Unprecedented TV and radio coverage for WBSC Premier12 in Japan

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) announced the TV broadcast partners and streaming services in Japan for the WBSC Premier12 2024, presented by RAXUS.

Japanese broadcasters Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) and TV Asahi have acquired the TV rights to show Japan games at this year’s Premier12 international baseball tournament; while Prime Video and J SPORTS landed the rights to stream the event. J SPORTS also acquired the rights to broadcast on BS/CS satellite channels.

TBS and TV Asahi will combine to provide free-to-air coverage of the Japan games during the Opening Round and the Super Round (if Japan qualifies). All Japan's games, both in the Opening Round and Super Round, will be streamed live by Prime Video.

During the Opening Round, TV Asahi will broadcast Group B's inaugural game between Japan and Australia in Nagoya, on November 13; as well as Japan's games against Cuba and Dominican Republic, on November 17 and 18 respectively. TBS acquired the rights to air Japan's contests against Korea on November 15 and Chinese Taipei on November 16.

The first Super Round game and the medal game (if Japan qualifies) will be broadcast by TV Asahi, while the games on November 22 and 23 will be aired by TBS.

J SPORTS will provide live broadcasts and streaming of 25 games of the Opening Round, including all Group A matches and Group B matches where Japan is not playing. They will also broadcast and stream the three day games of the Super Round. Additionally, Japan's games in the Opening Round, the three Super Round night games, the bronze medal match, and the Final will be broadcasted and streamed on-demand on J SPORTS in December.

In addition, Nippon Broadcasting Corporation landed radio coverage rights for the event. In celebration of its 70th anniversary, the radio station announced play-by-play of Samurai Japan’s games in the Premier12, starting from the Super Round (if Japan qualifies).

The III WBSC Premier12 features the top 12 teams of the WBSC/KONAMI Men's Baseball World Ranking as of December 31, 2023.

The tournament will open on November 9 in Guadalajara and Tepic (MEX) with Group A, including the hosts and world No. 2 Mexico, No. 4 Venezuela, No. 5 USA, No. 7 Netherlands, No. 8 Puerto Rico and No. 10 Panama.

Nagoya (JPN) and Taipei City (TPE) will host Group B. No.1 Japan will face No. 2 (tied with Mexico) Chinese Taipei, No. 6 Korea, No. 9 Cuba, No. 12 Dominican Republic and No. 15 Australia.