The world of baseball broadcasting is currently in a state of flux. The 2023 bankruptcy of Diamond Sports Group has thrown the TV future of over a third of Major League Baseball teams into question. We’ve seen the Texas Rangers’ 2025 TV package announced just two months ago, the Pittsburgh Pirates airing on a station partly owned by the Boston Red Sox, and the Seattle Mariners landing on a channel recently abandoned by other teams. Adding to the changes, a 36-year partnership with ESPN is entering its final season.
This period has been marked by fan frustration due to local blackouts and a fragmented national broadcasting landscape. While the league aims for a more unified viewing experience, existing contracts and local norms have made that difficult. Every one of the 2,430 regular-season games will be televised this year, but watching them all requires the right subscriptions, equipment, and a detailed schedule.
It’s a lot to keep track of, but we’re here to help clarify the basics of how to access the various platforms you’ll need to catch every game. While you’ll still need to check local listings and individual team schedules for specific game times and channels—there aren’t many easy answers these days, with even the Chicago Cubs no longer on WGN—we can guide you through the essential viewing options.
How to Watch Nationally Televised MLB Games
When an MLB game is picked up for national broadcast, it typically takes precedence over local team broadcasts. This means that if a game is shown on a national network, it generally won’t be available through your local team’s regional sports network (RSN) or other local channels. While rare exceptions occur (like a specific Apple TV+ game last June that also allowed local RSN broadcasts), for the most part, national games are exclusive to their designated national platforms.
Here’s a look at one popular streaming service that offers a significant portion of nationally televised MLB content:
Fubo
Fubo is a streaming service designed to replace traditional cable, offering a mix of local and national channels, along with optional sports packages.
- What you can watch: Fubo provides live streams for games airing on ESPN, FOX, and MLB Network.
- What’s not included: Games broadcast on TBS are not available on Fubo.
- Regional Sports Networks (RSNs): Fubo also carries a wide range of RSNs, such as SportsNet, FanDuel Sports Network, YES Network, MSG Sportsnet, NBC Sports channels, and more. This means that for many fans, Fubo can provide in-market coverage of their favorite team’s games.
- Exceptions for RSNs: It’s important to note that while Fubo has extensive RSN coverage, there are exceptions. For instance, live in-market coverage of the Los Angeles Dodgers (SportsNet LA), New York Mets (SNY), and Toronto Blue Jays is typically not included in Fubo’s base packages for those specific markets. For out-of-market viewers, these team’s games can sometimes be accessed via an MLB.TV add-on to Fubo, but local blackouts still apply to MLB.TV for in-market games.
What you need to watch these games: To start watching MLB on Fubo, you’ll need a Fubo subscription. You can often find a free trial to test it out. Most users will find the Pro plan at $84.99 a month sufficient for their MLB needs, providing access to a large portion of streamed games without cable. If you’re looking for 4K quality, the price increases to $94.99 per month with the Elite plan.
For even more baseball, consider these add-ons:
- MLB.TV: This add-on, priced at $29.99 a month, gives you access to every out-of-market game. Keep in mind, local blackouts still apply to MLB.TV, so you won’t be able to watch your local team’s games live through this add-on if you’re in their market.
- Sports Lite: For $9.99 a month, this package includes the MLB Network, NBA TV, and the Tennis Channel, offering additional baseball content and other sports.
ESPN
While ESPN and MLB are parting ways after this season, their long-standing partnership has been a cornerstone of national baseball broadcasts. Currently, ESPN carries around 30 regular-season games, primarily through its iconic “Sunday Night Baseball” broadcast. It also remains the home for the Home Run Derby and the Wild Card round of the playoffs. While ESPN once broadcast many more games and had “Baseball Tonight” as a nightly highlight show (which hasn’t aired since 2017), its MLB coverage has become more focused in recent years.
- What you need to watch these games: Accessing ESPN is generally straightforward. It’s widely available through most traditional television and satellite providers and is a staple on major streaming platforms. If you’re looking for ESPN, chances are you’ll find it with your current TV or streaming service.
FOX
FOX has emerged as MLB’s premier national broadcasting partner, holding rights to key events like the All-Star Game and the World Series. Their extensive coverage includes high-profile matchups throughout the season, such as the Tokyo Series and regular-season rivalry games (like the Yankees and Red Sox). In August, FOX will broadcast the unique Speedway Classic, and in October, they’ll exclusively air the American League Championship Series. FOX’s regular-season cornerstone is its “Baseball Night in America” broadcast on Saturdays.
- What you need to watch these games: FOX’s MLB broadcasts are split between its main FOX channel and its sports-focused FS1 channel. Both channels are widely available through most traditional television providers and major streaming services. You can also stream these broadcasts directly through the Fox Sports app if you have a subscription that includes Fox Sports.
