YouTube TV removed MLB Network from its channel lineup in January 2023. The two sides failed to agree on a new carriage deal, and baseball fans on YouTube TV lost access to live studio shows, out-of-market highlights, and spring training coverage overnight. Three years later, MLB Network is still missing from the platform.
- MLB Network left YouTube TV on January 31, 2023 after contract negotiations broke down between the two companies
- YouTube TV still carries ESPN, Fox, and TBS for national broadcasts and select playoff games
- Sling TV is the most affordable MLB Network option at $40 per month with its Orange + Blue plan
- fuboTV bundles MLB.TV integration for an extra $7 per month, covering out-of-market games alongside MLB Network
- No official timeline exists for MLB Network returning to YouTube TV as of March 2026
#Why Did YouTube TV Drop MLB Network?
The contract between YouTube TV and MLB Network expired on January 31, 2023. MLB released a public statement saying YouTube TV had been “unwilling to negotiate a fair carriage agreement” and pointed out that nearly 300 other U.S. providers had accepted similar terms.
YouTube TV did not publicly dispute MLB’s version of events. The timing made things worse. Just weeks before removing the channel, YouTube TV raised its monthly price from $64.99 to $72.99. Paying more while losing a major sports channel did not sit well with subscribers.
Carriage disputes like this are common in the streaming industry. YouTube TV previously lost regional sports networks (RSNs) from Sinclair Broadcasting in 2020 before eventually restoring some of them. MLB Network, however, has stayed off the platform for over three years with no public indication that talks have resumed. For context on how these provider negotiations affect channel lineups, see MLB Network’s distribution page.
#What Baseball Coverage Does YouTube TV Still Have?
Even without MLB Network, YouTube TV carries several channels that broadcast regular season and postseason baseball games:
- ESPN and ESPN2 for Sunday Night Baseball and select weeknight games
- Fox and FS1 for Saturday afternoon games and postseason coverage
- TBS for select regular season games and playoff broadcasts
- Local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox affiliates) for regional game coverage
These channels cover most nationally televised games. The gap is MLB Network’s 24/7 baseball programming: live look-ins, studio analysis shows like MLB Tonight, spring training broadcasts, and minor league coverage. If you mainly watch your local team and catch nationally televised games, YouTube TV still works fine.
Want to stream games on your Fire TV Stick? Here is how to get MLB.TV working on your Firestick with a quick setup process.
#Which Streaming Services Carry MLB Network in 2026?
Four major live TV streaming services still carry MLB Network. Here is how they compare:
#Sling TV
Sling TV’s Orange + Blue plan runs $55 per month and includes MLB Network along with ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and TBS. Sling is the least expensive live TV service that carries the channel. The trade-off is fewer total channels than competitors and no local broadcast stations in most markets. If MLB Network is your primary reason for switching, Sling TV gives you what you need without a premium price tag. See our full Sling TV vs YouTube TV comparison for a detailed breakdown.
#fuboTV
fuboTV starts at $79.99 per month and includes MLB Network in its base plan. The standout feature is optional MLB.TV integration for $7 per month extra, which unlocks out-of-market games. That combination of MLB Network plus MLB.TV in one app makes fuboTV unique among live TV streamers. Read more in our fuboTV vs YouTube TV breakdown.
#DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream’s Choice plan ($84.99/month) includes MLB Network along with regional sports networks that YouTube TV lost years ago. The higher price gets you RSN coverage for your local team, which matters if you live outside your team’s broadcast area. DirecTV Stream also includes unlimited cloud DVR.
#Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV costs $82.99 per month but does not carry MLB Network. It does include ESPN, Fox, TBS, and local channels for baseball. Hulu makes this list because its bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ adds value beyond just live TV. For baseball fans who do not specifically need MLB Network, Hulu + Live TV is a solid alternative to YouTube TV with more on-demand content.
#Can You Use MLB.TV as a Standalone Alternative?
MLB.TV is MLB’s own streaming service, separate from MLB Network the cable channel. A yearly subscription costs $149.99 (or $24.99/month), and it streams every out-of-market regular season game live. That is over 2,400 games per season.
The catch is blackout restrictions. Games involving your local team are blacked out on MLB.TV, meaning you still need a local broadcast channel or regional sports network to watch them live. Blackouts lift about 90 minutes after the final out.
MLB.TV works on smart TVs from Samsung, LG, and others. Samsung TV owners can check our guide on how to watch MLB on Samsung TV for setup steps. The app also runs on Roku, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, and most mobile devices. For fans who follow an out-of-market team, MLB.TV fills the gap that YouTube TV’s missing MLB Network leaves behind. Visit MLB.TV’s official page for current pricing and free trial offers.
#How Do the Costs Compare Across Services?
