Major League Baseball fans seeking to follow their favorite teams remotely will experience changes in how they access out-of-market games. A novel agreement between MLB and ESPN shifts control of MLB.TV, the league’s streaming package for regional games, to ESPN.
A Shift in Access
Under the terms of the agreement, ESPN will now offer games live and on demand directly through the ESPN app. This marks a significant change in how fans have traditionally accessed MLB.TV, which was previously a standalone service operated by the league.
What This Means for Viewers
The deal resembles previous transitions where ESPN took over distribution for other sports packages, such as the NFL Network. However, MLB.TV’s focus on out-of-market games introduces a unique element. This is similar to how Amazon Prime Video acquired exclusive rights to NBA League Pass.
The agreement covers the 2026-2028 MLB seasons. It also includes expanded coverage for NBC and Netflix, with NBC regaining rights to regularly air games and Netflix adding live event coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MLB.TV?
MLB.TV is the league’s out-of-market package for regional games.
Who now controls MLB.TV?
ESPN now has control over the rights and distribution of MLB.TV.
Where will MLB.TV games be available?
Games will be available live and on demand directly through the ESPN app.
How will these changes affect the future of sports streaming remains to be seen, but We see likely to influence how fans consume baseball and other sports in the years to come.
