• Loading stock data...
Thursday, January 1, 2026

MLB TV Off to Record Start

  • Baseball is back and the league’s streaming service, MLB TV, has knocked it out of the park.
  • More than 1.34 billion minutes of live games have been watched on the platform.
Major League Baseball TV start season fast in 2021.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

Major League Baseball is back in full swing — and its official streaming service MLB TV is knocking it out of the park

Thanks to a season start with lots of no-hitters and games that feel like October, MLB TV is experiencing significant audience growth. 

More than 1.34 billion minutes of live games were watched on MLB TV from Opening Day through April 18, a 12% uptick from the same period last season and 43% compared to 2019, according to Major League Baseball.

Total games watched on MLB TV is up 22% compared to last season and 35% compared to 2019.

An extra-innings game between the Blue Jays and Yankees on Opening Day ended up being the most-watched game in MLB TV history. 

ESPN is also reaping the benefits. Through the first two weeks of the season, the network’s weekly “Sunday Night Baseball” broadcast experienced a 33% increase in viewership compared to the 2020 full-season average. 

Perhaps best of all? Fans are back in the stands. 

Through the first three weekends, more than 2.2 million fans made a trip to the ballpark.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 1, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; A general view out side of Citi Field. The game between the New York Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers was postponed due to impending weather.

Can the Mets Avoid 2025’s Spectacular Failure?

The team lost its four longest-tenured players in the offseason.

Sports Media Winners and Losers of 2025

Who was up and who was down in sports media this year?
Nov 3, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani acknowledges the crowd during the World Series championship parade at downtown Los Angeles

It Was the Year of Shohei Ohtani (Again)

The two-way superstar has a massive year on and off the field.

Biggest Questions Looming for 7 Leagues in 2026

Leagues are facing questions that will shape their impact going into 2026.

Featured Today

Heated Rivalry (L to R) - Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov and Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander in Episode 104 of Heated Rivalry. Cr. Sabrina Lantos © 2025

Hockey Needed Some Virality. Then Came ‘Heated Rivalry’

No one was prepared for the Canadian show’s smash success.
Rob Manfred
exclusive
December 23, 2025

MLB Teams Fear League Will Pick Winners and Losers in Tech

One company under consideration was founded by a top MLB exec’s uncle.
December 23, 2025

What It Takes to Pull Off Florida’s First Outdoor NHL Game

The Rangers will face the Panthers in Miami’s first NHL Winter Classic.
December 14, 2025

How Pickleball Became One Massive Private-Equity Rollup

Pickleball roads lead back to billionaire Tom Dundon.
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) carries the ball defended by Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) in the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium.

NFL Sets Streaming Record on Christmas

The new milestone arrives in a game with minimal competitive implications.
Liam McHugh
December 29, 2025

Liam McHugh Says ‘NHL on TNT’ Is ‘Like a Hockey Locker Room’

McHugh talked to FOS ahead of the Winter Classic in Miami.
NCAA Womens Basketball: Cal Poly SLO at UCLA
December 29, 2025

‘No Media Here’: UCLA Women’s Basketball Coach Rips Lack of Coverage

Her comments started a wider debate about women’s college hoops coverage.
Sponsored

The CFP Bowl Game Tickets Everyone Wants

The second 12-team College Football Playoff is in full swing and tickets to these games are selling at a premium.
December 25, 2025

Charles Barkley Calls ‘Greedy’ NFL ‘Pigs’ for Christmas Day Games

Barkley said Christmas should be for the NBA.
December 24, 2025

How Tom Brady Has Improved in Year 2 on Fox

A veteran Fox NFL producer told FOS what has improved.
Dec 13, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NBA on Amazon announcers (from left) Taylor Rooks, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Blake Griffin and Udonis Haslem during the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals at T-Mobile Arena.
December 23, 2025

Biggest Sports Media Talent Moves of 2025

Netflix jumped into the sports podcast business.
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Pat McAfee reacts prior to the game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Texas A&M Aggies during the first round of the CFP National Playoff at Kyle Field.
December 23, 2025

Say It Ain’t So, Pat: Is McAfee Ending Kicking Contest?

The College GameDay star hinted it was the last kick on Saturday.