NBC formally announced the deal on April 6, with a reported value of $30 million per-season.[5][6] As part of the agreement, Peacock would also carry the All-Star Futures Game, as well as an MLB content hub featuring classic games and other video content.[6][7]
On April 13, 2022, NBC Sports announced that the games would be branded as MLB Sunday Leadoff.[8]
The inaugural broadcast was a game featuring the
simulcast on the NBC broadcast network, marking its first MLB broadcast since Game 6 of the 2000 American League Championship Series on October 17, 2000, and its first regular season MLB broadcast since September 29, 1995.[5][6]
All other games were exclusive to Peacock Premium subscribers.
Outside of the United States, the games were carried on MLB's out-of-market packages (including MLB.tv). In Canada, the Toronto Blue Jays' appearances were televised as normal by MLB's Canadian broadcast partner Sportsnet, as part of its regional rights to the team.
For the 2023 season, the number of games increased to 19. Six games started at 11:30 a.m., ten started at 12:00 p.m., and three started at 1:00 p.m. ET. For the second consecutive year, one game was simulcast on NBC.[9]
On May 13, 2024, Major League Baseball announced the package would move to
MLB.tv.[10] Roku pays around $10 million a year for the rights package.[11]
Production
The broadcasts were described as being "hyperlocal" with a "national flair", being built upon the on-air presentation for NBC Sports' regional MLB coverage.[12] Former Los Angeles DodgersbroadcasterVin Scully (who served as NBC's lead play-by-play commentator for its MLB coverage from 1983 to 1989) narrated a special introduction for the first broadcast, emphasizing NBC's history as an MLB broadcaster (including its historic Game of the Week broadcasts).[13]
Upon moving to The Roku Channel in 2024, MLB Local Media assumed production of the broadcasts.[14]
For the move to The Roku Channel in 2024, MLB Sunday Leadoff utilized a mix of local TV announcers from both teams, typically with the home team's play-by-play announcer and sideline reporter joined by the road team's color analyst.[22]
Schedule
The games have an exclusive midday window, with the first games carrying an 11:30 a.m. ET scheduling , and later games having a 12:00, 1:00 or 4:00 p.m. ET scheduling.[23] On days scheduled for games on MLB Sunday Leadoff in the early window, no other MLB games will begin until at least 1:30 p.m. ET.[5][6]
