MLS signs 2023 deal with Apple

[Buzz Rules]

https://www.mlssoccer.com/apple/

Thoughts on if you think this will help or hurt the league grow in popularity or viewership in North America? @tvguy, do you have a take on this?

 

[Buzz Rules]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1536747168001929217

 

[HopperFan]

Personally appears to be a plus for me. DH & DS have season tickets, I watch from home. Well last couple seasons I usually have no ability to watch the matches because they were mostly on a pay sports service we do not have. Now I will be able to watch the matches and they will be able to easily watch the away matches.

Having it easily accessible to watch will help, because out of sight, out of mind. Limiting viewership, limits the ability of sport to grow here.

 

[tvguy]

https://www.mlssoccer.com/apple/

Thoughts on if you think this will help or hurt the league grow in popularity or viewership in North America? @tvguy, do you have a take on this?

No take on this. Sucks it is leaving free TV.

 

[Disneefun]

While ATV will have it, the article I read indicated that the bulk of the games will not be included unless you purchase an add on package. Which sucks because I've enjoyed getting it through Fox and ESPN+, which I already pay for through the Disney bundle. I don't want to pay for another sub + add on just for this. So that's a round about way of saying I don't know if it'll hurt the league, but I don't think locking it behind yet another sub on top of a sub will help matters. I don't know how many people will really be willing to pay. I'd bet that with it on ESPN+, they got some spillover watchers from those who have the Disney plus bundle. But will they jump to ATV, and fork over more money on top? I kinda doubt it.

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/14/app...ve-sports-with-major-league-soccer-deal-.html

 

[Buzz Rules]

Well, I don’t use streaming services, so I guess I’ll just be listening to the radio next season to follow NYCFC. What a shame.

 

[Buzz Rules]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1536749213786288129

https://twitter.com/x/status/1536754243218116612

https://twitter.com/x/status/1536751488420065280

https://twitter.com/x/status/1536750100214648833

 

[john7994]

https://www.mlssoccer.com/apple/

Thoughts on if you think this will help or hurt the league grow in popularity or viewership in North America? @tvguy, do you have a take on this?

I think if anyone can improve the watch-ability of soccer - it would be Apple

 

[Buzz Rules]

I think if anyone can improve the watch-ability of soccer - it would be Apple

People want to watch on cable if they have it. Only cord cutters are celebrating this.

 

[Buzz Rules]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1536754236834324483

 

[Buzz Rules]

https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/mls...dium=social&utm_content=&utm_term=&int_promo=

 

[Buzz Rules]

 

[Buzz Rules]

 

[Buzz Rules]

 

[sam_gordon]

No take on this. Sucks it is leaving free TV.

How many MLS games are on free TV? Aren't most on cable?

 

[Buzz Rules]

How many MLS games are on free TV? Aren't most on cable?

FS1, Fox, ESPN/ESPN2, ABC, Univision, and Unimas all currently hold tv rights until 2023. Cable is what many Americans still use and continue to use. This hurts those like me who don’t want to pay for a stream only product. I won’t be a cord cutter. I get a good deal for bundling tv, phone, and internet. That’s who this deal affects most. Most of the local channels that show the games are on lower tier packages, so the games were really accessible in my case. People without cable could use ESPN+ with a VPN and get 99% of the games. That is better than the new deal. I really hate how companies are pandering to Gen Z and just keep pushing streaming. And I’m a Gen Y saying this.

 

[sam_gordon]

FS1, Fox, ESPN/ESPN2, ABC, Univision, and Unimas all currently hold tv rights until 2023. Cable is what many Americans still use and continue to use. This hurts those like me who don’t want to pay for a stream only product. I won’t be a cord cutter. I get a good deal for bundling tv, phone, and internet. That’s who this deal affects most. Most of the local channels that show the games are on lower tier packages, so the games were really accessible in my case. People without cable could use ESPN+ with a VPN and get 99% of the games. That is better than the new deal. I really hate how companies are pandering to Gen Z and just keep pushing streaming. And I’m a Gen Y saying this.

First, aside from ABC, none of that are "free TV". "Free TV" generally means 'Over the Air'... the "Big 4" networks and their subchannels.

Regarding the bolded, I'm not sure which company you're referring to. Sports leagues (in whatever sport) are going to do partnership deals with whoever they think can get them the most money AND (hopefully) keep/increase fans. It's about $$$, it has nothing to do with "pandering" to any generation.

 

[Buzz Rules]

First, aside from ABC, none of that are "free TV". "Free TV" generally means 'Over the Air'... the "Big 4" networks and their subchannels.

Regarding the bolded, I'm not sure which company you're referring to. Sports leagues (in whatever sport) are going to do partnership deals with whoever they think can get them the most money AND (hopefully) keep/increase fans. It's about $$$, it has nothing to do with "pandering" to any generation.

MLS states in this new deal it’s targeting anyone under 40. They think majority of the population is streaming subscribers. They should have a package that works for those who have cable and for those who do not. They could have improved on the deal they had instead of scraping it all together. Gen Z are the main audience pushing MLS to do this not Gen Y/X/ Baby boomers.

 

[Buzz Rules]

https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2...strike-10-year-25-billion-broadcast-deal.html

 

[Nayan]

I cut the cord awhile ago ($21 just for OTA channels? ) and I think this is great news. I've been watching MLB on Friday nights on Apple and they've done a great job, so I have no doubt their soccer package will be top-notch as well and I will tune in.

I think it's a good idea to branch out into streaming services, especially when it comes to sports. More people are ditching traditional services for streaming ones, cost being a big factor. When I left DirecTV my bill was almost $200/month. That was not for the top of the line package. Now I have YouTube TV and a couple other streaming services and pay just under $100/month, with everything I actually want to watch.