Comcast’s Peacock to Air MLB Draft’s First Round Before Broadcast Shifts

The Cincinnati Reds currently hold the 18th overall selection in the upcoming 2026 MLB Draft, scheduled for Saturday, July 12. However, viewers following the team’s strategy will need to navigate a complex broadcasting split to see the pick live.

The draft will span two days, with the initial day featuring the first 74 selections. The event begins at 1:00 p.m. ET, but coverage is divided between major networks and league-owned platforms. The first 10 picks will air exclusively on NBC and Peacock, a streaming service operated by Comcast Corporation. This window is scheduled to run until approximately 2:30 p.m.

Since the Reds do not pick until 18th overall, their selection will fall outside the initial NBC/Peacock window. Coverage for selections 11 through 40 shifts at 2:30 p.m. to MLB Network, MLB.TV, and MLB.com. The remainder of the first day, extending through the fourth round, will be available solely via MLB.TV and MLB.com.

Comcast, the parent company of NBC and Peacock, provides the infrastructure for the draft’s opening hour. The company’s stock was recently trading at $23.57, reflecting an increase of roughly 0.89% from the previous close. Comcast operates primarily in the Communication Services sector and Telecom Services industry, deriving revenue from residential connectivity, business services, and media distribution.

The Reds possess five total picks on the first day. In addition to the 18th overall choice, the team is also scheduled to select at numbers 58, 70, 94, and 122. The draft concludes on Sunday, July 13, covering rounds 5 through 20 starting at 11:30 a.m. on MLB.TV and MLB.com.

What to watch

• The Chicago White Sox hold the first overall pick and are projected to select UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky.
• University of Cincinnati catcher Jack Natili is ranked 74th overall by MLB Pipeline.
• Reds’ activity at picks 58, 70, 94, and 122 on the first day of the draft.

Source: original release