Netflix announced on March 25, 2026, that its exclusive 2026 World Baseball Classic™ broadcast set a new viewership record in Japan. The Japan vs. Australia live stream became the most-watched program ever on the service in that country. This event outperformed all other series, films, and sports content previously hosted on the platform. The broadcast also registered as the largest global baseball streaming event in history.
The achievement validates Netflix’s live sports strategy and its ability to attract massive audiences for high-profile international tournaments. The company reported that the success introduced new sports-viewing behaviors among its Japanese subscribers.
Netflix scheduled its next major live sporting event, MLB Opening Night, for March 25, 2026. The stream features a game between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants.