What MLB.TV costs and what's included

MLB.TV is Major League Baseball's streaming service. A yearly subscription costs $139.99 and gives you access to out-of-market games — meaning games involving teams outside your local area. If you live in New York and subscribe, you can watch the Boston Red Sox play the Tampa Bay Rays, but not Yankees games broadcast in your region.

The subscription includes live games, replays of completed games, and on-demand highlights. You can stream on multiple devices, though only one stream can run at a time on your account. Games are available on phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire Stick.

MLB.TV does not include local broadcasts or nationally televised games shown on ESPN, Fox, or MLB Network. Those require a cable subscription or a separate streaming service. Playoff games and the World Series are also not included in MLB.TV — they air on traditional broadcast networks.

Key Takeaways

  • A yearly MLB.TV subscription costs $139.99 and covers out-of-market regular season games only, not local broadcasts or national games.
  • You can stream on phones, tablets, computers, and most major streaming devices, but only one stream can play at a time per account.
  • Blackout rules prevent you from watching your home team's local broadcasts, even with a subscription.
  • MLB.TV works year-round but games are only available during the regular season and postseason; the service continues outside baseball season but offers replays and highlights.
  • Some cable and streaming TV packages include MLB.TV at no extra cost, so check your current services before buying a separate subscription.

Blackout restrictions and local team games

MLB.TV uses blackout rules that block you from watching your home team's games if they're being broadcast locally. If you live in Los Angeles, you cannot watch Dodgers games on MLB.TV when they air on a local channel, even though you're paying for the service. This applies to both cable broadcasts and games shown on regional sports networks.

The blackout also covers nationally televised games — if a game is on ESPN or Fox, MLB.TV blacks it out for all users, regardless of location. This is because MLB sells broadcast rights separately to cable networks and national broadcasters, and those contracts require blackouts on streaming.

If you want to watch your home team's local games, you need either a cable subscription that includes the regional sports network, or a streaming TV service like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV that carries local broadcasts in your area.

How to subscribe and set up your account

You can buy an MLB.TV subscription directly from MLB.com. Go to the MLB.TV homepage, select the yearly plan, and enter your email address and payment information. You'll receive a confirmation email with login details. The subscription runs for 12 months from the date you purchase it, not from the start of the baseball season.

After you create your account, download the MLB.TV app or visit MLB.com on any supported device. Sign in with your email and password. You can add your account to up to six devices, though only one can stream at a time. If you're traveling or away from home, you can still watch out-of-market games without restriction.

Some cable and streaming TV providers bundle MLB.TV with their packages at no additional cost. If you subscribe to YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or certain cable plans, check whether MLB.TV is already included before buying a separate subscription.

When games are available and the baseball calendar

MLB.TV shows live games during the regular season, which runs from late March or early April through late September or early October. Games are available starting a few hours before first pitch and remain on-demand after they end. You can watch replays of any game from the current season, usually available within hours of the final out.

During the offseason — November through March — MLB.TV does not show live games, but you can still watch replays and highlights from the previous season. Some users keep their subscriptions active year-round for this reason, though it's not necessary if you only want live games.

Playoff games, the League Championship Series, and the World Series are not included in MLB.TV. These games air on Fox, TBS, and MLB Network and require either a cable subscription or a separate streaming service that carries those networks.

Devices and streaming quality

MLB.TV works on most common devices: iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, Mac and Windows computers, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, and Samsung Smart TVs. You can also watch through a web browser on any computer.

Streaming quality depends on your internet connection. MLB.TV adjusts automatically — if your connection slows, the picture quality drops to keep the stream from buffering. For the best experience, a connection of at least 5 Mbps is recommended for HD quality. You can check your internet speed using free tools like Speedtest.net.

If you're streaming on a phone or tablet over cellular data, be aware that MLB.TV uses significant data. A typical game uses 1 to 3 gigabytes depending on quality. If you have a limited data plan, stream over Wi-Fi when possible.

Comparing MLB.TV to cable and other streaming options

MLB.TV is the cheapest way to watch baseball if you don't care about your home team's local games. At $139.99 per year, it works out to about $12 per month during the regular season. Cable or streaming TV packages that include local broadcasts typically cost $50 to $150 per month and include many other channels.

If you want both out-of-market games and your home team's local broadcasts, you'll need MLB.TV plus a cable or streaming TV service. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV all carry regional sports networks in most markets and cost $55 to $75 per month. Some of these services include MLB.TV at no extra cost.

For fans who follow multiple teams or live far from their home team, MLB.TV is often the better value. For fans who primarily watch one local team, a streaming TV service with local broadcasts may be more practical, even if it costs more overall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch my home team's games on MLB.TV?

Not if they're being broadcast locally. Blackout rules prevent you from streaming your home team's games when they air on a regional or local channel. You can watch out-of-market games involving any other teams. To watch your home team, you need a cable subscription or a streaming TV service that carries the local broadcast.

Do I need a cable login to use MLB.TV?

No. You can buy MLB.TV directly from MLB.com with just an email address and payment method. You do not need a cable subscription. However, some cable and streaming TV providers include MLB.TV with their packages, so check your current services first.

Can multiple people watch on the same MLB.TV account at the same time?

No. Only one stream can play at a time per account, even if you've added the account to multiple devices. If two people try to watch simultaneously, the second stream will stop. You would need separate subscriptions for simultaneous viewing.

What happens to my MLB.TV subscription during the offseason?

Your subscription remains active, but there are no live games to watch from November through March. You can still access replays and highlights from the previous season. Your subscription renews automatically on the anniversary of your purchase date.

Is there a monthly plan, or only yearly?

MLB.TV offers a yearly subscription at $139.99. There is no monthly option for a standalone subscription. However, some streaming TV services offer month-to-month plans that include MLB.TV bundled with other channels.