The MLB baseball game on Peacock on Sunday mornings could come, go, go, executives briefed on the negotiations said. Athleticism.
MLB plans to continue Sunday morning games, known on Peacock as “MLB Sunday Leadoff,” with a new service, according to an executive briefed on the negotiations. The executive said the league and an anonymous platform were close to reaching a deal, which would begin this season. The executive declined to identify which department it was because negotiations had not been finalized.
Last year, Peacock’s 19-game schedule began on April 23. MLB has flexibility on when it can start with the new entity, which will likely result in games being first broadcast later. Peacock has had the package for two seasons.
Comcast/NBC, which runs Peacock, remains interested in a deal but for less than the $30 million per season it previously paid, according to executives with knowledge of the negotiations. The talks are stagnating.
“Our initiative with Peacock has been a valuable experience with a collaborative partner in our ongoing effort to explore a variety of streaming offerings for our fans as their consumption habits continue to evolve,” said a spokesperson for the company. MLB in a press release. Athleticism.
An NBC Sports spokesperson declined to comment.
Peacock is one of several alternative media outlets that MLB has maintained national relationships with, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Apple. Peacock’s setup was probably the most creative in terms of presentation, even if NBC isn’t able to justify the same cost.
Peacock games had start times of 11:35 a.m. or 12:05 p.m. ET and featured a national player, such as Brendan Burke, teamed with analysts with ties to each team participating in the game.
The setup gave Peacock an exclusive window, as it was prohibited for the rest of the day from having start times before 1:30 p.m. For upcoming Sunday matches, the first time listed is 1:35 p.m. The package only has some appeal because it is regular season games, with the same game on previous days of the series.
The playoffs and All-Star Games are already in the hands of Fox, TNT Sports and ESPN, hampering any current rights negotiations since they are the most important national events in sports.
ESPN pays $550 million per season for first-round playoff games, “Sunday Night Baseball” and All-Star Break’s Home Run Derby. After the 2025 season, ESPN has an option to opt out of its contract, which it is expected to use to negotiate a lower rate or additional programming or to get out of the deal, according to executives briefed on their current plans.
Fox Sports, which carries the World Series, is in the middle of a seven-year deal for about $5.1 billion that will extend through the 2028 season. TNT Sports, which is offering a large playoff package for the MLB, including a league championship series, also has a deal that runs through 2028 for $470 million per year. Fox offers exclusive games of the week on Saturdays, while TBS – part of TNT Sports – offers Tuesday night games, which are often shown on local television in national markets.
MLB offers exclusive games on Apple TV+ on Friday nights. They are in the third year of a seven-year contract valued at $85 million per season.
MLB is also facing cable package disintegration that has had a major impact on its regional sports networks. Although some outlets, like the New York Yankees’ YES Network and the New York Mets’ SNY, are still doing well, many smaller markets are struggling as Sinclair’s Diamond Sports navigates its bankruptcy process. This has led MLB to study how to consolidate the bulk of its regional games in the future.
Meanwhile, Peacock has invested in the NFL, spending $110 million to broadcast an additional NFL playoff game last season. It will broadcast a Friday night NFL weekend opener between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles from Brazil next September. Peacock has one game in his overall package and Packers-Eagles will be that one this season. An NBC Sports spokesperson declined to comment on whether the network had added more money for the early-season marquee game.
While Peacock continues with football, it’s probably over with MLB for now. The games will continue – where and when remains to be determined.
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(Photo of William Contreras of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrating a home run in the final “MLB Sunday Leadoff” game of 2023 on Peacock last September: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)