Baseball fans all had one major complaint about Netflix’s coverage of the 2026 Home Run Derby on Monday night.
This year’s derby was Netflix’s first year broadcasting it live, and the streaming service received mixed reviews for its performance. One complaint, however, was nearly universal: Netflix had a bizarre preoccupation with showing close-ups of the participants instead of actually following where the baseballs were hit.
The broadcast of Jordan Walker’s winning home run typified the experience. Walker is seen swinging from a close-up camera, and there is no cut to show the flight of the ball or how deep it is going until it is already in mid-flight and well on its way out of Citizens Bank Park.
JORDAN WALKER HOME RUN DERBY WINNER #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/RfWKWmsMzu
— Netflix (@netflix) July 14, 2026
This was hardly an isolated incident, and fans took to social media to criticize Netflix’s production decisions. The general consensus was that a derby telecast barely needs more than two cameras — one to show the pitcher throwing to the hitter, and another to track the flight of the baseball.
Netflix with a perfect shot of the backstop for the winning homer. Brutal
— Céad Míle Fáilte (@ColeyMick) July 14, 2026
this has been one of the worst home run derby broadcasts I have ever watched. they’re straight up not showing many of the swings. no exit velocity. taking the wrong camera constantly. putrid stuff from ye olde Netflix
— Tipping Pitches (@tipping_pitches) July 14, 2026
Man I can’t wait to just watch a static camera angle behind the pitcher during the HR Derby!!
— Justin Dixon (@Justin__Dixon) July 14, 2026
Netflix: pic.twitter.com/M2G7etxZww
This camera angle really shows his swing! pic.twitter.com/7ADwzyubmm https://t.co/Z8BYtivddX
— Nick Gonzales’ Mustache (@nickygsmustache) July 14, 2026
Netflix knows the worst part of the Derby is watching that moment of impact where the bat meets the ball. The people yearn for close ups of faces and then cuts to balls mid-flight.
— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) July 14, 2026
While the event overall was a success, fans would clearly swap some of Netflix’s production values for a clearer, steadier view of the action. Still, fans could at least see the telecast, which has not always been the case for the streamer’s coverage of live sporting events.
