The Washington Nationals, since their relocation to D.C. in 2005, have cultivated a loyal and growing fanbase—especially after clinching their first World Series title in 2019. Whether following every pitch of the regular season or zooming in on key matchups during a playoff push, staying connected to Nationals games brings fans into the heart of Major League Baseball action.
DIRECTV has emerged as a leading platform for accessing MLB broadcasts, offering both traditional and digital tools to follow teams like the Nationals in real time. Its expansive sports programming makes it a top choice for die-hard fans looking for consistent coverage and high-definition delivery.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know to catch the Washington Nationals on DIRECTV, including the exact channels airing the games, alternate streaming methods, how to navigate regional blackout restrictions, and what to expect in terms of coverage packages. Let’s get into the details.
The most reliable place to stay updated with the Washington Nationals schedule is the official MLB website at mlb.com/nationals/schedule. The site publishes the full season game calendar, complete with game times, opponents, and broadcast information. You can also check the Nationals’ official team site and mobile app, which often include additional content like promotional nights, starting pitcher matchups, and ticket offerings.
The Major League Baseball regular season typically runs from late March or early April through late September, with each team playing 162 games. The schedule is divided into series of 3-4 games against opponents, both within and outside the division.
In mid-July, you'll notice a pause during the All-Star break. No regular games take place during this brief gap, which usually lasts four days. Players selected to the All-Star Game participate in the event, and it signals the unofficial midpoint of the season.
Once the calendar flips to October, the Postseason begins. For fans of a contending Nationals squad, this phase includes the Wild Card round, Division Series, League Championship, and the World Series. Keep in mind that postseason games are added to the schedule based on standings and may be announced on shorter notice.
Game times listed on national and team websites reflect Eastern Time (ET), as the Nationals are based in Washington, D.C. However, not every fan watches from the East Coast. To avoid tuning in late—or far too early—take a moment to sync the start times to your local time zone.
Following these steps guarantees you catch every first pitch, whether you're on Pacific Time in Los Angeles or observing Central in St. Louis.
Washington Nationals regular season games air on both regional and national television networks. To catch the full season, a combination of channels is necessary. These include:
MASN holds exclusive local broadcasting rights for Washington Nationals games. Coverage includes pre-game and post-game analysis, full game broadcasts, and special features tied directly to the team. The network serves households across the Mid-Atlantic region, including Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and parts of North Carolina, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.
On DIRECTV, MASN is available on channel 640, and MASN2 appears on channel 641. Check both, as games may occasionally shift between them based on scheduling conflicts.
National networks step in when a game is slated for a wide or primetime audience. Here's where to look for each:
When searching for big matchups—especially during Sunday night or national holiday broadcasts—these are the channels to monitor. DIRECTV includes most of them in its ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE, and ULTIMATE packages. MLB Network may require an upgrade.
Channel numbers can vary slightly based on region, and local FOX stations always differ. To locate your exact channel lineup:
DIRECTV’s online tool updates channels in real time, reflecting live broadcasting changes, regional substitutions, or temporary rearrangements during national events or weather emergencies. Checking two to three hours before a game eliminates guesswork.
The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) holds the exclusive regional television rights for broadcasting Washington Nationals games. Its coverage territory includes Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and North Carolina. DIRECTV subscribers must reside within this designated market area (DMA) to have access to MASN programming.
If you live outside this region, MASN broadcasts will not be available through the standard DIRECTV lineup due to MLB territorial rights agreements.
MASN is usually included with the CHOICE™ package and above, which come with access to Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in your area. If MASN isn’t listed, the ZIP code likely falls outside the approved broadcast area.
On DIRECTV, MASN typically appears on channel 640, while MASN2 is found on channel 641. Both networks broadcast in standard definition and high definition. For HD viewing, use the corresponding HD channels: 640-1 for MASN HD and 641-1 for MASN2 HD.
HD access depends on your receiver and the package you subscribe to. Modern DIRECTV DVRs and receivers include the HD service automatically, but legacy setups might require a separate HD add-on. Most Nationals games are aired in HD, offering clearer visuals and better in-game detail compared to standard definition broadcasts.
DIRECTV offers several add-ons tailored to sports fans, each designed to provide access to national, regional, and out-of-market games. For Washington Nationals fans, the options range from essential regional coverage to comprehensive league-wide access. Explore how each package contributes to your baseball viewing experience.
