Published on: April 9, 2024
Cincinnati Reds fans can stream local games at the Great American Ballpark through Bally Sports Ohio (BSOH), yet several cable-free methods are available to follow every pitch.
Currently, only Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM offer Bally Sports Ohio. But, you can stream some Reds games for free on FOX with a TV antenna. Additionally, services like Apple TV+, MLB.tv, and ESPN+ offer select games for fans outside the local broadcast area.
This article explains how to watch Reds games without cable, highlighting immediate and simple alternatives you can start using today.
There’s news that Bally Sports Ohio might be accessible via Amazon Prime soon, though it’s unlikely for the 2024 season. Diamond Sports is considering a partnership with Amazon Prime to come out of bankruptcy. If successful, this could provide local Reds fans another option to watch games.
Such a development would expand the choices for MLB, NBA, and NHL fans, especially considering that BSOH is not on YouTube TV, Sling TV, or Hulu Live TV.
Watch Cincinnati Reds Games Live
You can stream every Reds home game on DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo, but you have to live within the Reds home broadcast market.
| Service | Free Trial | Monthly Price | Key Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV STREAM | Yes | $108.99 | Bally Sports Ohio, ESPN, FOX, FS1, TBS, MLB Network |
| Fubo | Yes | $79.99 (+ regional sports fee) | Bally Sports Ohio, ESPN, FS1, FOX, NFL Network |
| YouTube TV | Yes | $72.99 | Local FOX, FS1, ESPN, TBS; No Bally Sports Ohio |
| Hulu Live TV | No | $76.99 | ESPN, FS1, TBS, local FOX; No Bally Sports Ohio |
| MLB.tv | Not standard, but Amazon Prime offers a 7-day trial for MLB.tv | $29.99 | Out-of-market MLB games (blackouts apply) |
| ESPN+ | No | $10.99 | One daily MLB game (national broadcast schedule) |
| Apple TV+ | Yes | $9.99 | Friday Night Baseball (two MLB games every Friday) |
This is because home games are exclusive to this region. Bally Sports Ohio broadcasts Reds games locally in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and parts of New York. If you live in these areas, you have exclusive access to the Reds’ in-market games.
During the regular 2024 season, you can watch national broadcast games featuring the Reds on ESPN, FOX, FS1, MLB Network and TBS. For those without cable, a TV antenna provides access to national Reds games on your local FOX station at no cost.
Apple TV+ had its one and only Reds game for 2024 in early April, so it’s not a great option if you want to follow the team this season. ESPN+ is a better option for Reds fans who live out of the market, and hope to catch one or two games this season.
Streaming Reds Games Without Cable TV
Switching from cable to streaming for Cincinnati Reds games can seem daunting, but it’s very easy. Here’s what you need to know:
Internet Speed: To stream Reds games smoothly, an internet download speed of at least 25 Mbps is recommended. This speed supports clear, uninterrupted viewing.
Watching Replays: Fubo offers a dedicated menu for Major League Baseball, displaying upcoming Reds games. With Fubo’s “look back” feature, you can watch replays of games from the last 72 hours. DIRECTV STREAM provides unlimited Cloud DVR, allowing you to record all baseball games throughout the season and watch them whenever you like.
Extra Equipment: To stream, you’ll need a Smart TV or a streaming device like Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, or Chromecast. These devices connect to your TV and internet, letting you access streaming services.
Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM make it easy to follow the Reds. Fubo has a user-friendly menu for baseball games, showing all upcoming Reds matches. DIRECTV STREAM’s unlimited Cloud DVR means you won’t miss a single game. You can record every pitch of the season and replay them at your convenience.
Watch DIRECTV STREAM for Cincinnati Reds Games
DIRECTV STREAM, previously known as AT&T TV, features key sports channels like ESPN, FOX, and FS1.
For Reds home games, you need the Choice package or higher for access to Bally Sports Ohio. This package costs $108.99 per month and offers 105 channels.
