Major League Baseball is in active negotiations over new three-year broadcast packages that could reshape how fans watch the sport, with Netflix, ESPN, NBC/Peacock and Apple among the potential partners.
Key details from the discussions:
– NBC/Peacock and Apple TV+ are viewed as likely homes for Sunday Night Baseball and first-round playoff games. ESPN could take on weekday games and expand its digital presence, while Netflix has emerged as a possible destination for the Home Run Derby.
– No deals are finalized yet, and talks remain open, meaning other platforms could still enter the bidding.
– The principal rights under consideration are the ones ESPN opted out of in February, including the Home Run Derby, Sunday Night Baseball, and eight to 12 first-round playoff games per year. ESPN had three seasons left on that deal and was paying roughly $550 million annually; MLB is seeking a package that better aligns with the league’s current valuations, about $570 million per year on average.
– MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred had indicated a deal could be reached by the All-Star break. The goal is to assemble enough inventory to cover costs and maximize value as the league tries to match or exceed its current revenue baseline.
– Even after the ESPN split, MLB could continue a relationship with the network, potentially via a weekday package and continued access to MLB.TV, ESPN’s interest in local game rights, and the network’s direct-to-consumer products.
– Netflix appears to be pursuing the Home Run Derby as a marquee event, fitting its strategy of “eventizing” programming. There are also discussions about Netflix potentially acquiring World Baseball Classic rights in Japan.
– Apple and NBC/Peacock remain the strongest contenders for the Sunday Night Baseball package and related playoff rights. Apple already pays about $85 million annually for exclusive Friday doubleheaders, and MLB could consider splitting Sunday night rights from playoff rights. MLB also has a national Sunday late-morning package with Roku valued at about $10 million per season.
– The terms in discussion are three-year deals, with MLB aiming to have all rights—including the World Series and playoffs—open for bidding in the 2029 season. The exits for Fox and TNT Sports’ current deals occur after 2028.
– With the World Series in play, MLB hopes these negotiations can reset the league’s national TV market.
What this could mean for fans
– More streaming options: A mix of traditional broadcasts and streaming-only packages could give fans more ways to watch, including digital-first platforms for marquee games.
– Greater digital presence: ESPN’s renewed role alongside other platforms could enhance online access, on-device apps, and on-demand options.
– Wide exposure for big events: Netflix’s involvement with the Home Run Derby could bring the event to a new audience, potentially expanding international viewership.
What to watch next
– Timing: The All-Star break target for a deal and the push to finalize three-year packages.
– Platform strategies: Whether Sunday Night Baseball shifts are split with other services and how playoff games are allocated among NBC/Peacock, Apple, and others.
– 2029 bidding frame: The plan to open all rights for 2029 and how that broader reorganization might affect pricing, distribution, and regional blackouts.
Overall, the talks signal a potential new era for MLB broadcasting, with a blend of traditional broadcast partners and streaming platforms aiming to maximize reach and revenue while offering fans more flexible viewing options. If a deal comes together, it could broaden how and where people watch baseball while preserving access to marquee events and preserving MLB’s premium properties.