Netflix has announced its first-ever live sports broadcast deal in Japan, acquiring exclusive rights to stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC). The agreement marks a major milestone for the streaming giant as it accelerates its global push into live sports.
Exclusive Coverage in Japan
Under the deal, Netflix will stream all 47 games live and on-demand in Japan, promising comprehensive coverage of the competition. The tournament, owned by World Baseball Classic Inc. (a joint venture between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association), will feature 20 national teams across four first-round pools in Tokyo, San Juan, Houston, and Miami.
For Japanese fans, the move is particularly significant. Team Japan, led by Shohei Ohtani, won the 2023 edition, attracting enormous local interest. Six of their seven games reportedly drew more than 30 million viewers each for TV Asahi. Netflix’s exclusive rights position the platform to capture this massive audience base, blending national pride with digital-first accessibility.
MLB’s Global Strategy and Digital Alignment
MLB deputy commissioner Noah Garden framed the deal as part of a wider push to modernize baseball’s reach:
“By joining forces with a leader in entertainment, we are not only honoring the tradition of baseball, but also embracing the future — ensuring fans can enjoy the tournament in ways that fit their lives today.”
The agreement follows Netflix’s expanding collaborations with MLB, which have already produced documentaries such as The Turnaround (2024), The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox (2024), and The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox(2025).
Reports also suggest Netflix is finalizing a $35 million-per-year, three-season deal for exclusive US rights to MLB’s Home Run Derby, beginning in 2026.
Part of a Larger Sports Strategy
The WBC deal reflects Netflix’s broader ambitions in live sports:
- NFL: Streamed three Christmas Day games in 2024; exploring bids for Sunday afternoon domestic rights from 2029.
- Boxing: Drew over 60 million viewers globally for the 2024 Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight, with the upcoming Canelo Álvarez vs Terence Crawford bout in September expected to drive further global traction.
- WWE: Began a 10-year global deal in January 2025 to broadcast Monday Night Raw.
- FIFA Women’s World Cup: Holds US streaming rights for the 2027 and 2031 editions.
For Netflix, the WBC represents both a high-value national play in Japan and a showcase for how exclusive sports rights can serve as growth engines for subscriber engagement.
Strategic Implications
For Japanese audiences, the deal ensures a digital-first, nationwide celebration of one of the country’s most-watched tournaments. For MLB, it demonstrates how baseball can leverage partnerships with entertainment platforms to globalize its appeal.
For Netflix, the agreement is yet another step in its transformation from content provider to live sports broadcaster. By focusing on premium, high-impact events, Netflix is carving out a unique sports portfolio that straddles tradition (WBC, FIFA) and spectacle (boxing, WWE).
As competition for global streaming dominance intensifies, Netflix’s strategy appears clear: align with sports properties that blend mass reach with cultural resonance, and in doing so, redefine how live sport is consumed worldwide.
Partner With Us
Want to feature your brand, business, or service on 365247 — Whether you’re looking to sponsor, collaborate, or build presence within our ecosystem, we’d love to explore it with you.
Submit your interest here
