MLB.TV Moves to ESPN for Three Years: What Does the Shakeup Mean for Fans?
MLB Opening Day is on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. But when the first pitch is thrown, the viewing situation for pro baseball fans will look drastically different.
A seismic new media rights deal gives ESPN control over the rights and distribution of MLB.TV, the league’s platform for out-of-market fans. So whether your team is states away, or you’re a local fan of one of the six ballcubs for which MLB produced games, ESPN will become an essential part of your viewing experience. And, you might need a different app to watch your favorite team’s games.
I’ve laid out all that’s known about the deal, how it affects baseball fans’ viewing experience, and the questions that still remain.
Why is ESPN taking over MLB.TV?
MLB recently finalized a three-year media deal with ESPN, NBC, and Netflix that starts in the 2026 season. Under the terms of that deal, the Worldwide Leader took control over MLB.TV, and will offer games live and on demand directly through the ESPN app in time for Opening Day 2026.
“This fan-friendly, forward-thinking agreement allows us to showcase this great sport on a local and national level, while prioritizing our streaming future,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “MLB.TV is a coveted, must-have service for passionate MLB fans all over the country, and it will be strongly complemented by our national game package and in-market team rights.”
How does the ESPN–MLB.TV deal affect you?
The MLB.TV part of this deal feels similar to the one where ESPN took over NFL Network. Meaning, ESPN really just gains the ability to offer and sell a product that already exists.
What’s different about this one, though, is MLB.TV is an out-of-market service. It’d almost be like if Amazon Prime Video bought exclusive rights to NBA League Pass. Oh wait, they did.
Existing MLB.TV subscribers will be able to access the service through the ESPN app and MLB platforms, per ESPN’s announcement of the deal. If you prefer the ESPN app, it sounds like you’ll be able to use your MLB.TV credentials on that platform. Of course, if you’re already an MLB app or website user, nothing will change for now.
I really hope ESPN doesn't screw up https://t.co/uox2Y1H7Hz. They didn't do a great job with the hockey package (though it is passable), so I am a bit worried.
— Matt Ames (@mattyboy247) November 19, 2025
ESPN are taking over MLB tv!?
— Jed 🇬🇧 (@TigersJUK) November 19, 2025
Why?
They’ve posted more about Shohei Ohtani’s dog than actual baseball stuff the last 5 years.
MLB.TV may leave the MLB app after 2026
Here’s the rub. There seems to be a one-year grandfather period with MLB platforms.
ESPN says out-of-market games through MLB.TV “will also be available on MLB platforms in 2026.” That suggests that after 2026, those games will no longer be available through MLB, and you’ll need the ESPN app to continue watching them.
Similarly, the league produces in-market broadcasts for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Guardians, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Colorado Rockies. ESPN got exclusive streaming rights to these through the agreement.
ESPN says that those games will be “available to purchase and stream on MLB platforms” in 2026. Note that it doesn’t say “throughout the life of the contract” or something similar. That tells me, again, that fans already using an MLB platform will need to switch before the 2027 season.
MLB, in its own announcement, did say that fans will be able to buy subscriptions for these specific teams “either independently, as part of a bundle with MLB.TV, or as part of a package with ESPN’s app.”
What’s still up in the air about the ESPN–MLB.TV deal?
A couple of things remain unclear about this agreement, at least in my mind.
MLB.TV offered a free game almost every day through the league’s website and app. But now that it’s ESPN’s baby, there’s no telling whether that free game is no more, or if fans will still get that perk.
The other aspect that’s now murky is T-Mobile’s deal with MLB. T-Mobile offers customers MLB.TV for free.
In 2023, T-Mobile and the league renewed their contract through 2028. The Athletic reported in November that the T-Mobile offer is “expected to continue.” But as we all know, expectations don’t always meet reality.
Neither ESPN nor T-Mobile returned a request for comment.
