Apple TV Friday Night Baseball: How to Watch

Apple TV+ Friday Night Baseball is a weekly doubleheader of Major League Baseball games streamed exclusively on Apple TV+. You can watch it with an Apple TV+ subscription through the Apple TV app on supported devices, and select games are also available for free. Here’s everything you need to know about the schedule, how to watch, and what to expect.

What Is Friday Night Baseball?

Friday Night Baseball is a weekly broadcast package that Apple secured with Major League Baseball starting in the 2022 season. Every Friday night during the regular season, Apple TV+ shows two live MLB games, one at 7:00 PM ET and another at 9:30 PM ET (times vary). The games are produced by Apple with its own broadcast team, graphics, and pregame show. The deal originally ran for two seasons, and Apple and MLB extended it through the 2028 season. The broadcast is available in the United States, Canada, and several other countries, but not everywhere—availability depends on your region.

How to Watch Friday Night Baseball

To watch Friday Night Baseball, you need the Apple TV app on a compatible device. That includes Apple TV 4K, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and also smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and game consoles like PlayStation and Xbox. Here’s the step-by-step:

1. Open the Apple TV app on your device.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID.
3. Subscribe to Apple TV+ if you don’t have it already (or start a free trial).
4. On Friday, look for the Friday Night Baseball section on the main carousel or in the Sports tab.
5. Tap the game you want to watch—it will start live at the scheduled time.

You can also watch on the web at tv.apple.com in a browser, though the experience is best on a TV app. The games are available live and on-demand for a limited time after the broadcast.

Cost and Subscription Details

Apple TV+ costs $9.99 per month (as of 2025). There is no separate fee for Friday Night Baseball—it’s included with your Apple TV+ subscription. However, a few games each season are offered free without a subscription, typically the first game of the season or a special event. Those free games require an Apple ID but no payment method. If you’re new to Apple TV+, you can get a 7-day free trial, and sometimes Apple offers longer trials with new device purchases.

Which Games Are Selected?

Apple chooses the Friday Night Baseball matchups each week. The selection is not random—it typically features popular teams, rivalry games, or teams with star players. For example, in the 2024 season, the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Boston Red Sox appeared frequently. The schedule is announced about a week in advance on the Apple TV app and MLB’s website. Not every team gets on Friday Night Baseball; it’s a curated slate, so your favorite team might only appear once or twice a season.

How It Compares to Other MLB Broadcasts

Friday Night Baseball is different from a regular local or national broadcast. There are no traditional commercial breaks—instead, Apple uses sponsored segments and keeps the camera on the field more. The broadcast includes a pregame show, and the commentary is more conversational than typical play-by-play. Some fans like the modern feel, while others miss the familiar announcers. In terms of availability, it’s similar to other streaming deals like ESPN+ or Peacock, but it’s exclusive to Apple TV+. If you live in a local market for one of the teams, the game might be blacked out on your local network, but it will still be on Apple TV+ (blackout rules are less strict for streaming).

Common Problems and Solutions

If you have trouble watching, here are the most common issues:

• Game not showing up: Make sure you’re looking on Friday. The games appear in the app a few hours before the first pitch. If it’s still missing, restart the app.
• “Not available in your regionâ€�: Friday Night Baseball is geo-restricted. If you’re traveling abroad, you’ll need a VPN to watch (though that may violate Apple’s terms).
• Buffering or low quality: Check your internet speed—Apple recommends at least 8 Mbps for HD. Close other apps or devices that are using bandwidth.
• Can’t sign in: Make sure your Apple ID is valid and that you’ve subscribed to Apple TV+. If you’re using a free trial, it might have expired.

Tips for the Best Experience

To get the most out of Friday Night Baseball:

• Set a reminder on your phone for the game time—the schedule is weekly, so it’s easy to forget.
• Use the Apple TV app’s “Up Nextâ€� feature to queue the game before it starts.
• If you’re watching on a phone, enable notifications for the Sports tab to get score alerts.
• For the best picture, use an Apple TV 4K or a compatible 4K smart TV. The stream supports up to 1080p HDR (not 4K as of 2025).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Friday Night Baseball free?
No, it requires an Apple TV+ subscription, which costs $9.99/month. A few games each season are free to watch without a subscription, but most are behind the paywall.

Can I watch Friday Night Baseball on my Android phone?
No, the Apple TV app is not available on Android. You can watch on a computer via tv.apple.com, but not on an Android phone or tablet.

What time do the games start?
Typically the first game starts at 7:00 PM ET and the second at 9:30 PM ET, but times can vary. Check the app for the exact schedule each week.

Do I need a cable login or MLB.TV subscription?
No, you only need an Apple TV+ subscription. It’s separate from MLB.TV, and you don’t need a cable provider.

Can I watch replays?
Yes, Friday Night Baseball games are available on-demand for a limited time (usually a few days) after the live broadcast. You can find them in the Sports section of the Apple TV app.

Is there a pregame show?
Yes, Apple produces a pregame show before the first game each Friday. It’s included in the broadcast and starts about 30 minutes before the first pitch.

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in t | Game length (min) | min | 180 | 0
in d | Distance (km) | km | 10 | 0
out pace | Average pace (min/km) | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed (km/h) | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2