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How to watch the Kansas City Royals live in 2024
May 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) celebrates in the dugout after scoring against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

How to watch the Kansas City Royals live in 2024

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It has been nine years since the Kansas City Royals last hoisted the World Series trophy in 2015. Not only are they trying to return to the winners' circle, but the team is also trying to bounce back from their first season under manager Matt Quatraro, which produced a 56–106 record.

There were bright spots. Infielder Bobby Witt Jr. is coming off a 30-homer, 49-stolen base season where he finished seventh in MVP voting. The team also returns pitchers Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha for another campaign. Read on to find out how to watch the Kansas City Royals this season with top-rated sports streaming platforms


What channels are Kansas City Royals games on this season?

Nationally televised Royals games will air on ESPN, Fox, Fox Sports 1 (FS1), MLB Network and TBS. For more extensive insights on the team, fans can enjoy local coverage on KC’s regional sports network (RSN), Bally Sports Kansas City. If you’re not in the Kansas or Missouri area, out-of-market coverage is available through MLB.TV. 


DIRECTV STREAM
Fubo
Hulu + Live TV
Sling TV
YouTube TV
ESPN





Fox



✔*

FS1





MLB Network





TBS





*Local channels only available in select locations

How to watch the Kansas City Royals on DIRECTV STREAM

  • Pricing begins at $86.99/mo
  • 90+ live TV channels
  • Free trial available

When it comes to baseball, DIRECTV STREAM is among the top options because it provides all the essentials. Fox, ESPN, FS1, and TBS are all part of the 75+ Entertainment package. You need to upgrade to the Choice plan, which includes over 105 channels, if you want more in-depth analysis, games and highlights from the MLB Network. A major perk of DIRECTV STREAM is that RSNs are included for free. This means Bally Sports Kansas City comes with no RSN fees, unlike other streaming services. 

In addition, DIRECTV STREAM customers have unlimited DVR storage for up to nine months. Additional features include three out-of-home streams and unlimited streams at home. One drawback is that DIRECTV STREAM is expensive compared to others, so your decision will ultimately be based on your financial situation. 


How to watch the Kansas City Royals on Fubo

  • Pricing begins at $79.99/mo
  • 190+ live TV channels
  • Free trial available

Sports fans have long recognized Fubo as one of soccer's best live TV streaming services. However, baseball fans will also find something in Fubo’s expansive channel selections. Royals fans can watch the team’s national broadcasts on the base Pro plan, which includes ESPN, Fox and FS1. With 194 channels, the package doubles the DIRECTV STREAM channel count. MLB Network is available to subscribers of the Elite plan, which includes 263 channels. This plan also gives you access to ESPNU, ESPNEWS and Pac-12 Network, just to name a few.

On the downside, TBS is not part of any of Fubo’s packages, which is disappointing. But they are generous. With 1,000 hours of DVR storage and 10 at-home streams, you are pretty much guaranteed to catch all of the Royals action available in your area. 


How to watch the Kansas City Royals on Hulu + Live TV

  • Pricing begins at $76.99/mo
  • 95+ live TV channels
  • 3-day free trial

Hulu + Live TV is one of the most underrated services in terms of value. After all, you’re essentially getting three streamers in one when you sign up for a subscription. It all starts with the Hulu on-demand library and 90+ live TV channels, then adds all of the Disney Plus and ESPN Plus content

For Royals fans, the live TV lineup features ESPN, Fox, FS1 and TBS. MLB Network is also making an appearance just in time for the 2024 season. Sports fans also appreciate that Big Ten Network, ESPN 2, Golf Channel and more are available with the Live TV bundle.

Though the two simultaneous streams are not very impressive, the platform does come with unlimited DVR storage. If you can fit it into the budget, Hulu + Live TV offers channels and options to suit everyone.


How to watch the Kansas City Royals on Sling TV

  • Pricing begins at $40.00/mo
  • 31+ live TV channels
  • Free trial currently unavailable

If cost-effectiveness is your primary concern when selecting a live TV streaming service, Sling TV should be your first consideration. The streamer is known for budget-friendly plans. While Sling Orange and Sling Blue (the base plans) provide a lot of channels and sports. To gain access to ESPN, Fox, FS1 and TBS in one package, you will have to invest in the consolidated Sling Orange & Blue plan. 

For MLB Network and 24 other sports channels, including NFL Network, ESPN3 and Golf Channel. One of the greatest limitations of a Sling TV subscription is the minimal 50 hours of DVR storage. But subscribers may be able to overlook that factor for the favorable pricing. 


How to watch the Kansas City Royals on YouTube TV

  • Pricing begins at $72.99/mo
  • 100+ live TV channels
  • Free trial available

YouTube TV doesn’t offer as many plan options as the other live TV streaming services, but its base plan is robust enough to satisfy subscribers. The English language base plan features 100+ channels, including ESPN, Fox, FS1 and TBS. There are a couple of drawbacks. YouTube TV wasn’t able to reach a deal with MLB Network. Additionally, YouTube TV doesn’t carry Bally Sports Kansas City. If you’re out-of-market, you may have to invest in MLB.TV. 

For fans of other sports besides baseball, other channels include ESPN 2, FS2, NBA TV, NFL Network, TNT and USA Network. One of the more intriguing features is personalized profiles for up to six members of your household. You will also have unlimited DVR storage for later viewing. 


How to watch the Kansas City Royals on Apple TV+

When people think of sports on Apple TV+, the first reference point might be “Ted Lasso.” The Emmy award-winning comedy series follows an American football coach turned soccer manager in England. But baseball fans will also find a weekly doubleheader. “Friday Night Baseball” is scheduled to run throughout the season. And with each team playing 162 games, there’s a fair chance the Kansas City Royals will appear in the lineup.  


How to watch Kansas City Royals out-of-market games with MLB TV

An MLB.TV subscription provides access to live broadcasts of out-of-market games without the threat of national or regional blackouts. Depending on your tastes or budget, you can choose from several different streams: one that only covers Royals games, one that covers all teams, and a hybrid that lets you watch both your favorite local team and the league's out-of-market schedule. To ensure you make the right choice, the service offers a free trial to test before committing. You can subscribe directly through MLB.TV or conveniently purchase a subscription via Amazon Prime Video Channels.


FAQ

What is the cheapest way to watch the Royals?

Watch the Royals at no cost with a free trial from live TV streaming services like DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV. If you’re looking for a dedicated streaming platform, Sling Orange and Blue plus Sports Extra unlocks ESPN, Fox, FS1, MLB Network, and TBS for a total of $70.00 per month. 

What TV channel carries the KC Royals?

There are multiple options for enjoying Kansas City Royals broadcasts. Viewers can watch games on ESPN, Fox, FS1, MLB Network, and TBS. Royals’ home games air on Bally Sports Kansas City.

Can I watch the Royals on the Bally Sports app?

Most Royal games are aired on Bally Sports Kansas City, which services Missouri and Kansas. However, fans in other areas like Des Moines, IA, and Omaha, NE, can also follow the team on Bally Sports Midwest.

Nasha is a travel, sports, and lifestyle writer contributing to Forbes, PEOPLE, Lonely Planet, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel Noire, Thrillist, Business Insider, InStyle, Shondaland, Sports Illustrated, and more.