In the Choice plan, you also get TNT, ESPN, TBS, FS1, MLB Network, USA Network, and local channels. For fans in the Ohio TV market, this means access to WKYC (NBC 10) for NBC, WOIO (CBS 3) for CBS, and WJW (FOX 29) for FOX.
You can watch live TV on unlimited screens throughout your home.
DIRECTV STREAM offers a 5-day free trial of any plan to test their service. Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR and a vast selection of on-demand movies and TV shows.
The service is flexible, with no long-term contracts and no extra fees for regional sports. DIRECTV STREAM is compatible with various devices including Roku, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, as well as smartphones and tablets.
| PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainment | $79.99/month | 75+ |
| Choice | $108.99/month | 105+ |
| Ultimate | $119.99/month | 140+ |
| Premier | $164.99/month | 150+ |
Stream Cincinnati Reds on Fubo
Fubo, once known as fuboTV, includes Bally Sports Ohio in its Pro and Elite plans.
The Pro plan features about 202 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FOX, NFL Network, ACC Network, and Big Ten Network. For entertainment, channels like Discovery, Paramount Network, and USA Network are available.
In the Ohio TV market, subscribers can access local channels like WKYC (NBC 10) for NBC, WOIO (CBS 3) for CBS, and WJW (FOX 29) for FOX.
Reds fans can tap into the dedicated MLB section to get the schedule of upcoming games, and to set their recordings. If you forget to record a game, you can use the lookback feature to watch Cincinnati Reds games that aired in the last 72 hours.
With Fubo, you get 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR, allowing you to record and replay games at your convenience. The service supports viewing on up to 10 screens simultaneously.
Movies and TV shows from your channel lineup are also available on-demand so you can watch them anytime.
The Pro plan is priced at $79.99 per month, plus a regional sports fee of $11.99 per month for one network, or $14.99 per month for two RSNs.
For enhanced viewing, Elite subscribers get some games on FS1, regional NBC Sports networks and FOX in 4K. Fubo’s Sports Plus add-on, at $10.99 per month, includes 30 channels like NFL RedZone, MLB Network, and NBA TV.
Fubo is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, as well as various Smart TVs and gaming consoles. New users can take advantage of a 7-day free trial with no long-term commitments.
| PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
|---|---|---|
| Pro | $79.99/month | 202 |
| Elite | $89.99/month | 269 |
MLB.tv for Out-of-Market Cincinnati Reds Fans
MLB.tv is good for Reds fans who don’t live in the Bally Sports Ohio (BSOH) TV market. This service streams games for all teams but blacks out local games to protect regional broadcast rights. So, if you’re not in the Reds’ home TV market, MLB.tv lets you watch their games live.
The cost for MLB.tv is $29.99 per month. But there are a few ways to subscribe:
- Amazon Prime members have a perk: a free 7-day trial of MLB.tv through Amazon Channels. After the trial, the regular subscription fee applies.
- You can also integrate MLB.tv with your fubo subscription, offering a seamless way to catch out-of-market games.
Remember, MLB.tv is ideal for fans outside the BSOH region wanting to follow the Reds. Check your local listings to ensure you’re not in the blackout area before subscribing.
Apple TV+ for MLB Friday Night Games
Apple TV+ offers “Friday Night Baseball,” with two games every Friday during the 2024 MLB season. While the Cincinnati Reds game against the NY Mets on April 5th has passed, Reds fans can still catch other MLB teams in action every Friday night without local blackout concerns.
A subscription to Apple TV+ is $9.99 per month, following a free 7-day trial. This service not only provides MLB games but also a variety of original movies and TV shows.
Apple TV+ is compatible with a range of devices, such as Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV, as well as Smart TVs from brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, Panasonic, and Hisense.
With “Friday Night Baseball,” Apple TV+ subscribers have access to two premier games weekly throughout the 26-week season, available in 60 countries and regions without local broadcast restrictions.
