The World Baseball Classic (WBC) commenced its first match in Japan on June 6, with fans gathering across various venues to support their team virtually since there was no terrestrial television broadcast. The exclusive streaming rights held by Netflix means that commercial usage is prohibited, leading to a disappointing outcome for restaurants and bars that traditionally host viewing parties. Some businesses attempted to organize public viewings (PVs) for fans, but many ultimately resigned to not showing the match due to Netflix's rules.

At Shibuya Sakura Stage in Tokyo, about 100 fans donned Japan team jerseys and watched the match on big screens, expressing appreciation for public viewings under the conditions. The PVs were hosted by Itoen, a beverage company utilizing Shohei Ohtani in their commercials, and took place at nine locations across the country with Netflix's approval. However, the absence of television broadcasts limited options for fans who relied on local izakayas, bars, and other venues to gather together for the event.

The restrictions imposed by Netflix's subscription plan, which explicitly prohibits sharing the service for commercial purposes, caught many izakaya owners off guard. For instance, the owner of "Be Crazy" izakaya in Nara had prepared for the match but received a warning from an entity dubbed the 'WBC Police,' requesting that they refrain from streaming the event, indicating the tight control Netflix has over its content due to its non-commercial usage policy. This situation marks a significant shift from previous tournaments, highlighting the evolving nature of sports broadcasting and viewer experience in Japan.