Where to Watch MLB Baseball in 2025 – Full Guide

By Sarah Miller · October 22, 2039

If you're wondering where to watch MLB baseball, the primary options in 2025 include MLB.TV, ESPN+, Apple TV+ Friday Night Baseball, FOX, TBS, and local Regional Sports Networks (RSNs). National broadcasts are widely available on cable and streaming platforms, while out-of-market games can be streamed via MLB.TV. Blackout restrictions apply for local games, making services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV STREAM popular for accessing regional broadcasts.

How to Watch MLB Games in 2025

Fans across the U.S. and internationally have multiple ways to enjoy Major League Baseball throughout the season. Whether you prefer live TV, on-demand streaming, or mobile viewing, there’s a platform tailored to your needs. Below is a breakdown of all major viewing options.

National Broadcast Partners

MLB has long-term agreements with several national networks that broadcast games weekly:

ESPN: Features Sunday Night Baseball and select Monday and Wednesday games.
FOX: Airs Saturday afternoon games, including postseason matchups.
TBS: Shows Tuesday night games and covers part of the playoffs.
Apple TV+: Streams Friday Night Baseball globally, requiring an Apple ID and subscription.

Streaming Services with Live TV

To replicate a cable experience without a traditional subscription, live TV streaming platforms offer local and national channels carrying MLB games:

YouTube TV: Includes ESPN, FOX, TBS, and most RSNs (subject to availability).
Hulu + Live TV: Carries same channels as YouTube TV with cloud DVR.

DIRECTV STREAM

FuboTV: Strong sports lineup, includes MLB Network and Spanish-language coverage.

Official MLB Streaming: MLB.TV

MLB.TV is the league’s official out-of-market streaming service. For $149.99 per season (or $24.99 monthly), subscribers can watch nearly every game not blacked out in their region.

Key Features of MLB.TV:

Live and on-demand games
Multiple camera angles (some games)
Supports up to six devices
Compatible with Roku, Fire TV, iOS, Android, and smart TVs

Note: Blackouts are enforced based on geographic location to protect local broadcasters.

International Viewing Options

Outside the U.S., fans can use:

MLB.TV International: Same features as domestic version, no blackout restrictions.
Sportradar, DAZN (in select countries like Germany, Austria, Japan)
TSN+ (Canada)

MLB Broadcast Schedule by Network

Network	Game Day	Games Per Season	Postseason Coverage	Subscription Required?
ESPN	Sunday, Monday, Wednesday	~30	Late Innings Wild Card	Yes (via cable or ESPN+)
FOX	Saturday	~14	ALCS, All-Star Game	No (over-the-air)
TBS	Tuesday	~26	NLCS, Division Series	No (included in basic cable)
Apple TV+	Friday	~24	None	Yes ($9.99/month or free with Apple devices)
MLB Network	Mixed	~25	Simulcasts TBS/FOX playoff games	Yes (via cable or streaming)

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The table shows that TBS airs the most regular-season games among national partners, while FOX and TBS hold exclusive rights to key playoff series. Apple TV+ continues expanding its reach with consistent Friday night broadcasts but does not carry postseason games. ESPN maintains flagship status with Sunday Night Baseball.

Common Questions About Watching MLB Baseball

Can I watch all MLB games live with MLB.TV?

No—MLB.TV enforces blackout restrictions for games within a team’s home television territory to protect local broadcasters. You can only stream out-of-market games live. Local games must be viewed through regional sports networks or national broadcasts.

Is Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV free?

No, Friday Night Baseball requires an Apple TV+ subscription, which costs $9.99 per month. However, it's often included free with new Apple device purchases for three months.

What is the best streaming service for watching local MLB games?

YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are top choices because they include most Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) like Bally Sports, NESN, and YES Network, depending on your location.

Does ESPN+ include full MLB game streams?

ESPN+ does not offer full-game live streams of MLB games directly. Instead, it carries select games via simulcast from ESPN linear TV channels (e.g., Sunday Night Baseball), accessible if you have a linked pay-TV login or live TV streaming subscription.

Are there any free ways to watch MLB games?

You can watch nationally televised games on FOX over-the-air with an HD antenna at no cost. Additionally, MLB offers free Game Highlights on its YouTube channel and app daily. No legitimate service provides full live games for free due to broadcasting rights.