Overview

• Apple TV+ and Peacock have emerged as frontrunners for MLB’s Sunday Night Baseball package and first-round Wild Card games for 2026–28.
• Netflix is reported to be leading talks to secure exclusive rights to the Home Run Derby after ESPN opted out of its prior contract.
• ESPN is shifting its strategy toward weekday and local game packages and has expressed interest in acquiring MLB.TV streaming rights.
• MLB is structuring all potential agreements as three-year deals aimed at replicating the roughly $550–570 million annual value of the expired ESPN package.
• Commissioner Rob Manfred and league officials plan to align all national broadcast rights by the end of 2028 for a consolidated media auction.