MLS signs 2023 deal with Apple

[sam_gordon]

They should have a package that works for those who have cable and for those who do not.

That's *IF* the cable broadcasters (ESPN (owned by ABC), FS1/2 (Fox), etc) are willing to pay the money for the rights.

 

[Buzz Rules]

That's *IF* the cable broadcasters (ESPN (owned by ABC), FS1/2 (Fox), etc) are willing to pay the money for the rights.

True, but this is ridiculous. They could have just tried to make a deal with one over the air networks like the CW to show that state’s local team. Programing rights would make that difficult for example ABC but not for a smaller common network like CW or Ion tv/MYTV. MLS literally has hurt half their viewership. I’m just annoyed that next season I’m going to have to follow my team on the radio than being able to watch on tv.

 

[tvguy]

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

Univision carries some. And I'm not sure what the arrangement is with Telemundo, but they carry some too. Both are OTA channels. I can't flip past either of those local stations on the weekend without seeing a soccer game it seems.

 

[mrodgers]

Never even knew you could watch soccer in the US on TV anywhere. I've never seen it.

 

[sam_gordon]

Univision carries some. And I'm not sure what the arrangement is with Telemundo, but they carry some too. Both are OTA channels. I can't flip past either of those local stations on the weekend without seeing a soccer game it seems.

All soccer games aren't MLS. There are a LOT of leagues out there.

According to this site: https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/mls-tv-schedule-2022-espn-fox-fs1-univision-unimas/, there are 478 MLS games this year. 100 of them (so about 20%) are nationally televised. Univision has 32 of those, FOX 7, ABC 9. So 48 games, 10% of the season schedule, are on "free TV".

 

[sam_gordon]

Never even knew you could watch soccer in the US on TV anywhere. I've never seen it.

I think you'd actually have to try hard to NOT see soccer SOMEWHERE on TV in the US, within the last 5 years much less EVER. Sports bars will have it (or almost any restaurant with sports on TV). Most cable packages will have it on SOMEWHERE, so just scrolling past ESPN, FS1/2, and other sports channels should show up at some point.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I think you'd actually have to try hard to NOT see soccer SOMEWHERE on TV in the US, within the last 5 years much less EVER. Sports bars will have it (or almost any restaurant with sports on TV). Most cable packages will have it on SOMEWHERE, so just scrolling past ESPN, FS1/2, and other sports channels should show up at some point.

Part of the reason MLS is growing is because of the TV exposure. By putting it in a limited streaming service that most people don’t want is going to hurt the league to a point. If a recession hits, streaming services are going to feel the pain more than people’s basic cable plans.

 

[Buzz Rules]

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/a-hi...er-global-media-partnership-beginning-in-2023

 

[Buzz Rules]

Never even knew you could watch soccer in the US on TV anywhere. I've never seen it.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/schedule/tv-and-streaming#competition=all&club=all&date=2022-06-14

 

[sam_gordon]

Part of the reason MLS is growing is because of the TV exposure. By putting it in a limited streaming service that most people don’t want is going to hurt the league to a point. If a recession hits, streaming services are going to feel the pain more than people’s basic cable plans.

I don't think TV exposure really has that much to do with MLS growing. A little? Sure. And how do you decide that "most people don't want" Apple TV? I don't have it, but I'm not going to even guess that's most don't want it. And yes, deciding who to do business with/how you get your message out should be factored in. I'm going to assume MLS did that. Did they make the right choice? Won't know for many years.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I don't think TV exposure really has that much to do with MLS growing. A little? Sure. And how do you decide that "most people don't want" Apple TV? I don't have it, but I'm not going to even guess that's most don't want it. And yes, deciding who to do business with/how you get your message out should be factored in. I'm going to assume MLS did that. Did they make the right choice? Won't know for many years.

