Stream Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Games Live Online: Streaming Channels You Need

2024 MLB Regular Season under way! Stream it live with Fubo!

It’s a bit complicated for Pittsburgh Pirates fans to gain access to all the regular season games on TV. But it isn’t hard to do. We explain everything below.

In a hurry? Pirates fans outside the local area can watch almost all the games with MLB.TV. Local fans need to gain access to SportsNet Pittsburgh. It is available to stream from two sources:

• FuboTV: Get 150+ channels with a large focus on sports. Fubo allows you to try out its service with a free trial.
• DIRECTV STREAM: This is a great overall streaming service. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.

The Pittsburgh Pirates franchise was founded in 1882 and was originally known as the Allegheny. Today, the team plays its home games at PNC Park and is managed by Derek Shelton.

Let’s take a closer look at the history of this franchise, how the team did in 2023, and how you can watch Pirates games in 2024 without the need for cable.

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Schedule and Start Times for Today’s Pittsburgh Pirates Game(s)

See our Pittsburgh Pirates Today guide for details.

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Pittsburgh Pirates TV Channels

Although some games will appear only on streaming services, almost all Pirates games will appear on national broadcasts through their regional sports network (RSN).

National Channels

The majority of Major League Baseball (MLB) games that are broadcast to a national audience are shown on Fox, Fox Sports 1 (FS1), ESPN, TBS, and MLB Network. Some games will also appear on ABC and NBC.

All playoff games are broadcast nationwide. They will appear on the same channels, which are available on most major streaming services.

SportsNet Pittsburgh

SportsNet Pittsburgh (formerly AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh) is a regional sports network (RSN). Its primary focus is airing Pirates and Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) games.

It is available throughout Pennsylvania, except Philadelphia. Subscribers in portions of West Virginia, Ohio, New York, and Maryland are also eligible.

Ultimate Guide: How to Watch the Pittsburgh Pirates Without Cable

There are various ways to watch Pirates games. Interestingly, this is the first season in which you cannot watch every game on cable. Some games can only be streamed.

Live TV Streaming Services

Many live TV streaming services will allow you to watch some Pirates games. But only two provide almost all of the games via SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Stream the Pittsburgh Pirates Today With Fubo: A Step-by-Step Guide

Fubo ($91.98/month) is another, more affordable, option for receiving access to SportsNet Pittsburgh. It also includes ESPN, FS1, MLB Network, and all the network affiliates. And it includes a ton of other sports channels. It does not, however, offer TBS at this point.

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You can also get MLB.TV as an add-on with Fubo.

The base plan comes with unlimited cloud DVR storage and streaming on up to 10 devices at home and 2 when away. For more information, see our Fubo review.

Watching the Pittsburgh Pirates With DIRECTV STREAM: Plans and Pricing

DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) offers Sportsnet Pittsburgh with its Choice plan for $108.99/month. This plan also includes ESPN, FS1, MLB Network, TBS, and all the affiliate networks (eg, Fox).

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All plans come with unlimited cloud DVR if you sign up online. And they allow you to stream on unlimited devices at once. Check out our DIRECTV STREAM review for more information.

Other Options

If you are okay with seeing only a handful of games each season these services will allow you to do that plus much more.

• Sling TV: The Orange & Blue plan gives you Fox, NBC, FS1, ESPN, and TBS for $55.00/month.
• Hulu + Live TV: Offers 85+ live TV channels plus ESPN+ and Disney+ for $76.99/month.
• YouTube TV: Offers all the national channels that feature MLB for $64.99/mo.

Don’t miss David Bednar pitching for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic all March for just $20 on Sling TV!

Explore More Ways to Watch the Pittsburgh Pirates Games Today

Starting this year, several MLB games will only appear on Apple TV+ and Peacock. ESPN+ will also stream games but they will generally be available elsewhere.

• Apple TV+: If you’re looking to watch baseball on Friday nights, you can do so on Apple TV+. As of April 2022, you don’t need a subscription to this service to watch Pirates games that may appear on this platform. However, that may change at some point during the 2022 season. A subscription costs $9.99/month.
• Peacock: NBC has partnered with MLB to show 18 regular-season games during the 2022 season. These games will typically air on Sunday afternoon, and they are only available with a Premium membership, which costs $7.99/month. (Peacock review)
• ESPN+: This service provides a broad selection of live sports in all areas. It shows a fair number of MLB games as well. Note, however, that blackout restrictions apply. So Pirates fans in the Pittsburgh area will be out of luck. ESPN+ costs $10.99/month on its own or $14.99/month as part of the Hulu bundle. It also comes standard with Hulu Live. (ESPN+ review)

Out-of-Market Pirates Fans Can Stream Games on MLB.TV

MLB.TV allows you to watch every regular season for $24.99/mo or $139.99/yr. If you just want to watch Pittsburgh Pirates games, you can purchase a single-team package for $119.99/yr. But there is a major limitation to MLB.tv.

It is only available for out-of-market games. If you are a Pirates fan in Miami, it’s great! (Although you will miss out on the 7 games against the Marlins during the 2022 season.) But if you are a fan in Pennsylvania, you are out of luck and will need to get SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Sign up for MLB.TV on Fubo for FREE today!

