MLB and NBC Sports have had discussions about a possible broadcasting agreement for the 2022 season, reported by the New York Post. No deal has been finalized. NBC would handle a few network broadcasts — its first in more than two decades — but the majority of the coverage would run through Peacock, NBC’s streaming service.
It marks the second possible broadcasting agreement in as many months for MLB, which come on the heels of a reduction in the number of weeknight broadcasts on ESPN. Apple is currently in discussion to air MLB games this season. The Apple contract has yet to be finalized.
The expectation is that Apple and NBC would both be involved this year.” The league is targeting a combined sum in the $100MM — $150MM range between those two potential arrangements, with Apple expected to foot the majority of that bill.
Those potential broadcasting agreements are obviously set against a backdrop of broad uncertainty about the 2022 season itself.