Where to watch Cardinals games on TV

St. Louis Cardinals games air on several networks depending on the matchup and time of year. Most regular-season games appear on Bally Sports Midwest (the regional sports network), MLB.TV, Fox, ESPN, or Apple TV+. Which channel carries a specific game depends on whether it's a local broadcast, a national broadcast, or a streaming exclusive — and the Cardinals' schedule lists this information game by game.

If you want to watch most Cardinals games, you'll need access to Bally Sports Midwest, which holds the local broadcast rights. This network is available through cable and satellite providers like Charter Spectrum, AT&T U-verse, and Dish Network. If you don't have cable or satellite, you can stream Bally Sports Midwest through the Bally Sports app or website if your TV provider gives you login access — a setup called "TV Everywhere" authentication.

National broadcasts (games shown across the country) appear on Fox, ESPN, or Apple TV+. These don't require a regional sports subscription; you can watch them through a basic cable package, a streaming service, or a live TV streaming bundle. Playoff games typically air on national networks as well.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Cardinals regular-season games air on Bally Sports Midwest, which requires a cable, satellite, or authenticated streaming subscription through your TV provider.
  • National broadcasts on Fox, ESPN, and Apple TV+ are available separately and don't require a regional sports network subscription.
  • MLB.TV streams out-of-market games (games not in your local region) but blacks out local Cardinals broadcasts to protect regional TV rights.
  • Live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV include regional sports networks in some markets, so availability varies by location.
  • The Cardinals' official website and MLB.com list which network carries each game before it airs.

Bally Sports Midwest: the regional network for local games

Bally Sports Midwest holds the rights to broadcast most Cardinals games in the St. Louis region. If you have a cable or satellite subscription that includes this channel, you can watch on your TV or through the Bally Sports app using your provider login.

If you don't have cable or satellite, some live TV streaming services carry Bally Sports Midwest, but availability depends on your location and which service you choose. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV each have different channel lineups by market. You can check whether Bally Sports Midwest is available in your zip code on each service's website before you subscribe.

Bally Sports Midwest also offers a standalone streaming app, but you must authenticate with a cable or satellite provider login to use it — you cannot subscribe to Bally Sports directly without a TV provider account. This is a common setup for regional sports networks.

National broadcasts: Fox, ESPN, and Apple TV+

When the Cardinals play on Fox or ESPN, the game is available nationally and doesn't require a regional sports subscription. You can watch through a cable package, a live TV streaming service, or a basic streaming subscription.

Apple TV+ has exclusive rights to some Cardinals games as part of its "Friday Night Baseball" package. These games are only on Apple TV+, and you need an active Apple TV+ subscription to watch them. Apple TV+ is a separate service from Apple TV (the device or app), and costs a monthly fee.

National broadcasts are typically scheduled for weekend games, holiday games, or matchups against high-profile opponents. The Cardinals' schedule shows which network carries each game well in advance.

MLB.TV: streaming out-of-market games

MLB.TV is Major League Baseball's streaming service and shows games from all 30 teams. However, it has blackout restrictions that prevent you from watching your local team's games if you live in the Cardinals' broadcast region. If you live outside the St. Louis area, MLB.TV will show you most or all Cardinals games.

MLB.TV requires a paid subscription and is separate from cable, satellite, or other streaming services. It's useful if you want to follow the Cardinals while living out of state, or if you want to watch other teams' games. You can check whether a specific game is blacked out in your location before you subscribe.

Some cable and satellite providers bundle MLB.TV with their packages, so check your current subscription to see if you already have access.

Live TV streaming services and regional availability

Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV carry live television channels, including regional sports networks in some markets. Whether Bally Sports Midwest is available in your area depends on your zip code and the service.

YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV tend to have the broadest channel coverage, but they cost more than Sling TV. Sling TV is cheaper but has a smaller channel lineup and may not include Bally Sports Midwest in all regions. FuboTV focuses on sports and typically includes regional sports networks.

Before you subscribe to any live TV streaming service, enter your zip code on the service's website to see which channels are available in your area. This is the only way to know whether you'll get Bally Sports Midwest or other channels you want.

Checking the Cardinals' broadcast schedule

The St. Louis Cardinals' official website (cardinals.com) publishes the full schedule with broadcast information for each game. You can filter by date or network to see which games air on which channels.

MLB.com also lists broadcast details for every game across all teams. Both sites update this information as the season approaches and as broadcast rights are confirmed.

If you're unsure whether a game is on cable, streaming, or a national network, check the schedule before game time. This takes 30 seconds and prevents you from missing a game or discovering you don't have access at the last minute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Cardinals games without cable or satellite?

Yes. You can watch national broadcasts (Fox, ESPN, Apple TV+) through those services or a live TV streaming bundle. For local Bally Sports Midwest games, you need either a cable/satellite subscription with TV Everywhere login access, or a live TV streaming service that carries Bally Sports Midwest in your area. Check your zip code on YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV to see if the regional network is available.

What's the difference between MLB.TV and Bally Sports Midwest?

Bally Sports Midwest broadcasts local Cardinals games in the St. Louis region and is available through cable, satellite, or some live TV streaming services. MLB.TV is a separate streaming service that shows out-of-market games but blacks out local broadcasts in the Cardinals' region. If you live outside St. Louis, MLB.TV will show you Cardinals games; if you live in St. Louis, you need Bally Sports Midwest for local games.

Do I need Apple TV+ to watch Cardinals games?

Only if the game is an exclusive Apple TV+ broadcast. Most Cardinals games air on Bally Sports Midwest, Fox, or ESPN. Apple TV+ carries select Friday games as part of its baseball package. Check the schedule to see if a specific game is on Apple TV+ before you assume you need the subscription.

Why are some Cardinals games blacked out on MLB.TV?

Blackout rules protect regional sports networks' broadcast rights. If you live in the Cardinals' broadcast region (roughly Missouri, southern Illinois, and parts of surrounding states), local games are blacked out on MLB.TV to ensure Bally Sports Midwest remains the primary way to watch. This is standard across all MLB teams and their regional networks.

Can I watch Cardinals games on my phone or tablet?

Yes. The Bally Sports app streams games if you authenticate with a cable or satellite provider login. Apple TV+, ESPN+, and MLB.TV also have mobile apps. Live TV streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV work on phones and tablets as well. Download the app for the service you subscribe to and log in with your account.