MLB is heading into a year of uncertainty that seems likely to end in a lockout, but one key piece of the league's immediate future has been finalized.
A new television rights deal is set to be announced by MLB, according to The Athletic, with NBC, ESPN and Netflix all set to broadcast games.
It was reported early in 2025 that MLB was set to leave ESPN after the season, but reports during the season indicated the network could still have a hand in MLB coverage going forward. While ESPN is still part of the new deal, it won't have the same rights it did before.
Here's what you need to know about MLB's new TV rights deal.
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MLB new TV deal details
MLB will announce a new television deal split between NBC, ESPN and Netflix, The Athletic reports. A new agreement was necessitated when MLB and ESPN opted out of their deal three years early.
NBC is expected to pay about $200 million annually, while Netflix will pay $50 million. ESPN, meanwhile, is still expected to pay the grand total of $1.65 million it was set to pay over the next three years, but the network's slate of games has been significantly restructured, with "Sunday Night Baseball" heading elsewhere.
Here's a look at which games will air on which platforms:
What games will be on NBC?
NBC is taking on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" package, becoming the exclusive home of the weekly prime-time game, and it will also broadcast the Wild Card Round of the postseason that had aired on ESPN networks since the current format started in 2022.
Any NBC games that conflict with the NBA or NFL would be available to stream on Peacock, while Peacock will also regain the rights to MLB's late Sunday morning game each week. That weekly game initially aired exclusively on Peacock before heading over to Roku.
NBC's breakdown of regular season games is unclear beyond its first game, which will be the Los Angeles Dodgers' opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 26. NBC could also host some special location games, though the Field of Dreams Game will be broadcast by Netflix.
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What games will be on ESPN?
ESPN is losing "Sunday Night Baseball" and the Wild Card Round, but the network will air 30 exclusive weeknight games during the season. The biggest addition for ESPN, however, is MLB.tv, which lets subscribers watch all out-of-market games.
By handing over MLB.tv rights, MLB still receives the $1.65 billion owed from ESPN. The $150 annual price of MLB.tv isn’t expected to change, The Athletic reports, and T-Mobile customers will continue to receive it for free. The report notes that ESPN “has not decided how it will sell” the service.
ESPN will also hold in-market broadcast rights for six teams: the Cleveland Guardians, Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, and San Diego Padres. MLB had produced local broadcasts for these teams after each team’s regional sports network collapsed.
ESPN Radio will remain the home for “Sunday Night Baseball” and the entire postseason.
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What games will be on Netflix?
Netflix is set to become the new home of the Home Run Derby and will broadcast some of MLB's special location games, including the Field of Dreams Game in Iowa.
Netflix will air the MLB season opener between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants on March 25, though it's unclear whether the streaming service would air any other regular contests beyond the opener and special events.