In November 2025, MLB replaced its ESPN agreement with a three-year, $50-million-annual deal with Netflix to stream the Opening Night game, the Home Run Derby, and an annual special event game. The inaugural Opening Night matchup between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants drew roughly 3 million viewers (a 45% increase from ESPN's 2025 opener) but received mixed reviews. While the production featured extravagant elements like 30 cameras and a kayak-mounted camera in McCovey Cove, critics slammed the excessive cross-promotion of Netflix originals (featuring celebrities like John Cena and Jey Uso) and the broadcast's failure to show the first ABS challenge due to an in-game interview. The network's debut Home Run Derby in 2026 attracted 5.3 million viewers, the lowest since 2003, although it successfully reached a younger demographic. Overall, the streaming deal marks a significant shift in how MLB packages its marquee events, blending sports with entertainment-focused presentation.