The Major League Baseball season is one of the longest of any sport. This offers an exciting prospect to baseball fans to watch 100+ games over the course of the year. But now it is time to get down to business. How can a serious baseball fan catch every strikeout and home run during the exciting first day of action?
Viewers have three options when it comes to watching MLB opening day: nationally broadcast games on ESPN, coverage on MLB Network, and games on local and regional networks.
ESPN will typically nationally broadcast a prime game on MLB Opening Day. In addition to this live-action, MLB Network will customarily provide drop-ins on games across the country throughout MLB Opening Day. The first day of the MLB regular season is also covered by regional networks, but the availability of this could be affected by content blackouts.
Live TV streaming services for MLB Opening Day
Select nationally broadcasted games on MLB Opening Day will be available to stream via ESPN’s apps and web players. MLB Network is available on select streaming platforms. ESPN+ will stream one game and MLB.TV is also available on ESPN+ for those who want to watch out-of-market games. The channel can also be viewed via several live video streaming providers, such as:
DIRECTV STREAM – ESPN channels are carried by several DIRECTV STREAM packages, including the provider’s cheapest offering, Entertainment ($74.99/mo.). Upgrade to the Choice plan to watch live games on MLB Network for $99.99/mo. The choice plan includes most regional sports networks to watch games in-market.
Hulu + Live TV – ESPN’s coverage of MLB Opening Day can be watched on Hulu + Live TV. The service includes the channel in its lineup for $69.99/mo. Plus the service includes ESPN+ and local games on select RSNs.
Fubo – Fubo’s Pro plan offers live MLB Opening Day games on ESPN for $74.99 per month. The fubo Extra add-on gives you live games on MLB Network for $7.99 per month. If you live in-market of an RSN that is carried on Fubo, the Pro plan starts at $85.98.
Sling TV – MLB Opening Day coverage on ESPN will be available on either Sling TV Orange ($40/mo.) or through the provider’s premium Sling Blue + Orange ($55/mo.) package. With the Sports Extra add-on, subscribers can watch live MLB Opening Day Games on MLB Network for $11/mo.
WatchESPN – Live streams of ESPN’s coverage will be available through the network’s WatchESPN mobile app. It is available through major app stores, such as the Apple App Store or Google Play. Viewers will need to sign in to the service using their TV or streaming provider login details.
Vidgo – Watch national MLB Opening Day contests on ESPN and MLB Network with the Plus plan from Vidgo for only $69.99 per month.
YouTube TV – ESPN’s MLB Opening Day live broadcasts will be available through YouTube TV, which costs $72.99/mo.
Another option open to stream MLB Opening Day is MLB.TV, which enables viewers to watch every out-of-market game across the league. The service offers several subscription options, such as access to 1 team for $129.99/yr., or access to all MLB franchises for $24.99/mo. or $149.99/yr. MLB.TV is also available through Amazon Prime Video, which lets customers add it as a channel for $24.99/mo. or $149.99/yr. on top of their regular subscription. MLB.TV is also available with ESPN+ for $34.98/mo. or $249.98/yr.
How to watch MLB Opening Day with an antenna
Baseball fans can tune into MLB Opening Day by using an antenna to pick up local channels airing the event. Devices like Tablo DVR or HDHomeRun permit users to watch local content through an antenna hooked up to an Apple TV, Fire TV, or Roku system. Fans will only have access to local games broadcast on network TV when using an antenna. For more information about channels and services available, visit Antenna Web.
The final cut
MLB Opening Day will see all of the league’s teams in action. ESPN will be the go-to channel for Opening Day live action with select national broadcasts, which will be available via streaming providers such as DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, Vidgo, and YouTube TV. Viewers can also enjoy the action on ESPN’s mobile apps. Just remember that ESPN+ and ESPN do not feature the same content.
Further opening day games will be available on MLB Network and MLB.TV, which can also be watched through various streaming providers. Viewers who are interested in catching the primetime Opening Day games on the cheap by can do so by signing up for a free trial with any streaming service that carries ESPN.
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