NBC Sports vs The Walt Disney Company

MLB Pleased with New TV Deals as Postseason Nears

Major League Baseball's first season under new national media agreements proved successful, according to Commissioner Rob Manfred. NBC returned as a broadcast partner, delivering strong Sunday Night Baseball ratings (2.7 million average viewers, best since 2007), while Fox posted its best MLB season since 2021. Netflix streamed three marquee events, attracting younger audiences despite lower overall numbers for the Home Run Derby. ESPN's role shifted to distributing MLB.TV out-of-market games through its app, with plans to add in-market games in 2027. The league also experimented with local TV distribution, centralizing 14 clubs under its own umbrella and seeing an 8% audience increase. As the postseason begins, MLB is optimistic about the new distribution model's reach and future developments in streaming technology and game discoverability.

• MLB's new national TV deals brought NBC back as a broadcast partner, with Sunday Night Baseball averaging 2.7 million viewers in 2026, the best since 2007.
• Fox averaged 2.4 million viewers for MLB broadcast games in 2026, up 17% from 2025.
• Netflix streamed three MLB events (Opening Night, Home Run Derby, Field of Dreams Game), averaging 3.1 million viewers but attracting younger audiences.

NBCUniversal Newsroom: New Announcements Including Clear The Shelters Results, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Opening, SNL New Cast, and More

The newsroom page has been updated with several new press releases: NBCU Local's 2026 'Clear The Shelters' results in 135,000 pet adoptions and nearly $500,000 in donations; 'Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift' is now open at Universal Studios Hollywood; 'Saturday Night Live' announces two new cast members for Season 52; Peacock announces three additional seasons of 'The Traitors'; NBCUniversal and Telemundo celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month; and NBC Sports delivers 25+ million viewers for NFL Kickoff and SNF opener.

X-Golf America Launches X-League Fall Season with $10K Prize

X-Golf America, an indoor golf entertainment franchise, announced the launch of X-League: Fall Season, a nationwide 3v3 handicapped golf competition across its 138 locations in the U.S. The league offers a $10,000 grand prize and uses simulator technology to capture shot data for accurate handicaps, eliminating self-reported scores. The competition includes local qualifying rounds starting in late September 2026, regional playoffs in February 2027, and national finals in Colorado in March 2027. The announcement highlights the franchise's growth and is supported by a national advertising campaign on NBCUniversal's Peacock streaming service.

• X-Golf America announced X-League: Fall Season, a 3v3 handicapped indoor golf competition with a $10,000 grand prize.
• The league is available at all 138 X-Golf locations across 38 states.
• Local qualifying runs from late September 2026 through January 31, 2027.

The Walt Disney Company Names Karandeep Anand to Newly Created Role of Chief Technology Officer

The Walt Disney Company Names Karandeep Anand to Newly Created Role of Chief Technology Officer (September 18, 2026). Also: Adam Smith Named Chairman, Direct-to-Consumer, Disney Entertainment (September 17, 2026).

The Walt Disney Company Names Karandeep Anand To Newly Created Role Of Chief Technology Officer

Disney announced the appointment of Karandeep Anand as its first Chief Technology Officer, a newly created role, signaling a strategic focus on technology and innovation.

InterDigital Sues Disney for $101.7M in HDR Patent Dispute

InterDigital has escalated its patent dispute with Disney over HDR technology, filing a lawsuit at the Munich Regional Court seeking €101.7 million in damages. The claim covers Disney Plus's unlicensed use of HDR technology from March 2020 to the initial court ruling in late 2025, affecting users in Germany and 19 other European countries. The dispute began in November 2025 when InterDigital obtained an injunction, leading Disney to remove Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and 3D content, and later, under a UPC ruling in July 2026, to drop 4K UHD and HDR support. In September 2026, another ruling forced the removal of Google Cast functionality in Germany and the Netherlands. Disney has not yet responded, but InterDigital aims for a long-term licensing agreement. Disney had offered premium subscribers a special termination right in August 2026 following the quality downgrades.

• InterDigital is suing Disney for €101.7 million in damages for HDR patent infringement.
• The claim covers HDR usage by Disney Plus from March 2020 to the end of 2025.
• Disney Plus removed Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and 3D films after an injunction in November 2025.