MLB Regional Rights Are Worth $1.6 Billion a Year: What It Means for DIRECTV Viewers
Ampere Analysis estimates Major League Baseball's regional TV rights are worth $1.6 billion in 2026. That's 43% of the league's $3.7 billion in total broadcast rights revenue, even after years of regional sports network (RSN) turmoil. For fans, it explains why local games are still split between team networks, RSNs and MLB-run broadcasts, and why a single in-market streaming service is hard to build before MLB's next rights cycle in 2028.
Here are the key numbers and what they mean if you watch your local team on DIRECTV, as of October 24, 2026.
The numbers at a glance
| Figure | Ampere estimate |
|---|---|
| MLB regional rights value, 2026 | $1.6 billion |
| Share of total MLB rights revenue | 43% of $3.7 billion |
| National rights | About $2.1 billion a year |
| Teams that lost an RSN partner in the last four years | 13 of 30 |
| Teams whose local games MLB handled in 2026 | 14 of 30 |
| Dodgers and Yankees share of regional rights fees | 23% |
| U.S. pay-TV households, end of 2026 | 65 million (down from 96 million in 2016) |
Why local rights are still worth so much
Each team plays 162 games, and most of them air only in the home market. Twelve teams lost their RSN in the Diamond Sports and Main Street Sports Group bankruptcies, and MLB stepped in to produce and distribute local games for many of them. Most of the other teams have bigger regional deals, often in large markets with more potential subscribers. That gap is the problem: teams earning the most from local TV have little reason to join a league-run service that might pay less.
What could change
MLB's collective bargaining agreement with the players expires at the end of 2026, and more revenue sharing could narrow the gap between big and small markets. MLB also wants to centralize local rights for its next media cycle in 2028, which could let it sell in-market games together, possibly to a streaming platform. Ampere says MLB wants to centralize local rights for that cycle, but several teams still have separate local arrangements. Nothing about 2028 has been finalized.
What it means for DIRECTV viewers
Until local rights change, viewers still face a patchwork: some teams are on RSNs or team-owned networks, while others use MLB-produced local broadcasts. DIRECTV carries many regional sports networks, and availability depends on your address. Start with DIRECTV regional sports networks, check the DIRECTV regional sports fee, and see MLB on DIRECTV for national games. Out-of-market fans can use MLB Extra Innings. For streaming options, see ESPN and in-market MLB streaming and Apple TV vs. DIRECTV for local sports.
Frequently asked questions
How much are MLB's regional TV rights worth?
Ampere Analysis estimates $1.6 billion in 2026, or 43% of MLB's $3.7 billion total broadcast rights revenue.
How many MLB teams does the league broadcast locally?
In the 2026 season, MLB held local broadcast rights for 14 of the 30 teams, according to Ampere.
Is MLB launching one streaming service for local games?
MLB wants to centralize local rights for its 2028 media cycle, but nothing has been finalized and several big-market teams have local deals that run past 2028.
How do I watch my local MLB team on DIRECTV?
Many teams air on regional sports networks that DIRECTV carries, depending on your address. Check DIRECTV's regional sports network lineup for your area or call 1-855-690-9884.
Questions about DIRECTV packages or Gemini devices? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 24, 2026. Release windows, streaming rights and prices are set by the studios, leagues and streaming services and may change. Channel availability, packages and prices vary by address and are subject to change. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent comparison and resource site.