MLB rights deals update: Apple out; Peacock, ESPN and Netflix still in play - Report
Major League Baseball’s national media landscape is reportedly on the verge of a major shake-up, with a new round of broadcast deals nearing completion.
Major League Baseball’s national media landscape is reportedly on the verge of a major shake-up, with a new round of broadcast deals nearing completion. According to Yahoo Sports’ Kendall Baker, the MLB deal is ‘close to being done’, with Apple out and ESPN, Peacock, and Netflix sticking on.
A general view during the MLB Little League Classic between the Seattle Mariners and the New York Mets at Bowman Field (Getty Images via AFP)
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As per Baker, the MLB is finalizing agreements that would likely run through 2028, aligning with the league’s existing contracts with Fox and TNT Sports. The reported plan marks a dramatic reshuffling of partners and platforms.
“Nothing is finalized (which of course means things could still change) but sounds close,” Baker reported on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.
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Apple, which previously carried Friday Night Baseball, is reportedly stepping away entirely. In its place, NBC and Peacock are poised to acquire Friday night games, as well as ESPN’s vacated Sunday Night Baseball package and Wild Card matchups. That move would give NBC an unprecedented year-round Sunday prime-time sports lineup—adding baseball to its existing football and basketball coverage.
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Apple, which previously carried Friday Night Baseball, is reportedly stepping away entirely. In its place, NBC and Peacock are poised to acquire Friday night games, as well as ESPN’s vacated Sunday Night Baseball package and Wild Card matchups. That move would give NBC an unprecedented year-round Sunday prime-time sports lineup—adding baseball to its existing football and basketball coverage.
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However, like Baker mentioned, nothing is finalized.
While exiting its traditional rights package, ESPN is reportedly not cutting ties with the sport altogether. As per Baker, the network plans to acquire MLB.tv, the league’s out-of-market streaming service, as part of its broader push into streaming.
The purchase could serve as the backbone of ESPN’s soon-to-launch direct-to-consumer service, while also keeping the door open for potential involvement in local rights.
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Meanwhile, Netflix is reportedly finalizing its entry into MLB by securing rights to the Home Run Derby, another property ESPN previously held. The addition would expand Netflix’s growing live-sports portfolio with one of baseball’s most-watched annual events.
If these deals materialize, the new structure would significantly alter baseball’s media reach: Apple bows out, NBC deepens its live-sports dominance, ESPN secures a digital foothold, and Netflix adds a marquee event.
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.
Catch all the latest Sports News, scores, and highlights in one place. Stay updated with real-time coverage of your favorite games and athletes along with Lionel Messi latest updates.
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Home/Sports/Us Sports/MLB rights deals update: Apple out; Peacock, ESPN and Netflix still in play - Report
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