Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers open their 2026 season at Dodger Stadium, with Clayton Kershaw and Orel Hershiser in attendance as part of NBCUniversal’s new media rights contract with MLB.
It is one of a few new media rights deals finalized over the offseason, along with those for Netflix and ESPN.
NBCUniversal’s agreement with MLB secured a package that includes the return of Sunday Leadoff on Peacock, Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts and all four Wild Card Series of the postseason. The partnership will additionally bring a slate of regular season and postseason games to NBC’s broadcast channel, new NBC Sports’ cable network (NBCSN) and Peacock’s streaming service.
The Dodgers’ Opening Day game marks NBC’s first presentation of an MLB game since 2000.
The game will be called by play-by-play voice Jason Benetti, with former players Luis Gonzalez and Hershiser serving as analysts. Kershaw will also be at Dodger Stadium for the unveiling of the World Series championship banner, and he will be serving as an analyst alongside Bob Costas, leading into the game.
Costas himself is a decorated broadcaster who is returning to join NBC Sports as the host of the Sunday Night Baseball pregame show. He spent nearly four decades with NBC, including 15 seasons as a play-by-play voice and host for NBC Sports’ MLB coverage.
His contributions earned him the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s Ford Frick Award for excellence in baseball broadcasting in 2018.
The 2026 season will be Kershaw’s first season after retiring from MLB. This season will also be his first in a consistent role as a contributor to an MLB broadcast.
In comparison, Hershiser has much more experience behind the mic. He has been the primary analyst alongside Joe Davis for SportsNet LA since 2017.
Joey Votto and Anthony Rizzo are two other former players who will be joining NBC Sports to provide a unique and fresh perspective on the players, teams, and intricacies about baseball.
MLB’s new media rights deals with ESPN, NBC & Netflix
As part of the new agreements, ESPN will receive a national midweek game package each season while also acquiring the rights to sell MLB.TV, the league’s out-of-market streaming service.
NBC gained the rights to Sunday Night Baseball, the Wild Card Series and reacquired the rights to MLB Sunday Leadoff games.
Netflix will now air the Home Run Derby, an Opening Night exclusive and other special events, such as the Field of Dreams game.
While MLB has several new broadcasting partners, a portion of their national TV rights remain unchanged.
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