Baseball, America's pastime, has a history almost as rich as the country itself. But don't mistake that old-fashioned charm for irrelevance. Even with competition from the NBA, NFL, and other sports, baseball is an institution that's powered by gumption, grit, and calculated sabermetrics. Nothing can replace going to the ballpark and hoping to catch a ball in the stands, but with today's tech, you can view as much baseball as you want without leaving the comfort of your home. Our guide covers what you should consider before choosing a video streaming service for watching the MLB season, starting on March 25, based on a decade of streaming video expertise. Read on for our top picks, including Hulu and Peacock, followed by everything you need to know about streaming baseball.
Overview
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![Netflix]()
Best for Special MLB GamesNetflix
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![Hulu]()
Best for Live MLB GamesHulu
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![Peacock]()
Best for Sunday Night BaseballPeacock
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![YouTube TV]()
Best for Recording MLB GamesYouTube TV
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![Fubo]()
Best for Busy Sports FansFubo
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![HBO Max]()
Best for MLB Games on Turner NetworksHBO Max
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![DirecTV]()
Best for RSN CoverageDirecTV
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![Apple TV]()
Best for Friday Night BaseballApple TV
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![Sling TV]()
Best for Customizable Sports PackagesSling TV
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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![Netflix]()
Best for Special MLB GamesNetflix
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
2026 marks the start of a partnership between Major League Baseball and Netflix, bringing select matchups to the popular streaming service. In fact, Netflix is the place to kick back and watch the MLB Opening Night contest between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants on March 25.
Who It's For
Fans of special MLB events: Besides Opening Night, Netflix will stream the T-Mobile Home Run Derby (July 13) and the Field of Dreams Game (August 13).
Specs & Configurations
4K Streaming Requires Premium Plan Ads Anime Audio Descriptions Concurrent Streams 2 or 4 Offline Downloads on Mobile On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Original Programming Parental Control Tools Profile-based or Kids Mode Rentals and Purchases DVD.com (Separate Plan) Sports Coverage None Starting Price $8.99 per month Supported Platforms Media Streaming Devices (Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku), Microsoft Store, Mobile (Android and iOS), Game Consoles (PlayStation and Xbox), Smart TVs, and Web Top Original Movies Beasts of No Nation, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, Extraction, I Care A Lot, Roma, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, The Irishman, The Trial of the Chicago 7, and The Two Popes Top Original Shows Black Mirror, Bojack Horseman, Dead to Me, Locke and Key, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Never Have I Ever, Orange Is the New Black, Ozark, Russian Doll, Stranger Things, The Crown, The Queen's Gambit, The Stranger, The Umbrella Academy, and The Witcher Learn More Netflix Review -
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![Hulu]()
Best for Live MLB GamesHulu
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Hulu + Live TV's lineup includes FOX (home of Major League Baseball on FOX), Golf Channel, and TNT, among other sports channels. This makes Hulu a strong option not just for baseball, but for sports as a whole. The Español add-on ($4.99 per month) delivers international sports coverage via ESPN Deportes.
Who It's For
Baseball superfans: If you're a baseball lover in general, not just MLB, Hulu offers an ESPN+ add-on ($29.99 per month) that lets you stream college baseball and Little League games.
General audiences: By carrying FOX, Hulu + Live TV is an excellent choice for mainstream viewers who want heated baseball competition alongside popular news and entertainment channels like CNBC, The Disney Channel, and ESPN.
Specs & Configurations
Ads Anime Concurrent Streams 2 or Unlimited (at home) and 3 (mobile devices) DVR Storage & Retention Unlimited; 9 Months Live TV MLB Playoffs Coverage FOX, FS1, and TBS Monday Night Football ESPN NBA Finals ABC Offline Downloads on Mobile On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Original Programming Regular Season National NBA Coverage ABC, ESPN, and TNT Regular Season National NHL Coverage ABC, ESPN, TBS, and TNT RSN Coverage NBC Sports Sports Coverage International*, National, & Regional Starting Price $11.99 per month; $88.99 per month Sunday Football CBS and FOX; NFL RedZone (via Add-On) Sunday Night Football NBC Thursday Night Football FOX and NFL Network World Series Coverage FOX Learn More Hulu Review -
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![Peacock]()
Best for Sunday Night BaseballPeacock
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
MLB and NBC teamed up to produce Sunday Night Baseball, which airs on live TV and on NBC's Peacock streaming service. The multi-year partnership grants Peacock exclusive rights to the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game that features top minor league prospects.
