MLB Scheduled Wild-Card Games on Peacock and NBCSN
The Cubs and White Sox postseason series will air exclusively on streaming and cable platforms this year.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Baseball
Live Poll
Do you support sports leagues moving playoff games exclusively to paid streaming services?
MLB has confirmed that the upcoming wild-card series for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox will be broadcast exclusively on the Peacock streaming service and NBCSN. These matches mark the first time in MLB history that postseason games have been relegated to an exclusive streaming service.
Why it matters
This distribution follows NBCs broadcasting deal for Sunday Night Baseball and the wild-card round, signaling a strategic shift in how postseason content reaches viewers. The move prioritizes digital platform engagement over traditional over-the-air network coverage for these specific matchups.
Peacock access requires a monthly subscription fee of $12.99. White Sox games 1 and 2 are scheduled for 4 p.m., while Cubs games 1 and 2 are set for 9 p.m.
The players
MLB
Major League Baseball is the professional baseball organization that manages the schedule and broadcasting rights for its member teams.
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is a major American television network that holds the rights to Sunday Night Baseball and the wild-card round.
The details
NBC relegated the Cubs-Padres and White Sox-Astros best-of-three series to these specific platforms, while shifting other marquee matchups to standard NBC network broadcasts. While NBCSN is available via providers like Comcast Xfinity, Fubo, and YouTube TV, the channel is notably missing from the lineups of DirecTV and Astound/RCN customers.
Timeline
September 20, 2026: MLB released the official postseason wild-card schedule.
September 29, 2026 to October 1, 2026: The wild-card series games are scheduled to take place.
Season Trajectory
This scheduling move mirrors broader shifts in sports media, where digital-first platforms are increasingly competing for exclusive playoff rights previously reserved for network television. By decoupling these specific series from traditional broadcast channels, MLB is testing the viability of streaming as a primary vehicle for postseason viewership.
Fans hoping to watch the Cubs or White Sox must ensure they have access to Peacock or a cable provider that carries NBCSN, such as Fubo or YouTube TV. Viewers using DirecTV or Astound/RCN will not be able to access the games via the cable channel and will need to secure alternative digital access.
The takeaway
Viewers should verify their current cable or streaming subscriptions well before the September 29 start date to avoid missing games. Given the exclusivity of these broadcasts, those relying solely on traditional network television may need to adjust their viewing setups to maintain access to postseason play.
Further reading
For more background on league broadcasting policies, visit the Baseball section.
Live Poll
Do you support sports leagues moving playoff games exclusively to paid streaming services?
