Watch the 2024 MLB Playoffs, from Wildcard through the World Series, live without cable on ESPN, FOX, FS1, and TBS.
Table of Contents
Several long term TV contract extensions have made watching the MLB playoffs this year, and in seasons to come, dead simple. In this MLB Playoff and World Series viewing guide, I will list the best options for live streaming each round of the 2024 MLB Playoffs.
The 2024 MLB playoffs can only appear on one of 4 channels, ESPN, FOX, FS1, and TBS.
- The MLB Wild Card rounds will air exclusively on ESPN
- The NL playoffs will be covered by FS1
- The AL playoffs covered by TBS
- The World Series will then be available on FOX exclusively
DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV carry the full slate of MLB playoff games regardless of location, whereas Sling TV carries the entire MLB schedule in select markets only. Our top pick, DIRECTV STREAM, carries every channel you need to watch every MLB playoff game, plus the largest selection of regional sports networks for watching next year’s regular season.
Watch ESPN, FS1, TBS, and FOX, plus a large selection of regional sports networks. | $74.99 / month | Free 5 Day Trial |
Watch ESPN, FS1, and FOX. Upgrade to watch FOX in 4K. | $74.99 / month | 7 Day Free Trial |
Watch the entire lineup of MLB Playoff games in 2023. 4K plus add-on available to new users for just $4.99 per month. | $72.99 / month | 14 Day Free Trial |
Time needed: 15 minutes
How to live stream every MLB playoff and World Series Game
- Signup for a live TV streaming service that carries ESPN, FS1, FOX, and TBS
Due to long term TV contracts with major media partners, MLB playoff games can only appear on 4 channels; ESPN, FS1, FOX, and TBS. Fans can live stream the MLB postseason by signing up for any of these services: DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV (in select markets).
- Download the app
Download the app of the live TV streaming service you signed up for to your phone, tablet, or smart TV.
- Start streaming the MLB Playoffs
Once your live TV streaming service app has been installed, follow the prompts to watch the MLB playoffs on ESPN, FS1, FOX, and TBS.
MLB Playoff Channels
In the easy to use table below, I have listed the 4 channels that will broadcast the entirety of the MLB playoffs, as well as the live TV streaming services that carry each one. DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV all offer complete coverage in all markets, whereas Sling TV offers full coverage in select major markets.
| DIRECTV STREAM | ESPN Plus | Fubo | Hulu + Live TV | Sling Orange | YouTube TV | Sling Orange & Blue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| |||||||
| |||||||
| $74.99 / month | $9.99 / month | $74.99 / month | $69.99 / month | $35 / month | $72.99 / month | $50 / month |
Best streaming options
DIRECTV STREAM carries all the channels you need to watch the 2023 MLB Playoffs and World Series in the base package, as well as the largest library of regional sports networks, including the YES Network, MASN, and Spectrum Sportsnet, Spectrum Sportsnet LA, for watching the regular season when baseball begins next summer.
Unfortunately, you can’t watch the MLB playoffs or World Series in 4K on DIRECTV STREAM.
Pros
- Full MLB playoff coverage
- Excellent selection of regional sports networks
- 5 day free trial
Cons
- Can’t watch FOX broadcasts in 4K
Hulu + Live TV carries all the channels you need to live stream the 2023 MLB Playoffs and World Series in the base package, including FS1.
Pros
- Full MLB playoff coverage
Cons
- Can’t watch FOX in 4K
Yes, YouTube TV carries ESPN, FS1, FOX, and TBS, all in the base package, which gives MLB fans complete coverage of the 2023 MLB playoffs. As an added bonus, YouTube TV is our top pick for watching out-of-market baseball with their MLB.TV add-on.
Pros
- Full MLB Playoff coverage
- FOX and World Series in 4K
- NFL Sunday Ticket
- 14 day free trial
Cons
- Lacks Bally Sports regional sports networks, YES Network, Spectrum Sportsnet LA, and more
Unfortunately, FS1 and ESPN aren’t included together in either of Sling TV’s base offerings, so an upgrade to the more expensive Orange & Blue is required to watch the MLB playoffs prior to the World Series. And, because Sling TV only carries NBC and FOX in select markets, you can’t watch the World Series everywhere with Sling.
You can watch the World Series on your local FOX affiliate on Sling TV in these markets:
- Austin
- New York
- Charlotte
- Gainesville
- Philadelphia
- Chicago
- Detroit
- Washington D.C.
- Atlanta
- Houston
- Phoenix
- Seattle
- Los Angeles
- Orlando
- Tampa
- Dallas
- Minneapolis / St. Paul
- San Francisco / San Jose / Oakland
Pros
- 18 major markets will have access to full MLB playoff coverage on Sling Orange & Blue
Cons
- An upgrade to Orange & Blue is required to get full coverage
- Full coverage limited to select markets only
- Better overall options for the money
Fubo is a great option for watching the 2023 World Series, including in 4K, as well as the AL Playoffs, but the lack of TBS means you can’t watch the NL Playoffs after the Wildcard round on Fubo.
Pros
- Wildcard coverage on ESPN
- Full AL Playoff coverage
- World Series in 4K
- 7 day free trial
Cons
- Lacks TBS
- Can’t watch the NL Playoffs on Fubo
- Better overall options for the money
Watch on your phone
If you are already paying for FOX with a cable TV account, you can use your email and password to login to the FOX Sports app to watch the AL Playoffs and World Series, including in 4K if your device supports ultra high definition. The cool thing about streaming sports on the FOX sports app is the platform offers 4K streaming even when your pay TV package doesn’t.
Although 4K streaming isn’t supported, the same “TV Everywhere” principle applies to TBS, with the TBS app, or for Max subscribers, on the MAX app.