Who It's For
Classic baseball fans: Along with Sunday Night Baseball, Peacock offers retro MLB games and historical MLB documentaries.
Baseball fans who want to save money: You don't need to spend big bucks to enjoy streaming baseball. Peacock's ad-supported live sports tier costs just $10.99 per month (or $109.99 per year), making it a good alternative to far pricier services that try to cover everything.
Specs & Configurations
Ads Concurrent Streams 3 DVR Storage & Retention None Live TV MLB Playoffs Coverage None Monday Night Football None Offline Downloads on Mobile On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Original Programming RSN Coverage None Sports Coverage International & National Starting Price $7.99 per month Sunday Football None Sunday Night Football NBC Thursday Night Football None World Series Coverage None Learn More Peacock Review -
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Credit: YouTube
![YouTube TV]()
Best for Recording MLB GamesYouTube TV
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
YouTube TV may have lost the MLB Network, but it still offers a good selection of TV networks for baseball fans, including ESPN and FOX. The streamer is also slowly rolling out a $64.99-per-month sports-only live TV option, which is roughly $20 less than the standard YouTube TV plan.
Who It's For
Sports junkies: YouTube TV's multiview feature lets you watch up to four streams at once, so you won't miss an inning.
People who want to record baseball games for later: With YouTube TV, you get unlimited cloud DVR storage (recordings are kept for up to nine months), up to three simultaneous device streams, and support for six user accounts. All those features are useful when family members want to watch different programs that air at the same time as your game.
Specs & Configurations
4K Live Streams Ads Concurrent Streams 3 or Unlimited (at home) DVR Storage & Retention Unlimited; 9 Months Live TV MLB Playoffs Coverage FOX, FS1, and TBS Monday Night Football ESPN NBA Finals ABC On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Regular Season National NBA Coverage ABC, ESPN, NBA TV, and TNT Regular Season National NHL Coverage ABC, ESPN, TBS, and TNT RSN Coverage NBC Sports Sports Coverage National & Regional Starting Price $82.99 per month Sunday Football CBS and FOX; NFL RedZone (via Add-On) Sunday Night Football NBC Thursday Night Football FOX and NFL Network World Series Coverage FOX Learn More YouTube TV Review -
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Credit: Fubo
![Fubo]()
Best for Busy Sports FansFubo
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Fubo is known for offering one of the best sports packages, spanning many categories. However, with the Fubo Extra package ($7.99 per month), you get the MLB Network. Additionally, the Sports Plus with NFL RedZone package ($10.99 per month) includes MLB Strike Zone, a channel that shows highlights, live look-ins, and updates from regular-season games, all commercial-free.
Who It's For
Busy baseball fans: With MLB Strike Zone, you don't need to watch full matchups throughout the entire 162-game season. It lets you focus solely on MLB's biggest and coolest moments.
Specs & Configurations
4K Live Streams Ads Concurrent Streams 2 or 10 DVR Storage & Retention Unlimited Live TV MLB Playoffs Coverage FOX and FS1 Monday Night Football ESPN NBA Finals ABC On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Regular Season National NBA Coverage ABC and ESPN; NBA TV (via Add-On) Regular Season National NHL Coverage ABC and ESPN; NHL Network (via Add-On) RSN Coverage AT&T SportsNet and some NBC Sports Sports Coverage International, National, & Regional Starting Price $84.99 per month Sunday Football CBS and FOX; NFL RedZone (via Add-On) Sunday Night Football NBC Thursday Night Football FOX and NFL Network World Series Coverage FOX Learn More Fubo Review -
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![HBO Max]()
Best for MLB Games on Turner NetworksHBO Max
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
HBO Max's sports offerings include live MLB games courtesy of TBS, TNT, and truTV. Not all competing services offer these channels, which makes this a compelling pitch for baseball die-hards.
Who It's For
Baseball fans who want a side of entertainment: If you want to check out baseball on the various Turner channels, HBO Max is one of the best, easiest, and most affordable streaming options. It's also a top streaming service overall, thanks to its modern features and a huge library that includes incredible HBO Max originals, live news, excellent animation, and the world's most irresistible reality TV garbage. Note that HBO Max is slated to merge with Paramount+.
