Bally Sports Midwest was a regional sports network best known for carrying professional teams in and around St. Louis and the Midwest. However, viewers looking for Bally Sports Midwest today need to know about several major changes. The channel that was once Fox Sports Midwest became Bally Sports Midwest in 2021 and then changed its name to FanDuel Sports Network Midwest on October 21, 2024. The story changed again in 2026: the St. Louis Cardinals left FanDuel Sports Network for MLB-produced broadcasts, while the St. Louis Blues’ local television situation is also changing as the former regional-sports-network system winds down.
Quick Facts About Bally Sports Midwest
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Former name | Fox Sports Midwest |
| Later name | Bally Sports Midwest |
| Rebranded | October 21, 2024 |
| Newer name | FanDuel Sports Network Midwest |
| Type | Regional sports network |
| Main market | St. Louis and surrounding Midwest areas |
| Famous teams | St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues |
| Cardinals status in 2026 | Left FanDuel; MLB produces games |
| Blues status | Broadcast situation changing for 2026-27 |
| Why people still search Bally | Longtime familiarity with the old brand |
What Is Bally Sports Midwest?
Bally Sports Midwest was a regional television network focused on sports.
For many viewers, it was the place to watch teams such as the:
- St. Louis Cardinals
- St. Louis Blues
along with other regional sports programming depending on location and league rights.
However, Bally Sports Midwest is no longer the current network name.
That is the most important fact for anyone searching the term today.
What Happened to Bally Sports Midwest?
Bally Sports Midwest was renamed.
On October 21, 2024, Bally Sports Midwest officially became:
FanDuel Sports Network Midwest.
The St. Louis Blues confirmed the change when announcing the first game under the new FanDuel branding.
The switch was part of a much larger national rebranding.
Diamond Sports Group operated a collection of regional sports networks under the Bally Sports name.
Then FanDuel became the naming-rights partner.
As a result, the Bally Sports branding disappeared from the regional networks.
Is Bally Sports Midwest Now FanDuel Sports Network?
Yes.
The direct naming history is:
Fox Sports Midwest → Bally Sports Midwest → FanDuel Sports Network Midwest
Fox Sports Midwest became Bally Sports Midwest on March 31, 2021.
Then Bally Sports Midwest became FanDuel Sports Network Midwest on October 21, 2024.
So if you remember watching games on Fox Sports Midwest or Bally Sports Midwest, FanDuel Sports Network Midwest was essentially the later version of that regional channel.
Why Did Bally Sports Midwest Change Its Name?
The change came from a new naming-rights agreement.
Diamond Sports Group had previously used the Bally Sports brand under an agreement involving Bally’s Corporation.
In October 2024, Diamond announced a new partnership with FanDuel.
That resulted in its regional networks adopting the FanDuel Sports Network name starting October 21.
Importantly, this was mainly a branding change at first.
It did not mean that FanDuel suddenly purchased every team or owned the sports franchises shown on the channel.
Was Bally Sports Midwest Previously Fox Sports Midwest?
Yes.
Longtime St. Louis sports fans may still call the channel Fox Sports Midwest.
The network carried that name for years.
Then the larger Fox regional sports network group changed ownership.
Fox Sports Midwest officially became Bally Sports Midwest in March 2021.
Therefore, all three names are connected to the same regional sports-network history.
Bally Sports Midwest Name Timeline
| Period | Network Name |
|---|---|
| Earlier era | Fox Sports Midwest |
| 2021-2024 | Bally Sports Midwest |
| From October 2024 | FanDuel Sports Network Midwest |
| 2026 | Major rights and network changes underway |
The final line is important.
In 2026, this is no longer simply a story about another logo change.
The regional sports television business itself has undergone major disruption.
What Happened to Diamond Sports Group?
Diamond Sports Group owned and operated the Bally Sports regional networks.
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2023.
That created years of uncertainty involving:
- Sports rights
- Team payments
- Cable distribution
- Streaming
- MLB broadcasts
- NBA broadcasts
- NHL broadcasts
Diamond eventually emerged from bankruptcy and became Main Street Sports Group.
However, financial problems around regional sports television continued.
By 2026, the company was moving toward winding down its regional sports operations.
That development has directly affected teams once connected with Bally Sports Midwest.
Are the St. Louis Cardinals Still on Bally Sports Midwest?
No.
First, Bally Sports Midwest itself no longer exists under that name.
