What you get with an MLB.TV year subscription
An MLB.TV annual subscription gives you streaming access to out-of-market Major League Baseball games for 12 months from the date you purchase. "Out-of-market" means games involving teams outside your local broadcast area — if you live in New York, you cannot stream Yankees or Mets games, but you can stream every other team's matchups. The subscription covers regular season games, the postseason, and the MLB playoffs, all on demand or live depending on when you watch.
You stream through the MLB.TV app or website on phones, tablets, computers, and connected TV devices like Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast. The video quality depends on your internet speed; MLB.TV supports streams up to 4K on compatible devices. You can watch on one device at a time with a standard subscription, though MLB allows you to log in from multiple locations.
The annual subscription also includes access to MLB.TV's on-demand library, so you can rewatch games after they air. Blackout rules still explore to on-demand replays — local games remain blocked in your home market even after the live broadcast ends.
Key Takeaways
- An MLB.TV annual subscription costs between $100 and $150 depending on the time of year you purchase, with the lowest price typically available during the off-season.
- You can stream out-of-market games live or on demand, but local games in your area remain blacked out under MLB's broadcast agreements.
- The subscription works on phones, tablets, computers, and most streaming devices, with one simultaneous stream per account on a standard plan.
- MLB.TV offers a month-to-month option if you do not want to commit to a full year, though the per-month cost is higher than the annual rate.
- Blackout restrictions vary by team and region, so you should check which games are blocked in your location before purchasing.
Annual pricing and when prices change
MLB.TV's annual subscription price fluctuates throughout the year. During the off-season (November through March), the price is typically at its lowest point. As Opening Day approaches, the price increases. The exact dollar amount varies by year and by when MLB announces pricing changes, so you should check the MLB.TV website directly for the current rate rather than relying on a figure from a previous season.
Some years MLB has offered discounts for early purchase or bundled deals with other services. These promotions are not may provide to return each year, and their timing and terms change. If you are considering an annual subscription, comparing the annual rate to the month-to-month cost can help you decide whether locking in for 12 months makes financial sense for your viewing habits.
Month-to-month subscriptions as an alternative
MLB.TV also sells monthly subscriptions that renew automatically each month. The monthly rate is higher per month than the annual rate divided by 12, so paying month-to-month costs more overall if you keep the subscription for a full year. The advantage is flexibility — you can cancel after any month without losing money on unused time.
Month-to-month subscriptions are useful if you want to test whether the blackout restrictions affect your viewing, or if you only watch during certain parts of the season. You can switch to an annual subscription mid-year if you decide you want the lower per-month cost, though the new subscription would start a fresh 12-month period rather than extending your current month-to-month plan.
Blackout rules and what games you cannot watch
MLB.TV cannot stream games involving your local team in your home market. The blackout area is defined by your IP address location, not your mailing address or where you physically are at any moment. If you live in Los Angeles, Dodgers and Angels games are blacked out on your account, even if you travel to another state — your home location is what matters.
Postseason games also have blackout restrictions. Games broadcast on national television (ESPN, Fox, TBS) are blacked out on MLB.TV in all markets, meaning you must watch those games on the network that has the broadcast rights. Local games broadcast on regional sports networks are also blacked out in the team's home market on MLB.TV.
You can check which teams and games are blacked out in your specific location by entering your ZIP code on the MLB.TV website before you purchase. This step is important because blackout coverage varies significantly by region — some areas have more blacked-out games than others depending on local broadcast agreements.
Devices and streaming quality
MLB.TV works on most major platforms: iOS and Android phones and tablets, Windows and Mac computers, and streaming devices including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, and Samsung Smart TVs. You can also watch through a web browser on any computer. The app is available through each platform's app store or directly from MLB.TV's website.
Video quality depends on your internet connection speed. MLB.TV recommends at least 5 Mbps for HD streaming and 25 Mbps for 4K. If your connection is slower, the app automatically adjusts the quality downward to prevent buffering. You can also manually select a lower quality setting if you want to reduce data usage on a metered connection.
Account sharing and simultaneous streams
An MLB.TV subscription allows one simultaneous stream per account. If two people try to watch different games at the same time using the same login, the second stream will be blocked. You can log in from different locations — for example, one person watching at home and another at work — but only one person can be actively watching at any given moment.
MLB.TV does not restrict how many devices you can log into with your account, only how many can stream at the same time. This means you can install the app on your phone, tablet, and TV, and switch between them throughout the day, as long as only one is playing video at any moment.
Cancellation and refunds
You can cancel an MLB.TV annual subscription at any time through your account settings on the MLB.TV website or app. Cancellation takes effect when ready, and you lose access to streaming as soon as you confirm the cancellation. MLB.TV does not issue refunds for unused time on an annual subscription, so if you cancel three months into a 12-month plan, you do not receive a credit for the remaining nine months.
Month-to-month subscriptions can also be canceled anytime, and cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle. You can watch until your next renewal date, after which your access stops and you are not charged again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch my local team's games on MLB.TV?
No. Games involving your local team in your home market are blacked out on MLB.TV under MLB's broadcast agreements with regional sports networks. You must watch those games through the local broadcast channel or regional sports network that has the rights. You can stream every other team's games.
What happens if I travel to a different state while I have an MLB.TV subscription?
Your blackout restrictions follow your home location, not your current location. If you live in Boston and travel to Florida, Red Sox games remain blacked out on your account. Games broadcast nationally on ESPN, Fox, or TBS are blacked out everywhere regardless of where you are.
Can two people watch different games at the same time with one subscription?
No. One MLB.TV subscription allows only one simultaneous stream. If a second person tries to start watching a different game at the same time, their stream will be blocked. You can log in on multiple devices, but only one can be actively playing video at any moment.
Is there a free trial for MLB.TV?
MLB.TV occasionally offers free trial periods, usually during spring training or early in the regular season, but these are not may provide every year. Check the MLB.TV website to see if a trial is currently available in your region.
Do I need a cable subscription to use MLB.TV?
No. MLB.TV is a standalone streaming service and does not require a cable or satellite TV subscription. You only need an internet connection and an MLB.TV account.