New York: Major League Baseball (MLB) has struck a series of major broadcast and streaming agreements with global media giants Netflix, ESPN and NBCUniversal, expanding the league’s reach across multiple platforms over the next three seasons.
Under the new deals, Netflix, the world’s largest streaming service, will air several high-profile baseball events that traditionally attract millions of viewers. These include MLB’s exclusive Opening Night matchup and the fan-favourite Home Run Derby, where the league’s top sluggers compete for the home-run crown. The streamer will also broadcast the World Baseball Classic in Japan.
Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. said the agreements will strengthen MLB’s presence across both traditional television and digital platforms. Beginning with the 2026 season, ESPN will gain the rights to MLB.TV, the league’s out-of-market on-demand streaming service.
MLB has formed new three-year media rights agreements with Netflix, NBCUniversal, and ESPN.
The agreements, which cover rights for the 2026-2028 MLB seasons, mark the return of NBC to regularly airing MLB games on its broadcast network for the first time in 26 years, will expand… pic.twitter.com/uqMXYpbQFP
— MLB (@MLB) November 19, 2025
The network and MLB have yet to reveal the expected subscription rates or the value of the three-year contracts. NBCUniversal, owned by Comcast, will take over Sunday night games, marking the network’s return to regular MLB broadcasting for the first time in 25 years.
Meanwhile, existing partners will maintain their coverage: Fox Sports will continue airing the World Series and other marquee matchups, while Apple TV+ will keep its Friday Night Baseball doubleheaders. The restructuring follows ESPN’s decision to opt out of the final three seasons of its previous contract, a move that would have cost the network more than $1.5 billion.
The opt-out triggered extensive negotiations involving multiple media platforms to secure broadcasting rights for upcoming MLB programming. The new agreements collectively ensure widespread visibility for MLB content, spanning traditional cable, broadcast TV and a growing lineup of streaming services.
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