Latest News

World’s Top Baseball Stars Face Off – 2023 WBC World Baseball Classic – Watch on MOD, Hami Video Sports Hall, ELTA TV, Exclusive New Media Full Broadcast

December 27, 2022

Baseball fans, the wait is over! The 5th World Baseball Classic (WBC) returns in 2023, featuring 20 powerhouse national teams competing across Taichung (Taiwan), Tokyo (Japan), Florida, and Arizona from March 8 to 22 for the world title. Team Taiwan will host Group A games at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium. Chunghwa Telecom MOD, Hami Video, and ELTA TV have jointly secured the exclusive new media broadcast rights for the 2023 WBC, inviting viewers to cheer for Team Taiwan through MOD ELTA Sports 1, 2, and 3 (CH200–202), Hami Video Sports Hall, and ELTA.tv, featuring 47 thrilling games of elite competition.

Group A Opens in Taichung Team Taiwan Battles Global Powerhouses
The WBC Group A games will begin on March 8, 2023, at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium. As the host nation, Taiwan will face “The Red Lightning” Cuba, the Netherlands, Italy, and Panama (which advanced through the qualifiers) to compete for two spots in the Tokyo Dome quarterfinals.
Team Taiwan will be led by CPBL Uni-President Lions manager Lin Yueh-Ping, assisted by coaches Kao Chih-Kang (chief & catching), Tseng Hao-Chu and Peng Cheng-Min (batting), Hsu Ming-Chieh (pitching), Wang Chien-Ming (bullpen), Chen Chiang-Ho (infield defense), Chang Chien-Ming (outfield & baserunning), and Liu Pin-Chen (conditioning). The 35-player training roster will be announced on January 6, with the final 30-man roster confirmed on February 7. CPBL home run leader Lin Chih-Sheng has also expressed his intent to participate, aiming to inspire fans once again.

MLB Superstars Represent Their Nations Elite Pitching Duels Ahead
MLB two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani and veteran ace Yu Darvish will suit up for Japan, joined by three NPB pitchers who threw no-hitters this year—Roki Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Shota Imanaga—forming arguably the strongest pitching rotation in Samurai Japan history. Group B (Japan) will face Korea, Australia, China, and the Czech Republic at the Tokyo Dome. The 2006 and 2009 WBC champions aim for a third title.
In Group C, the United States will field an all-star lineup including three-time MVP Mike Trout as captain, alongside Mookie Betts, Paul Goldschmidt, and Clayton Kershaw, as Team USA pursues back-to-back championships. Group D will feature powerhouses such as the Dominican Republic, boasting reigning Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara, Manny Machado, and Juan Soto, while Puerto Rico and Venezuela also present star-studded rosters. Baseball fans won’t want to miss a single pitch.

Expert Commentary Team Full Coverage of All 47 WBC Games
MOD ELTA TV will feature beloved analysts including Coaches Hsieh Chang-Heng (“Coach Tsao”), Cheng Ching-Yi, Keng Po-Hsuan, and Tsao Chun-Yang, along with veteran journalists Lin Wei-Ting and Wang Yi-Keng, joined by anchors Hung Chih-Wei, Wu Sheng-Fu, Wei Chu-Yu, and Lee Yu-Ting—bringing fans complete, insightful coverage of all 47 games as the world champion is crowned.
ELTA TV Chairperson Sally Chen stated: “The World Baseball Classic represents the pinnacle of global baseball competition. We’re honored to present this elite tournament to Taiwan’s audiences in early 2023, uniting fans to cheer for Team Taiwan while enjoying MLB stars competing for national pride.”


2023 WBC First Round Groups & Schedule (Taiwan Time)
Group A: Taiwan, Netherlands, Cuba, Italy, Panama (Mar 8–12 @ Taichung Intercontinental Stadium)
3/08 12:00 Cuba vs. Netherlands ELTA Sports 1 Live
3/08 19:00 Panama vs. Taiwan ELTA Sports 1 Live
3/09 12:00 Panama vs. Netherlands ELTA Sports 1 Live
3/09 19:00 Italy vs. Cuba ELTA Sports 2 Live
3/10 12:00 Cuba vs. Panama ELTA Sports 1 Live
3/10 19:00 Italy vs. Taiwan ELTA Sports 1 Live
3/11 12:00 Panama vs. Italy ELTA Sports 1 Live
3/11 19:00 Netherlands vs. Taiwan ELTA Sports 1 Live
3/12 12:00 Taiwan vs. Cuba ELTA Sports 1 Live
3/12 19:00 Netherlands vs. Italy ELTA Sports 1 Live

Further broadcast details for Groups B–D will be announced in February 2023.
Group B: Japan, Korea, Australia, China, Czech Republic (Mar 9–13 @ Tokyo Dome)
Group C: USA, Mexico, Colombia, Canada, Great Britain (Mar 12–16 @ Chase Field)
Group D: Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Israel, Nicaragua (Mar 12–16 @ LoanDepot Park)

*Top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinals: Mar 15–16 @ Tokyo Dome; Mar 18–19 @ LoanDepot Park
Semifinals: Mar 20–21 @ LoanDepot Park
Final: Mar 22 @ LoanDepot Park

2023 WBC Broadcast Platforms:
【Television Platform】
Chunghwa Telecom MOD ELTA Sports 1–3 (CH200–202)

【Online/Mobile Platforms】
- Hami Video http://hamivideo.hinet.net/
- ELTA TV http://elta.tv/