The St. Louis Cardinals just threw a major curveball at the old regional-sports-network model ahead of the upcoming MLB season. For 2026, Major League Baseball will produce and distribute all in-market Cardinals games under the new Cardinals.TV label, and fans can stream games directly through the MLB App or watch on cable/satellite once carriers finalize channel placements. If you want to watch the Birds this spring, here’s exactly what changed and what you should do next.
Cardinals.TV Launch Date & Price
- On-sale date: Cardinals.TV streaming packages go on sale February 10, 2026.
- Price: $99.99 for the full season or $19.99 per month for in-market subscribers. You’ll be able to buy a subscription through MLB.com or the MLB App.
In-market Cardinals fans will stream every local, in-market Cardinals broadcast on the MLB App (no in-market blackouts for local broadcasts). National exclusives (ESPN, FOX, NBC/Peacock) remain subject to national blackout rules. If you live outside the Cardinals’ home TV territory, you’ll still use the standard MLB.TV package to watch Cardinals games. (check availability by ZIP Code in the MLB App). Additionally, by Opening Day, pay-TV authentication for Cardinals.TV will be available.
“Our top priority is making sure that Cardinals fans can watch their team as easily as possible,” said Anuk Karunaratne, Cardinals Senior Vice President of Business Operations. “Whether you prefer cable, satellite, or streaming, you’ll have uninterrupted access to every in-market game through this new model. MLB brings world-class production capabilities, and we’re excited about what this means for the future of Cardinals broadcasts.”
Why the Cardinals Made the Move
The RSN landscape is collapsing, and teams are exploring safer, modern ways to get their games to fans. In recent months, FanDuel’s RSN play reportedly missed rights payments and ran into severe cash-flow trouble, prompting MLB and several clubs to reconsider how local rights are handled. MLB has already stepped in to produce and distribute games for other teams; the Cardinals now join that growing group.
The Cardinals become the eighth club whose local games MLB will produce and distribute (joining teams like the Diamondbacks, Guardians, Padres, Rockies, Twins, Mariners, and Nationals). Washington recently launched Nationals.TV under a similar MLB-run model, so this is part of a clear leaguewide pivot away from traditional RSNs.
As more subscribers ditch cable, cord cutting has drained pay-TV revenue, causing instability in the old local-rights model. This has forced MLB and several clubs to look for alternatives fast to ensure fans aren’t left in the dark. From new streaming partners to league-run channels, MLB is changing the way America’s Pastime is delivered in a streaming-first world.