MLB Nears Major Media Rights Deals with ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Netflix
Major League Baseball is finalizing significant media rights agreements with ESPN for out-of-market games, NBCUniversal/Peacock for a $600 million package, and Netflix for the Home Run Derby, expanding its broadcast reach.
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Overview
- ESPN is close to securing exclusive digital rights for out-of-market regular-season MLB games, indicating a continued partnership in distributing baseball content.
- NBCUniversal and Major League Baseball are in advanced discussions for a three-year, nearly $600 million media rights deal, including Wild Card playoff games and Sunday morning Peacock games.
- Peacock is strategically pursuing this MLB deal to enhance subscriber growth and retention by offering exclusive baseball content, including potential Sunday night games.
- Netflix is nearing a deal to stream baseball's Home Run Derby for over $35 million annually, marking a significant expansion of its live sports offerings.
- These ongoing negotiations highlight MLB's efforts to diversify its broadcasting partners and maximize revenue through various digital and traditional platforms.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, focusing on factual reporting of ongoing business negotiations in Major League Baseball. They present details of potential deals between MLB and various media companies, including NBCUniversal, Netflix, and ESPN, without employing loaded language or emphasizing a particular viewpoint. The coverage prioritizes financial figures and strategic moves, maintaining an objective tone.
"The moves keep ESPN involved in baseball, but at a point where it can benefit while MLB could benefit from other partners in a short-term deal."
Associated Press"NBCUniversal is nearing a three-year deal with Major League Baseball worth close to $200 million a year to carry games on NBC and Peacock, Deadline has confirmed, amid a flurry of activity around the MLB."
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FAQ
The new MLB media rights deals include ESPN securing exclusive digital rights for out-of-market games and in-market rights for five local clubs, NBCUniversal/Peacock acquiring Sunday morning games and some postseason Wild Card games in a nearly $600 million, three-year deal, and Netflix obtaining streaming rights for the Home Run Derby with a pact worth over $35 million annually.
ESPN opted out of its previous $500 million-a-year contract three years early because it claimed it was paying too much compared to other MLB broadcasters, prompting negotiation for a restructured rights deal.
NBC will air MLB Sunday night games when not pre-empted by NFL Sunday Night Football or NBA games on NBC's broadcast network; on those conflict nights, MLB games will be streamed on Peacock, NBC's streaming service.
Netflix gains the rights to stream the MLB Home Run Derby during All-Star Weekend with a contract exceeding $35 million annually, marking a major expansion into live sports for the platform.
MLB is maximizing revenue and expanding its audience reach by diversifying broadcast partnerships across digital and traditional platforms, including ESPN, NBCUniversal/Peacock, and Netflix, which creates competitive bidding and tailored content distribution.
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