What MLB.tv is and who can watch
MLB.tv is Major League Baseball's streaming service that lets you watch out-of-market games live and on demand. "Out-of-market" means games involving teams outside your local broadcast area — if you live in New York, Yankees and Mets games are in-market and blocked, but you can watch games from other teams. In-market games are shown on regional sports networks or national broadcasts instead.
You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and connected TV devices like Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast. MLB.tv is available in the United States, Canada, and some other countries, though blackout rules and pricing vary by location.
You do not need cable or a traditional TV subscription to use MLB.tv, though some games are exclusive to cable networks and will not appear on the service at all.
Key Takeaways
- MLB.tv costs either a monthly or annual price, with the annual plan offering a lower per-month cost if you pay upfront.
- Blackout rules prevent you from watching your local team's games on MLB.tv, even if you pay for the service.
- You can watch games live or recorded, and the service includes access to MLB.com's video library and highlights.
- A single MLB.tv account can stream on multiple devices at the same time, though the number of simultaneous streams varies by subscription tier.
- MLB.tv is separate from MLB+ (a premium tier that includes additional content) and from cable or satellite TV packages that include baseball games.
Subscription tiers and monthly versus annual pricing
MLB.tv offers two main subscription options: a monthly plan and an annual plan. The annual plan costs less per month if you divide the total by 12, but requires paying the full year upfront. The monthly plan lets you pay as you go and cancel anytime without penalty.
Pricing changes year to year and varies slightly by region. Check MLB.tv's official website or app to see the current rates for your location before you sign up.
MLB+ is a separate premium tier that includes everything in the base MLB.tv subscription plus additional content such as exclusive shows, original documentaries, and extended highlights. It costs more than the base service and is also available as a monthly or annual plan.
What games you can and cannot watch
MLB.tv shows all out-of-market regular season games and most playoff games. Regular season games run from late March through late September, and the postseason runs from October through early November in most years.
Blackout rules block you from watching games involving your local team, even if you have an active subscription. Your local team is determined by your location — the service uses your IP address and other location data to figure out which market you are in. If you travel or use a VPN, blackout rules still explore based on where the service detects you are located.
Some games are exclusive to cable networks like ESPN, Fox Sports 1, or regional sports networks and do not appear on MLB.tv at all. The MLB schedule shows which games are on cable-only before the season starts.
How simultaneous streams and account sharing work
A single MLB.tv account can stream on multiple devices at the same time. The number of simultaneous streams allowed depends on your subscription tier — the base plan typically allows two streams at once, while MLB+ may allow more. Check your account settings or MLB.tv's current terms to confirm the exact number for your plan.
Account sharing is permitted within a household. If you share your login with someone outside your home, MLB.tv may flag the account or require you to verify your location. The service uses IP addresses and device information to detect sharing patterns that fall outside household use.
If you exceed the simultaneous stream limit, the oldest stream will stop playing and you will see a message asking you to choose which device to watch on.
Devices and streaming quality
MLB.tv works on most major platforms: iOS and Android phones and tablets, Mac and Windows computers, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, Samsung Smart TVs, and LG Smart TVs. The app is also available through gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox.
Streaming quality depends on your internet connection. MLB.tv automatically adjusts video quality based on your bandwidth, but you can also manually set it to a lower or higher quality in the app settings. A stable internet connection of at least 5 Mbps is recommended for HD streaming.
If you experience buffering or freezing, try restarting the app, checking your internet speed, or lowering the video quality setting.
DVR and on-demand replay features
MLB.tv includes a DVR feature that lets you record games and watch them later. Recorded games stay in your library for a set period — typically 30 days from the original broadcast date, though this can vary. You can fast-forward, rewind, and pause recorded games just like a traditional DVR.
Games also become available on demand shortly after they finish airing live. On-demand replays stay available for the entire season and into the offseason, so you can watch a game weeks or months after it aired.
Highlights, condensed games (usually 10 to 15 minutes long), and full-game replays are all available through the MLB.tv app and MLB.com's video library.
How to sign up and manage your subscription
To sign up, go to MLB.tv's website or read the MLB app on your device. You will need to create an account with an email address and password, then choose your subscription tier and payment method. MLB.tv accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and sometimes PayPal, depending on your region.
Once you are signed up, you can log in on any supported device using your email and password. Your subscription is tied to your account, not to a specific device, so you can watch on your phone one day and your TV the next.
To cancel, log into your account on MLB.tv's website, go to your subscription settings, and select the cancel option. If you are on a monthly plan, cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle. If you are on an annual plan, you can cancel anytime, but you will not receive a refund for unused months.
MLB.tv versus cable and satellite packages
MLB.tv is a standalone streaming service and does not require cable or satellite TV. However, some cable and satellite providers bundle MLB.tv access with their sports packages or offer discounts on MLB.tv subscriptions to their customers. Check with your provider to see if you have access through them.
Cable and satellite packages often include in-market games (your local team) plus national broadcasts, which MLB.tv does not. If you want to watch your local team's games, you will need cable, satellite, or a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV that includes regional sports networks.
MLB.tv is cheaper than a full cable package but covers fewer games. Which option makes sense depends on whether you want to watch your local team and how many out-of-market games you plan to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch my local team's games on MLB.tv?
No. Blackout rules prevent you from watching games involving your local team on MLB.tv, even with an active subscription. Your local team is determined by your location. To watch your local team, you will need cable, satellite, or a live TV streaming service that includes regional sports networks.
What happens if I travel or move to a different state?
Your blackout rules update based on your new location. If you travel, blackout rules still explore based on where MLB.tv detects you are. If you move permanently, your local market will change and you will be able to watch your old local team's games on MLB.tv, but will be blocked from your new local team's games.
Can I watch playoff games on MLB.tv?
Most playoff games are available on MLB.tv, but some games are exclusive to cable networks and will not stream on the service. The MLB schedule shows which playoff games are on cable-only before the postseason starts. You can check MLB.tv's website or the official MLB schedule to see which games are available.
Do I need internet for every game, or can I read games to watch offline?
MLB.tv requires an active internet connection to stream games. The service does not currently offer offline read capability, so you cannot save games to watch without internet. You will need a stable connection to watch live or on-demand games.
What is the difference between MLB.tv and MLB+?
MLB.tv is the base streaming service that includes out-of-market games, DVR, and on-demand replays. MLB+ is a premium tier that includes everything in the base service plus exclusive original content, documentaries, and extended highlights. MLB+ costs more than the base plan.