NBC returns to MLB wild‑cards, Peacock streams every thrilling inning

**NBC Reclaims Baseball Broadcasts With Wild‑Card Playoffs, Boosting Peacock Streaming**

NBC’s primetime slot is set to swing back into baseball this spring as the network takes on exclusive coverage of the Major League Baseball wild‑card round, beginning Tuesday. The four‑game‑a‑day schedule—airing at 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Eastern Time—will see two games broadcast on the network and two on NBC Sports Network, with Peacock streaming every inning.

The move signals a fresh push for the broadcast network to tap into MLB’s growing audience. The sport has seen a steady rise in viewership, with all rights holders reporting gains over 2025 levels through the second half of the season.

Last year’s World Series saw the Los Angeles Dodgers rally against the Toronto Blue Jays, drawing an average of 15.71 million viewers .

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## Background & Context

NBC’s baseball legacy dates back to the 1990s, when its playoff coverage regularly pre‑empted the network’s “Must‑See TV” lineup. That tradition was interrupted in recent years: the wild‑card round aired on ESPN and ABC from 2022 through 2025.

This year marks a return to broadcast TV, with NBC taking the helm of the best‑of‑three series before later rounds shift to Turner and Fox.

The new format for the wild‑card round—best‑of‑three games since 2022—replaces the prior single‑elimination matchups that had pitted lower‑seeded teams against one another. NBC will air between one and three games on Thursday if series move to a deciding third game, depending on each series’ status.

This step up from a single daily game on ABC last season brings the sport back into prime broadcast time.

Peacock’s role is equally expansive. The streaming service will stream every inning of the eight to twelve wild‑card games, adding live sports content to an already diverse lineup that has included the Winter Olympics, the Super Bowl, NBA and NHL playoffs, and Spanish‑language World Cup coverage.

In June, Peacock reported 48 million subscribers after adding 2 million in the second quarter—thanks in part to Love Island USA and the start of the World Cup—and raised prices in August ahead of college football and NFL season.

Six years after its launch, Peacock achieved profitability for the first time in the second quarter. NBCU Media Chairman Matt Strauss said live sports have been a key part of the company’s strategy, noting it is “playing to our strengths” in streaming.

The network’s 3‑year rights deal with MLB, worth a reported $600 million and secured in November 2025, underscores that commitment. NBC Sports President Rick Cordella remarked at the time that the partnership would “honor the past and create new traditions.”

The teams competing in the opening day of playoffs add extra flavor. Long‑time rivals Boston Red Sox face New York Yankees, while Philadelphia Phillies take on Atlanta Braves. Other series feature Chicago White Sox versus Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs versus San Diego Padres.

The presence of both Chicago teams in the same postseason marks only the fourth time the Cubs and White Sox have simultaneously made the playoffs; the last occurrence was the COVID‑altered 2020 season.

The Astros, meanwhile, became the first team in MLB history to finish a full 162‑game regular season with an even record—81 wins and 81 losses—yet still secure a playoff berth.

## What People Are Saying

During a media conference call on Monday, the broadcast crew highlighted a new feature that mirrors approaches seen in NBA and NHL telecasts. “Inside the Pitch” will position players and former players next to the field to break down action for viewers.

Play‑by‑play announcer Jason Benetti, analysts Anthony Rizzo and Joey Votto, and senior producer Matt Borzello discussed how this proximity can enhance the broadcast.

Rizzo emphasized the value of hearing conversations that don’t reach the booth: “pick up on things like the conversations players are having that don’t reach the broadcast booth.” Votto echoed that sentiment, noting how they will notice “little nuances” and the “tendencies and mannerisms” of players.

The commentators hope these insights will deepen viewers’ understanding of the game’s subtleties.

## What Happens Next

NBC will air two wild‑card games on Tuesday and Wednesday, with additional games on Thursday depending on series outcomes. Peacock will stream every inning, offering fans a comprehensive viewing experience across all platforms.

After the wild‑card round, later playoff stages will shift to Turner and Fox, following the existing broadcasting schedule.

Viewership trends suggest that MLB’s audience is growing steadily. The network’s renewed focus on baseball aligns with broader strategies to bolster both broadcast and streaming audiences, as evidenced by Peacock’s recent subscriber gains and profitability milestone.

As the postseason progresses, NBCU’s partnership with MLB—rooted in a $600 million deal—will continue to shape the delivery of America’s pastime to fans across the country.

The 2024 playoffs promise to deliver high‑stakes baseball, expanded coverage, and a deeper connection between on‑field action and viewers. As both networks and streaming platforms vie for attention, fans can look forward to an enhanced viewing experience that blends traditional broadcast with immersive, player‑centric analysis.