Netflix wins Japanese media rights for 2026 World Baseball Classic

Advertisement

Advertise with us

NEW YORK (AP) — Netflix has won the Japanese media rights to carry next year's World Baseball Classic, marking the first time it will stream a live event in Japan.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$0 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.75/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.

NEW YORK (AP) — Netflix has won the Japanese media rights to carry next year’s World Baseball Classic, marking the first time it will stream a live event in Japan.

Netflix will stream all 47 games of the tournament. Team Japan is the defending champion after winning it in 2023 when Shohei Ohtani struck out United States slugger Mike Trout for the final out in Japan’s 3-2 victory in Miami.

A consortium of media companies, including Amazon Prime video, had the Japanese media rights for the previous World Baseball Classic.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani gestures during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani gestures during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)

Next year’s WBC will be the sixth edition of the tournament and will feature 20 teams competing in four-first round pools in Tokyo; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston and Miami. It will start on March 5 with the finals slated for March 17 in Miami.

Netflix is also expected to be in contention to carry the Home Run Derby in the U.S. as Major League Baseball is considering its options for a three-year deal that would begin next year.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Report Error Submit a Tip