6 Ways to Watch the 2023 World Series

The 2023 MLB World Series begins Oct. 27. While streaming options abound, there’s nothing quite like the vividness of watching the Fall Classic on FOX with a TV antenna.

2023 MLB World Series
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The 2023 MLB World Series begins Oct. 27. While streaming options abound, there’s nothing quite like the vividness of watching the Fall Classic on FOX with a TV antenna.

The Texas Rangers showcased pure grit. Their climactic rise peaked with an 11-4 victory against the Houston Astros, sealing their fate in a do-or-die Game 7. Their path speaks volumes about the team’s determination. They have offered fans a suspenseful ride this season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have made a roaring comeback after years, reminding us of their 2001 campaign that delivered the team to the World Series. Their Game 7 triumph against the Phillies – a 4-2 win – was not just a game changer but a narrative changer.  

How I watch the MLB World Series

The MLB Word Series has been broadcast on FOX since 2000. I have been watching World Series games for years using a TV antenna. It’s my favorite way to watch baseball’s Fall Classic. If the weather is good, I may even take out my projector, so I can watch my OTA channels on the big screen.

Even if you are not a regular antenna user like me, cord-cutters have plenty of ways to stream FOX and catch every swing of the 2023 World Series.  Aside from using a TV antenna, you can live stream FOX using five live TV streaming services.

Fubo and YouTube TV will be offering an upscaled 4K version of the series. But watching the game in HD resolution – especially if you are using an antenna – will give you a crisp and bright picture as well. If you subscribe to a pay TV provider, you can activate the FOX Sports app as well.

I’ve tried and tested all of the latest streaming services across a plethora of platforms including Smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, game consoles, iPhones (with current iOS), and Android smartphones.

Table of Contents

2023 World Series Schedule

All World Series games start at 8:03 p.m. ET on FOX.

  • Game 1: Friday, Oct. 27
  • Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 28
  • Game 3: Monday, Oct. 30
  • Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 31

Sling TV

Sling TV is a good budget option if you live within the 18 TV markets in the U.S. where it live streams local FOX channels  

  • Atlanta
  • Austin
  • Chicago
  • Dallas/Fort Worth
  • Detroit
  • Gainesville
  • Houston
  • Los Angeles
  • Milwaukee
  • Minneapolis/St. Paul
  • New York City
  • Orlando/Daytona/Melbourne
  • Philadelphia
  • Phoenix
  • San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose
  • Seattle
  • Tampa/St. Petersburg
  • Washington, DC

You need to subscribe to the Sling Blue channel bundle. The Sling Blue plan has more than 40 channels, including CNN, TNT, FS1, Discovery and USA Network.

If you live in or around one of these cities, then you should be able to get FOX using Sling Blue: 

Subscribers get 50 hours of Cloud DVR for recordings. All Sling Blue subscribers can watch live TV on three screens at once. 

For a larger lineup of about 51 channels, you can combine the Sling Blue plan with the Orange plan for $55 per month. Sling Orange has channels not available on the Blue plan such as ESPN and USA Network.

  • My take: Cheapest price, Most flexible plans
  • Price: $40 
  • Free trial: No
  • DVR: 50 hours
  • Simultaneous Streams: 1 to 3 
  • Latest offer: Half off for first month, then $40/mo.

The Sling TV on-demand library is included in each bundle.

Sling TV works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV (4th generation). When you sign up for Sling TV, there are no contracts, or extra fees like cable TV. 

When you sign up for Sling TV, there are no contracts, or extra fees like cable TV. You can look over the channel lineup before deciding whether to sign up.

DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) has FOX in its entry-level channel bundle called the Entertainment package.

The channel lineup includes local broadcast channels, ESPN, ESPN2, A&E, and HGTV.

  • My take: Unlimited screens let people watch different shows
  • Price: $74.99
  • Unlimited DVR
  • Unlimited Screens
  • Latest offer: 5-day free trial, then $64.99 for 3 months

All subscribers get unlimited hours of Cloud DVR storage and 40,000 on-demand movies and shows. You can watch live TV on unlimited screens within your home. 

The Choice package has a wide selection of 40 regional sports channels, including YES Network, Bally Sports networks, NBC Sports and Marquee Sports Network. Choice subscribers get more than 105 channels for $99.99 per month.

The Ultimate package has more than 140 channels, including locals, and sports channels such as NHL Network. The Ultimate package is $109.99 per month.

The Premier Package has over 150 channels, including premium channels such as Max. A subscription is $154.99 per month.

DIRECTV STREAM works on Roku, Android TV, Fire TV devices, Apple TV and smartphones and tablets. You can use apps on supported Smart TVs running on Google TV and Android TV. Subscriptions run month to month and so you can cancel whenever you want.