More importantly, the Cardinals are not remaining with its successor FanDuel Sports Network Midwest for the 2026 season.
This is a major change.
In early 2026, the Cardinals ended their existing FanDuel regional television arrangement.
The Cardinals then moved to an MLB-produced broadcast model for 2026.
So older guides telling fans to watch 2026 Cardinals games through Bally Sports Midwest or FanDuel Sports Network Midwest may now be outdated.
Weren’t the Cardinals Supposed to Stay With FanDuel?
Yes, originally.
That is why the situation can be confusing.
In November 2024, Diamond Sports Group and the Cardinals announced a multi-year agreement that would keep games on FanDuel Sports Network Midwest.
At that point, the plan was clear.
Cardinals baseball would continue on the network that had previously been Bally Sports Midwest.
But the regional sports business continued changing.
By early 2026, the Cardinals terminated the FanDuel arrangement and moved toward MLB-produced telecasts.
That is why checking the date on any “how to watch Cardinals” article is very important.
Who Produces Cardinals Games in 2026?
Major League Baseball produces the Cardinals’ local telecasts in 2026.
Spectrum News reported in February 2026 that Cardinals telecasts were leaving FanDuel and moving to MLB production.
This represents a major break from the old Fox Sports Midwest/Bally Sports Midwest model.
For decades, fans were accustomed to finding the Cardinals on a regional sports network.
Now that system has changed.
Are the St. Louis Blues Still on Bally Sports Midwest?
Again, there is no longer a network carrying the Bally Sports Midwest name.
The Blues continued with FanDuel Sports Network Midwest during the 2025-26 season.
The NHL club announced that FanDuel’s 2025-26 coverage would begin with its October 9 opener against Minnesota.
However, the situation is changing for 2026-27.
As of August 2026, the Blues are seeking a new pay-TV partner as the old regional sports network structure breaks apart.
Therefore, fans should not assume that an old Bally or FanDuel viewing guide will remain correct for the coming season.
Where Will St. Louis Blues Games Air in 2026-27?
The complete 2026-27 broadcast schedule has not yet been finalized publicly.
The Blues’ official viewing page currently tells fans to stay tuned for the 2026-27 broadcast schedule.
The team’s recent local television strategy has also included First Alert 4 and Matrix Midwest for selected over-the-air broadcasts.
Because negotiations are still developing, fans should check the Blues’ official viewing information before the new season begins.
Can I Still Watch Bally Sports Midwest?
Not under that name.
If you search your television guide for:
Bally Sports Midwest
you may not find it.
The Bally name was replaced in 2024.
For a period, you needed to search for:
FanDuel Sports Network Midwest
instead.
However, because sports rights are changing rapidly in 2026, the correct channel now depends heavily on which team you want to watch.
Why Do People Still Call It Bally Sports Midwest?
Habit.
Sports channels become deeply connected with fans’ routines.
Someone may have spent years saying:
“Put the Cardinals game on Bally.”
Before that, many people said:
“Put it on Fox Sports Midwest.”
Branding can change overnight.
Fans’ vocabulary does not.
That is why searches for Bally Sports Midwest remain useful even though the official branding changed.
What Channel Was Bally Sports Midwest?
There was never one universal channel number.
The number depended on:
- Cable company
- Satellite company
- City
- ZIP code
- TV package
For example, Spectrum could place the network on a different channel than DIRECTV.
Therefore, articles giving one “Bally Sports Midwest channel number” for everyone can be misleading.
Your provider’s channel guide remains the safest place to check.
What States Did Bally Sports Midwest Serve?
The network’s core territory covered parts of the Midwest.
Under the later FanDuel Sports Network Midwest branding, the network was available across areas including:
- Missouri
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
The exact teams and games available could still depend on the viewer’s location.
The Blues confirmed those four states when describing FanDuel Sports Network Midwest distribution in 2024.
Could You Stream Bally Sports Midwest?
Yes, during the Bally era there were streaming options.
Those services later transitioned to the FanDuel Sports Network branding.
When Bally Sports became FanDuel Sports Network in October 2024, existing Bally Sports app users were moved toward the updated FanDuel Sports Network app.
The Blues said existing login information and subscriptions would remain active through the transition.
What Happened to the Bally Sports App?
It transitioned to the FanDuel Sports Network app.
Users with automatic app updates enabled could see the application update automatically.
Others were prompted to download or install the newer version.
According to the Blues’ 2024 announcement, login credentials remained the same during the transition.
