Home Run Derby Moves to Netflix, But Radio Has You Covered!

What’s Happening with the Home Run Derby?

The Home Run Derby is a baseball contest where players try to hit the ball over the fence (a "home run") as many times as they can. After 31 seasons on the sports channel ESPN, this year the Derby is moving to Netflix — the streaming service where you watch shows by paying a monthly fee.

• To watch on Netflix, you need a paid subscription.
• But if you don’t have or want a Netflix account, there is another way to follow the action on Monday night.

Important: You can listen to the entire Home Run Derby live on the radio for free (with a radio or radio app)!

How to Listen on the Radio (Step-by-Step)

If you want to enjoy the Derby without Netflix, here’s what to do:

1. Grab a radio or open a radio app on your phone or computer.
2. Tune in to ESPN Radio nationwide to hear the national broadcast.
3. If you are near New York, you can listen locally on ESPN New York 880.
4. Sit back and enjoy the play‑by‑play by Karl Ravech and Doug Glanville.

Meet the Radio Announcers

• Karl Ravech: He has explained the last eight Derbys on TV for ESPN. He loves radio because it lets him paint a picture with words.
• Doug Glanville: He joins Ravech to call the game nationally for ESPN Radio.
• Locally, the event can be heard on ESPN New York 880.

Fun memory: The late John Sterling, a famous radio voice, would have had a field day shouting his catchphrase “It is high, it is far, it is gone” for almost every hit — even on balls that barely made it past the infield!

How Do You Call a Home Run Derby on the Radio?

On TV, everyone can see the ball, so announcers don’t need to describe much. On radio, the announcer must be the eyes for the listener. Ravech shared his plan in a phone chat with Newsday:

• Set the stage: Tell folks who the players are and a little about their background.
• Describe every swing: Talk about the swing, where the pitch was, and whether it was a good one.
• Paint the landing: Explain how high the ball flew, how far it went, and where it landed.
• Remember it’s a competition: At the end, someone is crowned champion, so keep the excitement alive!

Important: Radio is easier than TV in some ways because you don’t just repeat what people already see — you help them imagine the whole scene. Ravech wants listeners to feel like they are sitting in the fifth row at the stadium.

He also noted that many baseball fans love radio, especially when they are traveling in cars.

Big Rule Change This Year

There is a new rule that will change how the Derby flows:

• The clock has been eliminated. In past years, batters had a time limit to take their swings.
• Now, a contestant can wait as long as they want and only swing at “strikes” (pitches that are good to hit).
• Theoretically, a batter’s turn at the plate could stretch all night long!

This helps the radio broadcast breathe a little, though it could lead to more quiet dead time on TV.

Ravech said: “It’s likely going to be a little bit longer than the ones that we’ve had in years past.” He’ll be curious to see how it plays out.

Ravech’s Busy Baseball Week

• Monday: Radio call of the Home Run Derby.
• Tuesday: Radio call of the All‑Star Game on ESPN Radio.
• Thursday: Back on TV play‑by‑play when the New York Mets visit the Philadelphia Phillies on ESPN.

The Players and the Netflix Announcers

The Derby rosters were finalized on Friday. Eight players total will compete:

• Because the event is in Philadelphia, the National League (NL) team is led by hometown sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper.
• The American League (AL) squad includes Ben Rice of the Yankees.
• That makes eight players in all.

Netflix has a giant announcing team — also eight people (one for roughly each player!):

• Elle Duncan
• Barry Bonds
• CC Sabathia
• Hunter Pence
• Anthony Rizzo
• Lauren Shehadi
• Matt Vasgersian
• Michael Irvin (a former NFL football receiver who hosts a podcast on Netflix)

A Bumpy Past for Netflix Baseball

Netflix already tried broadcasting baseball once: they used NFL quarterback Jameis Winston as part of their crew for the highly criticized March season opener between the Yankees and Giants. Winston’s awkward appearances and a constant barrage of segments promoting Netflix shows made that broadcast nearly impossible to watch.

Important: At least that game was also on the radio — so fans could simply listen and skip the messy TV show.

Summary

After 31 years on ESPN, the Home Run Derby moves to Netflix this year, and a subscription is needed to watch. But if you don’t have Netflix, you can hear every swing on ESPN Radio with Karl Ravech and Doug Glanville (locally on ESPN New York 880). Radio announcers must describe the scene in detail since listeners can’t see. A new rule removes the clock, so batters can take their time, making the event possibly longer. Eight players compete, including Schwarber, Harper, and Rice. Netflix’s announce team is huge and includes celebrities, but their earlier baseball broadcast was panned. Radio remains a great backup for fans everywhere.

FAQ

Q1: What is the Home Run Derby?
A: It’s a baseball event where the best hitters take turns trying to hit the ball out of the park as many times as possible. The player with the most home runs at the end wins.

Q2: Why is the Derby on Netflix instead of ESPN?
A: After 31 seasons on ESPN, the broadcast rights moved to Netflix this year. Because Netflix is a paid streaming service, you need a subscription to watch the video.

Q3: How can I listen if I don’t have Netflix?
A: On Monday night, tune your radio to ESPN Radio nationally or ESPN New York 880 locally. Karl Ravech and Doug Glanville will describe all the action.

Q4: What is the big rule change for this year?
A: The time clock is gone. Batters can wait and only swing at good pitches (strikes), which could make their turn last a very long time.

Q5: Who are some of the Netflix announcers?
A: Netflix has eight voices, including baseball greats like Barry Bonds and CC Sabathia, plus former NFL player Michael Irvin.

About the Author

Anthony Rieber covers sports media and business and professional sports (games, trades, and such). He has worked at Newsday since August 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since January 1, 2026.