T-Mobile scales private 5G for MLB All-Star video production workflows

The shift from experimental 5G trials to league-wide infrastructure for actual game decisions marks a mature turn for private network deployments. By integrating Hawk-Eye data with real-time remote production feeds, T-Mobile and MLB are demonstrating that 5G can replace traditional wired cabling for high-stakes broadcast and officiating workflows. This partnership also serves as a critical test for Netflix's live sports strategy; if the low-latency production enabled by T-Mobile yields a glitch-free, multi-angle stream, it validates the specialized networking required to move Tier 1 live sports from linear TV into the hyper-fragmented streaming ecosystem. Keep an eye on the latency metrics during challenges as a benchmark for automated officiating in other major leagues.

The 2026 season marks the full major league debut of the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System after years of testing in the Minor Leagues and Spring Training. According to reporting from Forbes in September 2025, the MLB Joint Competition Committee voted to adopt the challenge format over a fully automated 'robo-ump' system, a move largely driven by player preference for retaining the human element in pitch calling. MLB data from 2025 testing indicated that challenges were overturned 52.2% of the time, taking an average of roughly 14 seconds per review to avoid disrupting the pace of play. Per Sports Illustrated in February 2026, the system relies on 12 Hawk-Eye cameras per stadium to triangulate pitch locations within a margin of error of approximately one-sixth of an inch.

On the streaming front, the Home Run Derby's move to Netflix is part of a three-year deal worth an estimated $225 million to $250 million annually, according to The Athletic and MLB Trade Rumors. This package, which also includes a season-opening night game and the 'Field of Dreams' game, was carved out after ESPN and MLB opted out of their previous long-term agreement early. Front Office Sports reported in April 2026 that Netflix's first live MLB regular season game between the Yankees and Giants drew 3 million viewers, signaling the streamer's intent to focus on 'breakthrough' marquee events rather than full-season rights.

T-Mobile's infrastructure at Citizens Bank Park represents a broader push into 5G Advanced technology. As noted by RCR Wireless in May 2026, the carrier is increasingly using its 2.5 GHz mid-band spectrum and Ericsson hardware to create 'all-edge' private networks. These dedicated environments use unique Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifiers to ensure the tens of thousands of consumer devices in a stadium do not interfere with mission-critical systems like biometric entry gates or real-time broadcast uploads.