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The Shifting Landscape of WBC Viewership

The World Baseball Classic (WBC) has recently stirred conversations around viewership habits, particularly as its latest tournament saw an unprecedented shift toward exclusive streaming on Netflix. According to a detailed survey conducted by Sankei Research and Data, a significant 29.4% of respondents reported watching WBC matches on Netflix, highlighting a notable change in how fans engage with this prestigious sporting event.

Survey Overview

The survey gathered input from 2,868 individuals between March 10 and 11, right after the conclusion of the first round of Group C. In an unusual twist, the tournament lacked real-time terrestrial broadcasting, which has led to mixed reactions among fans. The only options available to them were streaming via Netflix or listening to the matches on the radio.

This change has clearly left its mark, as evidenced by the results of the survey:

• - 58.7% of respondents did not watch matches in real-time, opting instead to check news updates or social media for results.
• - The digital divide has become more apparent, with over 40% of younger viewers turning to Netflix, while only about 20% of those aged 70 and above did the same.
• - The radio has seen a resurgence, with 14.8% of older viewers relying on radio broadcasts, illustrating a shift back to traditional viewing methods.

Generational Responses

Young Viewers Adapt to New Norms

Among the younger generation, a segment of respondents showed understanding toward the business decisions behind Netflix’s exclusive streaming rights. About 26.5% of individuals under 29 accepted this shift, citing rising broadcasting costs as a necessary sacrifice.

Seniors Call for Traditional Broadcasts

Conversely, about 58.8% of viewers aged 70 and above expressed a strong desire for matches of national importance to be available on traditional television channels. Their feedback pointed to a significant concern: the belief that crucial events like the WBC should be accessible to the general public without barriers, such as subscription services.

Such sentiments can be captured in the diverse comments collected during the survey:

• - One 70-year-old man lamented, “This has taken away enjoyment from the elderly, with the setup being too complicated to tackle.”
• - A woman in her 50s remarked, “While Netflix has good picture quality and solid commentary, I would have preferred to watch with family on a regular TV.”

The Importance of Accessibility

The lack of access to freely broadcasted matches has sparked discussions about the future of baseball viewership in Japan. There’s a growing worry among younger viewers that without easy access to games, future generations may not engage with the sport, leading to a downturn in popularity. One respondent noted,