It’s been more than a decade since the last Pittsburgh Pirates playoff appearance, and the franchise hasn’t yielded a winning record since 2018. Could this finally be the year of the black-and-yellow vibe reversal? Somewhere along Allegheny shores, the Jolly Roger waits to be unfurled.

The Pirates are far from big spenders, but they do have a core of compelling young talents. It all starts with Paul Skenes, the dazzling ace and reigning Cy Young winner. Skenes starts 2026 with a surreal 1.96 ERA across 55 career starts. Pittsburgh is also building with No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin at shortstop and No. 14 Bubba Chandler on the bump.

To push for results in 2026, the front office added former All-Stars like Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna. For the first time in a while, this looks like a team to watch.

Actually watching MLB games feels harder than ever before, though. Blackouts and carriages complicate regional access, while the league has added new national broadcasters in NBC and Netflix. Use this guide to refresh on the many TV rules and catch up on what’s changed.

Pirates partisans should follow the team on The Athletic as well.

You can watch MLB games live on Fubo (Stream Free Now!) all season.

Pirates games on SportsNet PittsburghIn-market fans

Skenes draws national attention, of course. But most Pirates games are on their regional sports network, the aptly named SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Under current blackout rules, in-market Pirates fans can’t use MLB.TV to stream regional broadcasts. Those with SNP in their live TV package are all set. Those without it need the direct-to-consumer option, SNP 360. That streaming pass also includes broadcasts for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.

Greg Brown is the longtime voice of Pirates telecasts. His home run call of “clear the deck, cannonball coming!” always hits.

What you need to watch: A provider with SportsNet Pittsburgh, or a subscription through SNP 360 ($21.99/month, or a six-month season pass at $99.99).

Out-of-market fans

Whether you’re a relocated Yinzer or still spiritually in Blue Slide Park, all out-of-market supporters need MLB.TV for regional Pirates games.

MLB season ticket holders get an automatic MLB.TV login code, and T-Mobile customers get it for free through their cell service. Returning MLB.TV subscribers keep their plans through the league. But because ESPN is now selling and running the package, all new sign-ups must come through ESPN Unlimited, with a one-month trial included for the newcomers. According to The Athletic’s Evan Drellich, users don’t need to keep the ESPN Unlimited plan to access the MLB.TV one, at least not for 2026.

What you need to watch: MLB.TV. It’s $134.99 annually for ESPN Unlimited subscribers and $149.99 for others.

Pirates games on national TV

The league’s national TV partners are sorted alphabetically, with the main days for MLB action listed below.

ABC/ESPN

Main days: Sunday for ABC, midweek for ESPN

ESPN and MLB have been tied together since the 1990 season. The stalwart is no longer home to “Sunday Night Baseball,” but its reworked agreement gives it 30 regular-season exclusives in 2026. That slate begins Wednesday, April 15.

Over-the-air parent network ABC has a trio of telecasts this year as part of the 30-game purchase.

What you need to watch: ABC is free with an antenna. ABC and ESPN are included with most pay TV providers, and they’re also available with an ESPN Unlimited subscription (starting at $29.99/month). Some pay TV providers, like Fubo and a few others, include ESPN Unlimited with their subscription.

Apple TV

Main day: Friday

This is home to “Friday Night Baseball,” which started in 2022. That weekly window is usually a doubleheader, free from local blackouts but exclusive to Apple TV.

The Pirates’ first appearance on the streamer will come on April 17, when they host the Tampa Bay Rays for an interleague showdown. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET.

What you need to watch: An Apple TV subscription (starting at $12.99/month).

Fox/FS1

Main days: Saturday for Fox, midweek or Saturday for FS1, All-Star Game

There are 23 “Baseball Night in America” Saturday centerpieces lined up on Fox. The network airs two games at 7 p.m. ET and assigns markets by matchup relevance. Some Saturdays are doubleheaders with an FS1 game in the early afternoon. The Pirates have one of those on May 2, a home look versus the Cincinnati Reds.

FS1 has an additional weekly spot falling on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. Fox and FS1 total more than 85 regular-season games this year.

Come October, Fox has the NLDS and NLCS playoff series, plus the Fall Classic itself. Joe Davis has been on the World Series call since 2022, when he took over for longtime play-by-play voice Joe Buck. John Smoltz has been the color commentator since 2016. Fox’s World Series hold dates back to 2000 and runs through at least 2028.

What you need to watch: Fox is free with an antenna. Fox and FS1 are included with most pay TV providers, and they also stream with a Fox One subscription (starting at $19.99/month).

MLB Network

Main days: Throughout the week

Here’s our backstop, unassuming but reliable. The “MLB Network Showcase” has been around since 2009. The network usually airs a couple of games each week.

What you need to watch: A pay TV provider with MLB Network, typically included in standard or sports plans. MLB Network also streams with an MLB.TV subscription (starting at $134.99/year).

NBC/Peacock

Main day: Sunday, Opening Day

“Sunday Night Baseball” migrates from ESPN to NBC and Peacock, as the Universal network returns to live MLB coverage for the first time in 25 years. NBC, its streamer and the linear NBC Sports Network combine for 27 prime-time games and 34 afternoon ones in 2026. Some of the Sunday nighters are exclusive to Peacock.

This lineup launches with an Opening Day doubleheader on March 26. The Pirates are a part of the first game, as they fly to Flushing and meet the New York Mets. Matt Vasgersian will be on the call for that one.

NBC’s season coverage concludes with the playoff wild-card series. To trumpet the return, the network has brought on some big names, including Bob Costas, Clayton Kershaw, Joey Votto and Anthony Rizzo.

Peacock usually has a live game in its “MLB Sunday Leadoff” spot, most of them with noon local starts.

What you need to watch: NBC is free with an antenna, but Peacock requires a subscription (starting at $10.99/month for live sports). NBCSN is included in select pay TV providers.

Netflix

Main days: Opening Night, Home Run Derby, “Field of Dreams”

Already venturing into live sports with NFL Christmas Day, Netflix has three MLB exclusives this season, starting with the 2026 opener on March 25.

July 13 is the Home Run Derby, airing with All-Star festivities. Aug. 13 is the “Field of Dreams” game, a neutral-site showcase in Iowa with the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins. The Netflix arrangement runs through 2028.

What you need to watch: A Netflix subscription (starting at $7.99/month).

TBS

Main day: Tuesday

TBS Tuesdays continue in 2026. The slate jumps off with the New York Yankees at Seattle Mariners on March 31, a potential dinger duel between Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh. TBS also has this year’s ALDS and ALCS playoff rounds.

What you need to watch: A pay TV provider with TBS, or an HBO Max subscription (starting at $10.99/month).

Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub.

Pirates’ all-time leaderboard
Hits — Roberto Clemente (3,000)
HRs — Willie Stargell (475)
RBIs — Willie Stargell (1,540)
Wins — Wilbur Cooper (202)
Ks — Bob Friend (1,682)
Saves — Roy Face (186)

We’ve made it through, and we’re all feeling like Pirate Parrot now.

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