Finding out what channel do the dodgers play on used to be simple. You’d flip to channel 44 or 789 on your Spectrum box, and there was Vin Scully (or later, Joe Davis) calling another absolute heater in the Ravine. But baseball in 2026? It’s a whole different animal. The landscape has shifted so much that even the most die-hard fans are scratching their heads trying to figure out which subscription they actually need to see Shohei Ohtani take a curtain call.
If you're in Los Angeles, things are still anchored by a familiar name, but the way you access it has expanded. If you're out-of-market, the rules just changed in a massive way thanks to some blockbuster deals between MLB, ESPN, and NBC. Basically, the "where is the game" struggle is real.
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The Daily Home: Spectrum SportsNet LA
For about 90% of the season, the answer to what channel do the dodgers play on is Spectrum SportsNet LA (often called SNLA). This is the "Regional Sports Network" or RSN that has the exclusive rights to almost every single regular-season game.
Honestly, if you don't have this channel, you're going to miss a lot. Spectrum remains the primary carrier, but they’ve finally made it easier for the "cord-cutters" who refuse to pay for a massive cable bundle.
How to get SNLA in 2026:
- Spectrum Cable: Channels 44 (SD) and 789 (HD) in the LA area.
- DIRECTV Stream: This remains the only major live TV streaming service (vMVPD) that carries SportsNet LA. You usually need the "Choice" package or higher.
- The SNLA+ Direct-to-Consumer App: You can now subscribe directly to Spectrum SportsNet LA through the MLB app for about $29.99 a month. No cable box required, but—and this is a big but—you have to be living within the Dodgers' home television territory (Southern California, Hawaii, and parts of Nevada).
What Channel Do the Dodgers Play On for National Games?
This is where it gets kind of messy. MLB signed a massive new TV deal that kicked in for the 2026 season, bringing NBC and Peacock back into the fold in a huge way. The Dodgers, being the ratings goldmine they are, are featured constantly on these national windows.
When a game is "National," it’s often blacked out on SNLA, meaning you have to switch over to a different app or channel.
- NBC and Peacock (Sunday Night Baseball): NBC is back! They’ve taken over the Sunday Night Baseball slot for many weeks. The Dodgers' season opener on March 26, 2026, against the Diamondbacks is a primetime NBC exclusive.
- Fox and FS1: The "Baseball Night in America" tradition continues on Saturdays. If it’s a big matchup against the Giants or the Padres, check Fox first.
- ESPN: They still hold rights to about 30 exclusive games a year, mostly midweek "holidays" or special events like the Little League Classic.
- Apple TV+: "Friday Night Baseball" is still a thing. You’ll need an Apple TV+ subscription for these specific Friday doubleheaders; they aren't on local cable.
- Netflix: New for 2026! Netflix has started dipping its toes into live MLB events. While they don't have a weekly Dodgers slot yet, they are the home for the World Baseball Classic and certain "special event" games.
The Out-of-Market Struggle: Using MLB.TV and ESPN
If you live in New York, Chicago, or anywhere else that isn't considered "Dodger Territory," your best friend is MLB.TV. However, starting in 2026, there’s a major twist: ESPN has acquired the rights to distribute MLB.TV.
What does that mean for you? It means you can now buy and watch the out-of-market Dodgers feed directly inside the ESPN App. You don't necessarily need a separate MLB account if you're already in the ESPN ecosystem.
Expert Tip: Even with MLB.TV or the ESPN bundle, local blackouts still apply. If the Dodgers are playing the team in your backyard (say, you live in Denver and they’re playing the Rockies), the game will be blacked out on your streaming app and you'll have to watch it on the Rockies' local channel.
Why Can’t I Find the Game? (The Blackout Headache)
We’ve all been there. You sit down with a drink, open your favorite app, and see that dreaded "This content is not available in your area" message.
Usually, this happens because the game is a National Exclusive. If the game is on Apple TV+ or NBC, Spectrum SportsNet LA isn't allowed to show it. It’s a "territory rights" thing that drives fans crazy, but it’s basically how the teams make their billions.
To stay ahead of it, you've gotta check the schedule daily. The MLB app is usually the most accurate for this. It will explicitly list the "TV" for that day—whether it’s SNLA, FOX, or Peacock.
Actionable Steps for Dodgers Fans
To make sure you never miss a pitch in 2026, here is your "survival kit" for the season:
- Check the Zip Code: Go to the MLB website and enter your zip code to see if you are "In-Market." This dictates whether you need a Spectrum-based product or an out-of-market package.
- Get the Right App: If you’re a cord-cutter in LA, download the Spectrum SportsNet app and look for the SNLA+ subscription option.
- The "National" Check: Mark your calendar for Friday nights (Apple TV+) and Sunday nights (NBC/Peacock). Those are the most common times the game "disappears" from your regular channel.
- Sync Your ESPN Account: If you live outside of LA, look into the ESPN Unlimited plan, which often bundles MLB.TV with other sports content, saving you a few bucks over the course of the season.
The days of just turning on the TV and finding the game are sort of over. It takes a little bit of digital gymnastics now, but with Ohtani and Betts at the top of the lineup, most fans agree the extra clicks are worth the effort.
Next Steps:
Go to the official Los Angeles Dodgers schedule page on MLB.com and look for the "TV" column. Cross-reference those dates with your current subscriptions—especially the NBC and Apple TV+ dates—to see if you have any "blind spots" in your coverage before the next series starts.