MLB Negotiating TV Rights With Four Platforms

Major League Baseball is negotiating new broadcast deals with Netflix, ESPN, NBC, and Apple, sources say. NBC/Peacock and Apple TV+ are leading contenders for “Sunday Night Baseball” and first-round playoff games, while ESPN may secure weekday games and expand its digital presence. Netflix is a strong candidate for the Home Run Derby.

According to Andrew Marchand at The Athletic, no agreements are finalized, and discussions remain open to other platforms. 

Contracts are expected to span three seasons. MLB declined to comment.

The rights in question, previously held by ESPN, include the Home Run Derby, “Sunday Night Baseball,” and eight to 12 first-round playoff games annually. ESPN opted out in February, leaving three seasons on a deal worth $550 million per year. MLB aims to match or exceed this, with deal values increasing over time.

Despite MLB commissioner Rob Manfred calling ESPN a “shrinking platform” after the split, ESPN could remain a partner with a new weekday package and interest in MLB.TV, the league’s out-of-market streaming service. ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer platform launches next week.

Netflix’s interest in the Home Run Derby aligns with its event-focused strategy, and it may also pursue World Baseball Classic rights in Japan. Apple, already paying $85 million yearly for Friday doubleheaders, and NBC/Peacock are vying for “Sunday Night Baseball” and playoff games, which could be split. MLB’s Sunday morning package with Roku is valued at $10 million per season.