Netflix will exclusively stream the opening showdown between the Yankees and the Giants next season, according to Andrew Marchand of Athletics. The teams will play independent games at Oracle Park on Wednesday, March 25.
This is not the only important gain from Netflix. Marchand reported that streaming companies will also get home run derbys over the next three seasons and share broadcasts with NBC for some special position games such as Dreams, Rickwood Field. Netflix and MLB have signed a three-year agreement, with Marchand reporting that it will pay about $225-250mm per year in a year.
Opening Night and home run derby were previously part of a long-term deal with MLB with ESPN. In February, both sides chose contracts for the 2026-28 season. ESPN attempts to renegotiate at a lower entitlement fee. Instead, Major League Baseball (MLB) partitioned the package, which included Derby, Sunday Night Baseball and Wildcard rounds – and made some smaller deals with different companies.
Marchand reported last month that Netflix was bidding for the derby, and they clearly reached the deal. He added today that NBC and its streaming service Peacock will receive Sunday night’s baseball and wildcard rounds in 2026-28. (ESPN will still be part of the final season of the previous agreement in the first round next week.) NBC also expects the cost of a three-year contract per season to be about 225-250 mm per season.
There will be some changes in the regular season Sunday morning. Roku has been carrying it since early 2024. Roku’s deal lasts until the end of 2026. It is not clear whether Peacock will wait for these broadcasts a year ahead of schedule or until the 27th season.
ESPN will also become a partner of the alliance. Marchand reported in August that the broadcaster is reaching a deal with Major League Baseball (MLB) to license the team’s rights to sell out-of-town games, part of the MLB.TV package. ESPN also gained market rights for Rockies, Twins, Rattlesnakes, Padres and Guardians — five clubs that their regional TV deals have collapsed since their broadcasts have been handled by the league. ESPN also received 30 exclusive national games to replace what was lost on Sunday night; the games will now be on weekdays.
This is also a three-year arrangement. Marchand reported that ESPN paid a total of $1.65 billion in payments – matching the sum of $550mm per year paid Sunday night, the derby and wild card rounds, if not opt out.
It’s not a coincidence that all these deals run through 2028. Major League Baseball has both contracts with FOX (carrying World Series, ALC, ALDS and All-Star Games) and Turner (with NLDS and NLDS and NLCS). Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed hope to gain local market rights for each team by then. This will give MLB the opportunity to purchase all items for 2029.
