US EditionNetflix Wins Japanese Media Rights for 2026 World Baseball Classic
Netflix will stream all 47 games live and on-demand in Japan, marking a major step in expanding sports content for millions of viewers, the company said.
- On Monday, Netflix secured exclusive Japanese media rights to the 2026 World Baseball Classic, owned by MLB and operated with the Major League Baseball Players Association.
- Netflix has been expanding its sports focus by increasing interest in sports properties after NFL streaming successes and ties to MLB through documentary series about MLB.
- Starting March 5, the 2026 World Baseball Classic will be the sixth edition with 20 teams competing in Tokyo; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston, Texas; and Miami, Florida, and Netflix will stream all 47 games live and on-demand in Japan.
- Given six of seven Team Japan games drew over 30 million viewers, Japanese viewers benefit as Netflix streams all 47 games live and on-demand nationwide next year.
- Meanwhile, U.S. rights remain unannounced and Fox Sports currently holds the WBC's U.S. TV and streaming rights, leaving a separate market unsettled.
38 Articles
38 Articles
Netflix to be sole broadcaster of 2026 World Baseball Classic in Japan
Netflix Inc. has acquired exclusive broadcasting rights in Japan for the sixth World Baseball Classic to be held next March, with all 47 games to be available live and on demand, the U.S. streaming giant said Monday.
Cameron Crowe In Yi Zhou Doc; Disney+ & ZDF Studios Strike Licensing Pact; Random Media Buys ‘The Womb’; Netflix Poaches Stan Exec & Signs World Baseball Classic For Japan – Global Briefs
EXCLUSIVE: Cameron Crowe and Shepard Fairey, the artist behind the iconic Barack Obama ‘OBEY’ posters, will be guests on First Timers, a docuseries from multimedia artist, writer, director and producer Yi Zhou. Billed as an exploration of what it means to take a first step in high pressure creative and professional worlds, the series can be […]
Baseball-hungry Netflix to carry World Baseball Classic in Japan
Netflix will stream every game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic exclusively for viewers in Japan, Major League Baseball announced Monday. The news comes as Netflix is reportedly on the verge of entering the MLB fray by picking up the U.S. rights for the Home Run Derby as part of the league's restructured media package. Fans in Japan -- the reigning WBC champions from 2023 -- will turn to Netflix for coverage of the tournament to be played Marc…
NEW YORK — Netflix has secured streaming rights in Japan to carry next year's World Baseball Classic, marking the first time it will broadcast a live event in the country.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
