MLB Announces Three-Year Media Deal With NBC, Netflix And ESPN

Major League Baseball took one more step in looking to enhance its reach as they announced a new three-year media deal with NBC Universal, Netflix, and ESPN. Here are some of the details of what’s to come in this new agreement.

NBCUniversal

NBC Universal is set to benefit significantly from this deal, having acquired the rights to Sunday Night Baseball from ESPN, along with re-acquiring the Sunday Leadoff package from Roku (which they previously held for the 2022 and 2023 seasons). Additionally, NBC will take over the Wild Card series from ESPN and will air all available games on NBC, NBCSN, or its streaming platform, Peacock.

The Sunday night game will be broadcast on either Peacock or NBCSN during weeks when there is overlap with other previously negotiated media rights agreements, particularly with the NFL and NBA on NBC.

This marks the return of Major League Baseball on NBC, rekindling a long-standing partnership that originally began in 1947 and lasted until 1989, with another run from 1994 to 2000. NBC has a history of broadcasting several World Series, All-Star Games, and Games of the Week. With NBC taking over the Sunday Night package, they inherit a lucrative time slot, as ESPN recorded its best season for that timeslot since 2013, averaging 1.8 million viewers,  a 21% increase over the previous year.

In addition, NBC will expand its presence during All-Star Week. The MLB Draft will shift to the Saturday of All-Star Week, where NBC and Peacock will present the first hour of the event. Peacock, NBCSN, and MLB Network will cover the remainder of Day 1.

NBC and Peacock will host the Futures Game. This game will be followed by a new event featuring former players and celebrities, which will be streamed on Peacock, designed to replace the Legends and Celebrities Softball game. Peacock will also offer a game of the day, accessible to fans outside the markets of the competing teams.

Netflix

After exploring opportunities with the NFL and other live events, Netflix has officially entered the world of baseball. According to a new agreement, they will take over the Home Run Derby from ESPN, which will be held on its usual night right before the All-Star Game.

Additionally, Netflix will broadcast three Opening Night games on its platform for the next three seasons, taking place the evening before the full schedule of traditional Opening Day games. In 2026, the Opening Night game will feature Aaron Judge and the Yankees against Rafael Devers and the Giants on Wednesday, March 25.

Netflix will air a special event game every year during the agreement. For 2026, this will be the Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa, showcasing the Minnesota Twins against the Philadelphia Phillies. Netflix will also stream all 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic to customers in Japan.

ESPN

After some criticism of ESPN, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has reached an agreement to keep baseball on the network. This partnership, which has been in place since 1990, will allow baseball to continue to air on ESPN and its related platforms.

As part of the deal, ESPN will acquire MLB.TV from Major League Baseball, enabling fans to watch out-of-market games through ESPN’s streaming services. Additionally, fans will have access to in-market games for select MLB teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins, and San Diego Padres, which will be produced and distributed by the league through the ESPN app.

Subscribers will be able to purchase access either independently, as part of a bundle with MLB.TV, or within a package that includes ESPN’s app. Local in-market streaming products will remain available through MLB’s platforms for the 2026 season.

Fans who purchase an MLB.TV subscription will still have access to the MLB Network, as it will also be accessible through traditional cable packages and as a standalone direct-to-consumer service.

Moreover, ESPN will maintain a national midweek game package available exclusively on its channels and streaming services, keeping games on the network for another three years.