ESPN and Major League Baseball have announced a major rights agreement that shifts how fans will watch baseball beginning in 2026. The new partnership gives ESPN national games, exclusive streaming access to MLB.TV, and new in‑market rights. It also strengthens Disney’s broader push into direct‑to‑consumer sports.
MLB.TV Moves to the ESPN App
Starting in 2026, MLB.TV will stream on the ESPN App. Fans can watch thousands of out‑of‑market games live and on demand. This move unifies ESPN’s sports library and places baseball next to ESPN’s existing schedule of national broadcasts.
New MLB.TV subscribers will sign up directly through ESPN. Existing subscribers can still use MLB platforms but will gain ESPN App access. The deep integration continues Disney’s effort to centralize sports in one destination.
New In‑Market Streaming Rights
The new deal also gives ESPN exclusive, local in‑market streaming rights for several MLB clubs. Those teams include:
- San Diego Padres
- Cleveland Guardians
- Seattle Mariners
- Minnesota Twins
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- Colorado Rockies
Fans in those markets will gain new streaming access options through MLB platforms.
A New National Game Package
ESPN will add a new 30‑game national MLB package. Most games will air on weeknights during the summer. The network will continue its exclusive rights to the MLB Little League Classic. It also adds rights to Memorial Day games and second‑half season openers.
Subscribers to ESPN Unlimited will also get more than 150 out‑of‑market matchups each season as a “game of the day” offering.
A Bigger Direct‑to‑Consumer Push
This agreement follows a series of major sports streaming moves by Disney and ESPN. Recent deals have expanded direct‑to‑consumer access for:
- NFL content on ESPN+ and Disney platforms
- UFC and WWE rights under the TKO partnership
- PGA, NHL, and college sports
Together, these deals point to a long‑planned shift: ESPN transforming into a full streaming destination. MLB.TV joining the ESPN App is one of the most significant steps yet.
What It Means for Fans
For baseball fans, the new structure creates a single hub for national games, out‑of‑market games, and in‑market games for select teams. It also brings ESPN’s interactive features to MLB.TV streams.
For Disney fans who follow the company’s streaming evolution, the move shows how deeply the company is investing in sports as the foundation for direct‑to‑consumer growth. This agreement improves the value of ESPN’s future stand‑alone streaming service and strengthens Disney’s competitive position.
Our Thoughts
This deal brings sports fans closer to a unified experience. MLB.TV joining ESPN is a major moment in Disney’s streaming strategy. For fans, it means easier access, more games, and a streamlined viewing experience. Disney continues to build toward a future where ESPN is a complete streaming service—and baseball is now a centerpiece of that plan. our only questoins, does this mean the winner of the World Series is going to Dinsey World?
