How To Watch MLB Games in 2024
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 back, and you can watch nationally televised games on FOX, FS1, TBS, ESPN, and MLB Network. But you’ll also need your local team’s regional sports network (RSN) to catch in-market games.
We recommend DIRECTV as the best TV provider for watching the 2024 MLB season. Its CHOICE™ plan and above gives you every core MLB channel with a wide selection of RSNs, plus you can add MLB EXTRA INNINGS® for out-of-market game access. 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.
Now, let’s look closer at the channels you’ll need to watch MLB this season.
What channels show MLB games?
There are five channels you’ll need to watch nationally televised MLB games. These same channels will also broadcast the entire MLB Postseason.
Apple TV+ airs two exclusive MLB games every Friday night during the regular season through its Friday Night Baseball presentation. The service also has daily recaps, classic games, and the weeknight whip-around show MLB Big Inning.
Another MLB channel to keep on your radar is MLB Network Strike Zone. On Wednesday and Friday nights, it offers live look-ins of all games without blackout restrictions.
Broadcast update: MLB Sunday Leadoff games won’t return to Peacock during the 2024 season.
MLB on regional sports networks
When MLB games are not exclusively airing on national channels or streaming on Apple TV+, they’re televised by 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 local RSN lookup tool to see which RSNs are available in your area and which teams are covered by those RSNs. It’s a helpful tool, and you don’t need to be a DIRECTV customer to use it.
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. If you live outside that region, you’ll need an out-of-market TV option like MLB EXTRA INNINGS (for cable and satellite users) or MLB.TV (for streaming users).
2024 MLB 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 key dates below.
| Event | Start date | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| MLB Spring Training | February 22, 2024 | MLB Network, ESPN, ESPN+, RSNs |
| MLB Opening Day | March 28, 2024 | Various |
| 2024 MLB Draft | July 14, 2024 | ESPN, MLB Network |
| 2024 MLB All-Star Game | July 16, 2024 | FOX |
| MLB Little League Classic | August 18, 2024 | ESPN |
| MLB Playoffs | October 2024 | FOX, FS1, TBS, ESPN/ABC, MLB Network |
| World Series | October 2024 | FOX |
Data effective as of post date.
Best ways to watch MLB games
- Editor’s choice: DIRECTV ($69.99–$159.99/mo.)* w/ MLB EXTRA INNINGS ($25.00/mo for 6 mos.)**
- Most customizable: Sling TV ($40.00–$55.00/mo.) w/ Sports Extra ($11.00–$15.00/mo.)
- Best MLB streaming app: MLB.TV ($29.99/mo. or $149.99/yr.)
- 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 ($84.99 a month*) 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 $109.99 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 or out-of-market game add-ons, but Sling TV offers 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 Sling TV’s Orange & Blue plan ($55.00 a month) with the Sports Extra add-on ($15.00 a month). This will get you FOX (in select markets), FS1, TBS, ESPN, MLB Network, and MLB Network Strike Zone. You’ll pay $70.00 a month total, which is better than DIRECTV’s CHOICE plan ($84.99 a month), 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 At Bat (formerly known as 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 are more difficult to find on TV, but some of your local team’s preseason games should air on your RSN. MLB Network also airs Spring Training games, though these are subject to local blackouts.
Some Spring Training games appear on ESPN’s networks, including select games streaming exclusively on ESPN+. MLB.TV also gets in on the Spring Training action, but you’re best off checking your favorite team’s official website and Spring Training schedule for complete broadcasting details.
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, YouTube also shows a free 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 FOX and ABC 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 and select New York Yankees games through Prime Video.
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 3/15/24 11:30 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.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
