Netflix Scores Exclusive Rights to 2026 World Baseball Classic in Japan, Attracts Record Viewership
Netflix has secured exclusive rights to stream all 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) in Japan, marking its first live sporting event broadcast in the country. The partnership with the World Baseball Classic Inc. Signifies Netflix’s growing investment in live sports content, following successful collaborations with WWE and the NFL [1].
Record-Breaking Viewership for the 2023 Tournament
The 2023 World Baseball Classic, which concluded with Japan’s victory over the United States, achieved unprecedented viewership on Netflix Japan. The tournament garnered 31.4 million viewers, with the Japan vs. Australia match drawing a peak of 17.9 million viewers [2]. This surpassed previous records for any series, movie, anime, or sports broadcast on the platform.
A Latest Demographic of Baseball Fans
The Netflix broadcast attracted a diverse audience, particularly among younger viewers and women. Over 30% of viewers were under 35 years old, with 14.2% being under 19. Approximately 48% of the audience was female (age 20 and over) [2]. This indicates Netflix’s ability to expand the traditional baseball fan base in Japan.
Flexible Viewing Options and Innovative Features
Netflix offered a flexible viewing experience, allowing fans to watch on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and smart TVs. Approximately 85% of viewers watched on TV, while around 38% also utilized mobile devices [2]. The platform also incorporated innovative features like volumetric video, dirt cameras, indoor drones, and Statcast to enhance the viewing experience.
Community Engagement and Local Support
In conjunction with the WBC, Netflix hosted public viewing events across Japan in collaboration with local governments and schools connected to the Samurai Japan players. These events fostered a sense of community and aimed to inspire the next generation of baseball fans. A total of 77 events were held, attracting 11,636 participants [2].
Regional Viewership and Social Media Engagement
Viewership was particularly strong in the Tohoku and Kyushu regions, including the hometowns of prominent players like Shohei Ohtani and Munetaka Murakami. Social media engagement surrounding the tournament exceeded 270 million views, driven by official creators and fan-generated content [2].
Looking Ahead: MLB on Netflix
Following the success of the WBC, Netflix will also stream MLB Opening Night between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants on March 26th, further solidifying its commitment to live sports [4]. Kazutaka Sakamoto, head of Japanese content at Netflix, expressed enthusiasm for continuing to develop innovative live streaming experiences [3].
Keep reading