What's happened
Netflix will stream all 47 games of the 2025 World Baseball Classic, including the final in Miami, marking its first live event in Japan. The league's media rights are shifting, with Netflix paying $50 million annually for the Derby, as MLB explores a new three-year media deal involving multiple broadcasters.
What's behind the headline?
Netflix's entry into live sports streaming, particularly for the WBC, signals a significant shift in sports media rights. The platform's investment of $50 million annually for the Home Run Derby indicates a strategic move to expand its sports portfolio and reach global audiences. This partnership demonstrates the growing importance of digital platforms in sports broadcasting, especially in Japan, where Netflix will host its first live event. The move also reflects MLB's broader strategy to diversify its media partners and adapt to changing viewer habits. The potential for Netflix to carry the Derby in the U.S. as part of a three-year deal suggests a future where streaming services play a dominant role in sports media rights, challenging traditional broadcasters like ESPN and Fox. This shift could reshape the sports media landscape, influencing how fans access and engage with baseball worldwide.
What the papers say
The Japan Times highlights Netflix's role in streaming the WBC in Japan, emphasizing its first live event in the country and the league's efforts to engage fans through digital platforms. The Independent and AP News confirm Netflix's coverage of all 47 games and the tournament's details, including the defending champion Japan and the upcoming schedule. Both sources note MLB's ongoing negotiations for media rights, with Netflix's $50 million annual fee for the Derby and the potential for a three-year deal. The articles collectively illustrate a strategic shift in sports broadcasting, with Netflix emerging as a key player in global baseball coverage, challenging traditional broadcasters and expanding digital sports consumption.
How we got here
The 2023 World Baseball Classic saw Japan win its first title, with Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout in the final. The tournament features 20 teams and is held across four locations, with the 2025 edition starting on March 5. Media rights for the event have traditionally been held by various broadcasters, but MLB is now restructuring its media deals, including negotiations with Netflix and other streaming platforms, following ESPN's opt-out of the current agreement.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why Are Major Media and Sports Events Moving to New Streaming Platforms?
Recent shifts in media rights are transforming how fans access sports and entertainment. WWE is moving its premium events to ESPN's streaming service, while Netflix is making a big splash by streaming the World Baseball Classic and the Home Run Derby. These changes raise questions about why traditional broadcasters are losing ground and what it means for viewers. Below, we explore the reasons behind these moves and what they mean for sports fans and entertainment lovers alike.
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How Are Streaming Platforms Changing Sports Broadcasting?
The landscape of sports broadcasting is rapidly evolving, with streaming platforms like Netflix and others stepping into the spotlight. This shift raises questions about how fans will access major sports events in the future, what it means for traditional broadcasters, and what new options are now available. Below, we explore the latest developments in sports media rights and streaming wars, helping you understand what’s next for sports fans worldwide.
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More on these topics
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The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned from 2006 to 2013 by the International Baseball Federation and after 2013 by World Baseball Softball Confederation in partnership with Major League Baseball.
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Netflix, Inc. is an American technology and media services provider and production company headquartered in Los Gatos, California. Netflix was founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California.
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Michael Nelson Trout is an American professional baseball center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball. Trout is an eight-time MLB All-Star, three-time American League Most Valuable Player, and is a seven-time winner of the Silver Sl
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Shohei Ohtani, nicknamed "Sho Time", is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher and designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball.
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Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.