MLB EXTRA INNINGS vs. MLB.TV: What Subscription Is Best for You?
Our baseball experts went the distance to compare MLB EXTRA INNINGS and MLB.TV so you can choose the best out-of-market service for your viewing needs.
MLB EXTRA INNINGS® is the best way to watch live out-of-market regular season MLB games. It requires a cable or satellite TV subscription, but it seamlessly integrates with your provider’s channel guide.
MLB.TV is an alternative streaming option for out-of-market games with an on-demand video library to keep you busy when games aren’t on. While MLB.TV comes free with most MLB EXTRA INNINGS subscriptions, it works well as a standalone streaming service for cord-cutters.
Deals and promotions
There are currently no deals or promotions for MLB EXTRA INNINGS. However, some cable and satellite providers offer free previews of the add-on service throughout the MLB regular season.
MLB.TV offers a seven-day free trial during the regular season, allowing you to experience all the benefits of having out-of-market MLB access. You can also create a free MLB.com account and tour the MLB.TV interface. There’s no payment method required for a free account, and you can even watch every MLB.TV Free Game of the Day.
MLB EXTRA INNINGS and MLB.TV head to head
| Service | Opening Day price | Live games | Service type | Video | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB EXTRA INNINGS | $149.99/yr. | ~80/wk. | Cable or satellite | 1080p, 4K* | |
| MLB.TV | $149.99/yr. | ~6–80/wk. | Streaming | 720p, 1080p | View plans |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Limited 4K games available through select TV providers.
When it comes to the number of live games you can watch each week, MLB EXTRA INNINGS and MLB.TV’s All Teams plan are identical.
Some sources may show a higher number of weekly games available on MLB EXTRA INNINGS. That’s all dependent on how many games are blacked out in your TV plan. If your TV service already carries the national MLB channels and your local team’s regional sports network (RSN), then MLB EXTRA INNINGS fills in the gap—meaning you’ll have access to every MLB game for the entire season.
The standalone nature of MLB.TV means regional blackouts play a more prominent role. You’ll need a separate TV subscription to watch live in-market and nationally televised MLB games. But the great thing about MLB.TV is that you can stream any blacked-out game on demand 90 minutes after it airs.
Pro tip: Enter your zip code on MLB’s Game Availability Locator to see which clubs are subject to blackouts in your area.
Because of the content similarities, the service type is the main difference between MLB EXTRA INNINGS and MLB.TV. MLB EXTRA INNINGS requires a cable or satellite TV subscription, while MLB.TV works only with a fast and reliable internet connection.
Plans and pricing
MLB EXTRA INNINGS plans and pricing
MLB EXTRA INNINGS offers one plan with a yearly baseline price of $149.99. However, this cost can vary between cable and satellite TV providers, and some providers break up the payment into monthly installments.
MLB EXTRA INNINGS is available through the following TV providers.
| Provider | Price | Channel count | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $61.00–$152.00/mo. | 75–250+ | |
| DIRECTV | $74.99–$164.99/mo. | 165–340+ | |
| DISH | $86.99–$116.99/mo. | 190–290+ | |
| Optimum | $40.00–$135.00/mo. | 50–420+ | |
| Spectrum | $45.00–$105.00/mo. | 150–160+ | Check Availability |
| Verizon Fios | $95.00–$139.00/mo. | 60–425+ | |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | 10–185+ |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
MLB.TV plans and pricing
MLB.TV comes in the form of two plans: MLB.TV All Teams and MLB.TV Single Team. As you can probably guess, the single-team plan gives you live and on-demand game access to only one MLB team of your choosing. Beyond that, specifications and features are the same, and blackout restrictions still apply.
You can sign up for MLB.TV directly on the official MLB website or as an add-on through live TV streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.
| Service | Monthly price | Yearly price | Live games | Video | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB.TV All Teams | $29.99/mo. | $149.99/yr. | ~80/wk. | 720p, 1080p | View plans |
| MLB.TV Single Team | — | $129.99/yr. | ~6/wk. | 720p, 1080p | View plans |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Specs and features
MLB EXTRA INNINGS and MLB.TV offer the same number of out-of-market games. But their specifications and features slightly differ. The main reason for this is that MLB EXTRA INNINGS is designed for cable and satellite TV interfaces, while MLB.TV is part of MLB.com and the MLB app.
Both services give you DVR-like control of your viewing experience, and you can watch all games on demand after they air in real time.
