What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Netflix has signed a deal to stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic exclusively in Japan. This marks Netflix's first live sports event in Japan, expanding its live sports and events business. The World Baseball Classic, owned by Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association, features national teams competing in a tournament format. The last tournament in 2023 saw Team Japan win against Team USA. Netflix will provide comprehensive coverage of all 47 games live and on-demand. In the U.S., Fox Sports holds the TV and streaming rights for the event.
Why It's Important?
The partnership between Netflix and the World Baseball Classic Inc. highlights the growing popularity of the tournament and the increasing interest from global media companies. This move allows Netflix to tap into Japan's strong baseball fan base, especially after Team Japan's victory in the 2023 tournament. The deal signifies Netflix's commitment to expanding its live sports offerings and engaging with fans through digital platforms. It also reflects the strategic importance of Japan as a market for Netflix, given the high viewership numbers for baseball events in the country.
What's Next?
Netflix aims to deliver an innovative viewing experience for Japanese fans, working with local partners to make the World Baseball Classic a nationwide celebration. The streaming service is expected to continue exploring opportunities in live sports, potentially expanding its offerings beyond Japan. The success of this partnership could influence Netflix's future decisions regarding sports streaming rights in other regions.
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