MSC Sport announces exclusive English language rights deal with Nippon Professional Baseball

MSC Sport, Nippon Professional Baseball, the Central League and the Pacific League revealed today an agreement for a two season long rights deal allowing MSC Sport to become the exclusive english language rightsholder for the league in Australia, Canada, India, the United Kingdom and the United States. The agreement marks the first time the NPB has sold unified English Language rights.

MSC Sports in the United States and MSC Sports in Australia will jointly handle production of these games in conjunction with MSC Sport. Two games a week will be produced with english commentary, one produced in Australia and one in the United States. Expanded coverage will be done during the NPB playoffs. In all markets, all games will stream without commentary on MSC Sports Extra, in addition to the two games with english language commentary. In Australia, Canada and the United States, at least one game per month will be aired on linear televison. Additionally, in the United States, at least one game per year will air over-the-air on MSC.

Will Schnood and Kara Wilson will be the primary commentary crew for games produced in the United States. They will call games from the MSC Sport studios in Boston, with the exception of the Japan Series, where the commentary will be in-person. Mike Smith and Shane Stekham will be the primary commentary crew for games produced in Australia. They will primarily call games from the MSC Sports studios in Sydney, with some games featuring on-site commentary. 

Pre-season games will not be covered by this deal, except for exhibition games between MLB teams and NPB teams in Japan. NPB Opening Day is March 28th. A full schedule of games will be announced at a later date.