Here is a quick cost comparison for the 2026 season:
| Service | Monthly Cost | MLB Network | MLB.TV Option | Local Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $72.99 | No | No | Yes |
| Sling TV (Orange + Blue) | $55.00 | Yes | No | Limited |
| fuboTV | $79.99 | Yes | $7/mo add-on | Yes |
| DirecTV Stream (Choice) | $84.99 | Yes | No | Yes + RSNs |
| Hulu + Live TV | $82.99 | No | No | Yes |
| MLB.TV (standalone) | $24.99 | No (different product) | Included | No |
Sling TV saves you about $18 per month compared to YouTube TV while adding MLB Network. The savings add up to over $100 across a six-month baseball season. fuboTV costs $7 more than YouTube TV but adds both MLB Network and optional MLB.TV integration.
If you are comparing YouTube TV against cable providers, see how Spectrum TV stacks up against YouTube TV or how Dish Network compares to YouTube TV across pricing and sports coverage.
#Will YouTube TV Ever Bring Back MLB Network?
YouTube TV has said it hopes to restore MLB Network, but three years without a deal suggests the gap between what MLB wants and what YouTube TV will pay remains wide. YouTube TV’s channel lineup page no longer even lists MLB Network as a former channel.
The broader trend in live TV streaming is not encouraging for sports fans. Multiple services have dropped RSNs and niche sports channels over the past few years to control costs. YouTube TV itself lost Bally Sports RSNs and has not restored them. MLB Network could follow the same pattern indefinitely.
That said, contract negotiations in the TV industry can shift quickly. If YouTube TV adds subscribers who specifically request MLB Network, or if MLB Network adjusts its carriage fees, a deal could happen before the 2027 season. For now, the safest approach is to pair YouTube TV with a Sling TV or fuboTV subscription during baseball season, then cancel the second service in October.
#Bottom Line
YouTube TV remains a strong live TV streaming service for sports, but baseball fans who want MLB Network need to look elsewhere. Sling TV is the most cost-effective way to add MLB Network to your streaming setup. fuboTV is the best all-in-one option with its MLB.TV integration. If you primarily watch your local team on YouTube TV through ESPN, Fox, and TBS broadcasts, you may not miss MLB Network at all.
The practical move for the 2026 season: keep YouTube TV for your core live TV needs and add Sling TV ($55/month) or standalone MLB.TV ($24.99/month) during the baseball season. Cancel the add-on service when the World Series ends.
#FAQ
#Is MLB Network the same as MLB.TV?
No. MLB Network is a traditional cable/satellite TV channel with studio shows, analysis, and some live game broadcasts. MLB.TV is a standalone streaming subscription that provides live streams of out-of-market regular season games. They are two separate products owned by Major League Baseball, and subscribing to one does not give you access to the other.
#What is the cheapest way to watch MLB Network right now?
Sling TV’s Orange + Blue plan at $55 per month is the least expensive live TV service that includes MLB Network. No free or lower-cost options exist for watching the channel legally.
#Does YouTube TV still show any baseball games?
Yes. YouTube TV carries ESPN, Fox, FS1, TBS, and local broadcast channels that air regular season and postseason baseball. You can watch Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN, Saturday games on Fox, and your local team’s over-the-air broadcasts. What you miss is MLB Network’s dedicated baseball programming.
#Can I get a free trial of fuboTV to watch baseball?
fuboTV offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. During the trial you get full access to MLB Network and all other channels in the base plan. DirecTV Stream also provides a 5-day free trial that includes MLB Network.
#Do MLB.TV blackout restrictions apply to all games?
Blackouts affect games involving your local market team. If you live in Chicago, for example, Cubs and White Sox games are blacked out on MLB.TV during the live broadcast. The games become available on-demand about 90 minutes after they end. Nationally broadcast games on ESPN, Fox, and TBS are also blacked out on MLB.TV while airing on those channels.
#Will YouTube TV lower its price since it dropped MLB Network?
YouTube TV has not reduced its price after removing MLB Network. The service actually raised its price to $72.99 in early 2023, right around the same time it lost the channel. Price reductions for dropped channels are rare in the streaming industry.
#Can I watch spring training games without MLB Network?
MLB.TV streams most spring training games live starting in late February. That is your best option if YouTube TV is your primary service. MLB Network also broadcasts select spring training games, so a Sling TV or fuboTV subscription during February and March gives you that coverage.
#How do I switch from YouTube TV to fuboTV?
Cancel your YouTube TV subscription from the settings menu in the YouTube TV app or at tv.youtube.com. Then sign up at fubo.tv and download the fuboTV app on your streaming device. Your YouTube TV recordings stay available for 21 days after cancellation, giving you time to transition.