Joe Giglio wants more MLB special events. The WIP host is calling on MLB to schedule more one-off spectacles like Thursday’s Field of Dreams game.
What We Know: Netflix presented the Twins-Phillies game live from Dyersville, Iowa, Thursday night. The broadcast marked the platform’s third live MLB event this year, following Opening Night and the Home Run Derby. Overall, the broadcast closed the first season of Netflix’s three-year, roughly $50 million-per-year rights deal with MLB. Meanwhile, earlier broadcasts drew mixed reviews, with critics knocking Opening Night for excessive self-promotion. However, Giglio stated the platform did a good job with the presentation which left him asking why baseball doesn’t do more.
What They Said: (All quotes via 94WIP Philadelphia)
WIP Joe Giglio believes MLB needs more events like the Field of Dreams Game: “Baseball doesn’t do enough of one-off events that get people excited. Football is way better at that. Football’s more designed to have one-off events. But baseball doesn’t have enough of those where I’m going to tune in for this just for this game and this special event. Last night was one of those.”
WIP host Joe Giglio thought Netflix best element was no strike zone box: “That field in in Iowa is not equipped with the ABS system. They can’t challenge balls and strikes… I thought the best thing that Netflix did was not force the strike zone box. Because if the strike zone box is up there, and we know a ball is a strike or a strike is a ball, then it would be frustrating as fans because you can’t challenge it. It gave the game an old school feel. I felt like I was watching a game from 20 years ago.”
WIP host Joe Giglio believes Netflix did a good job with the broadcast: “I thought Netflix did a pretty good job with the presentation of it and the broadcast. That was a good night for Major League Baseball last night.”
What Remains Unclear: Viewership information for the Field of Dreams Game is unknown. Also, whether or not Major League Baseball will continue the Field of Dreams Game on Netflix remains unknown.
What It Means: Giglio’s comments tap into a bigger question facing MLB: how to manufacture appointment viewing. Football thrives on scarcity, and baseball rarely replicates that model. Still, Netflix’s freshman season delivered a mixed record, but Thursday’s cornfield spectacle showed the upside. Ultimately, expect more debate over event scheduling as 2027 approaches.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.