ESPN and MLB Sign Million-Dollar Deal: Streaming and New Partners

Major Changes in MLB Broadcasting: New Agreements and Platforms

The Major League Baseball (MLB) has finalized a renewed agreement that redefines how fans will enjoy baseball. This agreement, which includes out-of-market broadcasting rights, involves ESPN, NBC, and Netflix, marking a milestone in the distribution of games. Commissioner Rob Manfred has succeeded in maximizing the rights for featured events such as the Home Run Derby and the Wild Card series.

NBC and Netflix Join the Baseball Party

NBC and its Peacock platform will become the new home of “Sunday Night Baseball” and the wildcard round. For its part, Netflix will broadcast the Home Run Derby and two additional games. These three agreements total an average of almost $800 million per year. ESPN will continue to contribute $550 million, while the agreement with NBC amounts to $200 million and the one with Netflix to $50 million.

ESPN: Maintaining its Strategic Position

Although ESPN loses some postseason games and the Home Run Derby, it remains the holder of MLB.TV rights, which will be available on the ESPN app.

“It’s really important that we continue to maintain a relationship with ESPN. They have been the foundation of our broadcast program for a long time,” Manfred stated.

Rob Manfred

ESPN will also retain the broadcast rights in the market for six teams whose games are produced by MLB: San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins, and Seattle Mariners.

“This fan-friendly agreement allows us to showcase the great sport of baseball both locally and nationally, while prioritizing our streaming future,” said Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN chairman.

Jimmy Pitaro

Despite losing “Sunday Night Baseball”, ESPN will broadcast 30 games, primarily on weekdays and during the summer months.

NBC: A Comeback with History

NBC, which celebrates its centenary next year, has a long history with baseball. The network broadcast games from 1939 to 1989. Its first game will be on March 26, when the Los Angeles Dodgers, champions for two consecutive years, face the Diamondbacks. The 25 Sunday night games will air primarily on NBC, with the rest on the new NBC Sports Network. All will stream on Peacock. The addition of baseball games gives NBC a night of sports year-round on Sundays. It has had NFL games on Sunday nights since 2006 and will premiere an NBA schedule on Sunday nights in February. NBC will also broadcast a primetime game on Labor Day. Sunday afternoon games also return to Peacock, which had them in 2022 and 2023. These games will give way to a pre-game studio show on Sunday night. NBC/Peacock will also broadcast the Major League Futures game the day before the Home Run Derby and coverage of the first round of the amateur draft on the Saturday before the All-Star break.

Netflix: Bet on Large-Scale Events

Netflix’s agreements with baseball align with its strategy of betting on major sporting events. In addition to the Home Run Derby, Netflix will broadcast the first game of the season on March 25 and a special MLB event game each year.