World Series, League Championship Series, Division Series and All-Star Game Broadcast on FOX Sports for the Next Decade
New York – FOX Sports and Major League Baseball have reached a new multi-year, multiplatform rights agreement expanding the network’s television, digital and Spanish-language rights and cementing FOX Sports as the home to baseball’s marquee events for the next decade. The agreement was announced today by Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. and Executive Chairman of 21CF Lachlan Murdoch.
FOX Sports and FOX Deportes maintain the television rights to MLB’s jewel events, including serving as the exclusive television broadcast partner of the World Series, one League Championship Series, two Division Series and the All-Star Game. The network’s League Championship Series and Division Series coverage will remain the same as it’s been since 2014, alternating leagues each season. As in previous agreements, MLB Network will continue to have the rights to two games from the League’s Division Series that FOX is airing. Under terms of the new deal, FOX Sports will also expand its digital rights.
Under the new agreement, FOX Sports continues its Saturday regular-season broadcast windows – two per Saturday (52 total) – with highlights packages as well as MLB-centric programs and Spanish-language rights through FOX Deportes. Beginning in 2022, the amount of regular season and postseason games televised by the FOX broadcast network will increase.
In addition, the new MLB and FOX agreement will include expanded streaming, social media and highlight rights. FOX also will televise special event games to be determined over the term of the agreement.
“FOX Sports has been our national television partner for over 20 years and I could not be more pleased to announce the extension of our relationship through the 2028 season,” said Commissioner Manfred. “We value FOX Sports’ commitment to baseball and are excited to continue our partnership with this new agreement. Their innovative presentation of Major League Baseball through game telecasts and special programming across all their platforms has helped strengthen and elevate our sports’ popularity.”
“Since we began our historic partnership with Major League Baseball more than 20 years ago, MLB games on FOX have provided some of the most iconic moments in American sports,” said Murdoch. “This significant multi-year agreement not only cements FOX’s role as Major League Baseball’s number one broadcast partner, it ensures that FOX will remain America’s leader in live sports well into the future.”
“Major League Baseball has been a cornerstone of FOX Sports since 1996,” said FOX Sports CEO and Executive Producer, Eric Shanks. “It’s an honor to have shared countless historic moments with our viewers over the last 22 seasons. We are extremely proud to continue to be the home of Major League Baseball’s jewel events for the next decade.”
FOX Sports has been a national MLB rights-holder since 1996 and the sport’s exclusive national broadcast partner since 2001. To date, FOX Sports has carried 21 World Series and 23 All-Star Games since its inaugural national rights deal with MLB.
About FOX Sports
FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing 21st Century FOX’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; FS1, FS2; FOX Sports Regional Networks, their affiliated regional web sites and national programming; FOX Soccer Plus; FOX Deportes and FOX College Sports. In addition, FOX Sports also encompasses FOX Sports Digital, including FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports app. Also included in the Group are FOX’s interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network and BTN 2Go, as well as a licensing agreement that established the FOX Sports Radio Network.
About Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the most historic professional sports league in the United States and consists of 30 member clubs in the U.S. and Canada, representing the highest level of professional baseball. Major League Baseball is the best-attended sport in North America, and since 2004, MLB has enjoyed its best-attended seasons in the history of the game. Led by Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., MLB currently features record levels of labor peace, competitive balance and industry revenues, as well as the most comprehensive drug-testing program in American professional sports. MLB remains committed to making an impact in the communities of the U.S., Canada and throughout the world, perpetuating the sport’s larger role in society and permeating every facet of baseball’s business, marketing and community relations endeavors. With the continued success of MLB Network and MLB digital platforms, MLB continues to find innovative ways for its fans to enjoy America’s National Pastime and a truly global game. For more information on Major League Baseball, visit www.MLB.com.
FOX Sports Contacts:
Andrew Fegyveresi: Andrew.Fegyveresi@fox.com
Eddie Motl: Eddie.Motl@fox.com
MLB Contacts:
Matt Bourne: Matt.Bourne@mlb.com
Ileana Peña: Ileana.Pena@mlb.com