MLB.TV on ESPN: What fans need to know about the new deal

Advertisement

Advertise with us

Fans of Major League Baseball's streaming package of out-of-market games learned Tuesday what ESPN's takeover means for them.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$1 per week for 24 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.99/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.

Fans of Major League Baseball’s streaming package of out-of-market games learned Tuesday what ESPN’s takeover means for them.

ESPN announced that MLB.TV will come at a slight discount for those who already have ESPN’s Unlimited plan, while those who don’t will pay the same price as previous seasons.

The MLB.TV price for ESPN Unlimited plan subscribers will be $134.99 for this season, before renewing each season at the then-current price.

A microphone belonging to a field reporter for the San Diego Padres sits on top of audio cables during a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the Padres, May 31, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
A microphone belonging to a field reporter for the San Diego Padres sits on top of audio cables during a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the Padres, May 31, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

Those without an ESPN Unlimited plan can purchase MLB.TV for $149.99 — the same price as last season — with a free month of ESPN Unlimited included.

There also is a $29.99 per month option for MLB.TV, with new subscribers also eligible for a free month of ESPN Unlimited.

At the start of the season, MLB.TV subscribers in the U.S. will still be able to watch out-of-market games, MLB Big Inning and MLB Network on both ESPN and MLB digital platforms.

Those who subscribe to Spectrum, DirecTV, Fubo TV, Hulu Live TV and Verizon Fios have access to ESPN Unlimited subscription as a part of their TV plan. The rest, including cord-cutters, pay $29.25 per month for all of the ESPN networks.

The local in-market streaming products for 14 teams whose games are produced by MLB will be available on the MLB site and through the teams.

So far those teams are the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays and Washington Nationals.

The subscription price will remain $99.99 per season or $19.99 per month. Fans can bundle their club’s local package with the out-of-market package for $199.99 per season.

The Detroit Tigers are also having their games produced by MLB, but haven’t determined their in-market subscription offering yet.

The Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants also offer in-market streaming through MLB even though their games are on regional sports networks. Prices and packages for those six teams vary by market.

While multiview, integrated stats, key plays and the home/away feed selections will still be available, the home and away radio feeds will not be on ESPN this season.

ESPN became the rights holder to MLB.TV as part of its new three-year agreement with MLB. The agreement includes 30 exclusive games, primarily on weeknights and in the summer months.

Baseball is the second league that has its out-of-market digital package available in the U.S. on ESPN’s platform. The NHL moved its package to ESPN in 2021.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Report Error Submit a Tip