TBS
For decades, Atlanta-based TBS has been deeply connected with baseball, famously broadcasting Atlanta Braves games starting in the 1970s. This exposure, coupled with the Braves’ success in the 1990s, briefly earned them the moniker “America’s team.” While TBS stopped carrying regular Braves games in 2007, the network still features weekly national broadcasts on Tuesdays, aptly named “MLB Tuesday.”
In 2025, TBS will broadcast 26 regular-season games. More importantly, it holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for this year’s National League Division Series (NLDS) and National League Championship Series (NLCS), making it a critical channel for postseason viewing.
- What you need to watch these games: TBS is a standard channel on most cable television packages and is widely available through various streaming platforms. You can also stream the broadcasts directly via the TBS app and the Max app, thanks to Warner Bros. Discovery owning both TBS and HBO.
Roku
Roku has evolved beyond just a streaming device. In 2024, its streaming channel secured a deal with MLB to offer free Sunday games to anyone with access to The Roku Channel. This initiative is called “MLB Sunday Leadoff,” and a major bonus is that these broadcasts are blackout-free, meaning you can watch them regardless of your location. Roku typically broadcasts the first game of the day on Sundays.
- What you need to watch these games: The Roku Channel comes preinstalled on Roku devices, but it’s also accessible on some smart TVs and compatible Amazon Fire devices. For on-the-go viewing, you can use the Roku mobile app or simply visit TheRokuChannel.com.
Apple TV+
Apple’s weekly MLB broadcast, “Friday Night Baseball,” is a prominent feature of their streaming service. Apple TV+ delivers a Friday doubleheader with two games every Friday, totaling around 50 games per year. It’s worth noting that not all teams get equal representation; some smaller market teams or those with less national appeal might not appear on the schedule as frequently.
- What you need to watch these games: If you own Apple products, the Apple TV+ app is usually preinstalled, but you’ll still need an Apple TV+ subscription. The app is also available on Android devices, as an add-on via Amazon Prime Video, and on various smart TVs and other streaming devices like Roku. While you might find a free trial, a monthly subscription for Apple TV+ costs $9.99.
Watching Out-of-Market Local Broadcasts
Unlike the NBA or NFL, which generate widespread national interest from even casual fans (you’d easily find a Packers game in a Florida bar, or a casual Lakers fan tuning into the Cavaliers vs. Knicks), MLB’s appeal for out-of-market matchups often skews towards the dedicated fan. While some Dodgers fans might indeed seek out a Cleveland Guardians vs. New York Mets game, it’s typically the diehards who consistently look for these mid-summer, out-of-market contests. For these ardent supporters, Major League Baseball has a well-established solution.
MLB Network
MLB Network broadcasts over 275 games each regular season, accounting for more than 10% of the entire MLB schedule. However, it’s crucial to remember that all MLB Network game broadcasts are out-of-market only. This means if the network picks up a local feed, say for a Padres vs. Giants game, it won’t be aired on MLB Network in San Diego or San Francisco; those markets will receive a different game.
Beyond these local feed pickups, MLB Network also produces 26 “MLB Network Showcase” games with its own production and broadcasters like Matt Vasgersian, Dan Plesac, and Tom Verducci. While these “Showcase” games offer a national broadcast feel, they do not override local broadcasts. So, a “Showcase” of a Tarik Skubal vs. Cole Ragans matchup would still be available on local stations in Detroit and Kansas City, while MLB Network would air it out-of-market.
What you need to watch these games: MLB Network is widely available through many television providers and streaming platforms, including Fubo. You can also subscribe to MLB Network directly, or gain access through an MLB.TV subscription.
MLB.TV
MLB.TV is Major League Baseball’s official streaming service, designed to let you “WATCH EVERY OUT-OF-MARKET GAME LIVE OR ON DEMAND.” It gives viewers the choice of home or away team feeds and includes options for radio broadcasts.
The key limitation of a standard MLB.TV subscription is that it is restricted to out-of-market games. This means, for example, a fan in St. Louis typically cannot use MLB.TV to watch most Cardinals games live. It’s important to note that some blackout territories can be quite expansive; for instance, the Mariners’ blackout zone includes parts of five states: Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and Alaska. (While a few teams do offer in-market options via MLB.TV, those are exceptions and will be discussed separately.)
What you need to watch these games: You can stream MLB.TV via a computer or through its app on televisions and mobile devices. An all-team subscription costs $149.99 per year or $29.99 per month, while single-team packages are $129.99 annually. An MLB.TV subscription also provides access to MLB Network programming, minor-league games, and “MLB Big Inning,” a show that jumps between multiple games to highlight key moments.
