How to Watch MLB Games: Understanding the ESPN and MLB.TV Partnership
Fans can access out-of-market Major League Baseball (MLB) games through the MLB.TV platform, which remains the primary service for streaming contests outside of a viewer’s local broadcast territory. While ESPN provides extensive coverage of MLB through its linear networks and the ESPN+ streaming service, it does not function as the host for the standalone MLB.TV subscription product. Instead, the two entities maintain a distinct broadcast partnership where ESPN holds exclusive national rights for specific marquee matchups, such as Sunday Night Baseball.
Does ESPN+ include MLB.TV?
No, an ESPN+ subscription does not include a full MLB.TV subscription. According to the official MLB support documentation, these are two separate services with different content offerings. ESPN+ broadcasts select out-of-market games throughout the season, often featuring one game per day, but it does not provide the comprehensive archive of every out-of-market game that a standalone MLB.TV subscription offers.
How to access out-of-market MLB games
To watch games involving teams outside of your local designated market area, fans must subscribe directly to MLB.TV. This service allows users to stream live or on-demand games for all 30 MLB clubs, provided the games are not subject to local or national blackout restrictions. According to MLB’s blackout policy, games are restricted based on the viewer’s physical location to protect the rights of regional sports networks (RSNs) and national broadcast partners like ESPN, FOX, and TBS.
Key differences in coverage
| Feature | MLB.TV | ESPN+ |
|---|---|---|
| Game Scope | All out-of-market games | Select daily out-of-market games |
| Live Broadcasts | Yes (subject to blackouts) | Yes (select games) |
| On-Demand Archive | Yes | Limited |
Why do MLB blackout rules exist?
Blackout rules are designed to protect the regional broadcast territories of local teams. MLB teams sell exclusive broadcast rights to regional sports networks within their home markets. If a game is airing on a local RSN in your area, MLB.TV is contractually obligated to black out that feed to ensure the local network maintains its audience. These rules apply regardless of whether a fan chooses to subscribe to the local cable channel or not. For games broadcast nationally on ESPN, those contests are also blacked out on MLB.TV for all users within the United States, as ESPN holds the exclusive national rights for those specific windows.
What to consider before subscribing
Before purchasing a subscription, fans should verify their eligibility using the MLB blackout lookup tool. By entering a zip code, users can identify which teams are considered “in-market” for their specific location. This is essential for fans living in areas where multiple teams have regional broadcast footprints, such as the New York or Chicago metropolitan areas, where multiple clubs may be subject to local blackout restrictions simultaneously.