From SoCal watch the Dodgers on Spectrum Sportsnet LA with DIRECTV STREAM “Choice.” Out-of-market, add MLB.TV to ESPN+ to get access to Dodger’s regular season games.
Table of Contents
In this Dodgers viewing guide, I will walk you through the best options for streaming MLB games in Los Angeles, as well as the latest free trials. At present, DIRECTV STREAM is the only live TV streaming service that carries Spectrum SportsNet LA, the regional sports network that broadcasts Dodgers games to local fans in and around Los Angeles.
The only option for live streaming Spectrum SportsNet LA. | $99.99 / month | 5 Day Free Trial |
For out-of-market Dodger fans. | $24.99 / month | Signup for MLB.TV on ESPN+ |
Today’s game
Important channels
The Dodgers are part owners of their regional sports network, Spectrum SportsNet LA. Spectrum SportsNet LA broadcasts most Dodgers games during the regular season to fans in Southern California.
| DIRECTV STREAM – Choice | FuboTV Sports Lite | Fubo | Hulu + Live TV | YouTube TV | Sling Orange | |
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| $99.99 / month | $84.99 / month | $74.99 / month | $69.99 / month | $72.99 / month | $35 / month |
For fans in Los Angeles
According to the Spectrum SportsNet LA website, the following California counties, and markets, are considered in-market for Dodgers games, and will be able to tune into the channel for Dodgers baseball.
SportsNet LA is available in all areas Dodgers fans could previously watch games (subject to agreements with local providers). That area stretches from Fresno County to the north to Orange County and Imperial County to the south. It also includes Hawaii and Clark County, NV. A full list of CA counties that can receive the networks is as follows: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura.
Spectrum Sportsnet la faq page
DirecTV Stream “Choice” is the streaming service carrying Spectrum SportsNet LA (Dodgers) and Spectrum SportsNet, which is the home of the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Galaxy soccer, and Sparks WNBA hoops.
DirecTV Stream also carries Bally Sports West, home of the Angels, Clippers, Mighty Ducks, and Kings.
When you factor in DirecTV Stream’s full coverage of local channels, like FOX and CBS which allow LA NFL fans to stream the Rams and Chargers, there is a lot of value for DirecTV Stream “Choice” subscribers in SoCal.
Pros
- Full Dodgers coverage from SoCal
- Lakers games
- Rams and Chargers on Sundays
- AL and NL Playoffs
- Free trial
Cons
- No MLB.TV add-on
Outside SoCal
Outside of the territories listed above, fans will need to purchase MLB.TV in order to follow the Dodgers.
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 LA Dodgers games. If you want to follow just one team all summer, the rate drops to a one time annual fee of $109.99.
ESPN+ plays one out-of-market MLB game every day during the regular season. You can’t follow the Dodgers season this way, but you can watch a fun lineup of out-of-market baseball games, which will sometimes include the Dodgers.
Read our ESPN+ review.
National TV
- As a major market team with a national fan base, the Dodgers will appear on national TV quite often.
- When the Dodgers are on national TV, ESPN, FS1, FOX, MLB Network, or TBS will carry the game.
- Apple’s games will be Friday doubleheaders and Peacock’s will be on Sunday mornings.
- When the Dodgers are in a national game, or a streaming exclusive, Spectrum SportsNet LA will be blacked out.
Unfortunately, YouTube TV doesn’t carry the Dodgers regional sports network, Spectrum Sportsnet LA, so MLB fans in SoCal can’t watch the Dodgers every night on YouTube TV. When the Dodgers are in the MLB playoffs, YouTube TV will carry the games that air on ESPN, TBS, FS1, and FOX.
During the regular season, in-market Dodgers fans can watch the Dodgers on YouTube TV when the team appears on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, or TBS’s Tuesday Night Baseball.
Pros
- 4K upgrade
- Rams and Chargers on Sundays
- AL and NL Playoffs
- Free trial
Cons
- No Spectrum Sportsnet LA
- No Spectrum Sportsnet
Dodgers fans can watch the team in national games and the playoffs and World Series on Hulu, but not on Spectrum Sportsnet LA.
Pros
- ESPN, FS1, FOX, and TBS
- Rams and Chargers on Sundays
- AL and NL Playoffs
- Free trial
Cons
- No Spectrum Sportsnet LA
- No Spectrum Sportsnet
Sling Orange is a cost effective way to watch nationally televised MLB games on ESPN and TBS. You have to add the more expensive Blue package to get FS1 and FOX.
Pros
- ESPN and TBS at a budget price
Cons
- No Spectrum Sportsnet LA
- No FOX or FS1 without upgrade
If you live in SoCal, the most likely reason you can’t get the Dodgers game on is because the team is featured in a streaming exclusive game. MLB has sold off the rights to a chunk of games to Apple TV+, Peacock, and YouTube, and when the Dodgers appear in one of these games, you can only watch on the streaming service that carries the game. For example, when the Dodgers are on Apple’s Friday Night Baseball, the only way to watch is on Apple TV+.
Spectrum Sportsnet LA will broadcast almost every Dodgers spring training game, however, there will be some holes in coverage with Spectrum Sportsnet LA for national broadcasts.