### Major League Baseball Secures New Media Rights Deals with Major Networks Major League Baseball (MLB) has recently announced a significant restructuring of its media rights agreements, signing three-year deals with Netflix, NBCUniversal, and ESPN. This move comes on the heels of record-breaking viewership for the World Series, indicating a strong demand for baseball content. The new agreements, which will run from 2026 to 2028, are valued at approximately $800 million annually, with ESPN paying $550 million, NBC contributing $200 million, and Netflix investing $50 million per year. This strategic partnership aims to enhance the league's broadcast reach and adapt to the evolving media landscape, particularly with the growing influence of streaming platforms [https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/mlb-signs-three-year-media-deals-with-netflix-nbcuniversal-espn, https://www.indexbox.io/blog/mlb-announces-new-media-rights-deal-with-espn-nbc-and-netflix]. ### Breakdown of the New Media Rights Structure 1. **Key Partnerships**: - MLB has partnered with **ESPN**, **NBCUniversal**, and **Netflix** for its media rights. - The deals will cover the **2026-2028 seasons**. 2. **Broadcasting Changes**: - **Sunday Night Baseball** will now air on **NBC**, moving from ESPN. - The **Home Run Derby** will be streamed exclusively on **Netflix**. - **ESPN** will maintain rights to MLB.TV, allowing out-of-market game streaming. 3. **Financial Overview**: - The total value of the deals is approximately **$800 million annually**. - ESPN's contribution is **$550 million**, NBC's is **$200 million**, and Netflix's is **$50 million**. 4. **Impact on Viewership**: - The restructuring aims to capitalize on the recent surge in viewership, particularly following the World Series, which saw the highest ratings in over three decades [https://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2025/11/19/mlb-announces-3-year-media-rights-deals-with-espn-nbcuniversal-and-netflix, https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/mlb/mlb-media-rights-deal-new-2026-nbc/4282588]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Financial Breakdown**: - **ESPN**: $550 million per year - **NBC**: $200 million per year - **Netflix**: $50 million per year - **Total Annual Value**: **$800 million** - **Broadcasting Rights**: - NBC will air **Wild Card games** and **Sunday Night Baseball**. - Netflix will stream the **Home Run Derby** and the **Field of Dreams Game** [https://www.sportspro.com/news/mlb-tv-espn-nbc-netflix-home-run-derby-broadcast-deals-november-2025, https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/nov/19/baseball-espn-nbc-netflix-new-media-rights-dea]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for MLB Broadcasting In summary, MLB's new media rights deals with ESPN, NBC, and Netflix represent a transformative shift in how baseball will be broadcast over the next three years. The agreements are designed to maximize viewership and revenue, reflecting the league's adaptability to changing media consumption habits. 1. **Strategic Partnerships**: MLB has secured significant deals with major networks. 2. **Broadcasting Changes**: Key programming will shift to new platforms, enhancing accessibility. 3. **Financial Gains**: The total value of the deals underscores the lucrative nature of sports broadcasting. 4. **Viewership Focus**: The agreements aim to build on recent successes in audience engagement. This comprehensive approach positions MLB to thrive in a competitive media landscape, ensuring fans have diverse options for enjoying America's pastime [https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-11-19/la-fi-netflix-mlb-deal, https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6820362/2025/11/19/mlb-tv-deals-espn-nbc-netflix-peacock].