Specs & Configurations
4K Live Streams Ads Anime Concurrent Streams 4 DVR Storage & Retention None NBA Finals TNT Offline Downloads on Mobile On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Original Programming Regular Season National NBA Coverage TNT RSN Coverage None Sports Coverage NBA, NHL, US Soccer, MLB, NCAA Starting Price $10.99 per month Learn More HBO Max Review -
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Credit: DirecTV
![DirecTV]()
Best for RSN CoverageDirecTV
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
DirecTV's Entertainment plan covers the channels you need to watch the MLB postseason, including FOX. The service has two innovative playback features, Lookback and Rewind, that let you catch big moments. On select channels and programs, this functionality lets you watch previously aired content (up to 72 hours ago) and restart live streams from the beginning of the broadcast. Want to save money? You can now subscribe to the cheaper MySports package ($69.99 per month) if you don't want other channels.
Who It's For
Regional sports fans: By offering local and national channels, DirecTV is a good option for baseball fans who need help navigating the tricky, infuriating world of regional sports networks.
Specs & Configurations
Ads Anime Concurrent Streams 20 (at home) and 3 (away from home) DVR Storage & Retention 20 hours or Unlimited, nine months Live TV MLB Playoffs Coverage FOX, FS1, and TBS Monday Night Football ESPN NBA Finals ABC On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Regular Season National NBA Coverage ABC, ESPN, and TNT Regular Season National NHL Coverage ABC, ESPN, NHL Network, TBS, and TNT RSN Coverage AT&T SportsNet, Bally Sports, and some NBC Sports Sports Coverage International*, National, & Regional Starting Price $101.98 per month Sunday Football CBS and FOX Sunday Night Football NBC Thursday Night Football FOX World Series Coverage FOX Learn More DirecTV Review -
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![Apple TV]()
Best for Friday Night BaseballApple TV
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Apple TV is the exclusive home for the new Friday Night Baseball, a weekly doubleheader show that runs for 12 weeks. Besides those baseball games, the package includes pre- and post-game shows. Most exciting? You don't need to be a paid Apple TV subscriber to enjoy these games. You just need a device running the Apple TV app, such as an iPhone or a Mac.
Who It's For
Sports-loving Apple fans: Baseball coverage is just yet another example of how Apple TV is a rising star in the video streaming world. With it, you can enjoy plenty of other sports-related content, including F1 races, Major League Soccer matches, and the beloved Ted Lasso.
Specs & Configurations
Concurrent Streams 6 DVR Storage & Retention None MLB Playoffs Coverage None Offline Downloads on Mobile On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Original Programming RSN Coverage None Starting Price $12.99 per month World Series Coverage None Learn More Apple TV Review -
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Credit: Sling
![Sling TV]()
Best for Customizable Sports PackagesSling TV
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Want to watch a bunch of MLB games? You need Sling TV's Orange + Blue plan ($60.99 per month) that includes FOX (in select markets) and MLB Network. Sling TV's live streams are mostly capped at 1080p, though a few support 4K streams.
Who It's For
Baseball fans who want streaming options: Sling TV empowers viewers to customize their sports packages. For example, you can tailor your plan to your specific viewing habits, such as emphasizing baseball channels over football channels.
Specs & Configurations
4K Live Streams Ads Anime Concurrent Streams 1 (for Sling Orange channels), 3 (for Sling Blue channels) DVR Storage & Retention 50 hours or unlimited; Indefinitely Live TV MLB Playoffs Coverage FOX (in select markets), FS1, and TBS Monday Night Football ESPN NBA Finals ESPN3 (simulcasts of ABC) On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Regular Season National NBA Coverage ESPN and TNT; NBA TV (via Add-On); ABC (via Antenna) Regular Season National NHL Coverage ESPN, TBS, and TNT; NHL Network (via Add-On); ABC (via Antenna) RSN Coverage None Sports Coverage International*, National, & Regional Starting Price $46 per month; $66 per month Sunday Football FOX; NFL RedZone (via Add-On) Sunday Night Football NBC Thursday Night Football FOX and NFL Network World Series Coverage FOX (in select markets) Learn More Sling TV Review -
Compare Specs
Our Pick | ||||||||||||
Rating |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
3.5 Good |
3.0 Average |
3.5 Good |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
Best For | Best for Special MLB Games | Best for Live MLB Games | Best for Sunday Night Baseball | Best for Recording MLB Games | Best for Busy Sports Fans | Best for MLB Games on Turner Networks | Best for RSN Coverage | Best for Friday Night Baseball | Best for Customizable Sports Packages | Best for Special MLB Games | Best for Live MLB Games | Best for Sunday Night Baseball |
