How to Watch the NLDS Free Or Cheap: FOX, FS1, and FOX One
By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man
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The Atlanta Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies last night in Wild Card play. So the National League Division Series can start Saturday, October 3, with every game on FOX or FS1, and streaming on FOX One. But you do not need a full cable/satellite package if you want to watch. Yes, you can watch the NLDS free or cheap!
The San Diego Padres, which defeated the Chicago Cubs in their Wild Card series, will open at the Milwaukee Brewers. The Los Angeles Dodgers, which had a bye in the Wild Card round, will host the Braves. Each series is best of five. The higher seed hosts games 1, 2, and 5 if necessary.
Also See: How to Watch the ALDS Free Or Cheap
The NLDS Schedule
Times are Eastern and can still move. Confirm first pitch on the morning of the game.
Saturday, October 3
• Phillies/Braves winner at Dodgers, Game 1, 4 p.m., FOX
• Padres at Brewers, Game 1, 8:30 p.m., FS1
Sunday, October 4
• Padres at Brewers, Game 2, 4 p.m., FS1
• Phillies/Braves winner at Dodgers, Game 2, 8 p.m., FS1
Tuesday, October 6: Game 3 of both series, FOX or FS1, times TBA.
Wednesday, October 7: Game 4 if necessary, FOX or FS1
Friday, October 9: Game 5 if necessary, FOX or FS1
Spanish-language coverage is on FOX Deportes. ESPN Radio has national audio of every game.
How to Watch the NLDS Free
A digital TV antenna will pick up your local Fox station in most areas. If you already own an antenna, that means you can watch the games broadcast on Fox for free!
The catch is FS1. It is not on free over-the-air TV. Saturday’s late game and both Sunday games are scheduled for FS1 so an antenna alone will miss them. Use the antenna for any game listed on FOX, then add one of the options below for FS1. (Also, seniors: Turn on closed captions from the TV menu. FOX and FS1 both carry them.)
Cheapest Full Package: Fox One
FOX One is the easiest way to watch every NLDS game in both series, the NLCS and the World Series. The streaming service carries your local FOX station, FS1, and FOX Deportes, which covers both NLDS series, the NLCS, and the World Series. (Note that it does not have the rights to the American League games on TBS.)
The regular Fox One price is $19.99 a month, or about $200 a year. A $99-for-the-year promo was available earlier this week but it expired.
If you already have DIRECTV, Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu Live or another service with FOX and FS1 in your plan, you do not need to pay for Fox One. Open the FOX One app, choose TV provider sign-in, and use that login.
Free trials (If You Cancel On Time!)
• DIRECTV Streaming offers a 5-day free trial for new subscribers, or people who have not subscribed in the past year. The Entertainment plan includes FOX and FS1. The trial renews at full price if you do not cancel so set a reminder for day 4. If you’re nervous about forgetting, see our article: The Free Trial Trap.
• Fubo carries FOX and FS1 and is now discounting the first month by $25, bringing the cheapest plan to $63.99 a month. The live streamer also has a free trial which ranges from one to seven days. Check the signup page for the free trial term before signing up.
• YouTube TV includes both channels and it’s now offering a 21-day free trial for new users. At full price it’s one of the more expensive options but it’s now providing $23 off each of the first two months, bringing the entry price to $59.99 a month.
Free If You Only Want to Listen
ESPN Radio has every postseason game. Use the ESPN app, the ESPN Radio site, or TuneIn. Team radio feeds are also on the MLB app, though some markets black out the home feed.
FOX Deportes and Univision Radio cover the games in Spanish.
What Would the TV Answer Man Do?
If you want every NLDS game and nothing else, I would subscribe to FOX One for one month for $19.99. (Assuming you don’t already have Fox in a cable or satellite package.) It’s the easiest way to watch every game. However, if you are a new YouTube TV subscriber, try to get that 21-day free trial.
If you’re a casual fan, use an antenna for free to watch the FOX-only games. (Assuming the casual fan can live without the FS1 broadcasts.)
Happy viewing and stay safe!
Have a question? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com
The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.
