Netflix Pursuing MLB’s Home Run Derby Show; ESPN Could Still Carry Some Weekday Games

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.

Netflix is interested in carrying Major League Baseball’s annual Home Run Derby competition show, according to a new report from The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand.

The negotiations are part of the league’s effort to find new TV partners after ESPN decided to opt out of its deal to carry Sunday night games. Marchand writes that NBC/Peacock and Apple are discussing taking over the Sunday games while ESPN could return to carry some weekday games.

Netflix apparently is not interested in live games, focusing instead on the HR Derby which is held on the Monday night before the annual All-Star Game in July. This would be in keeping with Netflix’s longtime strategy to bid on special sporting events rather than sign agreements that would require it to carry a significant number of low-profile games during a season. The streamer has hosted live boxing matches and has a deal with the NFL to carry two games on Christmas.

As for ESPN, the sports network may want to return to baseball in 2026 to support the launch of its ESPN unlimited app on August 21. The company’s Sunday Night baseball contract expires after the 2025 season.

Marchand says no deals have been reached and it’s possible that other TV companies could enter the bidding.

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