How To Watch MLB Games in 2025
America’s pastime is back, and our sports experts researched and tested the best TV services for watching Major League Baseball games this season.
Major League Baseball is in full swing, with national matchups airing on ESPN, FOX Sports, and TNT Sports networks. But if you want to follow your local team, you’ll need access to its regional sports network (RSN) for the most coverage.
We recommend DIRECTV as the best TV provider for watching the 2025 MLB season. Its CHOICE™ plan and above gives you every core MLB channel along with a wide selection of RSNs, plus you can add MLB EXTRA INNINGS® for out-of-market games. It’s an expensive service, no matter if you choose one of its satellite or live TV streaming packages. But it’s still the best route for true-blue hardball fans.
In this guide, we’ll break down the must-have channels for watching MLB this season and highlight the top TV providers for the job. Whether you’re after the most coverage or the best bang for your buck, we’ll help you find the right play.
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What channels show MLB games?
You can watch nationally televised MLB games on FOX, FS1, TBS, ESPN, and MLB Network. Additionally, Apple TV+ delivers two exclusive Friday Night Baseball games each week, while MLB Sunday Leadoff games stream free on The Roku Channel.
Occasionally, ABC, ESPN2, and truTV air MLB games nationwide. MLB Network Strike Zone is also available through select TV providers for live look-ins on Wednesday and Friday nights.
Want baseball en Español? Channels like ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, TUDN, UniMás, and Univision show some MLB games with Spanish-language commentary.
How does MLB regional coverage work?
When MLB games aren’t airing exclusively on national channels or streamed on Apple TV+, they appear live on regional sports networks (RSNs). Every team has a dedicated RSN that broadcasts to a specific territory defined by the MLB.
You can enter your zip code into DIRECTV’s Regional Sports Channel Locator to see which RSNs are available in your area and which teams they cover. It’s a helpful tool that’s available to everyone, not just DIRECTV subscribers.
If you live within your favorite team’s broadcast territory, you’ll need access to that team’s RSN to watch most of their regular-season games. Otherwise, if you live outside that region, you can opt for an out-of-market TV package like MLB EXTRA INNINGS (for cable and satellite users) or MLB.TV (for streaming users).
2025 MLB TV schedule: key events and channels
With thousands of MLB games happening each season, there’s no shortage of action for baseball fans. That’s why it’s crucial to bookmark the official MLB schedule and keep tabs on the important dates below.
| Event | Start date | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| MLB Spring Training | Feb. 20, 2025 | MLB Network, ESPN, ESPN+, RSNs |
| MLB Opening Day | March 27, 2025 | Various |
| 2025 MLB Draft | July 13, 2025 | ESPN, MLB Network |
| 2025 MLB All-Star Game | July 15, 2025 | FOX |
| MLB Little League Classic | Aug. 17, 2025 | ESPN |
| MLB Playoffs | Oct. 2025 | FOX, FS1, TBS, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 |
| World Series | Oct. 2025 | FOX |
Data effective as of post date.
Best ways to watch MLB games
- Editor’s Choice: DIRECTV ($84.99–$164.99/mo.)* w/ MLB EXTRA INNINGS ($25.00/mo for 6 mos.)**
- Most Customizable: Sling TV ($45.99–$60.99/mo.) w/ Sports Extra ($11.00–$15.00/mo.)
- Best MLB Streaming App: MLB.TV ($29.99/mo. or $149.99/season)
- Cheapest: OTA antenna ($20.00–$60.00, one-time purchase)
Editor’s Choice: DIRECTV
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*for 24 months plus taxes and fees w/ 24-mo. agmt.; AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. is extra and applies.
Pros
- Every MLB game
- 200 HD storage hrs. w/ included DVR
- 2-yr. price guarantee
Cons
- Expensive plans
- 2-yr. contract
- Bulky satellite dish
DIRECTV’s CHOICE plan ($89.99/mo.*) with MLB EXTRA INNINGS ($25.00/mo. for 6 mos.**) is the best TV plan for diehard baseball fans because you’ll have almost every MLB game at your fingertips. (You’ll still need an Apple TV+ subscription for those Friday night matchups.)
With the CHOICE plan, you’ll get every national MLB channel and your local team’s RSN, depending on your location. Adding MLB EXTRA INNINGS to your plan provides you with every out-of-market game. Plus, the MLB EXTRA INNINGS package includes MLB Network Strike Zone, MLB Game Mix Channel, and a complimentary MLB.TV subscription.
Combining CHOICE with MLB EXTRA INNINGS costs roughly $114.99 a month during the MLB regular season. It’s an overwhelming price, especially because DIRECTV has hidden fees and locks you into a two-year contract. That’s why we highlight more customizable and inexpensive viewing options further down.
Most Customizable: Sling TV
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Pros
- Low price
- No contract
- Customizable packages
Cons
- Limited local channels and regional sports networks
- DVR that costs extra
Sling TV offers the best value for casual MLB fans. Depending on the plan you choose, you’ll be able to watch every nationally televised MLB game for a lower monthly cost than DIRECTV.
