Netflix Secures MLB Broadcasting Rights... Lee Junghoo's First Game Next Year to Air Nationwide in the U.S.

Netflix Claims Opening Game Abandoned by ESPN
Invests 350 Billion Won Annually, Accelerates Entry into Sports Market

Yonhap News

Netflix has entered the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB) broadcasting rights market. On September 26 (Korea Standard Time), The Athletic, a U.S. sports media outlet, reported that Netflix had signed a three-year broadcasting rights contract with MLB.

The deal includes exclusive broadcasting rights for the 2026 regular season opening game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees, scheduled for March 26 next year. As a result, the first game of the 2026 season for San Francisco’s starting outfielder Lee Junghoo will be available exclusively on Netflix across the United States. Other teams’ opening games will be held on March 27, one day later.

Netflix will pay between 225 million and 250 million U.S. dollars per season (approximately 317.5 billion to 352.7 billion Korean won). Along with NBC, a U.S. broadcaster, Netflix will co-broadcast major events such as the All-Star Game Home Run Derby, the “Field of Dreams” event, and the “Speedway” game, as well as select matches.

MLB sells broadcasting rights separately by team, region, and event. The structure involves national broadcasters like ESPN, multiple regional broadcasters, and streaming service providers. ESPN previously held rights to Sunday Night Baseball, the Home Run Derby, and postseason games for an average of 550 million U.S. dollars per year, but in February, it relinquished its rights for the 2026-2028 seasons. Instead, ESPN secured exclusive national rights to 30 weekday games and regional broadcasting rights, maintaining its previous expenditure level.

Seizing this opportunity, Netflix has recently expanded its investment in sports. Last month, it secured the broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) in Japan, and last year, it signed an exclusive deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Netflix also holds exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for the National Football League (NFL) Christmas event and the FIFA-organized Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031.

With Netflix’s entry into MLB, the traditional U.S. sports broadcasting market, long dominated by conventional broadcasters, is expected to undergo significant changes.