MLB Finalises Three-Year Media Rights with Three Streaming Sites

MLB has concluded a round of three-year media rights agreements spanning the 2026-2028 seasons, securing partnerships with ESPN, NBCUniversal, and Netflix.

The deals are designed to increase fan reach and leverage streaming platforms, with the agreements marking NBC’s return to regularly airing MLB games for the first time in 26 years and Netflix’s debut in live event coverage.

Stating the strategic intention behind the move, Baseball Commissioner, Robert D. Manfred, Jr., said: “Our new media rights agreements with ESPN, NBCUniversal and Netflix provide us with a great opportunity to expand our reach to fans through three powerful destinations for live sports, entertainment, and marquee events,” Manfred said.

ESPN Secures MLB.TV Distribution

ESPN, which extends its long-term relationship with MLB to 39 consecutive seasons, has secured the rights to sell and distribute MLB.TV, the league’s out-of-market streaming service, across its digital and streaming platforms. This agreement will enable fans to purchase and watch out-of-market games directly through the ESPN App from the 2026 season.

Highlighting the strategic value, chairman of ESPN, Jimmy Pitaro, said: “This fan-friendly agreement allows us to showcase the great sport of baseball on both a local and national level, while prioritizing our streaming future… all within the ESPN App,” Pitaro commented.

Additionally, ESPN retains a national 30-game package exclusively on its linear networks and app, along with continued coverage of the Little League Classic.

NBCUniversal Gains Postseason and Sunday Slate

NBCUniversal has secured a package that includes Sunday Night Baseball, the Sunday Leadoff game, and exclusive rights to televise the entire four-series Wild Card Round of the Postseason. This partnership will bring regular season games to NBC’s broadcast network for the first time since 2000.

Sunday Night Baseball will be televised across NBC, NBCSN (a new cable network), and Peacock. The Sunday Leadoff package comprises 18 games streamed exclusively on Peacock and NBCSN in the early part of Sunday. 

Netflix Expands into Live MLB Events

Following its success with baseball documentaries, Netflix will expand its partnership to include live MLB games and major events globally. Netflix will carry an exclusive Opening Night game each season, starting with the New York Yankees visiting the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, 25 March 2026.

In addition, Netflix will also air the T-Mobile Home Run Derby and a number of special events, including the MLB at Field of Dreams Game in 2026, and all 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic exclusively for its audience in Japan.

The new deals run alongside the continuation of major existing agreements with FOX/FS1, TBS, Apple TV, and MLB Network, which retain rights to the World Series, League Championship Series, and regular season games.

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