There are no RSNs, but Sling TV offers an MLB.TV add-on and customizable plans with no contracts. If you want a basic slice of the MLB season, or you just want to watch the MLB Playoffs, you can sign up for the Sling TV plan of your choosing and cancel once the season is over.
If you want every national MLB channel, you’ll want to go with the Sling Orange + Blue plan ($60.99/mo.) with the Sports Extra add-on ($15.00/mo.). This will get you FOX (in select markets), FS1, TBS, ESPN, MLB Network, and MLB Network Strike Zone. You’ll pay $79.99 a month total, which is slightly better than DIRECTV’s CHOICE plan ($89.99/mo.), and you won’t be locked into a two-year contract.
Best Streaming App: MLB.TV
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
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
Out of all the different standalone MLB streaming options, MLB.TV’s All Teams plan is the best simply because it gives you the most MLB games. It’s an out-of-market streaming service, so you won’t be able to watch your local team play live. But their games become available on MLB.TV only 90 minutes after they end.
MLB.TV is primarily worth the price if you live outside of your favorite team’s broadcast region or if you want to stay up-to-date with the league as a whole.
MLB.TV includes some solid features like DVR controls for live games, home and away TV and radio broadcast feeds, and hundreds of on-demand highlights, classic games, and documentaries. You also get MLB Network and MLB At Bat (formerly MLB Audio) included with your subscription—featuring audio access to every game regardless of blackouts and live video of 7,000+ Minor League Baseball games.
You can sign up for MLB.TV directly on the MLB website or through certain third-party streaming services like Amazon Prime Video and ESPN+.
How to watch Spring Training games
Spring Training games can be trickier to find on TV, but some of your local team’s preseason games should air on your RSN. MLB Network also carries select Spring Training games—though local blackouts may apply.
Some Spring Training games appear on ESPN’s networks and platforms, including ESPN+. MLB.TV also gets in on the warm-weather coverage, but you’re best off checking your favorite team’s official website and Spring Training schedule for complete broadcasting details. Otherwise, you can hit the button below to read our comprehensive Spring Training viewing guide.
How to watch MLB games for free
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The easiest way to watch MLB games for free is by purchasing an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to catch FOX and ABC broadcasts. Sure, you have to pay for the antenna itself. But once you do, your wallet can return to the dugout.
Before going the antenna route, enter your zip code on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Reception Map Tool. That’ll help you determine if FOX and ABC stations are available in your area and the antenna signal strength you need. We recommend the Mohu Leaf 50 because of its long-range capabilities and multi-directional design.
Not many MLB games air on FOX and ABC. But you’ll get crucial MLB on FOX broadcasts—including the MLB All-Star Game and the World Series.
Another free option is to create an MLB.com account to stream the MLB.TV Free Game of the Day. During most days of the regular season, one game is available to watch for free online. Even better, The Roku Channel shows a free Sunday game each week of the regular season. To see which games are available for free, check out MLB’s live game schedule.
How to watch MLB games FAQ
Can I watch blackout MLB games in my area?
Yes, you can watch local MLB games blacked out in your area with a TV plan that includes your regional sports network (RSN). Any non-nationally televised game featuring your local team will air on the RSN. For out-of-market games not televised in your region, you’ll need MLB EXTRA INNINGS or MLB.TV.
Another more complicated blackout workaround is to use an internet VPN (virtual private network) that masks your IP address and makes it look like you’re watching from a different area. This method is limited to live TV streaming and online viewing, however, and MLB actively blocks certain VPNs.
How can I watch MLB games for free?
Most of the MLB season happens on pay-cable channels, but you can watch some weekend and playoff games for free on ABC and FOX using an antenna. The MLB.TV Free Game of the Day also airs most days during the MLB regular season. You can view the game on MLB.com or through the MLB app by creating a free MLB.com account. Blackout rules still apply.
What channel is MLB TV?
MLB.TV is not a TV channel. It’s a streaming subscription that carries live out-of-market MLB games throughout the regular season. The league’s dedicated TV sports channel is MLB Network, which is available through most major TV providers except YouTube TV.
Can I watch MLB games on Amazon Prime Video?
Yes, you can stream live MLB games on Amazon Prime Video through MLB.TV in Prime Video Channels. As with other Prime Video Channels, it requires a separate subscription alongside a Prime Video membership. But non-MLB.TV subscribers can still stream the MLB.TV Free Game of the Day through Prime Video, while in-market subscribers get select New York Yankees games.
Why you should trust us
Our sports experts spent over 50 hours comparing TV providers to determine which plans offer the most MLB coverage through channels and in-market/out-of-market access. We also compared each provider’s pricing and long-term commitment options for ease of use.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
Disclaimer
*for 24 months plus taxes and fees w/ 24-mo. agmt.; AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. is extra and applies.
New approved residential customers, price incl. TV pkg & equip. fees for first TV. Add’l fees may apply to non-qualified customers. Early agmt termination fee applies ($20/mo.) & add’l fee(s) may apply if equip. not returned. Credit card req’d. Restr’s apply. $19.95 activation & equipment lease req’d for satellite customers. Equipment lease req’d for DIRECTV via Internet customers in some sales channels.
**Blackout rules and other conditions apply.
†Amazon.com price as of 2/19/25 11:00 a.m. CT. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
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