that included potential in-market streaming through Amazon Prime Video Channels.

  Other
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• 2024The network adopts the FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin name

  On October 21, the channel was renamed FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin as part of a sponsorship agreement between Diamond and FanDuel.

  Other
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• 2024Brewers renew their relationship with the regional network

  Although the Brewers' contract with Diamond had expired and MLB Local Media had indicated it would take over the rights, the club announced on December 31 that it would remain with FanDuel Sports Network for the 2025 season.

  Product generation
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• 2023Diamond Sports Group files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

  Diamond Sports Group, parent of the regional sports networks, entered Chapter 11 proceedings amid financial and rights-distribution pressures affecting the regional sports television industry.

  Bankruptcy
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• 2021Fox Sports Wisconsin becomes Bally Sports Wisconsin

  The Wisconsin regional sports network adopted the Bally Sports name as part of Sinclair’s nationwide rebranding of the former Fox Sports Networks.

  OtherProduct generation
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• 2019Sinclair and Entertainment Studios acquire the Fox Sports Networks

  A joint venture involving Sinclair Broadcast Group and Entertainment Studios acquired the regional networks from Disney for a reported $10.6 billion transaction that closed in August 2019.

  M&A
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• 2017Disney agrees to acquire the Fox regional sports networks

  The Walt Disney Company announced plans to acquire Fox Sports Wisconsin and the other Fox regional sports networks, but regulators later required their divestiture because Disney also owned ESPN.

  M&ARegulation
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• 2012FSN Wisconsin adopts the Fox Sports Wisconsin name

  The channel was renamed Fox Sports Wisconsin during Fox's national rebranding of its regional sports networks.

  Other
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• 2007FSN Wisconsin launches as a standalone regional network

  The Wisconsin feed of FSN North became a separate channel on April 1, carrying Brewers, Bucks, Wild, college, and high-school sports programming.

  Product launch
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1. FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin