YouTube TV is introducing a new sports package priced at $65 per month this fall, while MLB.TV subscriptions will now be purchased through the ESPN App after ESPN acquired distribution rights during the offseason. Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has indicated that international expansion remains a possibility as the league grows its global presence.
YouTube TV’s New Sports Plan Launches at a Competitive Price
YouTube TV announced a sports-centered subscription bundle costing $65 per month, marking a 22% discount compared to its $83 monthly base plan. This plan, first publicized by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw, will be available later this year and targets sports fans by including access to multiple major sports networks.
The offering will feature all ESPN channels, including ESPN Unlimited, which will soon be accessible via the YouTube TV app. Subscribers will also receive content from ESPN-owned NFL Network, NBCSN, Fox Sports 1 (FS1), and the Turner Sports networks TNT, TBS, and truTV. A combined sports and news package will be priced at $72 per month.
To attract new users, YouTube TV is discounting the sports plan to $55 per month for the first 12 months. Additionally, the bundled sports and news option will be available at $57 per month for the initial three months. Beyond sports, YouTube TV is launching a full news, entertainment, and family plan for $70 monthly, alongside a standalone entertainment package priced at $55 per month. Both plans feature introductory discounts for new subscribers, and add-ons such as NFL Sunday Ticket + RedZone, 4K Plus, and HBO Max remain available.
MLB.TV Subscriptions Transition to ESPN App for New Purchases
With ESPN now holding the distribution rights for MLB.TV’s out-of-market streaming service, new subscriptions will be purchased through the ESPN App rather than directly from MLB. New subscribers will receive a complimentary one-month trial of ESPN Unlimited, with the option to cancel during this period while retaining MLB.TV access.
Existing ESPN Unlimited subscribers can add MLB.TV via the familiar ESPN interface, and current MLB.TV subscribers will see their service automatically renewed without needing to engage with ESPN’s platforms. Notably, MLB.TV will remain available on MLB’s own streaming platform through the 2026 season, but users can also stream content through the ESPN App.
It is important to note that local MLB broadcasts will not be included on the ESPN App this season. Local broadcast rights are maintained by MLB’s media division, which is managing telecasts for 14 teams in 2026. Recent offseason updates expanded this portfolio to include the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, and Washington Nationals.
The addition of the Detroit Tigers, confirmed on Monday afternoon, also relates to their shared ownership with the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. Most of the newly added MLB teams belong to the Main Street Sports Group, which currently owns NBA and NHL franchises. Industry reports suggest that the Los Angeles Angels and Atlanta Braves are contemplating launching their own regional sports networks (RSNs).
Roger Goodell Keeps Door Open for NFL’s International Expansion
During an interview prior to Super Bowl LX, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expressed openness to expanding the NFL internationally. Currently, the league will host a record nine international games next season and Goodell emphasized that
“take international expansion off the table”
was not an option, adding that this prospect seemed very possible someday.
Goodell elaborated,
“Well, you can think of expansion as the number of teams, or you can think of expansion as us playing in international markets and reaching in different areas and expansion spanning our international series,”
before continuing,
“I think as far as teams are concerned, I think at some point, if our international growth continues the way it is, I can see international growth on an international basis.”
The NFL commissioner has revealed ambitions to eventually schedule 16 international games annually, involving every team, which could require extending the regular season to 18 games. The last NFL schedule extension from 16 to 17 games occurred in 2021 under the latest collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association.
Earlier this season, Goodell also highlighted international markets’ appeal, telling CNBC’s Alex Sherman that
“markets outside the U.S. are very, very attractive”
and suggested adding a London-based team remains possible.
NFL Executive Vice President of media distribution Hans Schroeder indicated to Sherman that the league might explore an international game media rights package within six months. However, it remains uncertain whether international games will air on ESPN-owned NFL Network, which is slated to televise seven regular-season games. YouTube’s Vice President of product management, Christian Oestlien, expressed enthusiasm about possibly expanding the NFL’s media rights footprint this year. YouTube notably streamed its first NFL game from São Paulo, Brazil last season and was the sole platform to exclusively broadcast an international NFL contest.
Additional Sports Media and Event Updates
Mike Tirico is set to anchor Monday night’s “Primetime in Milan” broadcast from Italy at 8 PM ET on NBC, arriving onsite less than 24 hours after calling Super Bowl LIX in Santa Clara, California. Originally, Savannah Guthrie was scheduled to host but did not travel to Milan.
The NBA’s Board of Governors is expected to consider expanding the league by two teams this summer, with Las Vegas and Seattle emerging as the most likely candidates. NBA commissioner Adam Silver praised both locations, calling them
“two incredible cities.”
Golf Channel will feature Roger Maltbie as an on-course reporter for select tournaments next year, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Players Championship, and Memorial Tournament, according to Golfweek’s Cameron Jourdan. Maltbie, who has appeared occasionally since losing his full-time role in 2023, will also join CBS Sports coverage for two weeks, including the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez officially announced his retirement after calling over 4,000 games. Martinez stated it was time to
“pass the torch”
ahead of the Blue Jays’ 50th anniversary season. He concluded his broadcasting partnership with Dan Shulman on Sportsnet with Game 7 of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Centre.
NFL expansion?
Our @ScottWipeout asks @nflcommish in our #SBLX interview – airing later today during our #SuperBowl coverage. pic.twitter.com/7RKwaJwBG7— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) February 8, 2026
Think it's going to be an extra-great year for Seattle. I'm hearing NBA Board of Governors likely to vote on expanding by two teams this summer and Las Vegas and Seattle are favored.
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) February 9, 2026
