ESPN Announces Exclusive U.S. Broadcast Deal with Korean Baseball Organization

ESPN has announced a deal with the Korea Baseball Organization to exclusively televise six regular-season games starting on Tuesday, May 5, 2020.

What’s happening:

ESPN today announced it has reached an agreement with Eclat Media Group regarding the KBO League to exclusively televise six, live regular-season games per week in the U.S. starting Tuesday, May 5, at 1 am ET /Monday, May 4, at 10 pm PT.
One game will air each day, Tuesday through Sunday, generally on ESPN2 and on the ESPN App.
The telecasts will air Tuesdays-Fridays at 5:30 am ET, Saturdays at 4 am ET and Sundays at 1 am ET.
The Lions vs. Dinos Opening Day telecast will air on ESPN, following SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt.
As part of the agreement, ESPN will become the exclusive English-language home for KBO League live games and highlights for the 2020 season.
The deal includes the postseason and the Korea Series best-of-seven championship.
ESPN’s game selections will be made and announced on a week-to-week basis during the season.

Game commentary:

KBO Schedule on ESPN2

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Commentators
Tue, May 5*	1 am	NC Dinos vs. Samsung Lions (Opening Day)	Karl Ravech, Eduardo Perez
Wed, May 6	5:30 am	Doosan Bears vs. LG Twins	Karl Ravech, Eduardo Perez
Thu, May 7	5:30 am	NC Dinos vs. Samsung Lions	Karl Ravech, Eduardo Perez
Fri, May 8	5:30 am	KIA Tigers vs. Samsung Lions	Jon Sciambi, Kyle Peterson
Sat, May 9	4 am	LG Twins vs. NC Dinos	Jon Sciambi, Jessica Mendoza
Sun, May 10	1 am	LG Twins vs. NC Dinos	Jon Sciambi, Jessica Mendoza

*NC Dinos vs. Samsung Lions Opening Day games airs Monday, May 4 at 10 pm PT.

What they’re saying:

Burke Magnus, ESPN executive vice president, programming: “We’re thrilled to become the exclusive English-language home to the KBO League and to showcase its compelling action and high-level of competition. We have a longstanding history of documenting the game of baseball and we’re excited to deliver these live events to sports fans.”
Un-Chan Chung, Commissioner of the Korea Baseball Organization: “The KBO League is one of the greatest baseball leagues with world-class players and many exciting initiatives. During this unprecedented and difficult time, I hope the KBO League can bring consolation to the communities and provide guidelines to the world of sports. I am pleased that the KBO League can be introduced globally and hope this can be an opportunity for the development of our league and the sport.”