Major League Baseball coverage by ESPN will come to an end in 2026, marking the conclusion of a longstanding partnership.
After a 35-year run, Major League Baseball (MLB) and ESPN have decided to part ways, with the network set to stop broadcasting MLB games starting from 2026. The decision comes after the two parties failed to agree on terms for a new seven-year deal.
The MLB is now in talks with several potential broadcasters to replace ESPN, including NBC, Apple TV+, and Fox, among others. The league is also considering splitting rights among multiple networks and streaming services.
**NBC** appears to be a frontrunner for acquiring Sunday Night Baseball and other parts of the package, possibly streaming the games on Peacock starting in 2026. **Apple TV+** is considered a leading streamer in the negotiations, potentially taking over other parts of the rights, especially international rights. Apple already holds a Friday night MLB package and may expand its baseball coverage.
**Fox** has expressed interest in some elements of the ESPN package, such as the Home Run Derby and possibly other rights, but it’s unclear if they remain a major contender for the entire package. Other potential bidders could include Amazon and Netflix, according to reports, though their specific interest or offers have not been detailed.
The MLB hopes to finalize the new broadcasting deals by the All-Star Game in July 2025, with the new contracts expected to cover the 2026–2028 seasons. ESPN and MLB have resumed talks to possibly extend their relationship, but both sides had opted out of the existing contract early, so a renewal is uncertain.
ESPN, in a statement, expressed gratitude for their longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball and pride in their coverage. The MLB, on the other hand, believes ESPN has scaled back their baseball coverage and investment, and finds ESPN's demand to reduce rights fees unacceptable.
Meanwhile, Fox continues to hold a significant stake in MLB broadcasting. The network currently broadcasts 52 regular season games and is the exclusive network for the MLB All-Star Game and the World Series. The current contract, valued at $550 million per season, will only be fulfilled for four years instead of seven.
As the MLB looks forward to a new era in broadcasting, fans can anticipate a diverse range of options for watching their favourite games, with traditional media companies and streaming services vying for the rights to bring MLB action into homes across the globe.
- NBC seems to be a front-runner for acquiring Sunday Night Baseball and other parts of the MLB package, with potential streaming on Peacock starting in 2026.
- Apple TV+ is considered a leading streamer in the negotiations, with the possibility of taking over other parts of the rights, particularly international rights.
- Fox has expressed interest in some elements of the ESPN package, such as the Home Run Derby, but it's uncertain if they remain a major contender for the entire package.
- Other potential bidders could include Amazon and Netflix, according to reports, though their specific interest or offers have not been detailed.
- The MLB hopes to finalize the new broadcasting deals by the All-Star Game in July 2025, with new contracts expected to cover the 2026–2028 seasons, potentially leading to a diverse range of options for fans to watch their favorite sports content through digital streaming and traditional media.
