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25m ago

MLB, ESPN Near Three-Year Pact to Fold MLB.TV Into ESPN Service and Add Five Local Rights

The three-year framework reflects MLB's move to centralize streaming following regional sports network turmoil.

BOSTON, MA - JULY 15: A general view of the ESPN logo on a broadcast camera during a WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun on July 15, 2025, at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire)
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Overview

  • Under the reported framework pending final signatures, ESPN would stream all out-of-market games and absorb MLB.TV into its direct-to-consumer platform, with pricing reported around $29.99 per month.
  • ESPN is set to obtain in-market streaming rights for the Guardians, Padres, Twins, Diamondbacks and Rockies, marking a shift in local access for those fan bases.
  • NBC is expected to take over Sunday Night Baseball and the Wild Card round, while Netflix is reported to secure the Home Run Derby rights.
  • The deals are designed to run through the 2028 season, aligning with a broader rights reset and drawing scrutiny for how the timing could affect upcoming labor negotiations.
  • The restructuring follows the financial strain on regional sports networks, including Diamond Sports Group’s bankruptcy, accelerating MLB’s digital-first distribution strategy.