How to Watch MLB Online Without Cable (2023 Streaming Guide)
Did you know that there are nearly 5,000 baseball games played in an MLB season? Well, there are, and you can watch them all without cable. Check out our guide on how to watch MLB online for details!
One of the best parts of spring is that it’s also the start of baseball season. Fans across the country get to watch their favorite teams compete for a chance at the World Series. Whether you want to watch one team or the whole league, you can do it all without cable.
If you’re already subscribed to a streaming service, you’ll be able to find all the channels you’ll need to watch MLB online. This includes the streaming networks that will be airing games not on TV. If you’re still a cable subscriber and looking for a cheaper way to enjoy sports, you’ll find all the options to get you signed up with the right service for you.
Streaming services give you access to the top networks in sports and general entertainment. They also come with cool perks like on-demand libraries, cloud-DVRs, and the ability to connect to TV Everywhere apps. Even better, some of them offer free trials, so you can sample a network before you subscribe.
In the following sections, you’ll learn all you need to know to watch MLB online all season long. The only thing you’ll need to do is pick the service that you want. Every service is available without contracts. So, if you sign up for one and don’t like it, you can cancel without any hassles.
Keep reading for details on how you can watch MLB online without cable!
What Channels Air MLB Games?
As you might expect, there are quite a few channels that will air MLB games during the 2023 season. You’ll need a mix of local, national, and regional channels. The good news is that you can find all these channels through a variety of streaming services.
When it comes to local and national channels all the following will be airing baseball this season:
Of course, those aren’t the only networks or services offering MLB games this year. You’ll need Apple TV+ if you want the Friday Night Baseball double header. Other streaming services that will be offering MLB games include Peacock and ESPN+.
If you want to watch as many games as possible, your best bet is to find a streaming service that offers the best combination of national and regional channels you need. You can find more than one streaming alternative that offers the five nationwide channels and some regional channels, as well. Keep in mind that many of these services offer free trials, so if you don’t know which service to choose, you can try some out first.
Remember, if you’ve already cut the cord and are a digital antenna user, you should be able to watch the games that air on FOX through your digital antenna for free.
Here are the ways you can watch MLB online without cable!
The Best Streaming Services to Watch MLB Online without Cable
The best sports streaming services can be found in this guide. From standard cable-replacements like Hulu Live and DIRECTV NOW to streaming-only services, like ESPN+, every service here caters to sports fans. You’ll find great content that covers a variety of live and on-demand sporting events and related content.
One of the best things about streaming is that you can come and go as you please. If you’re happy with a service, you just keep watching. If you’re unhappy, you can log into your account, cancel your service with no hassles, and be free to find another service.
You can find all your favorite sports on streaming. This includes international sports. When it comes to MLB, even though games air on multiple networks and three streaming services, you can watch the entire season online. It’s just about knowing the games you want to watch and ensuring you have those channels. Better yet, you just find a service with all required networks so you can sit back and enjoy the season!
Signing up for a service is often considered the hardest part of the streaming journey, which is funny because it’s not hard at all. In fact, most people go from sign up to watching live TV in minutes!
Here are the services you can use to watch MLB online without cable this season!
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM is a great option for sports fans. They offer four different packages, starting at $75 per month. Every package comes with several sports channels, but the larger the package, the more sports channels you receive.
Local channels are available in every package. Most homes should receive FOX and other local networks in each package. You’ll also have multiple ESPN networks, FS1, TBS, TNT, USA, and several other channels. Some packages even include Bally Sports networks. You can find full details in our DIRECTV STREAM channel lineup.
Each package comes with an on-demand library. Other package perks include a cloud-DVR, simultaneous streaming, and use of TV Everywhere apps. Add-on channels are available for a fee.
You can stream DIRECTV STREAM on multiple streaming devices. You can use your computer, mobile devices, tablets, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast, and Roku.
Our DIRECTV STREAM review has all the added details.
You can also check out the free 5-day trial of DIRECTV STREAM.
fuboTV
fuboTV offers several packages, starting with over 100+ channels for just $75 per month. Local channels are included in most areas. No matter what package you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy nationwide and regional sports networks. Like other services, you can cancel your package whenever you want.