So Bally Sports did not simply disappear overnight without a replacement.
The service initially changed its identity.
Was FanDuel Sports Network Available Without Cable?
Yes.
During its operation, viewers could subscribe directly in supported areas.
For the 2025-26 Blues season, the team said fans in Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa could subscribe directly through FanDuel Sports Network or its app.
It was also available as an add-on through Prime Video.
Traditional provider options included services such as DIRECTV, Fubo, Spectrum, Xfinity, Cox, Mediacom and U-verse.
Again, availability could vary by location.
Could You Watch Bally Sports Midwest on YouTube TV?
Availability of regional sports networks on live-TV streaming services has changed many times.
This was one of the biggest problems for sports fans during the Bally era.
Regional sports networks became expensive for distributors, while cord-cutting reduced the number of traditional cable subscribers.
As a result, not every major streaming platform carried Bally Sports networks.
This distribution problem helped push leagues and teams toward new ways of reaching viewers.
Why Were Regional Sports Networks Struggling?
The old business model depended heavily on cable television.
A regional sports network received money from cable and satellite providers.
Those companies collected monthly fees from subscribers.
Even people who rarely watched sports sometimes helped support the network through their TV package.
Then millions of customers began canceling traditional cable.
That created a serious problem.
Networks still had expensive agreements with teams, but the number of subscribers paying for regional sports channels was shrinking.
Why Was Diamond Sports’ Bankruptcy Important?
Diamond controlled a large collection of regional sports networks.
Therefore, its financial problems affected sports fans across the United States.
The company had local broadcasting relationships involving teams from:
- MLB
- NBA
- NHL
Its 2023 Chapter 11 filing became one of the biggest stories in regional sports television.
The effects continued for years.
Bally Sports Midwest’s disappearance was only one part of that larger story.
What Is FanDuel Sports Network?
FanDuel Sports Network was the branding introduced for Diamond’s regional sports networks in October 2024.
The Associated Press reported that Diamond’s 16 regional networks were being rebranded under the FanDuel name.
The networks continued showing local professional sports.
For Midwest viewers, that meant:
Bally Sports Midwest → FanDuel Sports Network Midwest.
Did FanDuel Buy Bally Sports?
Not exactly.
This is an important distinction.
FanDuel entered a naming-rights arrangement for the regional networks.
The change did not simply mean FanDuel purchased Bally Sports as if it were buying a normal television company.
Diamond Sports Group remained the network operator at the time of the rebranding.
Is Bally Sports Midwest the Same as Bally Sports?
Bally Sports was the larger national brand.
Bally Sports Midwest was one regional network within that family.
Other regional Bally networks included names connected with areas such as:
- Detroit
- Florida
- Ohio
- Wisconsin
- South
- Southeast
Each served different local sports markets.
Bally Sports Midwest primarily served the St. Louis-centered region.
Was Bally Sports Midwest Free?
Usually, no.
The network was generally included as part of eligible paid television packages.
Later, direct streaming subscriptions also became available.
However, the sports-media landscape is now moving toward a mixture of:
- Paid streaming
- Cable
- Satellite
- League-operated streaming
- Free over-the-air television
The Blues’ use of First Alert 4 and Matrix Midwest illustrates that shift.
Why Are Some Blues Games Available Free?
Teams increasingly want wider access.
Regional sports networks could reach loyal subscribers, but many younger fans no longer pay for cable.
Free over-the-air television can reach households with a simple antenna.
For recent Blues coverage, First Alert 4 and Matrix Midwest have been part of that strategy.
However, free broadcasts alone may not provide enough revenue for an NHL franchise.
That is one reason the Blues are also seeking a pay-TV partner for the future.
Bally Sports Midwest vs FanDuel Sports Network Midwest
| Feature | Bally Sports Midwest | FanDuel Sports Network Midwest |
|---|---|---|
| Brand used | 2021-2024 | From October 2024 |
| Previous identity | Fox Sports Midwest | Bally Sports Midwest |
| Regional focus | Midwest/St. Louis | Midwest/St. Louis |
| Cardinals | Yes | Yes initially; left in 2026 |
| Blues | Yes | Through 2025-26 |
| Bally branding | Yes | No |
| FanDuel branding | No | Yes |
Bally Sports Midwest vs Fox Sports Midwest
These were not completely unrelated channels.
They represented different branding eras of the same regional sports-network lineage.
