As expected, among the TV deals that Major League Baseball announced Wednesday is an agreement giving ESPN rights to in-market Padres games, as well as out-of-market games for all 30 teams that had been streamed as part of MLB.TV.
What does that mean in San Diego?
For at least the 2026 season, subscribers to Padres.TV can auto-renew subscriptions on the platforms that streamed games this year. ESPN’s new app could ultimately offer different bundling opportunities later in the year and in subsequent seasons. Meantime, linear cable/satellite options will continue to be offered as they have since the advent of Padres.TV.
Padres games shifted to the MLB app and various cable providers after Bally Sports San Diego’s parent company stopped making payments on the 20-year, $1.2 billion contract in May 2023, essentially wiping away more than $60 million in annual revenue.
It is unknown what kind of financial windfall Wednesday’s deal will ultimately provide the Padres. The latest deal is seemingly a stepping stone as MLB eyes bundling all of its teams’ local, national and international rights, as well as the World Series and postseason rights, to sell off for the 2029 season.
The deals announced Wednesday — ESPN as the new home for streaming out-of-market games, NBC/Peacock as the new home for the first round of the playoffs and “Sunday Night Baseball” and Netflix as the home for the Home Run Derby, an opening-night exclusive and various special events — came with three-year terms.
The Union-Tribune reported in March that the Padres generate between $20 million and $30 million annually from current media deals, which expanded this year to include 10 over-the-air simulcasts on CBS 8 and The CW.
MLB currently is responsible for Padres broadcasts, as well as those of the Mariners, Diamondbacks, Guardians, Twins and Rockies.
The Padres’ on-air talent are team employees and likely expected to continue in the same capacity.
The streaming price under ESPN will likely be in the same neighborhood as 2025, according to a source at MLB.
Padres.TV cost $99 for the season in 2025 and $19.99 per month.