Starting Price | $8.99 per month | $11.99 per month; $88.99 per month | $7.99 per month | $82.99 per month | $84.99 per month | $10.99 per month | $101.98 per month | $12.99 per month | $46 per month; $66 per month | $8.99 per month | $11.99 per month; $88.99 per month | $7.99 per month |
RSN Coverage | NBC Sports | None | NBC Sports | AT&T SportsNet and some NBC Sports | None | AT&T SportsNet, Bally Sports, and some NBC Sports | None | None | NBC Sports | None | ||
MLB Playoffs Coverage | FOX, FS1, and TBS | None | FOX, FS1, and TBS | FOX and FS1 | FOX, FS1, and TBS | None | FOX (in select markets), FS1, and TBS | FOX, FS1, and TBS | None | |||
World Series Coverage | FOX | None | FOX | FOX | FOX | None | FOX (in select markets) | FOX | None | |||
DVR Storage & Retention | Unlimited; 9 Months | None | Unlimited; 9 Months | Unlimited | None | 20 hours or Unlimited, nine months | None | 50 hours or unlimited; Indefinitely | Unlimited; 9 Months | None | ||
Concurrent Streams | 2 or 4 | 2 or Unlimited (at home) and 3 (mobile devices) | 3 | 3 or Unlimited (at home) | 2 or 10 | 4 | 20 (at home) and 3 (away from home) | 6 | 1 (for Sling Orange channels), 3 (for Sling Blue channels) | 2 or 4 | 2 or Unlimited (at home) and 3 (mobile devices) | 3 |
Buying Guide: The Best MLB Streaming Services for 2026
How to Watch Baseball Without Cable
If you've gotten rid of cable, fear not: You can still watch all the baseball you want with a live TV streaming service. You can watch select nationally televised games on ESPN, Fox, and TBS. You'll also most likely need to navigate regional sports networks, especially if you're a fan of out-of-market teams.
Aside from channel coverage, you should consider other factors when choosing a live TV service, including its price, streaming resolution, DVR capabilities, and support for simultaneous streams. Serious baseball fans may benefit from add-ons like MLB.TV (which we discuss in a later section).
Cable and Over-the-Air Options for Baseball
One way to ensure you catch as many games as possible is to sign up for a cable plan. Cable plans are usually more expensive than streaming subscriptions, but some packages might have channels in your area that you can't get with a video streaming service. If you have a cable subscription, you can watch games from any device by signing in to the dedicated Fox Sports app with your cable credentials.
Fox is available over the air, but you must set up an indoor antenna and receiver to watch the channel on your TV.
How to Stream MLB Games for Free
As with most other major sports, you must pay for a subscription to watch most MLB games. The services tested here either offer no free option or the free option comes with a catch. Peacock has a free tier, but it doesn't include live baseball. Apple TV offers free games only on Fridays to entice you to buy Apple hardware that runs the Apple TV app.
Alternatively, you can purchase a TV antenna for over-the-air local channels. That's great for major baseball events like the All-Star Game or the World Series, but the number and quality of those channels vary widely by location.
Other Ways to Stream Major League Baseball
Another way to watch MLB games is with an MLB.TV subscription. For the 2026 season, you have a few subscription options. The Monthly Package ($29.99 per month) streams every team live from now through October. For $150, the Yearly Package adds the offseason. And for $130, you can just follow your team of choice for the entire season and offseason. These packages let you stream select games live on supported devices (once you authenticate via a supported cable provider), and watch every game on-demand. Right now, you can check out select spring training games for free.
T-Mobile subscribers once again get free access to MLB.TV. Apple and MLB are letting anyone watch the first 12 weeks of Friday Night Baseball for free through Apple TV. NBC is producing an exclusive Sunday morning MLB package for Peacock. MLB app subscriptions focus on out-of-market games, so consider using a streaming-friendly VPN to watch your own team's games.
MLB.TV on-demand content for baseball fans includes documentaries and vintage This Week In Baseball episodes from the 1970s and 1980s, too. You can download the MLB.TV app on mobile platforms (Android and iOS), media streaming devices (Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, and Roku), and game consoles (PlayStation and Xbox). A catch-up feature (only available on the fourth-generation Apple TV) offers a 90-second rundown of key plays when you tune into a game already in progress.
Want to watch sports other than baseball? Check out our roundup of the best sports streaming services, as well as our top picks for NBA streaming services, NFL streaming services, and NHL streaming services.