MLB’s New Broadcast Deal With NBC, ESPN and Netflix Explained

Major League Baseball just dropped a media rights agreement that’s going to change how we all watch the game for years. NBC is back after more than twenty years away, Netflix is jumping into live sports, and MLB.TV is heading over to ESPN’s streaming lineup.

National broadcasts, streaming, and special event coverage are all shifting. This deal feels like a big, maybe overdue, step for baseball in the digital era.

MLB Strikes New Media Deals Across Multiple Platforms

The new rights package gives fans more ways to watch MLB. Fox, FS1, and TBS are still sticking with their core coverage, but NBC’s return and Netflix’s debut show that MLB wants to reach new audiences and double down on streaming.

Fox and FS1 Maintain Baseball’s Biggest Moments

Fox and FS1 remain the home for the sport’s biggest events. This includes:

• The All-Star Game
• The World Series
• Both League Championship Series matchups
• Division Series contests
• Most regular season games

These broadcasts keep MLB front and center on network TV during the most-watched games.

TBS Continues Its Tuesday Night Tradition

TBS is keeping its rights to the LCS, Division Series, and Tuesday night regular season games. Turner’s place in MLB’s national TV mix stays steady, giving fans that familiar weekday baseball fix.

NBC’s Return to Baseball Broadcasting

After 26 years away, NBC is coming back to MLB. The network, famous for its baseball coverage in the past, will now air Sunday Night Baseball and bring big matchups to a fresh crowd.

Special Events and Streaming Boost Through Peacock

NBC will also show Opening Day and Labor Day games. Peacock, NBC’s streaming service, will offer extra baseball content.

They’ll even air the first hour of the 2026 MLB Draft, which is a neat way to spotlight up-and-coming players.

Netflix Enters the MLB Arena

Netflix joining as a national MLB broadcaster is a genuine surprise. They’re known for binge-worthy shows, but now they’re stepping into live sports with some high-profile baseball events.

Exclusive High-Impact Programming

From now through 2028, Netflix will stream:

• Opening Night game
• Home Run Derby
• One special event game each year
• The 2026 “Field of Dreams” game
• All 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic

This move could introduce baseball to Netflix’s massive global audience and maybe pull in folks who’ve never watched a game.

MLB.TV to be Absorbed by ESPN

In 2026, MLB’s standalone streaming platform will merge into ESPN’s services. MLB.TV won’t operate as its own thing anymore—ESPN will take over subscriptions and roll out new features.

Expanded Streaming Access and New Game Packages

ESPN will get in-market streaming rights for six teams, so local fans can stream games right in the ESPN app. The network’s also launching a new national midweek game package, putting more baseball on screens during the regular season.

The Broader Impact on Fans and the League

With this multi-platform agreement, MLB’s showing it wants to keep up with how people actually watch sports now. Fans get more flexibility, with games across cable, traditional TV, and streaming on Peacock and Netflix.

Mixing old-school network coverage with new streaming deals should meet fans on their own turf—whether that’s a TV, phone, or smart device. Pretty smart, honestly.

Positioning Baseball for the Future

MLB is betting on both established media giants and new digital platforms. They’re setting the stage for a modern viewing experience that could really shake up how sports rights get negotiated over the next decade.

If this works, maybe other leagues will look to MLB as a blueprint while they try to navigate the ever-changing media landscape. It’s a bit of a gamble, but isn’t that what keeps things interesting?

Bottom line: Baseball broadcasting’s future looks more diverse than ever. Fans will have more viewing options, special events, and ways to stay connected to the game—wherever and however they want to watch.

 
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