The World Baseball Classic (WBC), which began on March 5, is exclusively streamed in Japan by Netflix, which reportedly paid over 10 billion yen for the broadcasting rights. The event has led to significant buzz on social media, with mentions of celebrities like Erika Toda attending the WBC games, indicating a strategic intertwining of entertainment promotion with sports broadcasting. Such moments are leveraged for promotional content, generating a cross-interest between WBC and Netflix's upcoming series, fostering viewer engagement beyond just the games.

The absence of free terrestrial broadcasting for the WBC has spurred a noticeable debate about the competition between traditional media and streaming platforms. Observations suggest that this competition is increasingly being framed in an entertainment-focused context, where articles on platforms like Yahoo Japan frequently highlight the struggles of old media against rising competitors like Netflix. These narratives have generated considerable reader interest, reflecting alterations in consumer attitudes towards sports viewership and media consumption practices.

Despite the competition, there is a belief that traditional broadcasting remains fair and adequately covers the WBC, without biases. Industry expert Jun'ichi Nakayama notes that while some articles fan the flames of conflict between these media types, there is a balanced approach in coverage, suggesting a coexistence of old and new media in Japan's sports landscape. This situation indicates shifting consumer preferences and raises questions about the future role of traditional media in a rapidly evolving entertainment market.