When it comes to baseball coverage, fuboTV has a lot to like. In addition to local and regional sports channels, you’ll have multiple ESPN networks, FS1, NFL Network, Golf, BTN, and much more. You can even add channels to your package for a fee. The fuboTV channel lineup has the full details.
fuboTV comes with most of the popular package features. You’ll have 1,000 hours available on a cloud-DVR, access to your own on-demand library, and the ability to stream on up to 10 devices at the same time. You can also connect your account to several TV Everywhere apps.
Connecting to the fuboTV app can be done on most streaming devices. You can use iOS/Android phones and tablets, computers, Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and other devices.
Our fuboTV review can tell you more.
A 7-day fuboTV free trial is available!
Hulu Live
Hulu Live features a plan starting at $70 month. This gives you access to local channels in most homes, along with multiple ESPN networks, TNT, USA, truTV, TBS, FS1, FX, and many other popular channels. The full details are available in the Hulu Live channel lineup.
There are add-on options for movie and entertainment channels. You can cancel or change your package whenever you want. Hulu Live also comes with subscriptions to Disney+ and ESPN+. This gives you access to three services for one price.
Package features allow you to sign in with your Hulu Live account to watch TV Everywhere apps. You’ll also have the Hulu on-demand library and a cloud-based DVR to record anything you might miss. You can make up to 5 profiles on your account.
Hulu Live is available using mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV devices, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, gaming consoles, computers, and other devices.
You can learn more by checking out our Hulu Live review.
Try Hulu Live for free during the 7-day trial!
Sling TV
Sling TV is one of the original live streaming cable replacements. They are still one of the cheapest. In fact, you can pick up one of these packages for as low as $40 per month. Sling TV offers three packages. Your choice will depend on the channels you want in your plan. From there, you can add channels for a fee to build the plan you want. You can find out full package details in the Sling TV channel lineup.
Depending on your package, you will have access to limited local coverage (some areas receive FOX and NBC), TNT, TBS, ESPN, ESPN2, USA, and many other channels. You can also add several sports networks for an additional fee.
Sling TV includes a variety of added features to go with the live TV. You’ll have a cloud-based DVR that comes with 50-hours of storage. An on-demand library is included, and you’ll be able to sign into TV Everywhere apps. Simultaneous streaming is available depending on the package you choose.
Sling TV is available on most devices. You can watch Sling TV on smart phones, tablets, Amazon Fire TV devices, Apple TV, Roku, computers, Chromecast, and more.
Our Sling TV review has even more details.
Check out the current Sling TV deals here.
Vidgo
Vidgo offers a couple different packages, starting at $60 per month. Not all local channels are included, but FOX is available, so you’re covered if you want to watch MLB online. You’ll find plenty of sports, news, and general entertainment channels. There’s a little something for everyone.
Depending on your package, you’ll have channels like FS1, ESPN, ESPN2, FS2, PAC-12, MLB Network, Big Ten Network, NHL Network, and dozens of other top channels. Vidgo does not offer any type of free trial, but you are always free to cancel at any time.
With Vidgo you’ll have package features that allow you to create watch parties with other Vidgo users. It’s also possible to pause & rewind live TV.
You can watch the Vidgo app on the majority of streaming devices. Some options include computers, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast.
Visit our Vidgo review to learn more.
Check out the deals on Vidgo, here.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is available starting at $65 per month. You’ll receive over 80 channels in your package, or you can add dozens of add-on channels for an additional fee. You can modify or remove these add-ons at any time.
The YouTube TV channel lineup will give you a clear picture of the channels you’ll receive. In addition to local channels, you’ll have ACCN, SECN, BTN, USA, truTV, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, and many other great channels.
Your YouTube TV account will allow you to make up to six profiles. This is a great way to ensure that the entire family has their own watchlist. You’ll also have access to your own unlimited cloud-based DVR. An on-demand library with access to YouTube Originals is also included.
You can stream the YouTube TV app on most streaming devices. You can use phones, tablets, computers, Amazon Fire TV devices, gaming consoles, Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, or other devices.
Our YouTube TV review offers even more details.
Try YouTube TV free for a week.
