Updated: Can DIRECTV Subs Stream Their Local MLB Team’s Games On MLB TV? For Free?

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Buy Me a Coffee!

TV Answer Man, I have DIRECTV and the new Cincinnati Reds channel. My question is can I use my DIRECTV user name and password and stream the channel on MLB TV? This would be handy if I am away from home but I tried it and it didn’t work. – Jim, Cincinnati.

Jim, the answer is yes and no. Let me explain.

DIRECTV last week added the new channels of 11 MLB teams that were previously on regional sports networks (FanDuel Sports Network, MASN, Root Sports.)

The channels are also available for $99 (and up) a season on MLB Media at ‘team.tv.’ For instance, the Cincinnati Reds’ new streaming channel is on Reds.TV.

DIRECTV tells The TV Answer Man that DIRECTV subscribers who have one of these 11 teams in their plan will be able within a “week or so” to use their DIRECTV user name and password to watch the team’s games on ‘Team.TV’ as well as the DIRECTV channel. This feature will be without an extra charge to the DIRECTV subscriber.

Using the Reds as an example again, a DIRECTV customer (with the Choice and above plan) in the Cincinnati market will be able to stream Reds.TV without additional cost.

A DIRECTV spokesman says the streaming access is not available yet because the company (and other TV providers) was not able to secure carriage agreements with the teams until Opening Day last week.

The 11 teams that will offer the streaming access in the ‘next week or so’ are the Braves, Reds, Tigers, Royals, Marlins, Brewers, Rays and Cardinals, Nationals, Angels and Mariners.

Update: Activation is now live for nine of the teams. See our article here.

DIRECTV already offers the free streaming access for eight MLB teams that were previously added to MLB’s Team.TV plans. They are the Padres, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Guardians, Twins, Mets, Yankees, and Dodgers.

Here’s how to activate your streaming access if you live in one of those eight markets:

1. Customer creates or logs in with MLB account
2. Customer navigates to TV Provider linking (e.g. “Authenticate” link on website)
3. Customer selects DIRECTV from the picker
4. DIRECTV redirect opens the log-in page for DIRECTV username and password. 
5. Customer enters credentials and if successful the account is now linked
6. Customer logs in to MLB account on the MLB app on any additional device and they will have DIRECTV authentication already enabled.

And those six steps will work for the 11 teams when their streaming access goes live in the next week or so.

Jim, I hope that answers your question. Happy viewing and stay safe!

Have a question about a cable/satellite service, streaming service, TV product, or favorite show? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com or complete the form below: