Major League Baseball's 'Friday Night Baseball' doubleheaders on Apple TV+ will continue into the 2026 season as part of unchanged national TV rights. The partnership, which began in 2022 with a seven-year agreement, persists despite new broadcasting deals with other networks. Apple TV+ production features innovative elements like drone cameras and player mics to enhance viewer immersion.
Major League Baseball announced updates to its media landscape for the 2026 season, with several new agreements but some key partnerships remaining intact. Among the continuations is Apple TV+'s role as the exclusive home for 'Friday Night Baseball' doubleheaders, airing throughout the regular season. This setup follows a seven-year deal struck in 2022, countering earlier speculation that Apple might exit amid the league's rights shakeup.
The production of these games involves MLB Network's Emmy Award-winning team collaborating with Apple's live sports unit. Innovations include drone cameras for aerial stadium views, player-worn microphones, and field-level mics to capture the game's atmosphere. Access requires a paid Apple TV+ subscription since 2023, though free trials are frequently available to new and returning customers.
Broader changes in MLB's media rights cover the 2026-2028 seasons through new three-year pacts with ESPN, NBCUniversal, and Netflix. Fox networks retain coverage of select regular-season games, the All-Star Game, Division Series, League Championship Series, and World Series. Turner networks continue Tuesday night regular-season broadcasts plus postseason Division and League Championship Series.
ESPN gains a national midweek game package and rights to sell MLB.TV, the out-of-market streaming service, but loses 'Sunday Night Baseball' and Wild Card Series rights, which shift to NBCUniversal. NBC also regains MLB Sunday Leadoff games on Peacock, previously held in 2022-2023. Netflix enters with the Home Run Derby, an Opening Night exclusive, the Field of Dreams game, and other special events.