Hulu Live TV

Hulu Live TV is another reliable option for sports fans who want to stream the MLB World Series.

Local NBC, ABC and FOX stations and regional sports channels are available in most of the U.S.

Hulu Live TV usually costs $76.99 per month. A subscription includes ad-supported versions of Disney+ and ESPN+. You can stream TV channels on up to two devices at once. Subscribers get 50 hours of Cloud DVR.

  • My take: Great for bundling and ESPN+ coverage
  • Price: $76.99 
  • Includes ad-supported Disney+ and ESPN+
  • DVR: unlimited hours
  • Simultaneous Streams: 2
  • Latest offers for Hulu Live TV

This is a good streaming option if you want to bundle all your services or already use Disney+ or ESPN+.

Another big perk with a Hulu with Live TV is the big library of on-demand content. You’ll get unlimited access to TV shows, movies and originals on Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu on-demand.

Hulu with Live TV works on Apple TV, Roku, XBox One, Amazon Fire TV, Fire Stick and Chromecast.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV has 128 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, FOX, FS1, TBS and ABC for $72.99 per month.

YouTube TV only has one live TV plan. You can get the 4K Plus add-on for $10 per month for six months. After that, the full price of $19.99 per month.

(photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)
  • My take: Easy to use menu and interface
  • Price: $72.99
  • DVR: unlimited hours
  • Simultaneous Streams: 3
  • Latest offer: Free trial

The YouTube TV base plan carries other key sports channels for fans such as TNT, SEC Network, ACC Network, NFL Network, and MLB Network. 

You’ll be able to watch CNNGolf Channel and FX. Unlimited Cloud DVR is included with a subscription. And you can create up to 6 profiles for a household per account.

The service works with Chromecast with Google TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and a number of Smart TVs. You can get a free 7-day trial, or look over the channel lineup for your area. 

Fubo

Fubo (formerly fuboTV) has local ABC and FOX stations along with ESPN and FS1. It’s another option that will have an upscaled 4K broadcast of the World Series.

The Pro channel package costs $74.99 per month and has about 170 channels. A free trial is included in every plan.

bally-sports-midwest
fuboTV channel guide. (photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)
  • My take: Sports hubs in the Fubo menu are useful for tracking games
  • Price: $74.99 
  • DVR: 1,000 hours
  • Simultaneous Streams: 10
  • Latest offer: Free trial

A subscription costs $74.99 per month. A regional sports fee is included, and costs between $10.99 to $13.99 per month.

4K streaming is available on the Elite, and Premier plans. The Elite plan is $84.99 per month, and has 65 more sports, news and entertainment channels. The Premier plan has 231 channels, including Showtime, for $94.99 per month

The channel lineup includes local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in most areas of the U.S. ESPN, ESPN2, Food network, Fox News, HGTV, Big Ten Network, Disney Junior, and Comedy Central are part of the Pro bundle.

Can I watch the MLB World Series for free?

You can watch every game of the 2023 World Series on FOX for free if you own a TV antenna and live within range to get over-the-air channels. 

Another option is to sign up for a free trial of DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo or YouTube TV. But be aware that you will be billed if you don’t cancel before the free trial ends.

My Overall Take

If you need a live TV streaming service to watch a specific sporting event, I tend to lean towards the cheapest option first. Sling TV is currently the cheapest option at $40 per month. There is no free trial, but Sling will give you a month of service at half off. 

DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo and YouTube TV all offer free trials, and all give you a solid streaming experience and easy-to-use menus. Just remember that if you don’t want to keep the service beyond the free trial, it’s up to you to cancel online to avoid getting billed.

Can I watch the World Series on ESPN+?

No. FOX currently has the rights to broadcast the MLB World Series in 2023. You can watch local FOX broadcasts without cable TV using DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

How to watch the World Series on a Roku or Roku TV

There are two ways you can watch the 2023 World Series with a Roku or Roku TV: 

  1. If you own a Roku TV, you can attach a TV antenna to the coaxial port in the back of the TV and scan for over-the-air channels under settings. 
  2. If you own a Roku streaming device, then you can sign up for a live TV streaming service that carries FOX.

Can I watch the World Series on an Amazon Fire Stick?

Yes. You can use DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV to get FOX and watch the 2023 World Series. 

How to watch the World Series on a Smart TV

Smart TV owners can watch the 2023 World Series for free on FOX by using a TV antenna. You can also sign up for DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV. Each of these live TV streaming service carries FOX.

For more news on streaming, how-to guides and reviews, head over to the main page of The Cord Cutting Report or follow the CCR on Google News.

Jim Kimble is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016, and serves as the editor.

Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe.

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