ESPN+ for Casual Cincinnati Reds Fans
ESPN+ is suited for casual Reds fans living outside the local market. It streams one live MLB game daily, following the national broadcast schedule. While you might catch the Reds in action once or twice during the regular season, remember that local blackout restrictions apply.
To view the regular season schedule and check if the Reds are playing, visit the MLB ESPN+ schedule online. Note that for watching local games, you’ll need access to your regional sports channel.
After the live broadcast, ESPN+ offers game replays. The service costs $10.99 per month, but there’s an option to bundle ESPN+ with Hulu and Disney+ for more entertainment choices.
| PLAN | PRICE | STREAMS |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN+ | $10.99/mo | HD/1080p – 3 devices |
| Disney Trio Basic (with ads) | $14.99/mo. | Disney+ up to 4K/Dolby Atmos Hulu up to 4K ESPN+ HD/1080p |
| Disney Trio Premium (only ESPN+ with ads) | $24.99/mo. | Disney+ up to 4K/Dolby Atmos Hulu up to 4K ESPN+ HD/1080p |
Watch Cincinnati Reds Games for Free with a TV Antenna
Using a TV antenna is the free option to catch Cincinnati Reds games on television. You can watch games broadcast on FOX during the regular season and switch to ABC for key post-season matches.
In Ohio, tune into local FOX stations like WJW (FOX 8) in Cleveland or WXIX (FOX 19) in Cincinnati to follow the Reds. However, Reds fans in Indiana, Kentucky, northwestern Pennsylvania, eastern Tennessee, West Virginia, and southwestern New York can also watch their local FOX station with a TV antenna to enjoy the games.
This method offers a cost-free way to support the Reds and keep up with their season, making it ideal for fans watching from home.
How to Watch Cincinnati Reds FAQ
These are common questions about how to watch or stream Cincinnati Reds games without a cable subscription.
How can I watch the Cincinnati Reds game?
For home games, DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo offer Bally Sports Ohio. DIRECTV STREAM’s Choice plan includes ESPN, FOX, FS1, and TBS, with a 5-day free trial. Fubo’s Pro plan has these channels plus local FOX stations, offering a 7-day free trial.
Can I watch the Cincinnati Reds on YouTube TV?
YouTube TV doesn’t have Bally Sports Ohio but includes local FOX, FS1, ESPN, and TBS for national games. The service costs $72.99 per month with a 7-day free trial.
Can I watch the Cincinnati Reds on Hulu?
Hulu Live TV carries ESPN, FS1, TBS, and local FOX channels but not Bally Sports Ohio. It offers 75 channels for $76.99 per month.
How can I watch Reds games without Bally Sports?
You can watch national broadcast games on ESPN, FS1, FOX, MLB Network, and TBS.
Can I watch Reds games on Sling TV?
Sling TV offers ESPN and TBS on the Orange plan, and FS1 on the Blue plan. It doesn’t carry regional sports networks, but local FOX broadcasts are available in certain markets.
What channel is the Cincinnati Reds game on tonight?
Reds games usually air on Bally Sports Ohio. Check the specified channel or service for national broadcasts:
- Sunday afternoon: TBS
- Sunday night: ESPN or ESPN2
- Monday night: ESPN or FS1
- Tuesday night: TBS
- Wednesday night: ESPN, FS1, MLB Network
- Thursday night: ESPN, FOX, MLB Network
- Friday night: Apple TV+
- Saturday afternoon: FOX
- Saturday night: FOX, FS1
This schedule helps you find where to watch the Reds, whether you’re in or out of the BSOH TV market.
Methodology
I spend hundreds of hours throughout the year conducting hands-on testing of streaming services, including Peacock, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV. I do the same rigorous testing for TV antennas and TV-related hardware. Check out the review policy to see how I compare products and services. The Cord Cutting Report is a reader-supported publication, and may earn affiliate commissions when you pick a streaming service through a recommendation. Read our affiliate policy for more information.
