The future of sports broadcasting may soon feature Netflix stepping up to the plate.
According to industry reports, Netflix is in discussions with Major League Baseball (MLB) to acquire the rights to the annual Home Run Derby — a high-profile event that takes place each summer ahead of the MLB All-Star Game. The competition, famous for showcasing the league’s biggest hitters, has traditionally been broadcast by ESPN.
A Changing Rights Landscape
ESPN has held the rights to the Home Run Derby as part of its seven-year MLB agreement, which also includes selected regular-season games, wild-card playoff coverage, and spring training matchups. That deal, reportedly valued at around $550 million per year, is coming under review as ESPN implements cost-cutting measures.
While the network may reduce its MLB commitments, reports suggest it could still carry a smaller package of games as part of its upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service.
Other tech-driven players have already entered baseball broadcasting. Apple TV+ currently streams “Friday Night Baseball” to subscribers, marking a shift toward digital-first viewing experiences.
What’s on the Table for Netflix
If Netflix secures the Home Run Derby, it would build on the company’s growing live sports portfolio, which already includes:
- Two NFL games on Christmas Day
- WWE’s Monday Night Raw (starting 2025)
- Major wrestling events, including WrestleMania and SummerSlam (from 2026)
- The 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup for U.S. audiences
Netflix’s venture into sports hasn’t been without challenges — last year’s Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing event drew huge viewership but experienced some technical glitches. However, the appetite for live sports content on the platform appears to be growing.
Strategic Implications for the Sports Media Market
If finalised, the deal would mark another step in the shift from traditional broadcast dominance to streaming-led sports distribution. For rights holders, this trend opens doors to younger, digitally native audiences and new monetisation models outside the legacy cable ecosystem.
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