Bold headline: A new era of free baseball for the Tri-States is here—and it’s bigger than ever. WGEM is expanding its stretch with the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals, bringing more games to free, over‑the‑air viewing for fans across the region. And this isn’t just a handful of games—it's a broadened lineup spanning spring training through the regular season, with all Cardinals regular-season games also available on WGEM SportsRadio 105.1FM.
What this means for viewers is straightforward and exciting: you can watch beloved teams on multiple WGEM channels at no extra cost, right at home, without paying for cable or streaming add-ons. The expansion covers the entire WGEM family of stations, including WGEM (NBC) 10.1, The Tri-States’ CW 10.2, WGEM FOX 10.3, and MeTV Tri-States 10.4, ensuring wide accessibility throughout the Tri-State area. In addition, fans can tune in to Cardinals games on the radio via WGEM SportsRadio 105.1FM.
Spring training slate at a glance
- St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training Games: multiple noon starts in late February and March (Feb 23 vs. Marlins; Mar 7 vs. Mets; Mar 8 at Marlins; Mar 9 vs. Orioles; Mar 12 vs. Mets; Mar 13 vs. Astros; Mar 18 vs. Astros; Mar 23 at Springfield). The schedule gives fans a steady stream of live action to get the season jump-start vibes.
Regular-season broadcasts
- Broadcast locations and channel assignments for most games will be announced closer to each date.
- Notable highlights include: Royals vs. Twins on WGEM 10.1 (Mar 30, 3 p.m. CT); Royals vs. Angels on WGEM CW 10.2 (Apr 24, 6:30 p.m. CT); Cardinals vs. Mariners on WGEM 10.1 (Apr 24, 7 p.m. CT); and a series of key matchups through the summer, featuring both hometown teams against major opponents.
Key dates and matchups cover a wide range of opponents—from the Reds, Cubs, Astros, and Mariners to the Diamondbacks, White Sox, and more—ensuring a comprehensive lineup that keeps baseball fans engaged throughout the season.
Statement from WGEM leadership
“Expansion of our partnerships with the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals reflects our commitment to bringing premium baseball experiences to Tri-State families—free, over-the-air, and conveniently accessible,” said Ben Van Ness, WGEM’s general manager and vice president. “With games scheduled across spring training and the regular season, families have ample opportunities to create lasting baseball memories together.”
Partnership highlights and continuity
- The Home Plate partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals continues to offer free, over-the-air access at every level of the organization, including spring training and select regular-season games.
- The ongoing Royals partnership features the historic home opener broadcast on free over-the-air TV—the first time since 2007 that such a broadcast has been offered at no cost to viewers.
Bottom line for fans
If you’re a Cardinals or Royals supporter in the Tri-States, you’ll get more opportunities to tune in, catch live action, and enjoy the season with family and friends—without extra subscriptions or streaming fees. And as schedules are finalized, WGEM will share channel placements and broadcast times so you can plan your baseball viewing well in advance.
Controversy-ready thought
Some fans may wonder about the impact on local cable viewers who already pay for sports packages. Does expanding free, over-the-air access accelerate the shift away from paid TV? What’s your take: does free local broadcasting strengthen community ties or pressure traditional pay TV models?Share your perspective in the comments.
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