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How To Watch MLB Games in 2023

America’s pastime is back, and our seasoned experts researched and tested the best TV services for watching Major League Baseball games in 2023.

Editor's choice
DIRECTV
MLB channels:
FOX, FS1, TBS, ESPN, MLB Network, MLB Network Strike Zone, and MLB EXTRA INNINGS
DVR storage:
200 hrs. included
Contract:
2 yrs.
MLB channels:
FOX, FS1, TBS, ESPN, MLB Network, MLB Network Strike Zone, and MLB EXTRA INNINGS
DVR storage:
200 hrs. included
Contract:
2 yrs.
Best value
Sling TV
MLB channels:
ABC (in select markets), FOX (in select markets), FS1, TBS, ESPN, MLB Network, and MLB Network Strike Zone
DVR storage:
50 hrs. included
Free trial:
N/A
MLB channels:
ABC (in select markets), FOX (in select markets), FS1, TBS, ESPN, MLB Network, and MLB Network Strike Zone
DVR storage:
50 hrs. included
Free trial:
N/A
Best MLB streaming app
MLB.TV
MLB content:
Every out-of-market MLB game live and on-demand
Features:
On-demand documentaries, classic games, and original series
Free trial:
7 days
MLB content:
Every out-of-market MLB game live and on-demand
Features:
On-demand documentaries, classic games, and original series
Free trial:
7 days
Cheapest
OTA Antenna
MLB channels:
FOX and ABC
Features:
All local broadcast channels
Contract:
N/A
MLB channels:
FOX and ABC
Features:
All local broadcast channels
Contract:
N/A

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Major League Baseball is back, and you can catch nationally televised games on FOX, FS1, TBS, ESPN, and MLB Network. But you’ll also need access to your regional sports network (RSN) to catch most of your local team’s games.

We recommend DIRECTV as the best TV provider for watching the 2023 MLB season. Its CHOICE™ plan and above gives you every primary MLB channel with a wide selection of RSNs, plus you can add MLB EXTRA INNINGS® for out-of-market game access. You’ll get stuck with a two-year contract and a bulky satellite dish, but it’s still the best route for true-blue hardball fans.

Now, let’s first take a closer look at the channels you’ll need to watch MLB this season.

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What channel is MLB on?

There are five channels you’ll need to watch nationally televised MLB games. These same channels will also broadcast the entire MLB Postseason.

Another MLB channel to keep on your radar is MLB Network Strike Zone. The complementary channel is typically found in higher-tier TV plans and broadcasts only on Tuesday and Friday nights. Because those are the nights when several games are going on at once, the purpose of the channel is to hone in on any major moment from across the league just as it unfolds in real time.

The great thing about MLB Network Strike Zone is that it’s unaffected by regional broadcasting restrictions. But you can avoid local blackouts completely by including your regional sports network in your TV plan.

MLB slides into Apple TV+ and Peacock

Apple TV+ is now home to Friday Night Baseball—showing two exclusive MLB games every Friday night of the regular season. The streaming service also hosts a weeknight highlight show called MLB Big Inning and a 24/7 in-app channel dedicated to MLB coverage.

Peacock also has exclusive MLB games through its MLB Sunday Leadoff programming. During the 2023 season, Peacock Premium subscribers will get 19 live games—plus select classic games, documentaries, and league highlights.

MLB on regional sports networks

When MLB games are not exclusively airing on national channels or streaming on Apple TV+ and Peacock, they’re televised by 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 local RSN lookup tool to see which RSNs are available in your area and which teams are covered by those RSNs. It’s a good tool to use, 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 a majority 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).

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 24, 2023 MLB Network, ESPN, ESPN+, RSNs
2023 World Baseball Classic March 7, 2023 FOX, FS1, FS2, MLB Network
2023 MLB Draft July 9, 2023 ESPN, MLB Network
2023 MLB All-Star Game July 11, 2023 FOX
MLB Little League Classic August 23, 2023 ESPN
MLB Playoffs October 3, 2023 FOX, FS1, TBS, ESPN/ABC, MLB Network
World Series October 27, 2023 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 ($149.99 per season)**
  • Best value: Sling TV ($40.00–$55.00/mo.) w/ Sports Extra ($11.00–$15.00/mo.)
  • Best MLB streaming app: MLB.TV ($19.99–$24.99/mo.)
  • Cheapest: OTA antenna ($20.00–$60.00 one-time purchase)

Editor’s choice: DIRECTV

Price:
$69.99–$159.99/mo.*
MLB channels:
FOX, FS1, TBS, ESPN, MLB Network, MLB Network Strike Zone, and MLB EXTRA INNINGS
Features:
200 hr. DVR included; wide RSN availability

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 ($149.99 per season**) is the best TV plan for diehard baseball fans because you’ll have every MLB game at your fingertips: all 30 teams playing 162 games per season. We’ll break down how.

With the CHOICE plan, you’ll get every national MLB channel and most likely your local RSN too. (We say most likely because NBC Sports Philadelphia is still not available on DIRECTV—sorry, Phillies fans.) By adding MLB EXTRA INNINGS to your plan, you’ll get every out-of-market game. Together, you’ll have complete MLB coverage.

