MLB.TV Review 2023
After spending over 100 hours researching and testing MLB.TV, we can safely say this streaming service is perfect for baseball aficionados looking for out-of-market MLB access.
MLB.TV
Price: $19.99–$24.99/mo.
Free trial: 7 days
Features: Live out-of-market MLB games; on-demand documentaries, classic games, and original content
MLB.TV is the most flexible streaming service for fans of Major League Baseball. With 30 teams playing 162 regular season games a year, you can easily lose track of team rankings and player form. Fortunately, MLB.TV lets you watch every live out-of-market game that’s not already airing on national television.
But even when local and national games get blacked out on MLB.TV, you can still catch them on demand once they end in real-time. Ultimately, it’s the cord cutter’s way of catching more MLB games.
Keep scrolling to learn everything MLB.TV has to offer.
MLB.TV pros and cons
Pros
- Home and away team broadcast feeds
- Access to every MLB game replay
- Live in-game stats overlay
Cons
- High price for casual fans
- No live in-market or nationally televised games
Is MLB.TV worth it?
MLB.TV is worth it if you want access to the most MLB games and don’t already have a cable or satellite TV subscription. If you’re currently enrolled with a provider like DIRECTV, Xfinity, or DISH, we recommend checking out MLB EXTRA INNINGS® instead. We’ll explain more in our MLB.TV vs. MLB EXTRA INNINGS section.
MLB.TV is the most beneficial for cord-cutters who support a non-local team. Because it’s an out-of-market streaming service, you’ll run into blackout restrictions when trying to watch your local team live. So double-check to ensure your region is eligible for watching your favorite team on MLB.TV.
Pro tip: Enter your zip code on MLB’s Blackout Restrictions page to see which clubs are subject to blackouts in your area.
In addition to local blackouts, you’ll also have to contend with national blackouts. These happen when games air exclusively on national television. But in the big scheme of things, only a fraction of the MLB’s 2,430 regular season games are nationally televised, and you’ll still have access to those games 90 minutes after they conclude.
When compared to similar out-of-market offerings from other major league sports, MLB.TV delivers a lot of content for a mediocre full-season price. Starting at $149.99 a year on Opening Day, MLB.TV gives you around 80 live out-of-market games per week during the regular season. That’s $50.00 more than NBA League Pass (around 40 games per week for $99.99 a year) but around $200.00 less than what NFL Sunday Ticket costs via YouTube TV (around 200 total games for $349.00 a year).
MLB.TV also has a great amount of additional programming. Even during the offseason, you can keep your head in the game with MLB.TV’s immense library of documentaries, classic games, and studio shows (some of which come from MLB Network).
MLB.TV deals and promotions
MLB.TV offers a seven-day free trial during the regular season. The streaming service also provides various discounts throughout the year—usually around Father’s Day and MLB All-Star Week.
MLB.TV carries one free game on most days during the regular season. Though blackouts still apply, you must create a free MLB.com account and check MLB’s live game schedule to see which daily games are free.
MLB.TV plans and prices
| Service | Monthly price | Yearly price | Live games | Video | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB.TV All Teams | $24.99/mo. | $69.99/season | ~80/wk. | 720p, 1080p | View plans |
| MLB.TV Single Team | $19.99/mo. | $59.99/season | ~6/wk. | 720p, 1080p | View plans |
| Padres Single Team | $19.99/mo. | $54.99/season | ~6/wk. | 720p, 1080p | View plans |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
MLB.TV offers two primary subscription plans: MLB.TV All Teams ($69.99 a year) and MLB.TV Single Team ($59.99 a year). Specifications and bonus features remain the same across both plans, as do local blackout restrictions. The only difference is that the single-team plan gives you live and on-demand game access to only one MLB team of your choosing.
We recommend getting MLB.TV All Teams because of its minimal price difference from MLB Single Team. After all, like a pitcher watching base runners, keeping one eye on your team and the other on the competition is essential.
