The two-decade low is somewhat unusual, given that most live sporting events have posted notable year-over-year viewership gains in recent years.Still, the slumpish rating likely has more to do with Netflix than the event itself.Despite changing viewing habits, live sports continue to perform better on traditional television than on streaming platforms.Jordan Walker of the St.
Louis Cardinals bats during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa., on Monday, July 13, 2026.(Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)NETFLIX CO-CEO CLARIFIES STREAMING GIANT’S LIVE SPORTS STRATEGY AMID NFL LINEUP EXPANSION, FEDERAL SCRUTINYThe drop also isn't particularly alarming.
The Home Run Derby averaged 5.73 million viewers on ESPN in 2025 and 5.45 million in 2024, meaning Netflix's first broadcast wasn't far off the event's recent baseline.The hope for major sports leagues is that the gap between streaming and linear television will continue to narrow and that, eventually, a marquee event will draw a larger audience on a streaming platform than on a traditional network.Right now, the strongest model appears to be simulcasting games across both television and streaming, whether it's NBC/Peacock, ESPN/ESPN Unlimited, or Fox/Fox One.A general view of the atmosphere is seen at the Netflix Sports Club at the Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pa.(Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Netflix)TV NETWORKS HAVE MORE LEVERAGE OVER THE NFL AND STREAMERS THAN THE LEAGUE REALIZESFurther, Netflix's sports coverage remains underwhelming.Netflix's foray into live sports has drawn widespread criticism for often feeling more like an infomercial for the company's entertainment slate than a straightforward sports broadcast.The streamer continues to feature celebrities and influencers prominently during its coverage, including Will Ferrell throughout Monday's Home Run Derby.Even longtime sports radio host Dan Patrick criticized Netflix's app...