Sports Media with Richard Deitsch Sports Media Roundtable: Netflix and NBC debut their baseball coverage
Mar 28, 2026
Chad Finn, Boston Globe sports media columnist; Austin Karp, Sports Business Journal rights and streaming reporter; Jon Lewis, founder of Sports Media Watch. They debate Netflix’s flashy Opening Day and whether it missed core live-game duties. They contrast that with NBC’s praised MLB debut. They also cover teams selling preseason and non-game content to streamers, and the new WNBA-CBS deal.
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Episode notes
Netflix Prioritized Brand Over Baseball
- Netflix treated Opening Day like a branded entertainment event rather than a traditional baseball telecast.
- The broadcast prioritized Netflix promos and celebrity segments, causing major production misses like the first ABS challenge error and cropped base runners.
Never Miss Crucial Live Moments
- Live sports broadcasts must never miss key live-action moments regardless of stylistic aims.
- Jon Lewis and others stressed timeless standards: show important plays and challenges on time even if innovating presentation.
NBC Brought Classic Big Network Production
- NBC's MLB debut leaned into big-production nostalgia with Bob Costas and strong on-site presentation.
- Richard Deitsch and Jon Lewis praised Jason Benetti's performance and NBC's ability to make the game feel "big."