Apple TV is one of the least subscribed to streaming service compared to Netflix, Disney plus, and paramount plus. I get MLS wanting to try something different but for an average fan, most like finding it on a local channel.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Well at least there’s this good news:

“MLS continues to work on a linear TV rights deal and is in discussions with ESPN, Fox, and other outlets, according to the source. Around 2-3 games are expected to be broadcasted per week via linear channels as a simulcast of Apple’s coverage.”

https://frontofficesports.com/apple-and-mls-agree-to-historic-2-5b-deal/

 

[sam_gordon]

Apple TV is one of the least subscribed to streaming service compared to Netflix, Disney plus, and paramount plus. I get MLS wanting to try something different but for an average fan, most like finding it on a local channel.

48 games. Out of 478. 48. That's how many are on a "local" channel. And 32 of THOSE were on Univision. We don't have a Univision affiliate here (maybe it's a subchannel, but I don't think so). They're (MLS) are not losing as many viewers as you seem to think they will. Just my opinion of course.

 

[mrodgers]

I think you'd actually have to try hard to NOT see soccer SOMEWHERE on TV in the US, within the last 5 years much less EVER. Sports bars will have it (or almost any restaurant with sports on TV). Most cable packages will have it on SOMEWHERE, so just scrolling past ESPN, FS1/2, and other sports channels should show up at some point.

Last 5 years maybe. I haven't had cable in the last 6. Prior to that, I never saw it on TV. Soccer definitely isn't a thing around here, if you go to the bar, it will always be football, hockey, or baseball.

 

[sam_gordon]

Apple TV is one of the least subscribed to streaming service compared to Netflix, Disney plus, and paramount plus.

Source: https://www.businessofapps.com/data/video-streaming-app-market/

 

[Buzz Rules]

View attachment 676718
Source: https://www.businessofapps.com/data/video-streaming-app-market/

Most people who have ESPN plus also have Disney plus and Hulu. So add those numbers together to get a better picture. Also, how old is that poll? CBS All Access doesn’t exist anymore. So you could see what Paramount plus’s numbers are instead.

 

[sam_gordon]

Most people who have ESPN plus also have Disney plus and Hulu. So add those numbers together to get a better picture. Also, how old is that poll? CBS All Access doesn’t exist anymore. So you could see what Paramount plus’s numbers are instead.

You see that link I posted... that's the source. It's dated May 4, 2022. And unless you have some facts, you don't know if you can take ESPN+ numbers and add them to Disney & Hulu. Maybe the numbers in the chart INCLUDE those with both.

 

[Buzz Rules]

48 games. Out of 478. 48. That's how many are on a "local" channel. And 32 of THOSE were on Univision. We don't have a Univision affiliate here (maybe it's a subchannel, but I don't think so). They're (MLS) are not losing as many viewers as you seem to think they will. Just my opinion of course.

MLS “national” games are primarily on Univision/Unimas, ABC/ESPN2, and Fox/FS1. Each team has a main affiliate station that shows the games that are not nationally available. For example, the Yes Network shows NYCFC in NY. If you look at the majority of those affiliated channels, they come regularly with most non expensive cable and some are even over the air (Charlotte FC TV affiliate as an example). People complain about MLS ratings but that is mostly due to MLS scheduling of games and MLS not following the international calendar like Europe (for weather reasons). The new tv deal feels like a cash grab and looks like it is going to hold the sport back and not have soccer progress in the USA. I’d like to point out that in Canada their soccer league (CPL) does a similar streaming service. It is holding the popularity of the sport back. In MLS’s case it’s almost like they think TV will be irrelevant by 2033. It’s short sighted to say the least.

 

[Buzz Rules]

@declansdad and @mommasita, you both follow teams in Canada. What do you guys think? Will people pay for Apple TV to see MLS’s Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, and the CF Montreal Impact? I don’t think many have signed up for the CPL’s OneSoccer streaming service but I could be wrong. I would to hear a Canadian’s take on this since it will affect your teams too.

 

[Buzz Rules]