Washington Nationals games are primarily broadcast on Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN). DIRECTV includes MASN in its regional sports networks within eligible zip codes. Nationals fans located in the Mid-Atlantic region, including parts of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C., automatically receive MASN with their base subscription when regional sports channels are included in their package.
For viewers outside this broadcast region, access to MASN requires a different route — typically through a national package like MLB Extra Innings.
MLB Extra Innings on DIRECTV grants access to up to 90 out-of-market games per week. Nationals fans living outside the DMV area benefit greatly from this package, as it allows them to follow nearly every game of the season.
This package includes HD broadcasts, dual feeds (home and away commentary), and access to MLB.TV for live and on-demand streaming. During the 2024 season, MLB Extra Innings is priced at $149.99 for the full-season package, with auto-renewal options available.
The DIRECTV Sports Pack includes more than 40 regional sports networks nationwide. While MASN is not generally included in this pack for out-of-region subscribers, the Sports Pack may supplement baseball coverage with access to alternate RSNs, studio analysis, and other sporting events.
In 2024, the Sports Pack is available for $14.99/month and can be added to any base DIRECTV entertainment package. It's particularly useful for fans of multiple sports teams across the U.S., but less essential if Nationals baseball is the primary interest.
Nationals fans living within the MASN territory receive the most consistent access to games through DIRECTV's base packages that include regional sports networks. If you're outside the MASN footprint, MLB Extra Innings delivers the best value — ensuring access to virtually all Nationals regular season matchups, plus full MLB.TV streaming capabilities. Combine this with a DIRECTV subscription for complete coverage of the 2024 season, from Opening Day through the final pitch of summer.
DIRECTV offers four primary subscription tiers: Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier. Each plan includes varying degrees of sports access, and not all provide coverage of regional sports networks like MASN, which airs most Washington Nationals games.
For Washington Nationals fans, plan choice hinges primarily on regional sports access. Only the Choice, Ultimate, and Premier plans include regional sports channels like MASN. The Entertainment tier excludes them entirely, making it unsuitable for viewers looking to follow the Nationals season closely.
Each of these higher-tier packages also includes access to DIRECTV Sports Pack add-ons and nationally televised games via networks like MLB Network, ESPN, and FS1. The Premier plan bundles the most comprehensive national and regional coverage under one roof.
MASN is automatically included with the Choice and above tiers, but access is geo-restricted based on viewer location. DIRECTV determines eligible zip codes using your billing address. Nationals fans in the Mid-Atlantic region—which includes Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and parts of surrounding states—will receive MASN with qualifying plans. Outside this area, MASN will not be part of your channel lineup regardless of plan selection.
Looking for MASN coverage? Start your search with the Choice plan and confirm regional availability by entering your ZIP code on the DIRECTV website. This guarantees access to local broadcasts of every Nationals regular season game aired on MASN.
Blackout restrictions in Major League Baseball reflect long-standing regional broadcasting agreements. Teams sign exclusive contracts with regional sports networks (RSNs) to protect local telecast rights. This ensures that RSNs can maximize viewership and advertising revenue within their designated markets. National broadcasts on ESPN, FOX, FS1, or TBS also come with blackout limitations when overlapping with local programming rights.
If you're located within the Washington Nationals' home broadcast territory—primarily the Mid-Atlantic—you’re expected to watch games featuring the Nationals on Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN). Consequently, these games will be blacked out on MLB.TV and potentially on national broadcasts if MASN is airing the same game. Live games may also get blacked out based on your proximity to competing team territories if the Nationals are playing an opponent whose rights dominate that zone.
To find out whether your ZIP code falls under blackout restrictions, use the MLB.TV blackout detector tool. This resource cross-references your ZIP code with regional broadcast rights and tells you which teams you can and cannot watch live. DIRECTV also has a ZIP code lookup tool on its website that reveals channel availability, including MASN’s accessibility in your location.
Trying to stream an in-market game from MLB.TV with a VPN or third-party workaround won’t solve blackout issues and goes against user agreements. Sticking to official solutions through DIRECTV ensures complete access to Nationals coverage without interruption or compromise.
The DIRECTV app gives subscribers the ability to watch Washington Nationals games live or on-demand when available. It mirrors the channels included in your subscription package, including MASN, if you're in the Mid-Atlantic region where the network is carried. Live TV access, DVR recordings, and sports broadcasts are all integrated into a single interface.
