Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby recorded its lowest viewership in over two decades during its inaugural broadcast on Netflix, attracting just 5.3 million viewers. This figure marks a slight decrease from the 5.2 million viewers who watched the event in 2003 and is down from the 5.7 million who tuned in on ESPN last year.
The 2026 competition, held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, featured a new format that replaced timed rounds with a swing count for each batter. The event concluded with Cardinals slugger Jordan Walker defeating Phillies' Kyle Schwarber in a comeback victory.
Commentary for the Netflix broadcast included actors Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Jimmy Tatro. The presentation and the inclusion of celebrity commentators drew criticism from some viewers, with one describing it as "one of the worst home run derby broadcasts I have ever watched."
While Netflix's broadcast saw strong engagement with younger demographics, it lost a portion of its older audience, according to Sports Business Journal. Netflix secured the rights to stream the Home Run Derby for three years in a $50 million deal with MLB.
The 2027 Home Run Derby and All-Star Game are scheduled to take place at Wrigley Field in Chicago.