Lausanne, Switzerland – The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) announced that Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) and TV Asahi have been awarded broadcast rights in Japan for the new WBSC Premier12™ world baseball flagship event that is set to debut in Japan and Taiwan from 8 – 21 November. The agreement with TBS and TV Asahi – two of the most wide-reaching broadcasting networks in Japan – covers free-to-air television delivery of the WBSC Premier12 global baseball tournament.

The agreement follows the recent announcement of the full schedule, tournament bracket and list of venues of the inaugural WBSC Premier12.

The WBSC Premier12 will be the top international baseball event of the year –  offering a $US multi-million purse and the biggest payout of world ranking points –  and will unite the men’s professional National Teams from the Top 12 countries in the WBSC Baseball World Rankings for the first time ever, battling for the pride of their countries and their position in the baseball world.

“The WBSC is thrilled to partner with TBS and TV Asahi to showcase this new and very exciting Premier12 global baseball platform,” said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. “Matching the WBSC Premier12 with two of Japan’s premier broadcasters like TBS and TV Asahi ensures the most comprehensive and highest quality coverage possible for Japan’s national audience, who are some of the most discerning and enthusiastic baseball fans in the world.”

The world body leader also hailed the agreement with TBS and TV Asahi as a major boost, particularly as baseball and softball are among eight shortlisted sports under review for potential inclusion at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.