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NBC Sports Returns to MLB in 2026 with Exciting Schedule

1/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

NBC Sports will return to Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2026, featuring 27 primetime games, including Sunday Night Baseball.
The season will start on March 26, 2026, with an Opening Day doubleheader: the Pittsburgh Pirates against the New York Mets, followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks.
A special "Star-Spangled Sunday" on July 5 will include all 15 MLB games, and the MLB Sunday Leadoff series will begin on May 3, 2026.
All games will be available on NBC and Peacock.

History

Historical Context

Major League Baseball (MLB) ended its 30-year partnership with NBC in 1990, after CBS secured exclusive rights for $1.8 billion. NBC's broadcasts, including the 1989 World Series, attracted 15 million viewers. MLB's return to NBC in 2026, covering Sunday Night Baseball and the Wild Card round, signifies a shift in sports broadcasting, potentially reshaping viewer engagement in a competitive media landscape.

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Story summary

NBC Sports will return to Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2026, featuring 27 primetime games, including Sunday Night Baseball.
The season will start on March 26, 2026, with an Opening Day doubleheader: the Pittsburgh Pirates against the New York Mets, followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks.
A special "Star-Spangled Sunday" on July 5 will include all 15 MLB games, and the MLB Sunday Leadoff series will begin on May 3, 2026.
All games will be available on NBC and Peacock.

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