NBC Nears Massive $600M MLB Rights Deal Over Three Years

Major League Baseball looks set to finalize a massive set of media rights deals that could upend how fans watch America’s pastime. At the center: a potential three-year, $600 million agreement with NBC that would bring Sunday night MLB games to a new network home.

Deals with Netflix and ESPN are also on the table. Baseball’s broadcast and streaming strategy seems to be shifting fast, with MLB pushing to reach fans on both traditional TV and digital platforms.

NBC’s $600 Million Play for MLB Sunday Nights

Reports say NBC is in advanced negotiations for a three-year media rights deal worth close to $600 million. This would give NBC the rights to air Sunday night MLB games at about $200 million per year.

Baseball returning to NBC gives the network a big summer boost in its sports calendar. That’s not a small thing for NBC, honestly.

Balancing MLB with NFL and NBA Coverage

NBC already airs Sunday Night Football and some NBA games on Sunday nights during the fall and winter. That’s a scheduling headache.

So, when games overlap, MLB would shift to NBC’s streaming platform, Peacock. This way, fans can still watch, and Peacock gets a boost in the streaming wars.

Postseason Access and an Expanded Sports Portfolio

The NBC deal reportedly covers some postseason games too. That’s a big add for NBC, which already has:

• College football
• PGA Tour golf
• The WNBA
• The Olympics

Adding playoff baseball could really cement NBC’s reputation as a go-to sports network.

Netflix Enters the Diamond with Home Run Derby Rights

Netflix is apparently close to landing its first major live sports deal. They’re set to pay $35 million to air the MLB Home Run Derby through 2028.

For Netflix, that’s a pretty bold move into live sports. For MLB, it’s a shot at reaching a younger, streaming-focused crowd.

The Significance of MLB’s Streaming Expansion

Putting live games on Netflix fits a bigger trend—sports are moving from old-school broadcasters to a mix of TV and streaming. This could bring baseball to people who’d never bother with cable.

ESPN’s Digital-First Approach to Out-of-Market Games

MLB and ESPN have reportedly settled on a framework for digital rights to out-of-market regular-season games. This covers the five MLB teams whose local TV rights are managed by the league.

Expanding digital access through ESPN helps MLB connect with fans who follow teams outside their local area.

Impact on Local and National Broadcast Strategies

By controlling out-of-market streaming, MLB can better handle the collapse of some regional sports networks. Fans can still watch their favorite teams, no matter where they live.

Fox Holds Tight to World Series Exclusivity

Fox isn’t going anywhere. They’ll keep exclusive rights to the World Series and All-Star Game, plus select playoff series.

That keeps Fox as a mainstay for baseball’s biggest moments, just like always.

MLB’s Multi-Network Strategy Shapes the Future

MLB’s future media strategy now involves NBC, Netflix, ESPN, and Fox. Baseball seems ready to embrace a multi-platform approach, aiming to boost both reach and revenue.

Formal announcements are on the horizon. Fans might soon get more flexibility than ever in how they watch the sport.

From old-school TV viewers to folks who prefer streaming, this new landscape offers a little something for everyone. If these deals go through, it could be one of the biggest shifts in baseball’s media rights history.

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Here is the source article for this story: NBC nears massive MLB broadcasting deal worth nearly $600M over 3 years: report