Netflix’s MLB Home Run Derby drew 5.3 million viewers, falling short of traditional linear television audiences and marking the event’s smallest turnout since 2003.
The streaming service reported Thursday that the Philadelphia contest, won dramatically by St. Louis Cardinals slugger Jordan Walker, averaged 5.3 million viewers — a 7.5% drop from last year’s 5.73 million on ESPN and ESPN2.
Like other sports events that have shifted to streaming, the broadcast drew immediate complaints Monday from fans who struggled with access. Despite the lower overall numbers, Netflix highlighted positive demographic results: the youngest Home Run Derby audience since 2014, with a median viewer age of 44.3, and its strongest ratings among the 18-34 and 18-49 age groups since 2021.
Netflix had aimed to refresh the production with a new look, matching the Derby’s format change to an untimed, swing-based competition. While pre-game coverage had some rough spots, the effort largely succeeded, featuring former stars Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols — the No. 1 and No. 4 career home run leaders in MLB history.
The Derby performance follows Netflix’s earlier season-opening MLB broadcast in March between the Yankees and Giants, which averaged three million viewers despite production challenges.
Netflix’s next MLB event is next month’s Field of Dreams game in Iowa.