Elle Duncan says Netflix critics hit just as hard as ESPN’s ever did. She made the comparison during a recent appearance on Casuals with Katie Nolan.
What We Know: This was the first year of MLB play by play coverage on Netflix. The results were mixed but the feedback online caught most of the attention. As for viewership, MLB Opening Night on Netflix averaged 3 million viewers in March. The Home Run Derby then drew a 23-year ratings low of 5.3 million. Field of Dreams sank further, pulling only 1.66 million viewers on August 13. Netflix also loses the Field of Dreams broadcast to NBC starting next season. Now with the first year of MLB coverage in the rear view mirror, Netflix Sports host Elle Duncan reflected on the amount of criticism the three-event package received.
What They Said: (All quotes via Casuals with Katie Nolan):
Elle Duncan on criticism of Netflix Sports on social media: “These traditional media companies have had a 50-year head start. Also, with the frequency with which they do sporting events means that they can really work on things and then correct them the next day. Like we have to wait two months in between things. Luckily I understand the tenor of social media. I don’t really give a s**t. I don’t care. Really, I don’t give a s**t.”
Elle Duncan says criticism at Netflix and ESPN is very similar: “I thought I worked for the Yankees when I worked at ESPN, where it was just constantly people just trying to pick things apart. Trying to tear you down and rip you to shreds. But I have discovered no, that is where we’re at with Netflix now. I think that some of that is just because it is Netflix. It is an established IP. They feel like the big boogeyman to a lot of companies. So, they want us to already sort of be where some of the traditional broadcasts have been.”
Elle Duncan on the difference between new ideas with Netflix Sports and other networks: “These other companies have a 50-year head start. So, we’re doing all of this very publicly, but we listen. We [Duncan & Katie Nolan] both worked at companies where everything has to be proven and run through 55 channels before it’ll be approved. Netflix is kind of like, try it. If it doesn’t work, we’ll pivot.”
Elle Duncan on listening to viewer feedback on things: “We try things, and we listen to feedback. We heard you on the score bug. So, we gave you a huge score bug Field of Dreams. We heard you on the promos. We listen because we certainly want to make sure that we’re you know providing what the folks are looking for at home. But ultimately, like just give us some grace and some time. It’s kind of like throwing things against the wall.”
Elle Duncan says younger viewers are coming to baseball on Netflix: “There is a reason why MLB wanted to partner with Netflix. When you look at sort of the demo that makes up who’s watching baseball on Netflix, it’s younger. That’s always the white whale that everyone’s chasing is a younger demographic. Baseball is amongst the oldest of the fan bases, along with golf.”
What Remains Unclear: How Netflix’s adapts into year two of their MLB coverage is unknown.
What It Means: For Duncan, the backlash mirrors years of scrutiny she already absorbed at ESPN. She treats it as noise, not validation, pointing to fixes like the bigger scorebug as proof Netflix listens. Still, the ratings slide pressures Netflix’s “try it, pivot” approach as it courts younger fans. Ultimately, Duncan is asking critics for patience, not perfection.
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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.