Home Runs & Streaming: MLB's Game-Changing Partnerships with Netflix, ESPN, and NBCUniversal

America’s Major League Baseball (MLB) has landed groundbreaking deals with major players in the broadcasting and streaming industry, including Netflix, ESPN, and NBCUniversal, to showcase select games across various platforms for the next three seasons. These agreements are expected to significantly enhance MLB’s visibility and access to fans.

Netflix, the global leader in streaming content, will be airing special events that consistently attract millions of viewers, such as the league’s opening night and its exciting Home Run Derby. This move by Netflix marks a notable expansion into sports programming.

In a game-changing twist, ESPN will gain exclusive rights to MLB.TV, an on-demand service that allows fans to follow teams beyond their local regions starting in the 2026 season. Additionally, NBCUniversal will reclaim the rights to broadcast Sunday night games, making it their first return to regular MLB coverage in 25 years.

MLB has strategically aligned itself with these networks to broaden its audience, as emphasized by Baseball Commissioner Robert D Manfred Jr.. Notably, along with these partnerships, Netflix will also present the World Baseball Classic in Japan, further diversifying the league’s international outreach.

The agreements come after ESPN decided to opt out of the final three seasons of its existing contract, initially valued at more than $1.5 billion over three years. This decision led to complex negotiations between MLB and multiple broadcasters, showcasing a shift in how sports are consumed today. The commitment from these media giants—including Fox Sports, which will continue its tradition of airing the World Series and other games, and Apple TV, which is set to stream Friday Night Baseball—demonstrates a significant evolution in the sports broadcasting landscape.