ESPN Strikes New Deal with MLB, Bringing MLB.TV to Fans
Last year, ESPN and Major League Baseball faced a major shakeup when the long-standing partnership for “Sunday Night Baseball” came to an end. However, ESPN has rebounded with a new venture that promises to bring even more baseball action to fans.
ESPN has recently started offering MLB.TV via the ESPN App and ESPN.com, a move that has been highly anticipated by ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. This new partnership allows ESPN to provide fans outside of a specific home team’s market with access to thousands of games, catering to the dedicated followers of the sport.
According to Ashley O’Connor, vice president of programming and acquisitions at ESPN, the new arrangement is a way to enhance the viewing experience for avid baseball fans who watch up to 162 games a year. The collaboration with MLB opens up the opportunity for fans to enjoy their favorite games within the ESPN environment.
While ESPN will broadcast 30 national games per season as part of the deal, the MLB.TV service is an additional offering. Subscribers to ESPN’s “Unlimited” tier can purchase MLB.TV for $134.99 for the 2026 season, with renewal options available at the current price. Non-“Unlimited” subscribers can get MLB.TV for $149.99 per season, with a free month of ESPN Unlimited included. Monthly subscription plans are also available, with new subscribers eligible for a free month of ESPN Unlimited.
Subscribers will have access to games through both ESPN and MLB’s digital platforms, providing flexibility in how they choose to watch.
ESPN’s expansion into local and regional games aligns with MLB’s efforts to take more control over its properties, especially in light of the changing landscape of regional sports networks. As MLB seeks to be more involved in team distribution arrangements, ESPN’s collaboration could lead to further enhancements of the MLB.TV service.
Looking ahead, ESPN will have the ability to deliver local team games to viewers in their respective markets starting in 2027. This development is expected to grow as MLB continues to evolve its distribution strategies.
