Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced a new three-year media rights agreement that includes significant changes to its broadcasting strategy, featuring a collaboration with ESPN, NBC, and Netflix. This revamped deal, revealed on Wednesday, includes out-of-market streaming rights that aim to enhance the visibility and accessibility of baseball for fans.
Commissioner Rob Manfred highlighted the importance of these agreements, stating that they will help maximize the rights for popular events like the Home Run Derby and the wild-card series. Under this new structure, NBC and its streaming service, Peacock, will take over “Sunday Night Baseball” and the wild-card round, while Netflix will air the Home Run Derby and two additional games in an effort to captivate baseball fans.
The financial details of the agreements indicate that these deals will generate nearly $800 million annually. ESPN maintains its investment at $550 million while the NBC deal is valued at $200 million and Netflix will contribute $50 million. Although ESPN loses rights to some marquee events like postseason games and the Home Run Derby, it will still capture MLB.TV rights, making it a central hub for fans through the ESPN App.
Manfred emphasized the significance of maintaining a long-standing relationship with ESPN, which has been integral to the league’s broadcast history since 1990. “I think it’s really important that we manage to continue a relationship with ESPN. They’ve been kind of the bedrock of our broadcast program for a long time,” he said.
ESPN will also secure in-market streaming rights for teams whose games are produced by MLB, allowing fans to watch their local teams more easily. “This fan-friendly agreement allows us to showcase baseball on both local and national levels, while prioritizing our streaming future,” stated ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
The new broadcasting deals pave the way for a competitive landscape among sports networks. NBC, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary next year, is set to revitalize its relationship with baseball, previously broadcasting games from 1939 to 1989. The first game under this new agreement will take place on March 26, featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The initiative will not only breathe new life into NBC’s sports programming—adding baseball to its existing NFL and NBA lineups—but also promises to enrich the viewing experience for baseball enthusiasts year-round. The addition includes early-afternoon games on Peacock, leading into further coverage and discussion shows, enhancing the overall engagement with the sport.
Netflix aims to capitalize on its recent venture into live sports to draw in more subscribers, highlighting a clear trend of streaming services investing in major sporting events. This includes not only the Home Run Derby but also special events throughout the MLB season.
As MLB continues to navigate the evolving sports media landscape, these new agreements reflect a strategic shift towards a more accessible and comprehensive approach to broadcasting, potentially setting a precedent for future negotiations. With an eye toward a national strategy, MLB aims to ensure fans receive the best of both local and national coverage, making baseball more accessible than ever.