MLB fans in SoCal can watch the Dodgers live without cable 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.
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If you can’t make it to Dodger Stadium to watch the Dodgers in person this season, you can live stream Dodgers baseball on a host of different devices, including Roku and Amazon Fire TV, on DIRECTV STREAM. 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+ |
The most important channels for Dodgers fans
Like YES Network with the Yankees, and MASN for the Nationals and Orioles, 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.
When the Dodgers are on national TV, ESPN, FS1, FOX, MLB Network, or TBS will carry the game. To make matters more confusing, and expensive for MLB fans, Apple TV+ and Peacock both have purchased the rights to their own regular season games, which will be streamed exclusively on their platforms. 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.
| DIRECTV STREAM – Choice | FuboTV Sports Lite | Fubo | Hulu + Live TV | Sling Orange & Blue | YouTube TV | |
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| $99.99 / month | $84.99 / month | $74.99 / month | $69.99 / month | $50 / month | $72.99 / 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 – great option for LA Dodgers and LA sports
At present, DirecTV Stream “Choice” is the only live TV streaming service to reach terms with the Dodgers and their partners on a carriage agreement to broadcast Spectrum SportsNet LA. If you want to cut the cord and watch the Dodgers, then DirecTV Stream is currently the only game in town.
Although we prefer some other streaming services, like YouTube TV and fuboTV to DirecTV Stream, there are advantages of signing up with the DirecTV Stream “Choice” package. Not only is DirecTV Stream the only platform to carry Spectrum SportsNet LA, they are also the only option for streaming Spectrum SportsNet, which is the home of the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Galaxy soccer, and Sparks WNBA hoops.
DirecTV Stream is also the only streaming service to carry 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.
See also: How to watch the Los Angeles Angels live without cable
If you don’t live in LA
Outside of the territories listed above, fans will need to purchase MLB.TV in order to get Dodgers action all season.
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+ – watch out-of-market baseball
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.
How to watch the Dodgers on YouTube TV
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.
When the Dodgers are on national TV or on Apple or Peacock
As a major market team with a national fan base, the Dodgers will appear on national TV quite often. When this happens, Spectrum SportsNet LA will be blacked out. Here is how to watch the Dodgers when they take the national stage.
Dodgers live stream FAQ
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 in 2023, however, there will be some holes in coverage with Spectrum Sportsnet LA on March 11th and the 23rd.