Major League Baseball has just announced a trifecta of new media deals with NBC, Netflix, and ESPN, marking a significant shift in its broadcast strategy. The agreements will take effect in about four months and run for three years.
ESPN will gain the rights to out-of-market games for all 30 teams, as well as six in-market clubs. Meanwhile, NBC/Peacock will become the new home of Sunday Night Baseball and the first round of the playoffs. Netflix will showcase a standalone Opening Day game in prime time, the Home Run Derby, and the 'Field of Dreams' game.
The deals come on the heels of ESPN opting out of its final three seasons of contract in February. The network wanted to restructure its arrangement, which included Sunday Night Baseball, the first round of the playoffs, and the Home Run Derby. This led to a period of tense negotiations between MLB and ESPN, with Commissioner Rob Manfred even calling ESPN a "shrinking" platform.
Despite the acrimony, the two sides were able to reach an agreement. NBC/Peacock is expected to pay nearly $200 million per year, while Netflix will dish out $50 million per season. MLB will receive almost $750 million per year in total over the next three seasons – a significant increase from what it would have received had ESPN not opted out.
"We think the combination of ESPN, NBC Universal, and Netflix is a great one for us," Manfred said. "It allows us to expand our reach and increase our partnership revenue."
The new deals will allow MLB to join the NFL and NBA on NBC's Sunday Night franchise. When conflicts arise with football and basketball, baseball will only be broadcast on Peacock.
ESPN's deal includes a newly created package featuring out-of-market games, as well as 30 exclusive weeknight games during the season. ESPN Radio will continue to broadcast Sunday Night Baseball, the playoffs, and the World Series.
Netflix will also have the Opening Day game between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants, as well as the 'Field of Dreams' showcase featuring the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins.
NBC's first game will be a standalone matchup on the second night of the season, featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The eight to 12 playoff games will be split between NBC and Peacock, with Peacock also taking over Roku's late Sunday morning package.
Peacock will have an afternoon whip-around show all day, as well as an exclusive broadcast on July 5th featuring all 15 MLB games.