Get ready to do the streaming service shuffle in 2026. MLB fans will have to juggle more of those next season, as the league announced new TV broadcast distributions agreements on November 19. NBC/Peacock is back in the fold, while Netflix will get select games, as well. ESPN, meanwhile, will add the MLB.TV service to its offerings.
NBC back with MLB
As expected, NBC will be one of the Major League Baseball’s prime TV partners. The league announced that NBC will get a large package of games, highlighted by the return of “Sunday Leadoff” and the addition of Sunday Night Baseball.
The league will give 18 Sunday late-morning/early-afternoon games to NBCSN/Peacock as part of Sunday Leadoff. Sunday Night Baseball will retain its one-game exclusivity window, and mostly air on NBC. Some games, thanks to NBA and NFL coverage, will air on NBCSN/Peacock.
Additionally, NBC regains rights to the Futures Game, picks up coverage of the MLB Draft, and will receive the Wild Card Game rights previously held by ESPN.
The TV network hinted at a major deal last week when NBC unveiled plans to resurrect NBC Sports Network (NBCSN).
NBC’s first game will be on Opening Day 2026 when the Dodgers face the Arizona Diamondbacks.
ESPN gets smaller package
ESPN is back in the game — but with a different deal. No playoff games, or Sunday Night Baseball. However, the league will give ESPN a 30-game package.
Highlights of that package include the return of the exclusive game in mid-July, two days after the All-Star Game. The Phillies will face the Mets in that contest. Additionally, ESPN will get a game on Memorial Day, plus the 2026 Little League Classic.
However, the real draw here is that ESPN gets the rights to sell & distribute MLB.TV, the league’s out-of-market game provider. It adds yet another one to ESPN’s portfolio, as the league still has its deal with the NHL.
ESPN will get to distribute MLB.TV, plus the in-market streaming broadcasts for six MLB teams: the Guardians, Twins, Padres, Diamondbacks, Mariners, and Rockies. Those in-market packages will also be distributed through the league’s website in 2026.
MLB Network will also be distributed through the purchase of a MLB.TV subscription.
Netflix to get special events
Netflix will get involved in MLB rights, as well. The streaming service, which has recently added NFL games, as well as the WWE and MLB documentaries, will add three games to its portfolio.
The standalone game between the Yankees and Giants will be shown on Netflix. Additionally, the annual Home Run Derby and the 2026 Field of Dreams events will also be shown on Netflix.
These deals will run from 2026-28. MLB’s agreements with Apple TV, FOX, and TBS remain in tact.
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