The progression was:
Fox Sports Midwest
↓
Bally Sports Midwest
↓
FanDuel Sports Network Midwest
That is why older Cardinals or Blues videos may show a Fox Sports Midwest logo even though newer clips show Bally or FanDuel branding.
Where Can I Watch Cardinals Games Now?
For 2026, fans should no longer rely on instructions that say Cardinals games are on Bally Sports Midwest or FanDuel Sports Network Midwest.
The Cardinals moved away from FanDuel, with MLB taking over production of their telecasts.
Distribution details can vary by market and platform.
Therefore, viewers should use current Cardinals or MLB viewing information rather than an old Bally Sports guide.
Where Can I Watch Blues Games Now?
For the completed 2025-26 season, FanDuel Sports Network Midwest remained a major local home for Blues games.
For 2026-27, the picture is changing.
The Blues’ official website currently says:
“Please stay tuned for the 2026-27 season broadcast schedule.”
That is the most important message for fans right now.
Older viewing instructions may soon be inaccurate.
Why Is “Bally Sports Midwest” Still a Popular Search?
People are usually looking for one of several things:
- Cardinals games
- Blues games
- Channel numbers
- Streaming options
- App information
- Why Bally disappeared
- Whether FanDuel replaced Bally
- Whether their TV provider carries the channel
The old brand remains useful as a search phrase because many fans remember it better than the newer names.
Common Mistakes About Bally Sports Midwest
One mistake is saying Bally Sports Midwest is still the official channel name.
It is not. The Bally branding ended in October 2024.
Another mistake is saying the Cardinals still play on its FanDuel successor in 2026.
They do not. Their telecasts moved to an MLB-produced model.
A third mistake is assuming FanDuel simply bought the network.
The original 2024 arrangement centered on branding and naming rights while Diamond remained the operator.
Finally, viewers should not assume 2025 Blues information automatically applies to 2026-27.
The Blues’ broadcast setup is currently changing.
Final Thoughts
Bally Sports Midwest played an important role in Midwest sports television, especially for St. Louis fans.
But the name now belongs to the past.
The network began as Fox Sports Midwest, became Bally Sports Midwest in 2021, and then changed to FanDuel Sports Network Midwest in October 2024.
The story did not stop there.
By 2026, the regional sports network business had changed even more.
The St. Louis Cardinals left FanDuel Sports Network, with MLB taking over production of their local games.
Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues are working through their own next television arrangement ahead of the 2026-27 season.
So if you search “Bally Sports Midwest” because you cannot find the channel, your television is probably not the problem.
The sports broadcasting system itself has changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Bally Sports Midwest?
It was renamed FanDuel Sports Network Midwest on October 21, 2024.
What is Bally Sports Midwest called now?
Its successor branding was FanDuel Sports Network Midwest.
Was Bally Sports Midwest previously Fox Sports Midwest?
Yes. Fox Sports Midwest became Bally Sports Midwest in March 2021.
Is Bally Sports Midwest still available in 2026?
Not under the Bally Sports Midwest name.
Are Cardinals games still on FanDuel Sports Network Midwest?
No. The Cardinals moved away from FanDuel for 2026, with MLB producing their telecasts.
Are Blues games still on FanDuel Sports Network Midwest?
FanDuel carried the Blues during 2025-26, but the team’s broadcast situation is changing for 2026-27.
Why did Bally Sports change to FanDuel?
Diamond Sports Group entered a new naming-rights partnership with FanDuel in 2024.
Did FanDuel buy Bally Sports Midwest?
Not simply. FanDuel initially became the naming-rights partner while Diamond Sports Group operated the networks.
What happened to the Bally Sports app?
It transitioned to the FanDuel Sports Network app during the 2024 rebranding.
Why did Bally Sports have financial problems?
Its operator, Diamond Sports Group, faced serious financial pressure as traditional cable subscriptions declined and expensive team-rights agreements remained. Diamond filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023.
Where can I watch the St. Louis Blues in 2026-27?
The complete 2026-27 schedule and broadcast setup is still being finalized. The Blues’ official viewing page currently asks fans to stay tuned for details.
Why do people still call it Bally Sports Midwest?
Many viewers used the Bally name for years, so it remains familiar even after the network changed branding.
Is Fox Sports Midwest the same as Bally Sports Midwest?
Bally Sports Midwest was the successor to Fox Sports Midwest, so they belong to the same regional network lineage.
What teams was Bally Sports Midwest famous for showing?
It was especially associated with the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues.
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