New for 2023, MLB fans in northern Ohio can watch the Guardians on Bally Sports Great Lakes with fuboTV and Bally Sports +, as well as DIRECTV STREAM “Choice.” Out-of-market, the best choice is to signup for MLB.TV.
DIRECTV STREAM is the only live TV streaming provider that pairs Bally Sports Great Lakes, the regional sports network that broadcasts the Guardians, with unlimited DVR.
Bally Sports Great Lakes, ESPN, TBS, WOIO Cleveland CBS 19 for Browns games, and more. | $99.99 / month | 5 Day Free Trial |
Bally Sports Great Lakes, ESPN, TBS, WOIO Cleveland CBS 19 for Browns games, and more. | $74.99 / month | 7 Day Free Trial |
OUT-OF-MARKET. ONLY a good option out-of-market. | $24.99 / month | Sign Up for MLB.TV |
The most important channels for Guardians fans
Although the channel is subject to MLB blackout rules, Bally Sports Great Lakes broadcasts in-market Guardians games during the regular season, Cleveland fans will also want access to ESPN, FOX, FS1, TBS, and MLB Network for national broadcasts and can consider Apple TV+ and Peacock for the handful of exclusive games they have gobbled up.
| DIRECTV STREAM – Choice | Fubo | Hulu + Live TV | Sling TV Blue + Sports Extra | YouTube TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| $99.99 / month | $74.99 / month | $69.99 / month | $46 / month | $72.99 / month |
For local Guardians fans
DirecTV Stream
If you want to watch the Guardians in-market, currently the only option is DirecTV Stream “Choice.” In addition to Bally Sports Great Lakes, DirecTV Stream is the only provider that carries Bally Sports Ohio, the home of Cavs basketball, Blue Jackets hockey, Reds baseball, and Columbus Crew soccer.
Although neither Bally Sports Great Lakes nor Ohio carries Browns games, DirecTV Stream carries CBS, which means Cleveland fans can watch the Browns on WOIO, CBS 19.
Outside of Cleveland
Bally Sports Great Lakes is available in northern and central Ohio, northwest PA, and southwest NY. Outside of those areas, MLB.TV will be your best bet for watching Guardians games.
MLB.TV is the premium out-of-market option for MLB fans. With MLB.TV fans can circumvent the regional broadcast rules and watch any game they like, including Guardians games. If you want to follow just one team all summer, the rate drops to a one time annual fee of $109.99.
When the Guardians are on national TV
To watch the Guardians on national TV when Bally Sports Great Lakes is blacked out, use this comprehensive guide.