Peacock
Peacock is the streaming service owned by NBC Universal. You’ll be able to watch live feeds of NBC and other NBC owned networks, along with on-demand TV and much more! Packages start at just $5 per month and may be cancelled at any time. Read our Peacock review for full details.
For just $5 a month, Peacock offers a great amount of sports content. You’ll be able to catch MLB Sunday Leadoff and other baseball content. Other sports coverage is available for NFL, Tennis, Rugby, WWE, Golf, and more!
Peacock offers live TV, but most content ends up available on the service, on-demand. You won’t have access to a cloud-DVR, because almost everything is saved for you to watch on your schedule. You’ll be able to save shows and content you want to watch to “My List” where you can find them quickly.
You can watch Peacock on most streaming devices. The Peacock app is available on iOS and Android phones/tablets, gaming consoles (Xbox, and PlayStation), Amazon Fire TV devices, Roku, Chromecast, computers, smart TVs, and more!
You can experience Peacock free for a week!
ESPN+
ESPN+ is a sports-only streaming service owned by ESPN. Despite the name, you won’t have ESPN network programming on ESPN+. Instead, you’ll find different sports coverage that is often only available right here. Plans start at $10 per month.
ESPN+ only offers sports coverage, so if you’re looking to replace cable, this probably wouldn’t work for you as your primary service. However, if you’re looking to add more sports to your lineup, this would definitely work. You’ll have access to college and international sports, as well as popular sports like MLB, combat sports, and more.
ESPN+ allows you to sign up for a monthly or an annual plan. The annual plan is just a little cheaper, as you’ll pay $100 for the year. Unfortunately, ESPN+ is not currently offering a free trial. Luckily, there are no contracts, so if you decide to cancel, you can do so at any point.
You can stream ESPN+ on most devices. Some options include gaming consoles, computers, iOS/Android phone and tablets, select Smart TVs, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and other devices.
Feel free to check out our ESPN+ review for more details.
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is another option if you want to watch MLB online. You might think this is an odd option because Apple TV+ doesn’t offer much sports coverage. That’s true, but they do have a Friday Night MLB doubleheader. They also offer MLS coverage. More sports could be added in the future.
Apple TV+ offers one plan. You’ll pay just $7 per month. There is less content than some of the other streaming services offer, but much of the content is either exclusive or original to the service. They also offer a small rotating selection of movies.
You can watch Apple TV+ on all of your Apple products, as you might have expected. Of course, you can watch Apple TV+ on plenty of other devices if you don’t have an iOS phone or tablet or an Apple TV. Other options include Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, gaming consoles, Roku, some Smart TVs, and other devices.
Make sure to visit our Apple TV+ review to learn more!
You can try Apple TV+ free for the first week!
FAQ
You should know almost everything you need to watch MLB online. If you still have questions, you can check out our FAQ. If you don’t find answers to your questions, you can leave them in the comments.
What Channels do I need to Watch MLB Games?
Plenty of channels and a few streaming services will air MLB games throughout the season. For the 2023 season, you’ll need channels like FOX, ESPN, FS1, MLB Network, and TBS. You’ll also need some regional sports networks like Bally Sports, NBC Sports, or AT&T SportsNet. Games will also air on Apple TV+, Peacock, and ESPN+.
Do I Need Cable to Watch the MLB?
No! You can watch the entire season without cable. If you have access to the channels you need through the streaming services listed above, you’ll be able to watch sports legally without cable.
Will MLB Games Air on ESPN+?
Yes. A selection of MLB games will air on ESPN+.
Can I Watch the MLB for Free?
Not for any long period of time. The only way you’ll get to watch MLB for free without cable is if you sign up to a streaming service free trial. Once the trial ends, you’ll need to pay the monthly fee to continue service. You might get to watch a few games for free though.
A Final Word on How to Watch MLB Online
The MLB season takes place over several network channels and a few streaming services. The good news is that you don’t need cable to watch any of it. Just find the streaming service that has the channels you need and you’re good to go.
It only takes a moment to sign up for a streaming service and thanks to the no-contract policy, you can cancel when you want. Some services even offer free trials. You’ll find the right service for you and be streaming sports without cable in no time!
Still curious about how to watch MLB online without cable? Feel free to leave any questions you have in the comments!