How to Watch Local Broadcasts In-Market
This is where things can get a bit more localized and less uniform across the league. Instead of trying to understand the varying approaches of every team (like how the Twins, Brewers, White Sox, Cubs, and Phillies all have different local broadcast setups), it’s best to focus on your specific team.
The key is to know where to find your favorite team’s games locally since these are typically subject to regional blackout rules on national out-of-market packages like MLB.TV.
MLB-owned, team-specific platforms
- Teams: Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres
Following the recent upheaval in regional sports networks, five MLB teams now broadcast their games directly through Major League Baseball, each offering its own dedicated streaming platform. For example, Twins.TV provides access via subscription through MLB.TV without local blackout restrictions—except when games are nationally televised.
What You Need to Watch These Games
These team-specific streaming platforms are accessible through MLB.TV but require separate subscriptions from the standard MLB.TV package. For instance, a Cleveland viewer with an MLB.TV subscription will still face blackouts for Guardians games unless they subscribe to CLEGaurdians.TV. Subscriptions cost $19.99 per month or $99.99 annually. Additionally, these channels are available through streaming services like Fubo and some traditional TV providers. For example, Spectrum subscribers in Lincoln, Nebraska, can watch Rockies games on channels 435 or 445 or stream via platforms such as Fubo.
FanDuel Sports Network (FDSN)
- Teams: Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays
FanDuel Sports Network is essentially a rebranded, streamlined version of Bally Sports, now owned by Main Street Sports Group—a new name for the bankrupt Diamond Sports Group. Initially, the Reds and Brewers were to be broadcast by MLB after Diamond’s bankruptcy, but both teams secured new deals with FDSN.
How to Watch FDSN Games: Subscriptions are available through various TV providers or directly via the FanDuel Sports Network app, which supports Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and more. Fubo also carries FDSN. Market-specific channels, such as FanDuel Sports Network Ohio for the Reds, are offered as add-ons on Amazon Prime Video. Some FDSN teams (Braves, Tigers, Royals) also simulcast select games on over-the-air channels.
NBC Sports Regional Networks
- Teams: Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants
While NBC is renowned for NFL, NBA, and Olympic coverage, several NBC Sports regional stations broadcast MLB games. The Athletics appear on NBC Sports California, the Phillies on NBC Sports Philadelphia, and the Giants on NBC Sports Bay Area. Notably, both the Phillies and Giants hold partial ownership stakes in their respective NBC Sports affiliates.
This broadcasting landscape reflects the ongoing transformation in MLB coverage amid the regional sports network shakeup. Fans now have multiple options—team-specific streaming platforms, FanDuel Sports Network, and NBC regional channels—to follow their favorite teams in 2025. However, understanding subscription requirements and blackout rules remains essential to ensure uninterrupted viewing.
Team-Owned Regional Sports Networks (RSNs)
A growing number of MLB teams have at least partial, but substantial, ownership in their regional sports networks. These include teams like the Boston Red Sox (NESN), Chicago Cubs (Marquee Sports Network), Chicago White Sox (Chicago Sports Network), Houston Astros (Space City Home Network), Los Angeles Dodgers (Spectrum SportsNet LA), New York Yankees (YES Network), Pittsburgh Pirates (SportsNet Pittsburgh), Seattle Mariners (ROOT Sports Northwest), and Texas Rangers (Rangers Sports Network).
The structure and availability of these RSNs can vary significantly. For example, NESN and YES Network are well-established, while some, like Space City Home Network, Chicago Sports Network, and Rangers Sports Network, are relatively new. Some RSNs have unique ownership quirks, such as SportsNet Pittsburgh being jointly owned by the Pirates and Pittsburgh Penguins, with management ties to the Red Sox’s NESN. The Seattle Mariners even took full ownership of ROOT Sports Northwest recently, leading to other local sports teams moving their broadcasts elsewhere.
What you need to watch these games:
- These RSNs are primarily available from local cable and satellite television providers. Some new RSNs, like Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), are even available over-the-air in certain markets.
- Many of these team-owned RSNs now offer direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming through their own apps. This includes networks like NESN (NESN 360), YES Network, Marquee Sports Network, Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), and SportsNet Pittsburgh.
- Other RSNs, such as Spectrum SportsNet LA (Dodgers) and ROOT Sports Northwest (Mariners), offer streaming, but it typically requires an existing subscription through a traditional television provider to authenticate access.
- The Texas Rangers’ games stream through the Victory+ app, which is also a direct-to-consumer option.
Generally, services like Fubo and DirecTV Stream are good choices for finding a wide range of these RSNs. However, live TV streaming platforms like Hulu and YouTube TV typically do not carry these team-owned RSNs.
