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If you’re a baseball fan looking for ways to watch the game online, you’ve probably wondered: Is baseball on Hulu? Hulu is one of the leading streaming platforms that offers a wide variety of TV shows, movies, and sports content. However, when it comes to baseball, fans may find themselves asking whether they can catch their favorite teams or games on this platform.
In this article, we will dive into the availability of baseball on Hulu, explain how to access MLB games on the platform, and explore some other ways you can watch the sport if Hulu isn’t the best option for you. Whether you’re a die-hard MLB fan or just someone looking to catch a game, we’ve got you covered with all the essential details.
What Does Hulu Offer for Baseball Fans?
Hulu has become a go-to streaming service for many, providing not only a vast selection of TV shows and movies but also access to live sports. However, when it comes to baseball, things can be a bit tricky. Hulu itself does not broadcast live Major League Baseball (MLB) games, but there are ways to watch baseball through the platform with the right subscription and add-ons.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is a subscription plan that provides access to live broadcasts of sports, news, and entertainment, in addition to Hulu’s on-demand library. Through this plan, you can watch channels that broadcast MLB games, including ESPN, FS1, and local regional sports networks. These channels are available in the Hulu + Live TV package, but keep in mind that the availability of these channels depends on your location, as regional sports networks (RSNs) might vary by area.
MLB on ESPN, FS1, and Regional Networks
While Hulu itself doesn’t air MLB games directly, several sports networks that broadcast baseball games are available on Hulu + Live TV. Here are the most common options for watching baseball through Hulu:
- ESPN: ESPN is one of the biggest sports broadcasters in the U.S., airing MLB games, including “Sunday Night Baseball” and various highlight shows like “Baseball Tonight.” You can watch MLB games that air on ESPN through Hulu + Live TV. This gives you access to nationally broadcasted MLB games, including regular season games and special events like the MLB All-Star Game.
- FS1 (Fox Sports 1): FS1 often broadcasts MLB games, including select national broadcasts of regular season games. You can access FS1 with a Hulu + Live TV subscription and catch games like the “MLB Game of the Week” and other national matchups.
- Regional Sports Networks (RSNs): Local MLB teams often have broadcasting deals with regional sports networks like AT&T SportsNet, NESN, or YES Network. These networks cover the local games of teams like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, or Chicago Cubs. Hulu + Live TV offers some RSNs depending on your location, allowing you to watch the local MLB games of your favorite team.
Hulu’s Partnership with ESPN+
For those who are really looking for a deep dive into baseball content, Hulu also has a partnership with ESPN+. ESPN+ is another streaming service owned by Disney, which also owns Hulu. ESPN+ gives you access to additional MLB content, including exclusive coverage of certain games, documentaries, and original shows. However, ESPN+ does not offer full live MLB game coverage for all teams, but it is a great add-on for fans who want more baseball content beyond the live broadcasts.
MLB.TV Add-On
For the most dedicated baseball fans, the MLB.TV add-on is available through Hulu + Live TV. This is an official MLB service that streams all out-of-market MLB games, meaning you can watch games of teams that are not available in your local area. The MLB.TV add-on allows fans to watch every game for every team, except for those games that are blacked out due to regional broadcasting rights.
However, it’s important to note that this add-on is not included in the basic Hulu + Live TV subscription. You will need to purchase it separately for an additional cost. With MLB.TV, you can access nearly every regular-season game, but the service does not include postseason games like the World Series.
Hulu’s MLB Coverage During the Playoffs
While Hulu + Live TV provides access to regular season games, the MLB postseason offers a different experience. The MLB playoffs, including the National League Championship Series (NLCS) and the World Series, are broadcasted on national networks like Fox, FS1, and TBS. These channels are available through Hulu + Live TV, which means you can catch all the action of the MLB postseason with the service.
Additionally, if you’re a fan of MLB highlights, Hulu offers a variety of baseball-related content. You can watch sports analysis, game highlights, and talk shows like “Baseball Tonight” through Hulu’s library if you have a subscription.
Alternative Ways to Watch Baseball
While Hulu provides access to some MLB content, it may not be the go-to platform for hardcore baseball fans who want full coverage of every game. If you’re looking for other ways to watch baseball, here are a few alternatives:
1. MLB.TV
If you’re looking for full access to every MLB game, MLB.TV is the best option. The MLB’s official streaming service provides access to all regular-season games, except for those that are subject to blackout restrictions based on your location. MLB.TV is available on a subscription basis, with two options: the Single Team option (which allows you to watch all games of one specific team) or the All Teams option (which provides access to every game across the league).
2. YouTube TV
YouTube TV is another streaming service that offers access to several sports channels, including ESPN, FS1, and RSNs, just like Hulu + Live TV. YouTube TV also includes coverage of MLB games, including national broadcasts and local games (depending on your location). It’s another solid option for watching baseball games.
3. Sling TV
Sling TV is a budget-friendly streaming service that offers ESPN, FS1, and RSNs as part of its subscription plans. You can use Sling TV to watch MLB games, though you might need to add specific channel packages for RSNs depending on your area.
4. FuboTV
FuboTV is a streaming service focused on sports and offers a wide selection of sports channels, including those that broadcast MLB games. FuboTV provides access to ESPN, FS1, and RSNs, which makes it a great option for baseball fans.
5. Peacock and Apple TV+
Both Peacock and Apple TV+ have secured broadcast deals with MLB for exclusive Friday night games. These games are available for free (in the case of Apple TV+) or through a subscription (Peacock). If you’re a fan of these exclusive broadcasts, it’s worth checking out these platforms for additional MLB action.
Conclusion
While Hulu does not directly broadcast MLB games, the service offers baseball coverage through its Hulu + Live TV package, which includes channels like ESPN, FS1, and regional sports networks. These channels will give you access to a wide variety of live MLB games, both national and regional, along with additional baseball content through the ESPN+ add-on.
For the most dedicated baseball fans, the MLB.TV add-on is available for even more comprehensive coverage, including all out-of-market games. If you want full access to every MLB game, consider MLB.TV or other streaming services like YouTube TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV.
Ultimately, Hulu is a good choice for watching MLB games on a national level, but it may not cover every game or provide the extensive options some fans may want. Depending on your specific needs and preferences, you may need to explore additional streaming platforms.
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