How to watch MLB live streams: Baseball season is here

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Major League Baseball season is finally here. The MLB season kicked off on March 28 and will run through September 29, with the postseason starting in October. The viewing situation is complicated due to the sheer number of games scheduled every day, as well as regional blackout restrictions, so we’ve broken down everything you need to know about how to watch MLB live streams. Major league baseball games are spread across various channels, including ESPN, TBS, Fox Sports 1 (FS1), the MLB Network, and regional sports networks (usually through FOX, ABC, and NBC). You probably understand your regional sports network better than anyone, so we will focus on live streaming games that are nationally broadcast. There’s also Max, Apple TV+, and MLB.TV, but we’ll get to those later. For those without cable, it can be tricky to figure out how to live stream the MLB games without breaking the bank, but we’ve found some promising options that can get you access to most national games this season. Whether you’re a diehard fan of one team or just looking to catch a game tonight, we’ve got you covered when it comes to watching the MLB. Keep reading to learn about all of your streaming options, including how to access a free daily game.  See also: Where to watch Formula 1 | Where to watch Champions League | Where to watch Monte Carlo Masters MLB live stream quick links US : Sling TV ($66) , Hulu + Live TV ($76.99) , DirectTV (various) , Apple TV+ ($9.99) , Max ($9.99) , MLB.TV ($29.99) Access subscriptions from anywhere via ExpressVPN (30-day money-back guarantee) How to watch MLB in the US Regarding national games, ESPN, TBS, FS1, and the MLB Network will be your go-to. Apple TV+ will also come into play on Friday nights and Max will have you covered on Tuesdays. Your local FOX, ABC, and NBC affiliates (and other regional sports networks) will handle nearby games, so you’ll need to check your local listings for that information. As always, every game is subject to blackout in local areas. If you don’t have cable, this means it’s time to try a live TV streaming service, like Sling TV or Hulu + Live TV, to tap into the national broadcasts. It’s worth noting that both Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV might also carry your regional sports network, depending on your area. Out of these options, Sling TV will be the best bang for your buck. To maximize your baseball viewing options, you’ll want to get the Sling Orange and Blue combo plan, which goes for $55 per month (a deal when you consider that each individual plan is $40 per month). Sling Orange has ESPN and TBS, whereas Sling Blue has FS1. To get the MLB Network, you’ll need to get the Sports Extra add-on for $11 per month. Your total spending will be $66 per month for this package.

Sling TV Subscription

For just the essentials without any extra fluff, Sling TV is the streaming service you’re looking for. It’s more customizable than other plans, with three options you can choose from, so you pay for only what you need. New members often get a chunky discount on their first month.

Check price at Sling

Hulu + Live TV also carries ESPN, TBS, and FS1. Additionally, they just announced that they’ve added the MLB Network to the service. Monthly rates start at $76.99. Hulu + Live TV also bundles Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu’s on-demand catalog.

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV includes over 90 channels, along with Hulu’s on-demand library and access to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus. Adding live TV drives up the price significantly, but it’s a rolling one-month contract that you’re free to cancel at any time. As live TV services go, this is one of the best.

Check price at Hulu

DirecTV will be the most expensive option we show you today, but it’s also a true devotee’s best bet for seeing as many games as possible. The DirecTV Choice package with Sports Pack gets you ESPN, TBS, FS1, and the MLB Network and access to many regional sports networks through the internet option. This will run you about $115.98 per month and comes as part of a 24-month agreement, so read the fine print carefully if you’re considering signing up. You can also try Choice with DirecTV Stream for $123.98 per month (currently $98.99 for the first month) if you’re looking for something on more of a month-to-month basis. 

DirecTV Stream

Previously known as AT&T TV, DirecTV Stream offers streaming access to a large selection of live channels, including most key networks typically found in traditional cable packages.

Check price at DirecTV

On Friday nights, Apple TV+ will be your go-to. The streaming service has the rights to live stream two Friday night baseball games. Subscriptions start at $9.99 per month and come with a one-week free trial.

Apple TV Plus (Monthly Plan)

Apple TV Plus has a limited lineup, but it’s less expensive than other ad-free services and offers a growing selection of critically acclaimed series you can’t stream anywhere else.

Check price at Apple TV+

For $29.99 per month, MLB.TV will live stream the out-of-market MLB games. While this is a relatively pricey option considering that it’s missing some games, we’re highlighting it because it comes with a free game of the day feature. All you have to do is sign up for an account, and you’ll have access to a free game every day. 

Max with ads (Monthly Plan)

Max is a premium service for fans of prestige television, iconic films, and unscripted programs like Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Succession, House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, and more. The ad-supported tier is $9.99 a month, but you can upgrade to ad-free for $16.99 or view your programming in 4K for $20.99.

Check price at Max

Select games will also be available to live stream through Max as a part of the service’s B/R Sports add-on. Games that air on TBS on Tuesdays will be available on Max. Subscriptions to Max start at $9.99 a month and the sports add-on temporarily comes free with the service, but it will eventually cost an additional $9.99 a month. How to watch MLB from anywhere If you want to keep up with baseball while traveling abroad, it might be time to try out a VPN (virtual private network). Virtual private networks change your electronic device’s location so you can access websites and apps that might not be available in certain areas. Plus, they’re strong ways to boost your online privacy. Since the live TV channels we highlighted require US forms of payment, this is mostly best for Americans who are overseas at the moment and looking to keep up with their existing subscriptions.  Our go-to suggestion is ExpressVPN , which is straightforward, simple for beginners, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Check out our ExpressVPN review to learn more.

ExpressVPN Plan

With its consistent performance, reliable security, and expansive global streaming features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there, excelling in every spec and offering many advanced features that make it exceptional. Better yet, you can save more than 60% right now and get up to four months free.

Check price at ExpressVPN

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

Lillian Brown

Associate Editor of Streaming

Lillian Brown is the Associate Editor of Streaming on Business Insider’s Reviews team. A lifelong entertainment and media buff, she specializes in helping you find how to watch your favorite shows, movies, and sporting events. Experience Lillian has been writing about entertainment, sports, TV, and film for over six years, starting her career in the Living/Arts department of The Boston Globe . She went on to write entertainment features, roundups, and conduct celebrity interviews for publications like Vulture , TV Guide , Esquire , Time , and The Daily Beast before joining Business Insider as a streaming specialist.  In her current role, she writes about everything from finding the right VPN for watching overseas soccer games to choosing between the endless number of streaming services out there. When she’s not writing, she is editing stories from freelancers or fellow Reviews team members.  Lillian is also an expert deal hunter. She loves the thrill of sharing an amazing discount with readers, whether it be on her favorite streaming services or on products she knows our team loves and recommends. She plays an active role in writing about sales and deals for the Reviews team. Why you can trust Lillian Whether she’s testing streaming platform interfaces or actively comparing channel offerings between services, Lillian always has her finger on the pulse of what’s new in entertainment. She has tested nearly every streaming service and is an expert when it comes to VPNs. She is the first person to know when a streaming service has changed its price, and whether or not it’s still worth paying for. As a sports fan, she also knows exactly where the next big playoff game is streaming, what time it starts, and where they’re playing.  Expertise Streaming services  How to watch your favorite films, TV, sports  VPN services for legal streaming Deals Outside of work Most of the time, you can find Lillian watching a horror movie, WNBA game (go Liberty!), or long-distance running. She is located in Boston.

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