MLB Launches Standalone Streaming Service for MLB Network, Separating from MLB.TV

Major League Baseball (MLB) is launching its flagship MLB Network channel as a direct-to-consumer (D2C) service, independent from its existing MLB.TV streaming platform.

The new service is available immediately, but MLB Network will remain part of MLB.TV subscriptions in the United States until the end of the current season in September.

Previously, fans could access MLB Network through their MLB.TV subscription costs $133.99 (€129) annually or $29.99 monthly for the 'all teams' package, and $119.99 annually for a single team.

Starting next season, MLB Network will be offered as a standalone service at $5.99 per month.

An additional option, "MLB Network + At Bat," will be available for $6.99 per month, which includes live game audio for all 30 teams, Minor League Baseball games, and access to "Big Inning," a daily highlight show.

While MLB.TV provides out-of-market live game coverage for all 30 teams, and MLB Network offers 24/7 programming dedicated to the league.

This includes flagship shows like "MLB Tonight," a nightly studio show with live game look-ins and analysis, and "MLB Now," a debate show about daily baseball events.

Other shows like "MLB Central," "High Heat," "Off Base," "International Talk," "Quick Pitch," "Big Inning," and "Play Ball" will now only be available through the standalone MLB Network service and not on MLB.TV.

MLB Network is exclusive to the U.S. market and also features live game windows, though these are subject to local market blackouts, resulting in alternative programming for affected viewers.

The channel's "MLB Network Showcase" broadcasts non-exclusive games every other night and simulcasts games from local TV broadcasters, along with a series of afternoon games throughout the regular season.

In addition to the D2C option, MLB Network remains available through pay-TV providers like AT&T-U-verse, Comcast, DirecTV, and Fubo.

Both MLB.TV and MLB Network can be accessed by consumers without a pay-TV provider, and the channel is available on all top-ten video operators in the U.S.

MLB Network first launched as a linear channel in 2009, making MLB the fourth major North American sports league to have its own 24-hour cable network.

This season's out-of-market broadcast of the Orioles vs. Red Sox game on MLB Network was the second most-watched regular-season game ever on the network.

According to Nielsen, MLB Network was available in over 31 million U.S. households, though this number has nearly halved from its peak of 70 million around 2015.

Bill Morningstar, president of MLB Network, commented, "As the way viewers consume content continues to evolve, we are excited for baseball fans to have this new option to experience MLB Network through direct-to-consumer streaming. Going this direction will allow us to significantly expand our reach to fans and give them more choices on how they want to watch the Network's Emmy Award-winning coverage."

Compared to other major U.S. sports' D2C services, MLB.TV is priced higher, but the MLB Network standalone offering aligns with NBA TV.

NBA League Pass, like MLB.TV, offers a comprehensive service and also includes NBA TV.

NBA TV as a standalone product costs $6.99 per month or $29.99 per season, while NBA League Pass ranges from $14.99 per month to $149.99 per season.

NFL's OTT platform, NFL+, which includes live broadcasts of in-market games on mobile devices and NFL Network, is priced at $6.99 per month or $49.99 per year, with a premium option at $14.99 monthly or $99.99 annually.