MLB Set to Transform Twins Broadcast Rights
Major League Baseball is on the cusp of a significant shift in how fans experience the Minnesota Twins, with a groundbreaking three-year partnership involving ESPN, NBC, and Netflix. This upcoming arrangement, expected to be officially announced soon, promises to reshape the broadcast landscape for Twins games starting next season.
The New Broadcast Landscape
Under this partnership, ESPN will acquire in-market rights for six teams, including the Twins, alongside the Guardians, Padres, Diamondbacks, Rockies, and Mariners. The key question lingering among fans is how much they will need to invest to watch the Twins on ESPN in 2026. While the exact figures remain undisclosed, sources indicate that the new agreement will not fundamentally alter viewing options. Aaron Gleeman, citing team insights, assures fans that “games will be available via the same avenues as this past season, including cable, satellite, and MLB.tv.”
Continuity for Fans
Last season, Twins games were accessible through Twins.TV, which fans could enjoy via local cable, satellite, and streaming services. The pricing model was straightforward: a full season cost $99.99, or fans could opt for a monthly rate of $19.99. With the impending partnership, ESPN is exploring the possibility of offering a free month for its direct-to-consumer app, ESPN Unlimited, which comes with a monthly fee of $30. If fans choose this route for the six-month MLB season, they could be looking at an overall expense of $150 to watch the Twins.
While more details on pricing through various providers—such as YouTube TV, Fubo TV, Hulu Live, DIRECTV Stream, Sling TV, and Xfinity—are still under wraps, Gleeman reassures fans that “there won’t be any major changes from a local production standpoint.” This consistency may provide some comfort to long-time viewers accustomed to their current setup.
Exclusive Events and Future Fixtures
In addition to the regular season games, Netflix will secure exclusive rights to the much-anticipated annual “Field of Dreams” game in Iowa, which will spotlight a matchup between the Twins and the Philadelphia Phillies in 2026. Meanwhile, NBC and its streaming service, Peacock, will host the first round of the playoffs, expanding the Twins’ visibility across multiple platforms.
As MLB moves forward with this innovative broadcasting strategy, fans can expect a blend of familiar viewing options and new opportunities to engage with their favorite team. The details may still be unfolding, but one thing is clear: the way fans consume Twins baseball is about to enter a new era.
