MLB Adds NBC and Netflix to ESPN National TV Rights

The landscape of Major League Baseball’s national broadcasts is shifting fast. The media market’s changing, and so are the ways people watch games.

ESPN dropped out of the last three years of its $550 million-per-year deal. MLB responded by teaming up with ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Netflix on new deals worth $750 million a year for three years.

These fresh agreements are more than just business—they’re changing how fans watch baseball. It’s clear that streaming platforms are taking over as cable TV fades.

ESPN’s Streamlined Package and MLB.TV Integration

ESPN’s still in the game, landing a three-year, $1.65 billion contract. They’ll have a 30-game national package each season, plus games during big holiday weekends like Memorial Day and the All-Star break.

MLB.TV Moves Into ESPN’s Ecosystem

Here’s something a bit unexpected: MLB will fold its out-of-market streaming service, MLB.TV, into the ESPN app starting in 2026. So, fans who use MLB.TV on its own will soon find everything through ESPN’s digital platform.

This could make watching easier, but it also brings up questions—will prices go up? Will the app feel cluttered? Who decides what gets featured? Honestly, it’s tough to say until we see it in action.

NBC/Peacock Steps Up to the Plate

NBCUniversal and Peacock are jumping in with close to $200 million a year for MLB rights. They’re taking over “Sunday Night Baseball” from ESPN, which is a pretty big move. Now, one of baseball’s biggest weekly broadcasts will be on a streaming-first platform.

Beyond Games: Expanded All-Star Coverage

Peacock’s deal isn’t just about live games. They’ll also air the Wild Card Series, the MLB Draft, and the Futures Game during All-Star week.

It looks like Peacock wants to be the place for both casual viewers and diehard fans, especially when it comes to big MLB events.

Netflix Makes Its Baseball Debut

This one caught a lot of people off guard: Netflix is stepping into live baseball. They’re mostly known for shows and movies, but now they’ll pay $50 million a year for a handful of premium MLB events.

Exclusive High-Profile Games

Netflix’s package includes Opening Day, the Home Run Derby, and the “Field of Dreams” game. They’ve also snagged exclusive rights to the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Japan.

That’s a big deal—it’s Netflix’s first big swing at live sports, and it could shake things up, especially for international fans.

Remaining Rights and the Growing Subscription Challenge

Some things haven’t changed. Fox still has the postseason, the All-Star Game, and Saturday games. TBS keeps its regular season coverage, and Apple TV holds onto its Friday night package.

MLB.TV stays available for about $150 a year, and T-Mobile customers still get it free with their plans.

The Multi-Subscription Era for MLB Fans

Now, fans need more than just cable to catch all the national broadcasts. To watch every big game or event, you’ll probably need Peacock, Netflix, and whatever else you already use.

It’s a lot of choice, but it’s also more expensive and honestly, a bit of a hassle to juggle all those logins.

Looking Ahead: 2028 and Consolidation Goals

All these national TV contracts wrap up after the 2028 season. Commissioner Rob Manfred wants to combine local and national rights into one package by then.

If that happens, it could bring in more money and make watching games simpler—maybe even a bit less frustrating. Will it work out? That’s anyone’s guess, but it’s a goal that could change the game for fans and the league alike.

Key Takeaways

The new MLB broadcast setup really shows how fans are changing the way they watch baseball. There’s this ongoing tug-of-war between old-school TV and newer streaming options:

• ESPN is trimming back its coverage, but now you get MLB.TV integration. That could be a win for some folks.
• NBC/Peacock grabs the iconic “Sunday Night Baseball” slot and throws in big postseason and All-Star events. That’s a big swing.
• Netflix is finally jumping into live sports, picking up some splashy games and even international rights. Honestly, didn’t see that coming so soon.
• Fans now face a real multi-platform challenge just to catch every game they care about. It’s a lot to juggle.
• MLB wants to pull things together by 2028 and offer a smoother broadcast experience. Ambitious? Maybe, but it could help.

Baseball’s media landscape is shifting fast. The next few years might not just change how we watch, but could even reshape the sport’s place in the whole entertainment world.

 
Here is the source article for this story: MLB adds NBC, Netflix to ESPN national TV rights