Apple TV to stream all MLS matches starting next year

[tim_redd]

Apple and Major League Soccer to present all MLSmatches around the world for 10 years, beginning in 2023 | MLSSoccer.com

In a historic first for sports, fans can stream every single MLS match through the Apple TV app, without any local blackouts or restrictions

www.mlssoccer.com

This is potentially relevant in regard to college rights down the line as well. Apple TV to stream all matches, no blackouts.

 

[AllInForISU]

I just can’t get into club soccer. I’ve tried and I love international soccer but I don’t know what it is and for whatever reason, no teams make me want to watch.

 

[tim_redd]

I just can’t get into club soccer. I’ve tried and I love international soccer but I don’t know what it is and for whatever reason, no teams make me want to watch.

I'm just the opposite. International windows mean my club's players are off getting hurt and there's nothing good to watch.

 

[LeaningCy]

I just can’t get into club soccer. I’ve tried and I love international soccer but I don’t know what it is and for whatever reason, no teams make me want to watch.

Closest I can get is following USMNT players on their club teams. Fortunately those opportunities are growing quickly, but I still have no club loyalty.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

So the way I read this is that Apple TV+ will include "major" games and if you want all games you need to buy a separate package?

Seems iffy

 

[JM4CY]

I get into during the World Cup and Olympics but just isn’t a sport I follow during any other time.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Oh wow, all MLS season ticket holders will get the package for free. That is actually a good perk

 

[boone7247]

So the way I read this is that Apple TV+ will include "major" games and if you want all games you need to buy a separate package?

Seems iffy

Yeah I need some clarification. It says it is free to AppleTV+, and that it will be available through the AppleTV App for subscription, some matches will be free. Really confused.

 

[VeloClone]

I just can’t get into club soccer. I’ve tried and I love international soccer but I don’t know what it is and for whatever reason, no teams make me want to watch.

It has been fun for us to follow MN United's transition from NASL into MLS. We have attended games at their little former home stadium at the National Sports Center, US Bank Stadium, and Allianz Field. Daughter has since played games at that NSC stadium including a handful this season.

 

[StormnClone58]

Yeah I need some clarification. It says it is free to AppleTV+, and that it will be available through the AppleTV App for subscription, some matches will be free. Really confused.

I assume this will be similar to how mlb.tv offers a ‘free game of the day’. Its randomly selected by MLB for that day. You dont need a subscription for their service, but just an account with the service

 

[boone7247]

So a minimum of $250m per year for this it is a 2.8x increase over current deal. What is the B12 worth? and now do the old guard get that streaming is very much in play for all of college football not just fringe.

 

[VeloClone]

So a minimum of $250m per year for this it is a 2.8x increase over current deal. What is the B12 worth? and now do the old guard get that streaming is very much in play for all of college football not just fringe.

I guess I read the information in the OP incorrectly. So living in a team's market I will now have to pay a premium to watch my home team's games? That seems as stupid as blackouts in the MLB. So if I am a season ticket holder I can get all games for free. Nevermind that I will be at half of my team's games.

For a sport and league that is trying to grow viewership and interest in the States this seems like a step in the wrong direction. Generally fans start off with a casual interest and then get pulled in. If they have to pretty much pay from day 1 to even watch on TV casual viewers will essentially not exist.

Please tell me I'm reading this wrong.

 

[tim_redd]

I guess I read the information in the OP incorrectly. So living in a team's market I will now have to pay a premium to watch my home team's games? That seems as stupid as blackouts in the MLB. So if I am a season ticket holder I can get all games for free. Nevermind that I will be at half of my team's games.

For a sport and league that is trying to grow viewership and interest in the States this seems like a step in the wrong direction. Generally fans start off with a casual interest and then get pulled in. If they have to pretty much pay from day 1 to even watch on TV casual viewers will essentially not exist.

Please tell me I'm reading this wrong.

I believe MLS is retaining rights to simulcast on traditional linear/local networks. As a fan I love this idea (even if I don't have Apple TV) for the simple fact of getting everything in one spot, no blackouts or other restrictions. So many other leagues split their rights up to try and get the consumer to subscribe on a number of different platforms and/or networks.

 

[Gunnerclone]

I guess I read the information in the OP incorrectly. So living in a team's market I will now have to pay a premium to watch my home team's games? That seems as stupid as blackouts in the MLB. So if I am a season ticket holder I can get all games for free. Nevermind that I will be at half of my team's games.

For a sport and league that is trying to grow viewership and interest in the States this seems like a step in the wrong direction. Generally fans start off with a casual interest and then get pulled in. If they have to pretty much pay from day 1 to even watch on TV casual viewers will essentially not exist.

Please tell me I'm reading this wrong.

1) I already pay a premium to get Crew games on Bally Sports Ohio

2) your last paragraph; this isn’t 1999. The league is long established and has huge value. The big teams are worth a billion dollars.

 

[VeloClone]

1) I already pay a premium to get Crew games on Bally Sports Ohio

2) your last paragraph; this isn’t 1999. The league is long established and has huge value. The big teams are worth a billion dollars.

The big teams. They are adding expansion teams in new markets, some of which have a lot of work to do to build a fan base.

That said, if this augments rather than replaces our local access on Bally Sports I think it is fine. It just says exclusive so that was concerning.

 

[cyfan92]

Streaming services are going to pay up for loyal customers. That is what this means.

100% good news for the Big 12.

However, MLS was hoping for $300M. "For the 2021 regular season, MLS said it averaged 276,000 viewers for 31 regular-season games across ESPN channels, including ABC. That’s up from the average 233,000 viewers who consumed 39 MLS games in 2020 on ESPN platforms. " The most watched game in MLS history had less than 2M people watch. ISU games get more than that.

Major League Soccer increased viewership this season. Now it has to convince networks it's worth $300 million per year

Major League Soccer put its entire rights catalog up for auction as the U.S. soccer league seeks a new media deal.

www.cnbc.com