How to Watch the Pittsburgh Pirates
Can Paul Skenes carry the Pirates to the playoffs?
Since pitcher Paul Skenes arrived in Pittsburgh, he’s been the Rookie of the Year and won the National League Cy Young Award. The dude can flat-out play, and he’s the No. 1 reason to watch the Pirates.
But whether Skenes can carry the Pirates to the franchise’s first postseason appearance since 2015 is another story. Pittsburgh does have Konnor Griffin, who is considered the top prospect in the league. And, the team upgraded its offense during the offseason.
Watching the Pirates in 2026 will be very interesting. I’ve created this guide so fans know everything from what channels the team will be on to how they can stream the Pirates. Keep reading to learn more.
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*Claim based on total games carried on Nat'l and combined local Regional Sports Networks. RSNs avail. with CHOICE package or higher. Avail. of RSNs varies by ZIP code and pkg. Blackouts apply.
Where to watch the Pirates—local TV breakdown
The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh (SNP)—either through a traditional TV package or via SNP 360 streaming. Fans in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and parts of New York and Maryland won’t have any changes this year.
Outside those areas, fans can stream the Pirates with MLB.TV, or watch the team with traditional providers using the MLB EXTRA INNINGS add-on.
| Channel | Starting price | Coverage | Available on |
|---|---|---|---|
| SportsNet Pittsburgh | $21.99/mo.* | Most in-market games | DIRECTV, Fubo, Spectrum, Xfinity, Verizon Fios |
| MLB.TV | $29.99/mo. | Most out-of-market games | MLB and ESPN apps |
| MLB EXTRA INNINGS | $149.99/season | Most out-of-market games | Cable and satellite services |
*Price applicable to standalone streaming option
Where to watch the Pirates—national TV breakdown
Even though the Pirates have struggled in recent years, they’ll still get plenty of national TV games in 2026. Fans across the country can watch the Pirates on Peacock Premium, FS1, Apple TV, and NBC Sports Network.
Additional broadcasts may appear on FOX, NBC, TBS, and MLB Network, depending on how the league’s national schedule shakes out later in the season.
| Network | Coverage | Available on |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV | Friday Night Baseball exclusive games | Apple TV subscription ($12.99/mo.) |
| ESPN | Select regular-season games | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
| FOX | Saturday MLB games, select primetime matchups, All-Star Game, World Series | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
| FS1 | Saturday regular-season games, select postseason games (Division Series, League Championship Series) | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
| MLB Network | Regular-season national games, simulcasts, showcase matchups | Cable, satellite, select live TV streaming services |
| NBC | Select Sunday MLB games | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
| Netflix | Exclusive events (Home Run Derby, MLB at Field of Dreams) | Netflix subscription ($9.99–$26.99/mo.) |
| Peacock | Exclusive Sunday MLB games | Peacock Premium subscription ($10.99–$16.99/mo.), NBCSN (simulcasts) |
| TBS | Regular-season Tuesday night games, select postseason games (Division Series, League Championship Series) | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
Best TV plans for watching the Pittsburgh Pirates
The MLB broadcast landscape is notoriously fragmented, meaning no single TV plan will get you every Pirates game. That’s why I mapped out the essential services that make the most sense for fans who don’t want to miss an inning.
DIRECTV is the best main service to cover your bases, with both robust in-market and national coverage. But if you’re a local fan who wants to avoid an expensive live TV plan, the standalone SNP 360 streaming app is a fantastic alternative.
Whether you go with a live TV service or the standalone route, you should also look into supplementing your setup with Apple TV and Peacock Premium. I go into more detail in the table below.
Best Overall
DIRECTV carries SNP (ch. 659) for local fans, plus every national channel that’s not a streaming service. You’ll get almost every Pirates game with this one service.
Exclusive Games
There will be several Pirates games on the platform as part of Apple TV’s Friday Night Baseball showcase.
Exclusive Games
The Pirates have several games streaming exclusively on the streaming service. Also, any MLB game airing on NBC will be available to stream on Peacock Premium.
Out-of-Market Coverage
Fans outside the Pirates’ TV territory can use MLB.TV to stream most games live, or watch every game on demand.
Watch the Pirates with a free trial
If you’re hesitant to sign up for a TV service of any kind, don’t worry. Pirates fans have few free trial options if they want to try a TV service before committing. The table below highlights some of my favorites.
| Packages | Price | ESPN | FOX | FS1 | NBC | TBS | MLB Network | RSNs* | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | Five days free, then $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM |
| Fubo | Five days free, then $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — | — | ✔ | ✔ | View Plans for FuboTV |
| YouTube TV | Varies, then $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — | — | View Plans for YouTube TV |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Avail. of RSNs varies by zip code and pkg.
Get tickets to see the Pirates!
Buy Pittsburgh Pirates tickets through our partner, StubHub—your source for the best deals on Pirates games and more.
How to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates FAQ
What channel are the Pirates on?
You can watch in-market Pittsburgh Pirates games on SportsNet Pittsburgh or SNP 360. National broadcasts will be on channels like Apple TV, Peacock Premium, and FS1.
Can I stream Pirates games without cable?
Yes, SNP 360 is the standalone streaming home of SportsNet Pittsburgh. Live TV streaming services like Fubo and DIRECTV also carry SNP. Additionally, many Pirates games will be streaming exclusively on Peacock and Apple TV.
Why are Pirates games blacked out in my area?
If you live within the team's local broadcast territory, live games will be blacked out on the national MLB.TV service. Instead, you need access to SportsNet Pittsburgh (via cable, satellite, or SNP 360) to watch in-market games.
Can I watch the Pittsburgh Pirates for free?
At the time of this writing, no Pirates games will be available via an over-the-air antenna. So if you want to watch games for free, you'll need a free trial of a live TV streaming service.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com junior sports writer, Alex Vejar, reviewed the broadcast details of the current Pittsburgh Pirates schedule. He then researched which TV and streaming providers offer the most channels to watch Pirates games. Using that information, he made provider recommendations that he feels are best for in-market and out-of-market Pirates fans.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our review methods.