The MLB EXTRA INNINGS package also comes with MLB Network Strike Zone and MLB Game Mix Channel, so you can stay up on all the action when multiple games are happening at once. MLB.TV is also included with your MLB EXTRA INNINGS subscription.

For all that, combining CHOICE with MLB EXTRA INNINGS for roughly $109.99 a month during the MLB regular season can be a bit overwhelming, especially because DIRECTV locks you into a two-year contract.

But still, with the number of games you’ll have access to, the price is justifiable for diehard fans. After all, the MLB regular season consists of 2,430 games.

Baseball on DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV’s streaming alternative DIRECTV STREAM has its own CHOICE package ($84.99 a month) that gives you every national MLB channel and the same RSN offerings.

Unfortunately, DIRECTV STREAM plans are expensive and MLB EXTRA INNINGS isn’t offered as an add-on. If you want out-of-market MLB games, you’ll need a standalone subscription to MLB.TV.

Best value: Sling TV

Price:
$40.00–$55.00/mo.
MLB channels:
ABC (in select markets), FOX (in select markets), FS1, TBS, ESPN, MLB Network, and MLB Network Strike Zone
Features:
50 hr. Cloud DVR; 30+ add-on channels and packages

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.

Corey Patterson of the Chicago Cubs fist bumps teammates while heading back to the dugout during MLB Network’s airing of Classic MLB Baseball on Sling TV.
Sling TV’s media player overlays MLB Network as seen here on a computer browser.

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

Price:
$19.99–$24.99/mo.
MLB content:
Every out-of-market MLB game live and on demand
Features:
On-demand documentaries, classic games, and original series

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.

Baseball player Anthony Alford takes practice swings during the MLB.TV Free Game of the Day, with MLB.TV stats bordering the video.
MLB.TV features live, in-depth stats alongside the game you’re watching as seen here on a computer browser.

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+.

Cheapest: Over-the-air (OTA) HD TV antenna

Recommended antenna:
Mohu Leaf 50 ($57.99–one-time purchase)
MLB channels:
FOX, ABC
Features:
All local broadcast channels

CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links. Amazon.com Price; $57.99 (as of 6/12/23 2:30 p.m. CT). Read full disclaimer.

Pros

  • Low, one-time price
  • Local coverage

Cons

  • No out-of-market coverage
  • No DVR

A one-time purchase of a good quality over-the-air (OTA) digital antenna costs only between $20 and $60. With it, you’ll get access to every MLB game that airs on your local FOX and ABC affiliate networks. That includes key events such as the MLB All-Star Game, select games within the MLB Postseason, and the entire World Series.

We label this viewing option as the cheapest because, after the initial purchase of the antenna, you’ll be able to watch MLB on FOX for several seasons—no subscription required. It’s a home run for baseball fans on a budget, giving you around 50 MLB games during the regular season.

The Mohu Leaf 50 ($57.99 on Amazon) is one of our favorite antennas because it has a 60-mile range and 4K capabilities. The latter is important if you already have a 4K TV because FOX is dabbling in 4K HDR broadcasts more often this year.

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

The easiest way to get free access to MLB games is by purchasing an over-the-air (OTA) digital antenna. Sure, you have to pay for the antenna itself. But once you do so, your wallet can return to the dugout.

With the antenna connected to your TV, you’ll get every MLB game from your local FOX and ABC stations. It’s not a lot of games in the grand scheme of things, but you’ll get free ball games each week—including some of the MLB Playoffs and all of the World Series.

We recommend the Mohu Leaf 50 ($57.99 on Amazon) because of its long-range capabilities and multi-directional design.

Another option is to create a free MLB.com account for streaming access to 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 to watch for free, check out MLB’s live game schedule.

Final take

DIRECTV’s CHOICE plan ($84.99 a month*) with MLB EXTRA INNINGS ($149.99 per season**) is our top recommendation for MLB fans. Together, the CHOICE plan and MLB EXTRA INNINGS add-on ensure you’ll get every MLB game across the entire 2023 season without worrying about blackouts.

In the long run, Sling TV is a cheaper option with customizable plans that allow you to choose as many of the five national MLB channels as you want. We recommend this only for casual MLB fans because you won’t get regional sports networks. But there’s no commitment, and you can easily change your plan at any time.

MLB.TV also exists for fans who want out-of-market access during the MLB regular season. It’s perfect for anyone who already has the national channels and roots for a non-local team.

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 MLB playoff games for free on FOX and ABC broadcast stations. You’d be out the cost of a digital antenna to do it, but that’s just a one-time purchase compared to a monthly subscription.

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 allows you to stream out-of-market MLB games throughout the regular season. The league’s dedicated TV sports channel is called MLB Network, which is available through most major TV providers.

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, like Paramount+ and MGM+, it requires a separate paid subscription in addition to 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.

Methodology

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 6/12/23 2:30 p.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.

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