MLB postseason games aren't on one network. They're split across NBC, TBS, FOX, FS1, and their streaming counterparts — and which network carries your team's game depends on which league they're in and how far they advance. A fan who subscribes to the wrong service will miss games. This post breaks down exactly which networks carry each round, what each streaming option costs per month, and the cheapest combination to watch what you care about. If you've read our guide to watching NFL games without cable, the approach here is the same.

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Last updated: August 13, 2026. Broadcast assignments can shift as the postseason bracket is set. Prices reflect current monthly rates as of this date.

Who Carries Which Round

The 2026 postseason runs from September 29 through October 31. Each round is carried by a different set of networks — and the split changes between rounds. Here's the breakdown, earliest first.

Wild Card Series (September 29 – October 1)

Carried by NBC, Peacock, and NBC Sports Network. The Wild Card moved from ESPN to NBC Sports in 2026 under MLB's new three-year media rights agreement. Games on NBC are free with a digital antenna; games exclusive to Peacock require a Peacock subscription. Local market blackouts do not apply to national postseason broadcasts.

AL Division Series (October 3 – 10)

Carried by TBS, truTV, and Max (formerly HBO Max). All ALDS games stream on Max — you don't need a cable login if you have a Max subscription. TBS and truTV carry simulcasts on linear TV. This is the American League side of the bracket.

NL Division Series (October 3 – 9)

Carried by FOX, FS1, and FOX One. Games on FOX are free with a digital antenna; games on FS1 or exclusive to FOX One require a subscription. FOX One is FOX's new streaming service (launched May 2026) that carries all FOX Sports content. This is the National League side.

AL Championship Series (October 12 – 20)

Carried by TBS, truTV, and Max. Same arrangement as the ALDS — all games stream on Max, with simulcasts on TBS and truTV. No antenna or FOX involvement for the ALCS.

NL Championship Series (October 11 – 19)

Carried by FOX, FS1, and FOX One. Same arrangement as the NLDS — FOX games are free with an antenna; FS1 and FOX One games require a subscription. If you followed the NLDS setup, you're already covered.

World Series (October 23 – 31)

Carried by FOX and FOX One. Every World Series game airs on FOX, meaning all seven potential games are free with a digital antenna. FOX One provides a streaming option for those without antenna access or watching on a mobile device.

The Cost Math

The postseason rights split means the cheapest path depends on which games you actually want. Here are the four decision paths.

If you only want the World Series

The World Series is entirely on FOX (broadcast). A one-time purchase of a digital antenna (roughly $25–$50) gets you every game free. No streaming subscription needed. Ongoing cost: $0/month. This is the single cheapest way to watch the World Series in 2026.

If you want every postseason game

You need access to NBC (Wild Card), TBS/truTV/Max (AL side), and FOX/FS1/FOX One (NL side plus World Series). The cheapest legitimate combination:

• Peacock Premium — $10.99/month (Wild Card)
• Max (with ads) — $10.99/month (ALDS, ALCS)
• FOX One — $19.99/month (NLDS, NLCS, World Series streaming)
• Digital antenna — one-time ~$25–$50 (NBC and FOX broadcast games)

Total: $41.97/month, plus the one-time antenna. This covers every game across all rounds. The trade-off is managing three separate streaming apps and switching between them depending on which round and league is playing that day.

If you prefer one app, a live TV streaming bundle covers everything in a single interface. Fubo Pro ($88.99/month) and YouTube TV ($82.99/month) both carry NBC, FOX, FS1, TBS, and truTV — every network you need. Sling Orange & Blue ($60.99/month) is cheaper but may not include local FOX and NBC affiliates in all markets, so check your zip code before subscribing.

If you follow one specific team

Figure out which league your team is in and whether they're likely to have a first-round bye. The top two seeds in each league skip the Wild Card:

• NL team with a Division Series bye: Antenna + FOX One ($19.99/month) covers NLDS, NLCS, and World Series. Total: $19.99/month (plus antenna).
• NL team in the Wild Card: Add Peacock Premium ($10.99/month) for the Wild Card round on NBC/Peacock. Total: $30.98/month (plus antenna).
• AL team with a Division Series bye: Max with ads ($10.99/month) covers ALDS and ALCS. Add an antenna for the World Series on FOX. Total: $10.99/month (plus antenna).
• AL team in the Wild Card: Add Peacock Premium ($10.99/month) for the Wild Card round. Total: $21.98/month (plus antenna).

If your team reaches the World Series, the antenna covers those games on FOX regardless of which league they're in.

The cheapest legitimate path overall

If you want every game and don't want to think about which league your team is in: antenna (free) + Peacock Premium ($10.99) + Max with ads ($10.99) + FOX One ($19.99) = $41.97/month. That's less than any single live TV bundle and covers the entire postseason from Wild Card through Game 7 of the World Series. Cancel after October 31 — you're not locked into an annual plan with any of these services.

The Antenna Option

A digital antenna receives over-the-air broadcast signals for free. It covers every postseason game that airs on FOX (select NLDS games, select NLCS games, and all World Series games) and every game that airs on NBC (select Wild Card games). It does not cover games on TBS, truTV, FS1, Peacock, Max, or FOX One — those require a subscription. A basic indoor antenna costs $25–$50 one-time and plugs into your TV's coaxial input. No subscription, no monthly fee, no internet required. If you only care about the World Series, this is all you need.

What About the Regular Season Ending

Regular-season games in late September matter for playoff races but are carried differently than postseason games. National regular-season windows are split across FOX, ESPN, TBS, and Apple TV+ — and your local team's games air on a Regional Sports Network (RSN) that may or may not be available through a given streaming service. If your team is fighting for a spot in the final week, check which RSN carries them before subscribing to anything.

How StreamingBeam Helps

If you're totaling up subscription costs for a limited October window, StreamingBeam's Cost Calculator does the math for you. Add the services you're considering — Peacock, Max, FOX One, a live TV bundle — and see the monthly total before you commit. It's especially useful when comparing the $41.97 multi-app path against an $83 single-bundle path and wanting to see how the numbers actually break down. For a broader view of which services carry which sports year-round, see our guide to the best streaming services for sports in 2026.

Don't Miss a Pitch

The 2026 MLB postseason runs from September 29 through October 31, spread across NBC, TBS, FOX, and their streaming platforms. Whether you spend $0 with an antenna or $41.97 across three apps, the key is knowing which networks carry your team's games before the first pitch. Bookmark streamingbeam.com for cost breakdowns, watchlist tools, and streaming guides for every sport.