MLB Network Launches Standalone Streaming Service, Available Without a Pay-TV Subscription

Major League Baseball has a new way to get fans to pay to catch the streaming action of America’s pastime.

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A little more than halfway through the 2024 season, Major League Baseball has launched a direct-to-consumer subscription streaming option for MLB Network in the U.S. — without the need for a cable, satellite or internet TV service.

Beginning Wednesday, July 24, baseball fans can purchase MLB Network as a standalone streaming offering for $5.99/per month. In addition, the league is selling a combined MLB Network + At Bat option for $6.99/per month, which includes the MLB At Bat live game audio for all 30 MLB teams, live Minor League Baseball games and access to MLB Big Inning.

The league was a pioneer in sports streaming, having launched the MLB.TV out-of-market service way back in 2002. According to Major League Baseball, subscribers of MLB.TV’s all-teams and single-team packages in the U.S. can stream MLB Network for the remainder of the 2024 season.

The linear MLB Network will continue to be carried by pay-TV affiliates. For the 10th consecutive year, viewers who receive MLB Network from a participating distributor can watch via an authenticated livestream.

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“As the way viewers consume content continues to evolve, we are excited for baseball fans to have this new option to experience MLB Network through direct-to-consumer streaming,” said Bill Morningstar, president of MLB Network. “Going this direction allows us to significantly expand our reach to fans and gives them more choices on how they want to watch the network’s Emmy Award-winning coverage.”

For all live games on MLB Network, viewers will be subject to local blackouts and will be provided with alternate programming.

Launched in 2009 and now in its 16th season, MLB Network is the home to a host of live games as well as “MLB Tonight,” its daily studio show that features look-ins of live games, analysis and breakdowns. Other studio programs include “MLB Central,” “High Heat,” “MLB Now,” “Off Base,” “Intentional Talk,” “Quick Pitch,” “Big Inning” and “Play Ball,” and the network’s slate includes docuseries “MLB Network Presents.” For MLB’s trade deadline coming up on Tuesday, July 30, MLB Network will air 12.5 straight hours of live coverage, beginning at 9 a.m. ET.

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