NBC and Netflix Secure MLB Rights; ESPN Acquires MLB TV
Major League Baseball (MLB) has reached new media rights agreements with NBC, Netflix, and ESPN, following a record-breaking World Series. These partnerships signal a significant shift in MLB’s media landscape after 35 years of collaboration with ESPN.
Details of the New Media Rights Agreements
The freshly signed contracts with NBC and Netflix enhance MLB’s visibility through varied platforms. Here are the main elements of the agreements:
- ESPN: Will continue to carry MLB games, including the Sunday Night Baseball, while also acquiring streaming service MLB.TV.
- NBC Sports: Takes over the flagship Sunday night games and ESPN’s Wild Card rights, ensuring a year-round baseball presence.
- Netflix: Beyond the Home Run Derby, the platform will air MLB’s opening night game and revive the iconic Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa, next year.
Broadcast Schedule and Special Events
The new agreements will span three years and align with current rights holders such as Fox Sports and Apple TV. Here’s the planned broadcast schedule:
- ESPN will produce 30 regular-season games and offer exclusive local-market streaming rights for certain teams.
- NBC will cover the Sunday Leadoff package with 18 games airing on Peacock and NBCSN.
- On July 5, 2026, NBC Sports will broadcast all 15 MLB games scheduled for that day.
Commissioner’s Statement
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed optimism about these new partnerships, stating that they expand MLB’s reach to fans through powerful platforms.
Impact on Viewership
The 2023 World Series averaged over 51 million viewers globally, reflecting MLB’s rising popularity. The new deals aim to capitalize on this momentum and increase engagement through enhanced media offerings.
As the media rights landscape evolves, MLB’s agreements with NBC, Netflix, and ESPN are poised to deliver baseball to a broader audience, starting from 2024 and continuing until 2028.
