Why Cord-Cutting Now Works for Diamondbacks Fans

Cable packages that include local sports networks typically cost $80 to $150 per month, and you pay that rate twelve months a year even though the Diamondbacks play only six. Streaming services have changed the math. You can now watch Arizona Diamondbacks games live on the devices you already own — smart TV, phone, tablet, laptop, or streaming stick — often for less than half the cost of cable, with no installation appointment and no annual contract.

Before picking a service, you need to understand how Diamondbacks games are distributed across two broadcast types:

• Local market broadcasts — roughly 150 games per season air on FanDuel Sports Network Arizona (rebranded from Bally Sports Arizona in 2024). These are the regional games that require a local cable or live TV streaming subscription.
• National broadcasts — select games each week air on ESPN, Fox, TBS, and Apple TV+ on Friday nights through the MLB-Apple multi-year partnership. These are available through their own streaming apps or live TV bundles.

Your location determines which route you need. If you live in Arizona, you are in the Diamondbacks' local broadcast market and need a live TV streaming service. If you live in another state or country, MLB.TV gives you access to every out-of-market game live.

MLB.TV: Best for Out-of-Market Dbacks Fans

MLB.TV is the official streaming service run by Major League Baseball. For the 2025 season it is priced at $24.99 per month or $149.99 for a full-season subscription covering all 30 teams. It streams every game live in HD, but there is one critical restriction that trips up many fans: if your IP address places you in Arizona, all Diamondbacks games are blacked out.

This blackout applies to both home games at Chase Field and Diamondbacks away games played in other cities. You cannot watch Arizona vs. San Diego at Petco Park on MLB.TV if your internet resolves to an Arizona address, because the league-wide rights agreement treats any Diamondbacks game as local content for Arizona residents.

How to subscribe to MLB.TV

1. Visit https://www.mlb.com/tv and choose a monthly or season-long plan.
2. Create a free MLB account or sign in with an existing one.
3. Enter your payment details — MLB.TV accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and PayPal.
4. Download the MLB app on your streaming device. It is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, PlayStation, Xbox, Samsung Smart TV, and modern web browsers.
5. Open the app, sign in, and go to the schedule to find Diamondbacks games.

MLB.TV includes several features beyond live games: a full archive of every game dating back to 2000, a condensed-game mode that compresses each broadcast into about 20 minutes, a mosaic view that shows up to four live games simultaneously, and pitch-by-pitch radio audio from local broadcast teams.

Live TV Streaming Services for Arizona Local Market Fans

If you live in Arizona and want to watch Diamondbacks games on FanDuel Sports Network Arizona, you need one of the three live TV streaming services currently carrying that channel. Here is how each one compares:

DirecTV Stream

The Choice plan at $89.99 per month includes regional sports networks such as FanDuel Sports Network Arizona, along with ESPN, Fox, CNN, and more than 90 other channels. DirecTV Stream is one of the most reliable options for regional sports because it has maintained carriage agreements through multiple industry disputes. Key details:

• Cloud DVR: unlimited storage (recordings kept 9 months)
• Simultaneous streams: up to 20 at home
• Free trial: 5 days for new subscribers
• Supported devices: Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, Android, and web browsers

FuboTV

The Pro plan at $79.99 per month includes FanDuel Sports Network Arizona plus ESPN, Fox, FS1, and NBC Sports regional networks where available. FuboTV was built for sports viewers and includes a 72-hour lookback feature — you can rewatch any broadcast from the previous three days without scheduling a DVR recording in advance. Key details:

• Cloud DVR: 1,000 hours included
• Simultaneous streams: up to 10
• Free trial: 7 days for new subscribers
• Supported devices: Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, Android, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV

Hulu + Live TV

At $82.99 per month, Hulu + Live TV bundles access to FanDuel Sports Network Arizona (in the Phoenix market) with the full Hulu on-demand library, Disney+, and ESPN+ at no additional charge. It is the best value if you also want access to non-sports streaming content. Confirm your ZIP code is supported for regional sports before completing checkout. Key details:

• Cloud DVR: unlimited storage
• Simultaneous streams: up to 3 (upgradeable)
• Free trial: available on promotional basis — check at time of signup
• Supported devices: Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, Android, smart TVs, game consoles

Free and Low-Cost Ways to Watch Select Games

If you only need access for a few games rather than a full-season subscription, these options reduce or eliminate the cost:

Apple TV+ Friday Night Baseball

MLB and Apple TV+ have a multi-year deal that puts two games on Apple TV+ every Friday night throughout the regular season. When the Diamondbacks are one of the featured teams, you can watch on the free Apple TV app — Apple has offered Friday Night Baseball without requiring a paid subscription during some seasons. Check the MLB schedule each Monday to see if Arizona is playing on Friday, then open the Apple TV app at game time. No login is required during free-access periods.

