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MLB Rights Shuffle: ESPN, NBC, netflix, and Apple in Negotiations
A major shake-up is underway in Major League Baseball’s media rights landscape, with ESPN set to secure exclusive streaming rights for out-of-market games.
- ESPN is nearing a deal to distribute out-of-market MLB games.
- NBC/Peacock,Netflix,and Apple TV are in talks for various regular-season and event packages.
- the aim is to finalize thes new agreements by the end of the current MLB regular season.
- Major League Baseball seeks to optimize its rights portfolio, moving beyond traditional broadcast models.
In a move that could redefine how fans follow their favorite teams, ESPN is reportedly nearing a significant agreement to distribute Major League Baseball’s out-of-market games. this development comes after ESPN opted out of its previous contract with MLB in Febuary, seeking a revised, lower-cost package. commissioner Rob manfred, simultaneously occurring, saw an opportunity to potentially enhance the sport’s media value in the short term, notably for high-profile events like the Home Run Derby and Wild Card round.
ESPN securing out-of-market MLB.TV rights is a key part of this unfolding media rights story.
The negotiations,which involve multi-year deals,are intricate.Major League Baseball is concurrently negotiating with NBC/Peacock, Netflix, and Apple TV for rights to regular-season games, the Wild Card round, and the Home Run Derby. All parties involved are reportedly aiming to have these agreements finalized by the end of the current MLB regular season.
Positioning MLB’s marquee regular-season games, Home Run Derby, and Wild Card playoff round on new broadcast and streaming platforms, the league can best optimize its rights for future deal cycles.
The proposed changes offer mutual benefits. ESPN maintains its involvement in baseball, leveraging its direct-to-consumer platform, while MLB could gain from a broader array of partners through these shorter-term deals.
There’s also the possibility that ESPN could still broadcast around 30 regular-season games, though not the coveted Sunday night slot. that package, along with the Wild Card round, appears slated for NBC/Peacock.
NBC, approaching its 100th anniversary, boasts a rich history with baseball, though its recent involvement has been limited. The network aired games from 1939 to 1989, participated in The Baseball Network with ABC in 1994 and 1995, and broadcast playoff games from 1996 through 2000. Peacock previously streamed early-afternoon games on Sundays in 2022 and 2023.
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