Watch Pittsburgh Pirates Games Live in 2024 Without Cable

You can start watching Pittsburgh Pirates games live today without needing cable. 

Most games are shown on SportsNet Pittsburgh, but you can also stream Pittsburgh Pirates live on networks like FOX, ESPN, FS1, TBS, and MLB Network. This guide will show you how to catch Pirates games online and how to get local channels for free.

How to Watch Pittsburgh Pirates Games

SportsNet Pittsburgh airs most of the Pirates’ games played at PNC Park. This channel holds the sole rights to show Pirates games in the local market. You can watch SportsNet Pittsburgh on DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo.

Here is a quick rundown of streaming services, free trials, monthly price, and key channels:

Service	Free Trial	Monthly Price	Key Channels
DIRECTV STREAM	Yes	$108.99	SportsNet Pittsburgh, ESPN, MLB Network, FS1
Fubo	Yes	$79.99	NBC (WPXI), ABC (WTAE), ESPN, MLB Network
Fubo Elite	Yes	$89.99	4K Streaming, Regional NBC Sports, FS1, FOX
MLB.tv	Yes	$29.99	Out-of-market MLB games
ESPN+	No	$10.99	National MLB games, occasional Pirates games
Apple TV+	Yes	$9.99	Friday Night Baseball, occasional Pirates games

Apple TV+ offers live Pittsburgh Pirates games on Friday nights during the 2024 MLB season. Remember, streaming isn’t the sole way to watch. Using a TV antenna, cord-cutters can stream national broadcast games at no cost.

I began streaming MLB games in 2016 with PlayStation Vue. Now, I want to help you understand how to watch Pittsburgh Pirates games in 2024 without cable.

If you’re looking for a specific network, don’t worry. Check out my guides to learn how to stream channels like ABC, FOX, ESPN, FS1, TBS, and MLB Network without cable.

Where Can I Watch SportsNet Pittsburgh?

SportsNet Pittsburgh is available to subscribers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. You need to live in one of these states to watch the Pirates play on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

How to Stream Pittsburgh Pirates Games

To stream live Pittsburgh Pirates games without cable is easy, even if you’ve been using a cable plan forever. 

You need a few basics to start streaming MLB action on your TV screen:

• A streaming service featuring SportsNet Pittsburgh and channels broadcasting nationally televised Pirates games
• A reliable internet connection: aim for at least 25 Mbps for smooth streaming, especially if multiple people in your home use the internet at the same time
• A Smart TV or a streaming device like Roku to connect to your TV

Fubo offers game replays so you won’t miss the Pirates in action if you can’t watch a game live. With DIRECTV STREAM, you get unlimited Cloud DVR, letting you record games and watch them on your schedule.

Streaming services like DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo make it easy to watch live TV. 

For Pittsburgh TV Market residents, using fuboTV or DIRECTV STREAM provides access to local channels from the “Big Four” broadcasters: CBS (KDKA, channel 2), ABC (WTAE, channel 4), NBC (WPXI, channel 11), and FOX (WPGH, channel 53).

These services provide apps for Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Google Chromecast with Google TV. You can also stream games on Smart TVs, iPhones, iPads, Android smartphones, or directly on a PC using a web browser.

DIRECTV STREAM: Watch Pittsburgh Pirates Games Without Cable

DIRECTV STREAM provides all channels needed to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates in action. 

For $108.99 per month, you get over 105 channels, including SportsNet Pittsburgh for local games, ESPN, MLB Network, and FS1 for national broadcasts. Notably, it includes local channels like CBS (KDKA) and FOX (WPGH), covering most Pirates games.

You can get live TV on multiple screens simultaneously at home. Try out any plan you want with a free 5-day trial. You can use unlimited Cloud DVR for recording Pirates games. With no contracts and no extra fees for regional sports, you can start or stop service monthly.

DIRECTV STREAM is compatible with various devices, including Roku, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, and mobile devices. Check out the channel lineups to see all your options.

Fubo: Live Stream Pittsburgh Pirates Online

Fubo offers 202 live TV channels, much like a traditional cable package, but at $79.99 per month. It includes sports channels like ESPN and also features local NBC (WPXI) and ABC (WTAE) stations, ensuring Pirates fans catch games aired locally.

The service also has 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR, allowing fans to record and replay Pirates games in a few clicks. With the “look back” feature, you can rewatch games from the past three days.

You can stream TV on 10 devices simultaneously. Note that Fubo includes a regional sports fee, starting at $11.99 per month for one RSN, $14.99 per month for two.

Fubo’s Elite package offers an enhanced experience for MLB fans with select games streamed in upscaled 4K. This option is perfect for those wanting the best visual quality for games on regional NBC Sports networks, FS1, and FOX.

With the Elite subscription, viewers gain access to 67 additional channels, including the MLB Network. The Elite plan costs $89.99 per month. In addition to the extra channels and 4K streaming, Elite subscribers get all the standard Fubo features.  

For Pirates fans seeking top-tier game broadcasts, Fubo’s Elite package combines a broad channel lineup with superior picture quality.

