MLB’s New TV Landscape Takes Shape
Major League Baseball is on the verge of finalizing a significant overhaul of its television contracts, with attention now focused on new partnerships with NBC, Netflix, and ESPN. These agreements, each spanning three years, promise to reshape how fans engage with the game, particularly regarding nationally televised contests and postseason play.
Shifts in Broadcast Channels
One notable change is the relocation of Sunday Night Baseball from ESPN to NBC and its streaming service, Peacock. Last season, the Atlanta Braves appeared on this prime-time lineup three times. If that frequency holds, fans will need to adjust their viewing habits, keeping an eye out for those games airing on NBC/Peacock instead of ESPN.
While many games will still be available on ESPN, the new contracts introduce a significant caveat. In instances where MLB games overlap with broadcasts of the NFL’s Sunday Night Football or NBA games, the baseball game will be exclusively available on Peacock. This means that fans without a Peacock subscription may find themselves unable to catch those matchups.
Emergence of Exclusive Content
In a further twist, Peacock will reclaim the late Sunday morning game that has been broadcast on Roku for the past two years. This shift could lead to several regular-season games being exclusive to Peacock starting next season, creating a new layer of complexity for viewers. Additionally, the first round of the postseason is anticipated to be split between NBC and Peacock, suggesting that a subscription may be necessary for fans eager to follow October baseball.
Impact on Local Broadcasts
The changes in national coverage will not significantly affect the Braves’ day-to-day viewing for the upcoming season. However, the situation surrounding the Field of Dreams Game, which will feature the Phillies and Twins, remains unrelated to Atlanta’s broadcast arrangements.
ESPN has also acquired the rights to MLB.TV under its new contract, a move that primarily impacts out-of-market fans. While details on how this will play out are still forthcoming, it could eventually influence in-market viewing, especially if ESPN secures the rights to broadcast Braves’ regular-season games. Currently, most Braves games are available on FanDuel Sports Network and select broadcasts on Gray TV, including The CW channel and Peachtree TV in Atlanta.
Pricing and New Offerings
From a pricing perspective, MLB.TV is expected to maintain its current cost of $150, with T-Mobile continuing to offer the service for free to its customers. Meanwhile, ESPN will add to its slate with 30 exclusive weeknight games throughout the season, giving fans another reason to tune in.
Radio Broadcasts and Streaming Innovations
For those who prefer radio broadcasts, the familiar voices will still cover Sunday Night Baseball and the postseason, including the World Series.
Among the most talked-about developments is the Home Run Derby, which is set to stream on Netflix. This confirms earlier reports and means that if a Braves player is participating, fans will need a Netflix account to watch. Just a heads-up: password sharing is no longer as easy as it once was.
As MLB navigates this transformative phase in its broadcasting strategy, one thing remains clear: fans will need to adapt to a new game-day experience, balancing subscriptions and viewing platforms to stay connected with their favorite teams.