For Nationals fans wanting flexibility, the app allows seamless switching between devices, creates custom channel lists, and offers closed captioning options. You can also use the app’s search function to find upcoming Nationals matchups or replays by team name, date, or channel.
After downloading the DIRECTV app, open it and enter the same DIRECTV credentials used for billing—usually your AT&T User ID and password. Once logged in, navigate to the Live TV section or use the Search bar to look up "Washington Nationals." If MASN or the channel airing the game is included in your package and available in your region, you’ll be able to watch the game live. Games subject to blackout restrictions will display a message on-screen.
Most Washington Nationals games stream in HD through the DIRECTV app, offering crisp details and smooth gameplay visuals. Where network conditions and local broadcast equipment allow, some content—especially MLB showcase games broadcast via FOX, ESPN, or TBS—may be available in 4K. Internet speed strongly influences quality. For HD, a minimum of 8 Mbps per stream is recommended. For 4K, at least 25 Mbps ensures optimal playback with minimal buffering.
Whether streaming from the bleachers or your living room, DIRECTV’s app maintains consistent quality and flexible access to Nationals baseball throughout the season.
The DIRECTV app supports a wide range of devices, making it easy to catch every Washington Nationals game whether you're at home or on the move. Streaming is fully functional on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, as well as on web browsers via desktops or laptops.
All devices must be logged into the DIRECTV app using a valid DIRECTV account with a subscription that includes MASN or the appropriate sports package broadcasting Nationals games.
Smart TVs and streaming media players extend the viewing experience to the big screen. Here’s how the DIRECTV app works on popular platforms:
DIRECTV integrates cross-platform streaming capabilities, letting viewers pick up where they left off—no matter the device. Pause a Nationals game on your phone during a commute, then resume the next pitch on your smart TV at home. The app’s watch history syncs in the background, ensuring smooth transitions across platforms.
For the most seamless experience, make sure the app is updated to the latest version and that all devices are connected to reliable Wi-Fi or high-speed mobile data. Curious to see how quickly you can switch from tablet to TV? Try it during the next double play and test the handoff yourself.
MLB.TV offers complete access to out-of-market games, which includes every Washington Nationals game except those subject to local or national blackouts. A full-season subscription costs $149.99, while the single-team option focused solely on the Nationals is available for $129.99. This platform is valuable for fans who live outside the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) broadcast area and want uninterrupted season coverage.
Each of these streaming platforms offers a different path to catching live baseball, depending on the channels they carry and your location.
Currently, MASN is not available on any major live TV streaming platforms including Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, fuboTV, or DirecTV Stream. Viewers in the broadcast region looking for live MASN access need to rely on traditional cable or satellite providers that carry the network—DIRECTV included.
For fans living outside the MASN coverage zone or those focused on nationally televised games, these alternatives can deliver solid value. However, Nationals followers in the MASN region who want consistent local coverage will face major limitations without DIRECTV or another provider that offers the channel.
Once the regular season wraps up, the broadcast landscape for MLB shifts significantly. Regular Washington Nationals games typically air on MASN when within the Mid-Atlantic region. However, for the postseason, national networks take over broadcasting rights. DIRECTV customers can catch playoff games through FOX, FS1, TBS, and ESPN, depending on the game round and series.
Major League Baseball allocates exclusive TV rights for each stage of the playoffs:
Viewers following the Nationals during the postseason on DIRECTV will notice key differences from the standard MASN broadcasts. Games are presented with enhanced production elements—larger analyst teams, additional camera angles, and comprehensive pre- and post-game coverage. Since playoff matchups are nationally televised, regional blackouts do not apply. This means Nationals fans across any part of the U.S. can access the broadcasts without restriction.
Additionally, these nationally televised games are available in high definition through DIRECTV’s standard packages. Subscribers don’t need special regional sports networks or add-ons to access FOX, FS1, TBS, or ESPN, as they're part of the core channel lineup in most packages.
Schedules for the playoffs are dynamic and frequently updated. Game dates and channels can change due to earlier game outcomes, weather delays, or network decisions. DIRECTV subscribers tracking the Nationals’ postseason run should regularly consult MLB’s official website and tune into DIRECTV's channel guide for the most accurate broadcast assignments.
Curious about where to find each network on DIRECTV? Here’s a quick reference:
The best approach: use the DIRECTV on-screen guide or app to filter by date and keyword (“Nationals”) to find upcoming playoff game listings.
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