MLB: ESPN, NBCUniversal, and Netflix sign historic deals for 2026-2028

Santo Domingo, R.D. – Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced a series of strategic agreements with ESPN, NBCUniversal, and Netflix. These alliances will mark a transformation in the way fans will enjoy baseball worldwide between the 2026 and 2028 seasons. These renewed and expanded agreements will allow the league to strengthen its presence on digital platforms, expand television broadcast options, and reach new global audiences who previously did not have access to live games.

ESPN and Coverage Expansion

ESPN extends its relationship with MLB to 39 years, assuming control of MLB.TV. The sports network has acquired the rights to sell and distribute MLB.TV, integrating it into its app and digital platforms. Starting in 2026, fans will be able to directly access their favorite teams’ games through ESPN. The agreement includes:

• 30 exclusive games per season, both on television and streaming.
• Rights to broadcast the Memorial Day game and the first game after the All-Star Break.
• More than 150 out-of-market games each year through its application.
• The continuation of the Little League Classic.

Jimmy Pitaro, president of ESPN, highlighted the opportunity to integrate national and local content into a more robust streaming ecosystem.

NBCUniversal Returns to Baseball

NBCUniversal is once again the broadcast home of MLB with a package that includes:

• Sunday Night Baseball
• Sunday Leadoff
• The four Wild Card Series of the postseason

The games will be available on NBC, NBCSN, and Peacock. The network will also broadcast key events:

• The 2026 Opening Day: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers.
• The MLB Draft, whose first hour will be televised by NBC.
• The Futures Game during All-Star Week.

Rick Cordella, president of NBC Sports, expressed his enthusiasm for the return, recalling the network’s history with MLB since 1947.

Netflix Enters the World of Live Baseball

Netflix will, for the first time, stream MLB games and events globally. The agreement includes:

• Exclusive Opening Night game in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
• The T-Mobile Home Run Derby.
• The MLB at Field of Dreams 2026 event.
• Live and on-demand streaming of the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Japan.

Netflix will debut in 2026 with a stellar duel: Yankees vs. Giants, led by Aaron Judge.

A Boost for Sports

Commissioner Rob Manfred highlighted that these alliances come after a World Series with over 51 million global viewers, the most watched in over three decades.

MLB has experienced consistent growth in:

• National and international audience
• Stadium attendance
• Social media interaction
• Follow-up among young audiences (17 years or less and adults aged 18-34)

These strategic agreements with ESPN, NBCUniversal, and Netflix promise a new era for baseball, expanding its reach and offering fans new ways to enjoy the sport.