Major League Baseball is shaking up its media rights strategy, leaning into a new era of streaming and digital broadcasting. After ESPN decided to walk away from the last three years of its massive $550 million-per-year deal, the league saw a chance to rethink its partnerships and reach fans across different platforms.
Traditional broadcasters like NBC are back in the mix, while streaming newcomers such as Netflix and Apple TV are eager for a bigger slice of the action. It feels like a turning point in how people will watch America’s pastime over the next few years.
ESPN’s Exit and New Streaming Play
ESPN’s call to skip out on its remaining MLB contract years says a lot about shifting priorities in sports TV. Instead of sticking with its old package—mostly playoff games and the Home Run Derby—ESPN wants to grab streaming rights for MLB.TV’s out-of-market games.
That move should give ESPN more regular engagement with baseball fans, instead of just popping in for the big events. It’s a pretty big pivot for them, honestly.
In-Market Rights for Select Teams
Now, ESPN looks set to handle in-market broadcasting rights for five MLB teams whose games the league already produces. The teams on that list:
- San Diego Padres
- Colorado Rockies
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- Cleveland Guardians
- Minnesota Twins
With this, ESPN will play a bigger part in both local and national baseball coverage. MLB is also taking a more hands-on approach in managing team broadcasts, which is an interesting shift.
NBC’s Big-League Return to Baseball
After a long break from steady MLB coverage, NBC is close to coming back to baseball in a big way. Reports say NBC/Peacock is deep in talks to grab rights to *Sunday Night Baseball* and the Wild Card round in the postseason.
A Strategic Seasonal Schedule
If it all comes together, NBC’s baseball package would probably run from May through Labor Day. That fits nicely between their NFL coverage and the new Sunday night NBA games.
It’d give NBC a year-round sports calendar—something every network would love to have, right?
Netflix Eyes the Home Run Derby
Netflix, always hungry for live sports spectacle, is now the top contender to stream the Home Run Derby. That would be one of Netflix’s boldest moves into sports, matching its recent push for big, crowd-pleasing events.
Apple TV Still in the Mix
Apple TV+ already has its exclusive “Friday Night Baseball” games, but it’s not stopping there. The platform is still in talks to expand its MLB lineup, maybe adding postseason rights or special events.
The competition for MLB media rights is definitely heating up.
MLB’s Short-Term Playbook and Long-Term Goals
Commissioner Rob Manfred wants to diversify MLB’s media partners now, aiming for more leverage when the next big rights cycle hits. He’s balancing deals with Fox ($729 million a year) and Turner Sports ($470 million a year)—both locked in through 2028—while bringing in fresh streaming partners.
A Shift Away from Regional Sports Networks
MLB’s new approach also tackles an old headache: relying on regional sports networks (RSNs). With cord-cutting on the rise and RSN markets shrinking, the league’s move toward national streaming rights should make it easier for fans to watch games, wherever they are.
No more complicated blackout rules or cable headaches—at least, that’s the hope.
What This Means for Fans
For baseball viewers, the coming seasons will bring a wider variety of ways to watch their favorite teams and events.
- More flexible streaming options for out-of-market games
- Renewed big-network exposure on NBC
- Innovative digital coverage through Apple TV+ and Netflix
- National broadcasts replacing some regional-only feeds
Honestly, this whole media rights shuffle can look a bit overwhelming at first glance. But really, it’s all about one thing: making baseball easier to watch, no matter where you are or what you use.
Here is the source article for this story: How MLB’s upcoming deals will change how you watch out-of-market, Sunday night and Wild Card games
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