“We’re really excited about this partnership,’ Rosalyn Durant, ESPN executive vice president of programming & acquisitions, tells USA TODAY Sports. “I can tell you that it’s been a journey with them, but we’ve never been closer than we are now, and nor have we ever been more deeply connected than we are now.’’
Current ESPN Unlimited plan subscribers can purchase MLB.TV for $135 for the season, or those without an ESPN unlimited plan can purchase it for $150. They also are providing monthly plan options for $30, which would include a free month of ESPN for new subscribers. For new MLB.TV subscribers, signing up on the ESPN app provides the option of watching MLB.TV on ESPN or MLB platforms.
“It’s all about providing more value to MLB fans, more value to MLB.TV subscribers,’ Durant said, “providing them with more content and more options.’
Said ESPN senior vice president John Lasker: “It basically allows us to bring that wonderful MLB.TV product and marry it with ESPN’s digital products and platforms to create this ultimate win for baseball fans. We’re really excited about what this agreement is allowing baseball and ESPN to do for baseball fans.’
While NBC and Peacock will now broadcast the exclusive Sunday night games – as well as the wild-card postseason round – ESPN will still broadcast 30 weeknight games each season. ESPN also will televise the Little League Classic in August and will have rights to games on Memorial Day, and the standalone game two days after the All-Star game, which this year features the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies.
Netflix will also take over the Home Run Derby, and will have exclusive coverage of the New York Yankees-San Francisco Giants season opener on March 25.
(This story was updated to add a video.)