Free Trial Strategy

Each live TV streaming service offers a trial period for new subscribers:

• FuboTV: 7 days
• DirecTV Stream: 5 days
• Hulu + Live TV: varies by current promotion (check at signup)

To use this approach for a specific game: sign up the morning of the game, watch the broadcast, and set a calendar reminder to cancel at least 24 hours before the trial expires. Each trial is tied to a unique email address and payment method, so you can use each service once. Spread these across the season to cover a playoff push or an important series without paying for a full month.

Sports Bars and Official Watch Parties

Sports bars in the Phoenix metro carry regional sports networks on all screens and charge nothing beyond the cost of food and drinks. During road series and postseason runs, the Diamondbacks organization sometimes hosts watch parties at Chase Field or in the surrounding plaza area — entry is often free or low-cost. Check the official team website and social media accounts for event announcements as the season progresses.

How MLB Blackout Rules Work and What to Do About Them

Blackout rules are the most frequently misunderstood part of MLB streaming. Here is a precise explanation of how they work and why they apply to you:

• Your IP address determines your market — not your billing address, credit card state, or phone GPS. If your internet service provider assigns you an Arizona IP address, you are in the local market regardless of where you physically are at the moment.
• MLB.TV blacks out all local team games — both home games at Chase Field and away games played in other cities. The blackout applies to any game involving the Diamondbacks, not only home games, when your IP address resolves to the Arizona market.
• National broadcast games are also blacked out on MLB.TV for everyone — games on ESPN, Fox, and TBS are subject to a separate national blackout because those networks hold their own streaming rights through their apps (ESPN+, Fox Sports app, Max).

How to check your blackout status before buying MLB.TV

1. Open mlb.com or the MLB app without being logged in.
2. Navigate to the schedule and select an upcoming Diamondbacks game.
3. If you see a blackout notice before reaching the purchase or watch screen, your current IP address is in the restricted market.

Legal options for local market viewers

The correct solution is a live TV streaming service that carries FanDuel Sports Network Arizona, as described in the previous section. Using a VPN to spoof a non-Arizona IP address and bypass MLB.TV blackouts violates MLB's Terms of Service and can result in account suspension or permanent termination without a refund. It is not a recommended or reliable approach.

Setting Up a Streaming Device for Game Night

Once you have a service, connecting it to your television takes about five minutes. Here are step-by-step instructions for the most common devices:

Roku Streaming Stick or Box

1. Plug the Roku into an open HDMI port on your TV and connect the power cable.
2. Turn on the TV and select the HDMI input where the Roku is connected.
3. Follow the on-screen setup to connect to your Wi-Fi network.
4. Press the Home button, go to Streaming Channels, and search for your service (MLB, FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, or Hulu).
5. Install the channel and sign in with your account credentials.
6. Navigate to Live TV or the MLB schedule tab to find the game.

Amazon Fire TV Stick

1. Plug the Fire Stick into HDMI and complete the initial Wi-Fi setup.
2. Go to the Appstore (magnifying glass icon) and search for your streaming service.
3. Download and install, then sign in. You can also ask Alexa: say "Open FuboTV" or "Open MLB" after setup.

Apple TV

Open the App Store on Apple TV, search for your service, and install. Apple TV natively supports MLB, FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, and Hulu. If you use an iPhone or iPad, you can also AirPlay the MLB app directly to any Apple TV-connected screen.

Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Vizio)

On Samsung (Tizen OS): press the Home button, go to Apps, and search the Samsung App Store for your service. On LG (webOS): press the Home button, open LG Content Store, and search. On Vizio SmartCast: use the built-in Chromecast to cast from your phone, or check the app store via the V button on the remote.

Minimum internet speed for HD streaming

• Standard definition: 3 Mbps dedicated
• HD (720p/1080i, which most baseball broadcasts use): 10 Mbps dedicated
• Multiple devices streaming at once: 25 Mbps total household speed recommended

Tracking Scores and Highlights Without a Subscription

For games you cannot watch live, these free tools keep you current without any subscription:

• MLB app (free, iOS and Android) — real-time pitch-by-pitch tracking, live box scores, play-by-play text updates, and condensed game replays posted within 30 minutes of the final out. Go to Settings inside the app, find Favorite Teams, and add the Diamondbacks to receive automatic score and news push notifications.
• ESPN app (free) — live scoring alerts, breaking news, and full game recaps with stats. Under My Teams in the app, add Arizona Diamondbacks to receive notifications for final scores, roster moves, and injury updates.
• MLB YouTube channel (free) — the official MLB channel posts full highlight reels covering all key plays from every game, typically within 60 minutes of the final out. Search the channel for the game date plus Diamondbacks to find the right video. Extended cut highlights running 5 to 8 minutes are available for most games.
• r/azdiamondbacks on Reddit — the official game thread goes live about 30 minutes before first pitch and runs in real time throughout the game with fan commentary, score updates, and reactions. No account is required to read; threads appear in search results by searching the date and Diamondbacks.

The Diamondbacks organization posts post-game press conferences, player interviews, and in-depth analysis segments on the team's official YouTube channel and Instagram account within 24 hours of each game. During the postseason, the team typically goes live on social media for pre- and post-game coverage that is free and does not require a streaming subscription.