Other features that come with MLB EXTRA INNINGS are dependent on your TV provider. For example, with Xfinity, you can watch games with an expanded statistical interface through the Xfinity X1 DVR. Meanwhile, DIRECTV supplies you with two additional channels (MLB Network Strike Zone and MLB Game Mix Channel) to help you keep up with all the action when multiple games are happening at once.
On the other hand, MLB.TV leans more into its on-demand functionality and has an impressive library of documentaries, classic games, and studio shows. The streaming service also includes full access to MLB Network and MLB At Bat (formerly MLB Audio), which cost $69.99 a year when bundled separately. We love At Bat for its blackout-free home and away radio feeds of every MLB game. It also comes with over 7,000 live Minor League Baseball games and MLB Big Inning’s daily whip-around coverage.
Video and audio quality
| Service | Video | Audio | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLB EXTRA INNINGS | 1080p, 4K* | Dolby Digital 2.0, 5.1 | View providers |
| MLB.TV | 720p, 1080p | Dolby Digital 2.0 | View plans |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Limited 4K games available through select TV providers.
Both MLB EXTRA INNINGS and MLB.TV broadcast in 1080p HD resolution. Select games on MLB EXTRA INNINGS are also available in 4K, though you’ll need a 4K-compatible receiver from your cable or satellite provider.
Depending on your internet connection, MLB.TV also streams in 720p standard definition through Windows and Mac web browsers. But we recommend viewing MLB.TV on a compatible device with an internet connection of at least 5 Mbps. This will give you the best MLB.TV viewing experience with 1080p HD resolution at 60 frames per second.
In terms of audio quality, MLB EXTRA INNINGS and MLB.TV utilize standard Dolby Digital 2.0. Though, MLB EXTRA INNINGS also offers Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound—depending on how games are broadcasted and your equipment setup.
MLB app
The biggest reason most TV providers include MLB.TV with their MLB EXTRA INNINGS plans is because there’s no streaming alternative for MLB EXTRA INNINGS. In fact, MLB.TV is the streaming alternative.
To get the best out of MLB.TV, you’ll want to download the MLB app on your preferred compatible device—even if that’s just your smartphone.
The app slightly differs between devices. In every version, you can access all live and on-demand games, as well as featured video content. In the mobile version, you can also view news articles, scores and stats, and access At Bat content. The mobile app also contains an MLB Network tab, where you can log in with your TV provider and stream MLB Network live.
How can I watch out-of-market MLB games?
The best MLB out-of-market TV package depends on your TV setup and viewing preferences. For cable and satellite TV subscribers, we recommend MLB EXTRA INNINGS to get the most integrated MLB viewing experience. The add-on gives you access to every out-of-market MLB game on top of whatever else your base TV plan offers. You may also receive a free subscription to MLB.TV, so you can stream live out-of-market games at home or on the go.
If you don’t already have a cable or satellite TV plan, a standalone subscription to MLB.TV All Teams is the way to go. You’ll still have the same out-of-market access as MLB EXTRA INNINGS, and you can watch any blacked-out game 90 minutes after it ends.
MLB EXTRA INNINGS vs. MLB.TV FAQ
Is MLB.TV free with MLB EXTRA INNINGS?
Yes, MLB.TV is included with MLB EXTRA INNINGS at no additional cost through most cable and satellite TV providers. The streaming service requires an internet connection speed of at least 1.8 Mbps to watch content in standard definition on certain devices.
What’s the difference between MLB.TV and MLB.com?
MLB.TV is an extension of MLB.com and the MLB app that allows you to watch live out-of-market games, studio shows, and documentaries. Because of this, you must create a free MLB.com account to access MLB.TV’s content.
Is MLB.TV free with Amazon Prime?
No, MLB.TV isn’t free with an Amazon Prime membership, but you can sign up for the service through Amazon Prime Video at the same cost as a typical MLB.TV All Teams subscription. It’s a convenient way to access MLB.TV if you prefer to stay within the Amazon Prime app.
Does MLB.TV include MLB Network?
Yes, MLB.TV includes live 24/7 access to MLB Network. The league also offers a standalone MLB Network streaming subscription for $5.99 a month.
Why you should trust us
Our baseball experts put MLB EXTRA INNINGS and MLB.TV head to head to compare each service based on price, accessibility, and the quantity of content. We spent over 100 hours researching and operating both services to determine their similarities and differences.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
