Ben Davis Expands Role on NBC Sports Philadelphia Amid Phillies Broadcast Changes

Mo. Basuony

Published: March 25, 2026 7:43 PM ET

Ben Davis Expands Role on NBC Sports Philadelphia Amid Phillies Broadcast Changes

Phillies broadcasts will look different this season on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Opening day is Thursday at 4:15 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park, when the Phillies host the Texas Rangers on NBC10 and NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Ben Davis expands role and booth rotation

Ben Davis, with the team’s TV crew since 2015, will spend more time at field level this year. He worked from the dugout for a few games last season and during spring training.

His expanded role is tied to the new Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System. Alexandra Matcham, NBC Sports Philadelphia’s vice president of content, says Davis’ experience as a catcher will help explain replays. He will still call many games from the booth.

The booth will rotate commentators. Former GM Rubén Amaro Jr. and John Kruk are part of that rotation. Tom McCarthy returns as the primary TV voice for his 20th season.

In-stadium reporting and production changes

Taryn Hatcher is no longer with the broadcast team after her contract was not renewed. The network plans other ways to capture ballpark energy.

Digital video producer Spencer McKercher will interact more with fans at Citizens Bank Park. Jim Salisbury returns and new hire Cole Weintraub will cover breaking news.

NBC Sports Philadelphia plans two technical additions. A camera in the infield dirt is proposed, pending league approval. The wire camera along the third-base line will be used more often.

Former players joining the booth

Cole Hamels will call six to eight Sunday games. His schedule fills some of the gap left by Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt. Schmidt decided not to return after 12 seasons with the broadcast crew.

Schmidt said he will still visit Citizens Bank Park frequently in 2026. He expects to focus on sponsors rather than broadcasting.

Studio lineup remains steady

Michael Barkann returns for his 29th season as host of pregame and postgame shows. Ricky Bottalico will join him most nights.

Ben Davis and Rubén Amaro Jr. will appear in the studio on occasion. Production and hosting duties otherwise remain unchanged.

Radio and Spanish-language broadcasts

Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen return for their 21st season on radio. Kevin Stocker will call most road series and select home games.

Gregg Murphy is back as the radio pre- and postgame host. 94.1 WIP remains the flagship station under a multiyear deal signed in 2024.

Bill Kulik and Angel Castillo will continue on the Spanish broadcast. Oscar Budejen is departing after five years but will remain on the Sunday night Phillies Weekly show.

National broadcasts and Sunday Night Baseball

NBC will carry Sunday Night Baseball as part of a three-year, nearly $600 million agreement with MLB. The network’s national slate starts in 2026.

The Phillies are scheduled for four Sunday Night Baseball appearances. Their April 19 game against Atlanta will stream exclusively on Peacock.

Other Phillies Sunday Night games are slated for June 21 vs. the Mets, July 26 vs. the Yankees, and Sept. 3 vs. the Braves. Those dates are set to air on NBC.

Jason Benetti will handle play-by-play for Sunday Night Baseball. NBC plans rotating analysts tied to the teams playing, allowing local voices to join national calls.

NBC will also add in-game pitching breakdowns with Clayton Kershaw and Adam Ottavino. The feature aims to take viewers “inside the pitch.”

How to watch and streaming changes

NBC Sports Philadelphia will televise 148 of the Phillies’ 162 regular-season games. Eight games are scheduled for NBC10. That number could change late in the season.

Apple TV+ returns with Friday Night Baseball. Its subscription is $12.99 monthly, up about $3 from last year. The Phillies appear April 24 and May 19 in the first half.

Netflix will stream three MLB games produced by MLB Network. One exclusive Phillies game is scheduled for Aug. 13 at the Field of Dreams. The Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park will also stream on Netflix.

Peacock will stream some Sunday Night Baseball telecasts and the morning Sunday Leadoff package. Peacock Premium is priced at $10.99 monthly for live sports access.