ESPN takes over MLB.tv; in-market streaming available to 20 teams

Field Level Media
11 Feb 2026, 05:10 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images)

ESPN officially took control of Major League Baseball's out-of-market streaming service, MLB.tv, on Tuesday in a key component of the two sides' reworked media rights deal.

Additionally, the league made in-market streaming subscriptions available Tuesday for 20 of its 30 clubs via the MLB App.

In November, MLB finalized a short-term agreement for national media rights after ESPN opted out of its hefty package for 'Sunday Night Baseball' and other baseball properties last summer. The new agreement introduced NBCUniversal and Netflix, but also struck a new agreement with ESPN which, among other things, gave the company rights to sell and distribute MLB.tv.

MLB.tv will be available for $149.99 for the season for those who don't have ESPN Unlimited, the company's new direct-to-consumer service, or $134.99 for ESPN Unlimited subscribers. For those who already had MLB.tv before the new agreements went into effect, their subscription will auto-renew at the previous price and ESPN Unlimited isn't required.

Meanwhile, the precipitous decline of RSNs (regional sports networks) in recent years, most notably the upcoming closure of the company formerly known as Diamond Sports Group, left many clubs around the league without a long-term home for their in-market TV carriage.

Major League Baseball confirmed Tuesday it will produce local broadcasts for 14 clubs in 2026. Another six clubs still have an RSN with which MLB has formed distribution deals. The total will reach 21 in the near future, as MLB said Detroit Tigers games will have an in-market streaming subscription 'available at a later date.'

Arizona Diamondbacks -- Dbacks.TV

Athletics -- Athletics.TV

Baltimore Orioles -- MASN+

Cincinnati Reds -- Reds.TV

Cleveland Guardians -- CleGuardians.TV

Colorado Rockies -- Rockies.TV

Kansas City Royals -- Royals.TV

Los Angeles Angels -- Angels.TV

Los Angeles Dodgers -- SNLA+

Miami Marlins -- Marlins.TV

Milwaukee Brewers -- Brewers.TV

Minnesota Twins -- Twins.TV