Co-Owned Regional Sports Network: MASN (Orioles and Nationals)
The Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals both hold ownership stakes in the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), though the Orioles have historically been the majority owner. This arrangement was established when the Nationals entered the market, aiming to compensate the Orioles for potential market dilution. MASN operates two channels, MASN and MASN2, allowing it to split the teams’ schedules and air roughly half of each team’s games on each channel.
This unbalanced ownership and dual-team broadcasting in close proximity has been a long-standing source of dispute between the two franchises. However, as of earlier this month (June 2025), a resolution was announced. This settlement will see the Nationals continue to broadcast on MASN through the 2025 season under a new one-year contract. Crucially, after the 2025 season, the Nationals will be free to explore alternative broadcasting options for 2026 and beyond, signaling a significant shift in their local broadcast future.
What you need to watch these games (for the 2025 season):
MASN and MASN2 are available through traditional cable and satellite television providers in the Mid-Atlantic region.
- MASN+ (Direct-to-Consumer Streaming): In a significant development, MASN launched its own direct-to-consumer streaming service, MASN+, in April 2025. This service allows in-market fans to watch both Orioles and Nationals games live, without blackouts and without needing a cable or satellite subscription.
- Cost: MASN+ is available for $19.99 per month or a season pass for $64.99.
- Bundles: You can also bundle MASN+ with MLB.TV for $39.99 a month or $144.99 for the entire MLB season, offering a comprehensive solution for both in-market and out-of-market games.
- Access: MASN+ can be subscribed to via MASNsports.com or through the MASN app (available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku).
- Live TV Streaming Services: MASN is also generally available on live TV streaming platforms such as Fubo and DirecTV Stream for subscribers within the Mid-Atlantic region.
Regional Sports Network (Canada)
- Team: Toronto Blue Jays
Sportsnet is Canada’s dominant sports media brand, handling the Blue Jays’ television, streaming, and radio broadcasts. Beyond baseball, it’s also the national rights holder for the NHL and covers regional broadcasts for multiple Canadian NHL teams and half of the Toronto Raptors’ games. Essentially, if you’re watching live sports in Canada, Sportsnet is your most likely destination.
What you need to watch these games:
- You primarily need to reside in Canada. Sportsnet is owned by Rogers Communications (which also owns the Blue Jays and their ballpark, Rogers Centre), ensuring wide availability across the country. Sportsnet also offers its direct-to-consumer streaming service, Sportsnet+.
- Sportsnet+ Standard is available for $24.99/month or $199.99/year, covering up to 162 Blue Jays games.
- Sportsnet+ Premium costs $34.99/month or $249.99/year, offering more leagues and content, including out-of-market NHL games.
Regional Sports Network/Over-the-Air/MLB Partnership
- Team: New York Mets
Most Mets games are broadcast on SNY, their regional sports network. However, some games are also carried over-the-air via PIX 11, a CW Network station, which is accessible through several popular streaming platforms.
A significant development for 2025 is that Mets SNY broadcasts are now streamed online through the MLB app. This is similar to the five teams whose broadcasts are entirely controlled by the league.
What you need to watch these games:
- You’ll need to know which channel is carrying which specific game.
- For SNY broadcasts, you’ll need an SNY subscription (either through a traditional TV provider or directly). SNY is available on Hulu and DirecTV Stream, but it is no longer carried on Fubo.
- SNY has launched its own direct-to-consumer streaming option within the MLB app. You can purchase an SNY Seasonal pass for $89.99 or $24.99 monthly.
- Existing SNY subscribers can authenticate their accounts through the MLB app to gain access to the stream at no additional cost.
- For games on PIX 11, you’ll need access to PIX 11, which can be found over-the-air or on certain streaming platforms.
- The Mets package on MLB.TV is slightly more expensive at $24.99 monthly or $124.99 annually if purchased directly, but SNY subscribers can use their existing accounts for MLB.com streaming.
Amazon Prime Video
- Team: New York Yankees
While Amazon Prime Video offers various MLB-related add-ons, Prime Video itself will exclusively broadcast 21 New York Yankees regular-season games in 2025, primarily on Wednesdays. These games are available “at no additional cost to Prime members in the Yankees’ home-team footprint” (New York State, Connecticut, north and central New Jersey, and northeast Pennsylvania). While the YES Network handles the bulk of Yankees broadcasts, these specific games will stream directly on Prime Video.
What you need to watch these games:
- You need an Amazon Prime membership.
- The games stream through the Amazon Prime Video app, available on phones, tablets, game consoles, some smart TVs, and various streaming devices.
- For out-of-market viewers, these specific Yankees games on Prime Video will also be available to MLB.TV subscribers.