Combine MLB.TV with a live TV streaming service
MLB.TV works great on its own for watching out-of-market MLB games. But without a TV plan as well, you won’t be able to watch live nationally televised matchups.
Any game that airs exclusively on FOX, FS1, ESPN, TBS, or MLB Network won’t be available to watch on MLB.TV until 90 minutes after the game is complete. That includes all of the MLB Postseason and the World Series. You’re killing us, Smalls!
To avoid missing out, we recommend looking at Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV. Each of these three live TV streaming services offers every MLB national channel, and if you pick any one of them, you won’t have to deal with the contracts or equipment fees that come with cable and satellite TV plans.
| Sling TV ($40.00–$55.00/mo.) | Hulu + Live TV ($69.99–$82.99/mo.) | YouTube TV ($72.99/mo.) |
|---|---|---|
| Customize your channel lineup with Sling TV’s multiple plans and add-on options. Be sure to up your game with the Sports Extra add-on, which includes MLB Network and MLB Network Strike Zone. | Get the best of sports and entertainment with Hulu + Live TV’s 85+ channels alongside Disney+ and ESPN+. With the traditional ESPN channels and ESPN+ in your viewing roster, you’ll get access to many live sports—including college baseball. | There’s a reason why YouTube TV is our best overall live TV streaming service. Featuring 100+ channels and unlimited DVR space, YouTube TV carries the top sports channels with a manageable monthly fee. |
| View plans | View plans | View plans |
MLB.TV vs. MLB EXTRA INNINGS
| Service | Full-season price | Live games | Video | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB.TV All Teams | $149.99/yr. | ~80/wk. | 720p, 1080p | View plans |
| MLB EXTRA INNINGS | $149.99/yr. | ~80/wk. | 1080p, 4K* | 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.
The major difference between MLB.TV and MLB EXTRA INNINGS is how you access each service. As we’ve mentioned, MLB.TV is a streaming service that requires an internet connection and a compatible streaming device. MLB EXTRA INNINGS is more on the old-school side. It’s a cable and satellite TV add-on, so you’ll need to be subscribed to a service like DIRECTV, Xfinity, or Cox to get it.
Apart from how you access each service, there aren’t many more differences between MLB.TV and MLB EXTRA INNINGS. Both grant you live out-of-market access to all MLB regular season games that aren’t exclusively airing on national television.
If you already have a cable or satellite subscription, we recommend MLB EXTRA INNINGS. The price can vary between TV providers, but you’ll get all your games in one place without leaving your TV service’s interface. Plus, most MLB EXTRA INNINGS subscriptions include MLB.TV. That’s perfect if you must catch some games on the go.
For a more in-depth look at the two services, visit our MLB EXTRA INNINGS vs. MLB.TV comparison page.
MLB.TV specs and features
MLB.TV is chock-full of additional features. For starters, there are tons of on-demand programs and documentaries like This Week in Baseball, Prime 9, and select World Series films. It also has classic games for when you want to relive some of baseball’s most memorable moments.
Where MLB.TV shines the most is in its live and on-demand game viewing experience. Before pressing play, you get to choose whether you want to watch the home or away broadcast. That’s important if you want the commentators “on your side.”
The MLB.TV media player has DVR-like controls, allowing you to pause and rewind live games. Alongside the game feed, you’ll be able to see the box score, play summaries, and player stats. You can also view up to four games simultaneously and hide game scores to avoid spoilers. Though, not all of these features are available across every compatible device.
Every MLB.TV purchase also includes At Bat (formerly known as MLB Audio). Usually $3.99 a month or $24.99 a year, the audio-centric subscription allows you to listen to every MLB game live regardless of blackouts. You can choose between home and away radio feeds, while some games even include Spanish-language audio broadcasts. Plus, new for 2023, At Bat comes with MLB Big Inning and allows you to watch over 7,000 Minor League Baseball games.
Ultimately, there’s no shortage of content to enjoy with MLB.TV. Even after the World Series is over, a year-round MLB.TV subscription will get you complete game archives of the previous season, select Spring Training games, and live Spanish-language broadcasts of the Liga Dominicana.
