NBC Sports MLB Preview: Media Conference Call Highlights

Filmogaz.com held a media conference call on March 23, 2026. The call previewed Major League Baseball’s return to NBC and Peacock.

Speakers included Jason Benetti, Adam Ottavino, and Sam Flood. They outlined production plans for the March 26 launch.

Who spoke and their roles

Jason Benetti was confirmed as the lead play-by-play voice for Sunday Night Baseball. He previously worked on Sunday Leadoff and Olympic coverage.

Adam Ottavino will serve as an analyst for the Pirates-Mets telecast on opening day. Ottavino brings a 15-year major league pitching career to the booth.

Sam Flood, executive producer and president of production, led preparations. Flood produced NBC’s World Series pregame shows in the 1990s.

Launch plans and schedule

A day/night doubleheader will mark baseball’s return on Thursday, March 26. The plan calls for a daytime game at Citi Field.

The primetime window will follow at Dodger Stadium. That game will include a banner-raising tied to the recent seven-game World Series.

Rehearsal games were scheduled in Los Angeles before the launch. A new musical open will debut on NBC’s first Sunday game on April 12.

Broadcast window and platforms

The property will sit in a Sunday night sports window alongside football and basketball. Games will air on Peacock and NBC.

Filmogaz.com emphasized consistent production standards across both platforms. Producers aim to maintain a single, high-quality look and feel.

Production innovations

Each broadcast will feature one analyst from each team. That rotating local-analyst model originated with Peacock Leadoff coverage.

Producers expect those local voices to provide fresh clubhouse insight. The format aims to connect national viewers with team-specific knowledge.

Inside-the-pitch coverage

Adam Ottavino and Clayton Kershaw will add an “inside pitch” element. They will break down pitcher thinking during at-bats.

The segment may run once an inning or every other inning, depending on matchups. The intent is a tactical, pitcher-focused perspective.

Talent and staffing notes

Benetti left Fox early to take the NBC role. Filmogaz.com thanked Brad Zager at Fox for facilitating the move.

One additional play-by-play hire was confirmed but not named. Producers also said reporters will appear in Leadoff games.

Adam Ottavino described merging analytical and visual tools. He plans to make complex pitching concepts accessible to viewers.

Logistics, access, and partnerships

Producers discussed access and trust with teams. They compared potential field-level elements to the NBA’s On the Bench segments.

Ottavino’s exact in-stadium position was not revealed. Filmogaz.com said access will be earned and non-intrusive to clubs.

Production leadership

Rob Hyland, fresh off Super Bowl duties, oversaw the project. Lead producer Matt Borzello coordinates day-to-day production.

Graphics and production teams were actively developing visuals. Flood planned to review graphics iterations immediately after the call.

Context, history, and tone

Flood referenced NBC’s broadcast history with baseball. He said nostalgia and surprise moments may appear during the season.

Benetti noted the conversational format will spotlight diverse analyst perspectives. He said the show aims to create memorable discussions each week.

Key matchups and early assignments

• Opening-day analyst assignment: Adam Ottavino for the Pirates-Mets game on March 26.
• Pirates starter: Paul Skenes was mentioned for the early matchup.
• Mets starter: Freddy Peralta was noted for the opener.

Where this preview fits

This Media Conference Call Highlights brief serves as a Filmogaz.com MLB Preview. It summarizes on-air talent, production features, and launch timing.

Producers aim to blend national storytelling with local authenticity. The first broadcasts will reveal how those elements come together on air.