STWF Sports|Nov. 19, 2025 – A tense standoff between Disney and Google has finally ended, restoring ESPN and other Disney-owned channels to YouTube TV subscribers. But for baseball fans, the long-awaited resolution came with an unexpected sting: MLB.tv will not be coming to YouTube TV, even as ESPN prepares to take control of the league’s prized streaming package beginning in 2026.

According to reporting from John Ourand of Puck News, ESPN’s acquisition of MLB.tv is “finalized,” though the parties have not officially announced the agreement. Under the terms, MLB.tv is expected to become available exclusively through the ESPN app, rather than being folded into YouTube TV or ESPN’s newly announced “ESPN Unlimited” bundle.

For many fans who believed ESPN’s expanded digital footprint might unify sports streaming under a single subscription, this outcome is a disappointment—if not a direct contradiction of what the platform was expected to deliver.

A Major Piece of MLB’s Media Puzzle

MLB.tv’s transition is part of Major League Baseball’s broader, still-unconfirmed three-year media rights framework with ESPN, NBC, and Netflix. Though Commissioner Rob Manfred has acknowledged that agreements are in place “in principle,” the league has not yet formalized anything publicly.

The timing is notable: talks progressed as the 2025 World Series concluded earlier this month. With the sport preparing for a recalibrated media landscape, MLB.tv—arguably the crown jewel of digital sports streaming—represents a critical asset in shaping the next era of fan engagement.

What Makes MLB.tv So Valuable?

Launched in 2002, MLB.tv is widely regarded as one of sports’ best streaming services. For $149.99 per season, subscribers receive every out-of-market regular-season game live, with on-demand access shortly after games conclude. The service offers roughly 80 games per week, far surpassing the volume provided by NBA League Pass, and at a far lower cost than NFL Sunday Ticket.

The platform’s value extends beyond live games. Documentaries, classic matchups, team-produced features, and year-round studio programming have made MLB.tv a cornerstone for diehard fans and casual viewers alike.

Its absence from YouTube TV represents a significant gap—especially for a platform that brands itself as the simplest way to stream live sports.

No Clear Explanation From ESPN or MLB

ESPN has not commented publicly on why MLB.tv won’t be integrated into YouTube TV despite the companies resolving their carriage dispute. Disney’s recent blackout of its channels on YouTube TV lasted nearly two weeks, with millions temporarily unable to access ESPN programming. The service’s return was framed as a victory for subscribers, but the MLB.tv decision has quickly dampened the celebration.

Industry observers have noted that ESPN may be seeking to replicate its long-term strategy with UFC Fight Pass—keeping premium rights behind its own paywall to drive direct subscriber revenue.

Fans React With Fury: “This Is AWFUL.”

If ESPN hoped the move would be welcomed, fans quickly corrected that notion. Social media erupted with backlash following reports of the exclusive-rights agreement.

One fan wrote on X:
“Oh, this is fing AWFUL. If I can’t watch games there next year, this will be the first time in over a decade I won’t buy MLB.tv. ESPN’s app is DOG***.”**

Another criticized MLB’s decision-making:
“Huge misstep. People won’t pay a premium for a sport with this many games.”

A third fan added:
“No one hates its customers quite like Major League Baseball.”

A fourth lamented what ESPN might do with the product:
“MLB.tv was the best sports app out there. Reasonable price. I fear ESPN will ruin this.”

The anger underscores a growing frustration across the sports-viewing landscape: costs are rising, options are becoming more fragmented, and fans are being asked to subscribe to more services for the same access they previously enjoyed.

A Price Surge Could Be Coming

The numbers paint a grim picture for consumers. YouTube TV already costs $82.99 per month, while ESPN’s standalone app is $30 per month. If MLB.tv becomes an add-on inside the ESPN ecosystem, fans could face a steep price spike—even before accounting for blackout restrictions and regional availability issues that MLB still hasn’t solved.

For fans who endured a two-week blackout during the Disney–Google standoff, this latest chapter feels like yet another step backward.

MLB, ESPN, and YouTube TV may have settled their disputes, but the fallout raises a larger question: Is watching baseball about to become too expensive for the average fan?