MLB.TV compatible devices
| Device | MLB.TV |
|---|---|
| Amazon Fire Cube, Stick, TV | ✔ |
| Android phones, tablets | ✔ |
| Android TV | ✔ |
| Apple TV (4th gen) | ✔ |
| Apple TV 4K | ✔ |
| Chromecast, Chromecast with Google TV | ✔ |
| Facebook Portal | — |
| Echo Show | — |
| iPhone, iPad | ✔ |
| LG TVs (select models) | — |
| Nintendo Switch | — |
| NVIDIA SHIELD Pro TV | — |
| PC, Mac web browsers | ✔ |
| PlayStation 4, 5 | ✔ |
| Roku Ultra, Express, Premiere, Stick, TV | ✔ |
| Samsung TVs (select models) | ✔ |
| TiVo Stream | — |
| Vizio TVs (select models) | — |
| Wii | — |
| Xbox One | ✔ |
| Xfinity Flex, X1 | ✔ |
Data effective as of post date.
Video and audio quality
MLB.TV streams in 720p standard definition and 1080p high definition through Windows and Mac web browsers. For the highest quality streaming, though, we recommend viewing MLB.TV in the app on one of the connected devices listed above.
With an internet connection of at least 5 Mbps, you’ll be able to stream HD MLB.TV content in 60 frames per second. That’s twice as fast as the standard frame rate, perfect for action-heavy content like baseball.
MLB mobile app
The MLB mobile app is available on IOS and Google Play devices. It’s free to download, and it’s the perfect way to stay up to date on team news and game scores.
In the app, you can also access and manage your MLB subscriptions—including MLB.TV and At Bat. If you have an existing TV provider that includes MLB Network, you can view the channel live within the app after signing in with your provider’s credentials.
Final take
MLB.TV is the ultimate streaming service for baseball fans who want out-of-market access. Though hampered by blackout restrictions, MLB.TV’s game volume and on-demand content give you the most action from any major league sports streaming service for its price tag.
If you already have a cable or satellite TV plan, you’re better off subscribing to MLB EXTRA INNINGS. It gives you access to the same amount of content as MLB.TV, but it integrates nicely within your TV provider’s interface for easy accessibility.
MLB.TV review FAQ
Can you watch the MLB Postseason on MLB.TV?
No, you won’t be able to watch any live games during the MLB Playoffs and World Series with MLB.TV. But all postseason games are archived for on-demand viewing. Archived games become available to watch on MLB.TV around 90 minutes after the live broadcast ends.
Does MLB.TV show a free game of the day?
Yes, MLB.TV shows a free game of the day. The MLB.TV Free Game of the Day airs most days during the MLB regular season. You can view the game on MLB.com or through the MLB app. But you must first create a free MLB.com account, and blackout rules still apply.
Can you use a VPN with MLB.TV?
Yes, you can access MLB.TV through a VPN (virtual private network) connection. With a VPN, you can connect to a host IP address in another region and bypass MLB.TV’s local blackouts.
Can you get MLB.TV for free with T-Mobile?
Yes, qualifying T-Mobile customers are eligible for a free MLB.TV All Teams subscription at the start of the MLB season. The offer is part of the T-Mobile Tuesdays app, where T-Mobile users can receive different deals and enter various giveaways throughout the year.
What is MLB Big Inning?
MLB Big Inning is a daily program available through MLB.TV, At Bat, and Apple TV+. It provides live look-ins and highlights from across the league, so you don’t miss baseball’s biggest moments.
Methodology
Our bat-and-ball experts spent over 100 hours of hands-on testing and research for MLB.TV and MLB EXTRA INNINGS. We rated MLB.TV in relation to MLB EXTRA INNINGS based on content, features, and functionality. We also compared its prices and game quantity to the NBA and the NFL’s comparable out-of-market sports packages that are offered through cable, satellite, and live TV streaming providers.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
