Tuesday, April 21, 2026

MLB.tv Sets New Viewership Records in 20th Season

  • The out-of-market streaming service saw a neary 10% increase in minutes watched.
  • Yankees-Red Sox season opener was the most-streamed game of the season.
MLB
Richard Mackson/USA TODAY Sports

The Mets’ collapse in the NL East. Aaron Judge and Albert Pujols pursuing records. The Dodgers sealing up the NL West on Sept. 12 en route to 111 wins, the most by any NL team since 1906.

That and more led to an MLB.tv viewers to record viewership in 2022. 

MLB.tv’s subscribers watched more than 11.5 billion minutes of baseball, a nearly 10% increase over 2021, according to an MLB news release.

The increase is an indication the streaming boom hasn’t abated.

MLB.tv started off strong is in its 20th season of streaming out-of-market games, with more than 1.34 billion minutes watched through the first dozen games — a 12% increase over last season. 

The most-streamed game in MLB.tv history came this season between two teams that are on TV more than “The Big Bang Theory” reruns: the Red Sox. vs. Yankees on April 8 — the first games of the season for both teams. 

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 17, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Sean Manaea (59) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field.

High-Spending Mets Aren’t Alone in Their Losing Ways

Despite a hefty payroll, the club’s losing streak is its longest since 2004.
Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lane Thomas (15) celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Kauffman Stadium.

Kansas City Okays $600M for New Royals Stadium

The MLB club must still complete the rest of its stadium financing plan.

Padres Sale Set to Break MLB Record With $3.9B Deal

The buyer is the cofounder of investment giant Clearlake.
Jan 10, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (0) scores a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFC Wild Card Round game at Soldier Field.

Efforts to Fight Sports Streaming Fragmentation Ramp Up in D.C.

“It’s not only confusing, it’s also damn expensive.”

Featured Today

Quinnipiac women's varsity rugby

The Death of Quinnipiac Women’s Varsity Rugby

The sudden decision at Ilona Maher’s alma mater left players blindsided.
April 17, 2026

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
April 10, 2026

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Vrabel: Russini Photos Led to ‘Difficult Conversations’ With Players and Family

Vrabel previously called the interactions ”completely innocent.”
Apr 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) reacts after a basket against New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) during the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
April 21, 2026

NBC, Amazon Make Crucial Scorebug Errors in NBA Postseason

Both blunders involved non-existent timeouts.
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin leaves the field following an AFC Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
April 21, 2026

Mike Tomlin Heading to NBC Sports as Studio Analyst

Tomlin was widely considered the top NFL TV free agent.
Sponsored

Why Brandon Marshall Bet on Athlete-Owned Media

Brandon Marshall on athlete media, life after football, building I AM ATHLETE.
Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Monday Night Football commentator Joe Buck before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
exclusive
April 21, 2026

Joe Buck Expected To Host ‘ESPN Jeopardy!’

Celebrities and ESPN talent are expected to be contestants.
Apr 8, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Kevin Hart reacts after teeing off on the eighth hole during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
April 20, 2026

The Coachella-ization of the Masters Has Golf Purists Concerned

Some recent changes at Augusta haven’t sat well with traditionalists.
Brandon Marshall Portfolio Players
April 17, 2026

Brandon Marshall Nearly Quit FS1 Over Nick Wright Argument

Marshall tells FOS he took issue with Wright’s lack of “take integrity.”
A smartphone showing the Netflix logo is held in front of a television displaying the Netflix home screen with Top 10 content rows in Paris, Ile de France, France, February 28, 2026. The scene illustrates video on demand streaming and second screen viewing on connected devices.
April 16, 2026

Netflix: There’s ‘Opportunity to Expand the Relationship’ With NFL

The streaming giant touts big results from its live sports content.