Antenna for Free Nationally Televised Pirates Games

Fox (with possible games on ABC and NBC) is the only channel that broadcasts games over the air. This means that it is the only channel that is available to those using an antenna. But it does mean that you will be able to watch at least one Pirates game for free this season.

See our HD antenna guide for all the information on setting up and using an antenna.

Devices and Apps for Streaming Pittsburgh Pirates Games

Fubo, DIRECTV STREAM, and MLB.TV all support these devices:

Fubo and MLB support Xbox One devices.

Fubo also supports these:

• Hisense smart TVs
• LG smart TVs
• Vizio SmartCast TVs.

MLB.TV supports some PlayStation units.

Everything You Need to Know About the Pittsburgh Pirates

In 1882, the Pittsburgh Allegheny began play in the American Association (AA), which was the primary alternative to the National League (NL). However, the Pirates moved to the NL in 1887 and have remained there ever since.

Between 1903 and 1973, the Pirates won a total of five World Series championships. They have also won nine NL titles and the NL East division title nine times. Pittsburgh moved from the NL East to the NL Central in 1993.

Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla are two of the most famous players to have spent a portion of their careers in Pittsburgh. Bonds is perhaps best known for setting the record for most home runs in a season when he hit 73 in 2001. He also holds the record for most home runs in a career with 762.

In 2021, the Pirates finished 61-101, which was good for last in their division. The team’s most successful pitcher was reliever Chris Stratton who led the team in wins with seven and also had eight saves. Outfielder Brian Reynolds led the Pirates in most offensive categories including triples, runs batted in (RBIs), and stolen bases.

2022 saw another poor campaign by the Pirates as they managed a 62-100 record. This earned them a tied fourth-place finish in their division standings. The Pirates’ 2023 season was an improvement on their previous season with a 76-86 record. They finished fourth in their division rankings failing to qualify for the postseason in seven years.

Complete 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates Game Schedule: Dates, Times, and Venues

Wrapping Up

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a proud history. And even though they’ve struggled recently, there is hope for the future.

To watch the 2024 version of this team, you have two main options. If you live in and around Pennsylvania, you should sign up with DIRECTV STREAM or Fubo since they will provide you with SportsNet Pittsburgh.

For fans outside the broadcast area, MLB.TV is the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where can I watch tonight’s Pirates game?

The majority of Pirates games will be shown on Sportsnet Pittsburgh. However, if a game is on national television, it will likely be shown on ESPN, Fox, FS1, TBS, or MLB Network. There is also a possibility that a given game will appear on Peacock (Sundays) or Apple+ TV (Fridays).

Where can I find the Pirates on the radio?

Most Pittsburgh Pirates games are available on Sportsradio 93.7 FM THE FAN, which is the team’s flagship station. It may also be possible to listen to games on KDKA 1020 AM, which is a regional affiliate of CBS Sports Radio. If you are outside of either station’s broadcast area, it may be possible to listen to Pirates games by going directly to their websites or signing up for MLB Audio for $2.99/mo. You can also listen to the game on SiriusXM.

Can I watch Pirates broadcasts for free?

Pirates games that are broadcast on Fox may be available for free if you have an antenna. Games that are shown on Apple+ TV may also be shown for free during the 2022 season. However, games that are broadcast on national networks are only available on streaming services that charge a monthly fee.

Is it possible to stream Pirates games on my phone?

Most streaming services have dedicated apps that allow you to watch games on your phone. Alternatively, you can use a web browser to access a streaming account and watch games on your Android or iOS device with them. Additionally, AT&T SportsNet has its app if you have access to the service.

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What is the current Pirates roster heading to opening day?

This offseason, the Pirates added Andrew McCutchen, Aroldis Chapman, and Rowdy Tellez were signed as free agents on one-year contracts. Canaan Smith-Njigba was acquired off waivers from Seattle. Also, Wily Peralta was signed to a minor league contract.

This adds to a roster that includes David Bednar, Mitch Keller, Luis Ortiz, and Martin Perez in the bullpen, outfielders Jack Suwinski, Bryan Reynolds, and Henry Davis, and infielder Oneil Cruz, among others. However, Endy Rodriguez was placed on the injury list.

MLB Pipeline’s Paul Skenes received an invitation to major league spring training.

How do I watch other MLB teams?

You can find complete information in these guides:

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Frank Moraes

I am a Senior Content Editor at Hotdog.com, specializing in sports streaming and regional programming issues. With a PhD in Atmospheric Physics from the Oregon Graduate Institute of Science and extensive experience in remote sensing technology, including early video streaming, I bring a unique technical perspective to the streaming industry.

My expertise in sports coverage, particularly for out-of-market games and regional sports networks, stems from years of hands-on experience as an early adopter of streaming services and my work addressing fans' viewing challenges. As a longtime cord-cutter and subscriber to multiple streaming platforms, I combine my technical knowledge with practical user experience, making me a leading expert in the field of sports streaming and entertainment technology.

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