In an unconventional manoeuvre, the World Baseball Classic (WBC) has chosen Netflix as its exclusive broadcasting partner in Japan, astonishingly excluding longtime partner Dentsu from this arrangement. This unprecedented decision marks a significant shift in sports broadcasting, emphasizing the growing prominence of streaming platforms.

In Japan, both the WBC and Dentsu (a major advertising and public relations company) hold tremendous influence. WBC's choice to partner solely with Netflix is groundbreaking, challenging traditional broadcasting norms. Japanese viewers, who value convenient and high-speed access to their favourite sports, may embrace this shift to digital platforms.

The decision of the WBC reflects a global shift towards sporting events being hosted on streaming platforms like Amazon and DAZN in the US or EU. Just like in those regions, this move ignites debates surrounding accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and viewer experience of sports broadcasting in Japan.