In a groundbreaking development for Major League Baseball (MLB) fans, the number of teams offering direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming options has surged dramatically. As of the 2025 season, 26 out of 30 MLB teams can now be watched without the need for a traditional cable or satellite television bundle.
This marks a significant increase from the 13 teams available at the end of the previous season. The addition of new teams to this list underscores MLB’s commitment to addressing long-standing issues related to game blackouts and enhancing fan accessibility.
MLB’s Expansion of Direct-to-Consumer Streaming
MLB’s latest move to expand DTC streaming options represents a major shift in how fans can access their favorite teams’ games. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to make baseball more accessible to fans, regardless of their location or television subscription status.
The newly added teams include the Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers, all of which are now available for streaming through various NBC Sports regional stations.
New Teams Joining the Streaming Revolution
Fans of the Athletics, Phillies, Giants, and Dodgers can now enjoy watching games live without the need for a cable or satellite TV bundle. The Athletics and Giants are available on NBC Sports California and NBC Sports Bay Area, respectively, for a monthly subscription fee of $19.99.
Meanwhile, Phillies fans can catch their team on NBC Sports Philadelphia for $24.99 per month, while Dodgers enthusiasts can subscribe to SportsNet LA for $29.99 per month or $199.99 per year.
Additional Teams Now Available for In-Market Streaming
In addition to the four teams mentioned above, nine other teams have also joined the DTC streaming lineup this year. These teams include:
- Atlanta Braves
- Chicago White Sox
- Cincinnati Reds
- Cleveland Guardians
- Los Angeles Angels
- Minnesota Twins
- New York Mets
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Texas Rangers
This expansion means that nearly 90 percent of MLB teams now offer a DTC streaming option, significantly increasing the number of fans who can watch their favorite teams without traditional TV bundles.
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The Role of NBC Sports in MLB’s Streaming Strategy
MLB’s partnership with NBC Sports has been instrumental in this expansion. NBC Sports’ regional networks have played a crucial role in bringing more teams into the DTC streaming fold.
Noah Garden, MLB’s deputy commissioner for business and media, emphasized the importance of this partnership in a recent news release. He highlighted that the agreement with NBC is a vital step toward addressing the blackout issues that have frustrated baseball fans for years.
Addressing the Blackout Issue
One of the most significant challenges MLB has faced is the blackout issue, which prevents fans from watching games in their local markets. This problem has been a major source of frustration for fans who want to follow their local teams but are restricted by traditional broadcasting agreements.
The new DTC streaming options aim to resolve this issue, providing fans with more flexibility and accessibility.
Commissioner Rob Manfred has also weighed in on the importance of offering digital streaming options to fans. He emphasized that having a digital product available, even if it’s not the best option, is crucial for providing fans with choices. This approach aligns with MLB’s broader strategy to enhance the overall fan experience.
Teams Still Unavailable for Direct-to-Consumer Streaming
Despite the significant progress, four MLB teams remain unavailable for DTC streaming. These teams are the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals, Houston Astros, and Seattle Mariners.
The Orioles and Nationals are broadcast by Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), while the Astros are on Space City Home Network, and the Mariners are on Root Sports.
Future Prospects for Unavailable Teams
There is hope for fans of these teams, particularly the Nationals, who are free to leave MASN after this year. This could potentially open the door for future DTC streaming options for Nationals fans.
MLB’s ongoing efforts to negotiate with regional sports networks (RSNs) and clubs suggest that more teams may become available for DTC streaming in the coming seasons.
MLB.tv: The Out-of-Market Streaming Solution
For fans who live outside of their favorite team’s market, MLB has long offered the MLB.tv streaming package. This service allows fans to watch games from any team, provided they are not within the team’s local broadcast territory.
While MLB.tv has been a popular option for out-of-market viewers, it does not address the needs of fans who want to watch games within their local markets.
Complementing In-Market Streaming Options
The introduction of in-market DTC streaming options complements the existing MLB.tv service, offering a more comprehensive solution for fans.
Now, whether a fan is in New York wanting to watch the San Francisco Giants or in San Francisco wanting to watch the Giants, there are options available to meet their needs.
Conclusion: A New Era for MLB Fans
The expansion of direct-to-consumer streaming options marks a new era for MLB fans.
With 26 out of 30 teams now available for in-market streaming, fans have more flexibility and accessibility than ever before.
This development is a testament to MLB’s commitment to enhancing the fan experience and addressing long-standing issues related to game blackouts.
As MLB continues to negotiate with RSNs and clubs, there is hope that even the remaining four teams will soon join the DTC streaming revolution.
For now, fans can celebrate the significant progress made and enjoy watching their favorite teams without the constraints of traditional television bundles.
For more detailed information about MLB’s streaming availability and the latest updates, you can read the full article on The Athletic.
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