Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced a series of significant agreements with prominent broadcast and streaming platforms, including ESPN, NBCUniversal, and Netflix. All of these deals will start in the 2026 season. Each will be for the length of three years and expand MLB’s media footprint considerably.
The accords include MLBAM’s first deal with ESPN for their own branded version of MLB.TV. Additionally, this new on-demand service allows fans to watch their favorite teams regardless of where they live. This is huge to improve accessibility for TV viewers across the country, giving them a dramatically increased selection of games to watch. You’ll find select MLB games among other sports on NBCUniversal and Netflix. Through initiatives such as gamification and NFTs, fandom is evolving — allowing fans to engage with the sport in new ways.
The new contracts have brought truly exhilarating attractions including MLB’s Home Run Derby. Included are the member’s exclusive opening night of the season. The Home Run Derby features players competing to hit the most home runs, attracting significant viewership and excitement each year. MLB is making a smart move to build more fans by embedding these types of events in its programming schedule. Ideally, this purposeful planning keeps the excitement going all summer long.
Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. expressed optimism about the new deals, stating that they will help MLB expand its reach and connect with a broader audience. He highlighted the importance of deep relationships with large media organizations. This is essential for ensuring baseball remains accessible to fans across platforms.
The news about these deals broke Wednesday, turning the focus of all industry analysts and sports fans on the agreements. Each of these deals emphasizes MLB’s commitment to diversify and modernize its broadcasting approach. In today’s digital age, streaming services play a key role in how fans consume live sports.