Compatible with Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and more, fuboTV is accessible on various devices. Although TBS and TNT are missing, the extensive channel lineup still caters well to sports fans.

MLB.tv for Out-of-Market Pittsburgh Pirates Fans

MLB.tv is the go-to service for fans outside the Pittsburgh area, offering live streams of all out-of-market MLB games. If you’re not in the Pirates’ home broadcast region, you can catch every game live.

However, Pittsburgh Pirates games are blacked out in their home market to encourage local viewership. This means MLB.tv is ideal for Pirates fans living elsewhere.

Subscribing to MLB.tv costs $29.99 per month. For Amazon Prime members, there’s a perk: a free 7-day trial available through Amazon Channels, after which the standard rate applies.

Besides Amazon Channels, fans can subscribe directly via the MLB.tv website or through any Fubo subscription.

Apple TV+ for Pittsburgh Pirates Games

Apple TV+ features “Friday Night Baseball” during the 2024 MLB season, airing two games every Friday night. This includes a special highlight for Pirates fans: the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Minnesota Twins game on June 7 at 6:30 p.m. ET.

With a subscription at $9.99 per month, after a free 7-day trial, subscribers can enjoy these games along with Apple’s lineup of original movies and TV shows.

Apple TV+ isn’t just for baseball; it also offers a wide range of entertainment options. Unlike MLB.tv or ESPN Plus, Apple TV Plus has no blackouts when it comes to MLB games. 

Compatible with numerous devices like Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV, as well as Smart TVs from leading brands, Apple TV+ ensures Pirates games and more are accessible to a global audience.

ESPN+ for National and Out-of-Market Pirates Games

ESPN+ streams one MLB game daily from the national broadcast schedule. 

Every MLB team, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, appears at least twice on ESPN+ each season, making it a solid choice for catching some out-of-market Pirates action.

Be aware of local blackout rules that might affect game availability in your area. You can view the ESPN+ MLB schedule to plan your viewing.

After live streaming, games are available for replay on ESPN+. However, for local Pirates games, you’ll need a regional sports channel. ESPN+ is priced at $10.99 per month. 

Watch Pittsburgh Pirates Games for Free with a TV Antenna

Using a TV antenna is your best bet for watching Pittsburgh Pirates games free on local channels. You can catch the Pirates on FOX (WPGH) without spending a dime.

Other free over-the-air channels in the Pittsburgh area include CBS (KDKA), ABC (WTAE), and NBC (WPXI).

If your TV antenna has been collecting dust, now’s the time to connect it to your television’s coax port and start scanning for channels. FOX (WPGH) airs Pirates games during the regular season, while ABC (WTAE) is vital for postseason action.

This free method not only supports your local broadcasters but also ensures you don’t miss any live Pirates games.

Pittsburgh Pirates Watching FAQ

Can I stream Pittsburgh Pirates games on YouTube TV?

No, YouTube TV lacks SportsNet Pittsburgh, which is necessary for local Pirates games. However, it offers 128 channels, including ESPN and FS1 for national broadcasts, at $72.99 per month with unlimited Cloud DVR.

Is Hulu an option for Pittsburgh Pirates games?

Hulu Live TV includes ESPN, FS1, TBS, and local FOX channels for national Pirates games but doesn’t offer SportsNet Pittsburgh. The service has 90 channels and unlimited Cloud DVR for $76.99 per month.

Can Sling TV cover my Pirates game needs?

With Sling Orange, catch Pirates games on ESPN and TBS, and Sling Blue for FS1. However, Sling TV doesn’t provide regional sports networks. In select cities, local FOX stations will broadcast the Pirates games.

How can I watch the Pittsburgh Pirates without cable in 2024?

DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo are top choices, offering comprehensive channel lineups including ESPN, FS1, and local networks to cover all Pirates game broadcasts.

How do I watch Pittsburgh Pirates games if I’m out of the local broadcast area?

If you’re outside the Pittsburgh area, MLB.tv and ESPN+ are your best bets for catching Pirates games.

MLB.tv is ideal for out-of-market Pirates fans, offering live streams of all out-of-market MLB games. Note that local blackout restrictions will apply, so games within the Pirates’ broadcast region won’t be available. MLB.tv costs $29.99 per month, and you can watch games across a range of devices.

ESPN+ also features MLB games, including at least two appearances by each team during the season, making it a good option for watching occasional out-of-market Pirates games. The service costs $10.99 per month and offers a variety of live sports, including MLB games, as part of its national broadcast schedule.

Both services provide a way to follow the Pirates throughout the season, even if you’re far from Pittsburgh.

What channel is the Pittsburgh Pirates game on tonight or today?

To find out where to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates game today or tonight, refer to this day-by-day TV schedule for the 2024 MLB season on SportsNet Pittsburgh and other networks:

• 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, and MLB Network
• Friday Night: Apple TV+
• Saturday Afternoon: FOX
• Saturday Night: FOX, FS1

This schedule gives you the channel lineup for national broadcast games. For local broadcasts, Pirates games are typically on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Check daily listings to ensure you catch the game on the right channel or streaming service.