MLS signs 2023 deal with Apple

[Buzz Rules]

 

[Buzz Rules]

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.

I’m curious, are you a fan of soccer or would you be a new casual fan who would give it a shot because it’s apart of a service that you already have?

 

[Nayan]

I’m curious, are you a fan of soccer or would you be a new casual fan who would give it a shot because it’s apart of a service that you already have?

I am a casual fan. If I see a game on in the morning then I'll watch some of it if I have time.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I am a casual fan. If I see a game on in the morning then I'll watch some of it if I have time.

You mean European leagues not MLS though right?

 

[sam_gordon]

I’m curious, are you a fan of soccer or would you be a new casual fan who would give it a shot because it’s apart of a service that you already have?

I don't think someone who is not at least a casual fan is going to say "oh, a soccer game is on, I'm going to watch and learn about it!" I really, really believe you need that "rooting interest" in order to WANT to watch a soccer match. That's to start. THEN, if you stay with it long enough (a year? two? three?), you'll be willing to watch teams where you DON'T have an interest.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I don't think someone who is not at least a casual fan is going to say "oh, a soccer game is on, I'm going to watch and learn about it!" I really, really believe you need that "rooting interest" in order to WANT to watch a soccer match. That's to start. THEN, if you stay with it long enough (a year? two? three?), you'll be willing to watch teams where you DON'T have an interest.

If you look at social media alone right now, fans of MLS (casual to die hard) are very divided right now whether they will buy into the Apple TV MLS app or not.

 

[declansdad]

@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.

I don't think this alone would make people sign up for Apple TV. It would more likely they would sign up because they are cutting the cable.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I don't think this alone would make people sign up for Apple TV. It would more likely they would sign up because they are cutting the cable.

So Canadians will rely more on radio then for MLS games?

 

[sam_gordon]

If you look at social media alone right now, fans of MLS (casual to die hard) are very divided right now whether they will buy into the Apple TV MLS app or not.

OK? So? A casual fan won't spend extra money to watch a sport they're only semi-interested in. A die hard fan WILL spend extra money to watch a sport/team they love. BUT, as I mentioned earlier, there are a LOT of soccer leagues out there, many of them televised and/or streamed. A die hard SOCCER fan may not pay for Apple TV, but will get their fix elsewhere. A die hard MLS (league or pick a team) WILL pay to watch... in a couple years when they HAVE to... no matter what they say now on social media.

 

[starry_solo]

No Apple TV but has soccer grown in popularity? Didn't MLS try to get it to grow in popularity by bringing David Beckham over from the UK? And that didn't work out very well.

The only other soccer player I know is Landon Donovan and that's because he's from Redlands, CA (considered a local boy).

 

[declansdad]

So Canadians will rely more on radio then for MLS games?

Most Canadians don't know the MLS exists. It doesn't garner great interest outside the teams' fanbases.

 

[Buzz Rules]

OK? So? A casual fan won't spend extra money to watch a sport they're only semi-interested in. A die hard fan WILL spend extra money to watch a sport/team they love. BUT, as I mentioned earlier, there are a LOT of soccer leagues out there, many of them televised and/or streamed. A die hard SOCCER fan may not pay for Apple TV, but will get their fix elsewhere. A die hard MLS (league or pick a team) WILL pay to watch... in a couple years when they HAVE to... no matter what they say now on social media.

You overestimate the amount of MLS fans who will just buy this. You know just as I do, people will pay for Euro leagues but 9/10 fans only will watch MLS if it’s free (included in cable/OTA). This will probably alienate 1/3 of the fan base. And as a negative, many people are losing jobs because of this (local channel layoffs).

 

[Buzz Rules]

Most Canadians don't know the MLS exists. It doesn't garner great interest outside the teams' fanbases.

CPL is not known about either I presume?

 

[Buzz Rules]

No Apple TV but has soccer grown in popularity? Didn't MLS try to get it to grow in popularity by bringing David Beckham over from the UK? And that didn't work out very well.

The only other soccer player I know is Landon Donovan and that's because he's from Redlands, CA (considered a local boy).

It has greatly since DB. The tv ratings have not be great though. Fans average 20k-25k in most stadiums. The league has 29 teams in total so far, with Las Vegas set to be number 30. The league usually gets increased viewership after every World Cup.

 

[nick p]

ray hudson for MLS on Apple

 

[declansdad]

CPL is not known about either I presume?

Not really. They really screwed themselves with their TV deal..

 

[Buzz Rules]

No Apple TV but has soccer grown in popularity? Didn't MLS try to get it to grow in popularity by bringing David Beckham over from the UK? And that didn't work out very well.

The only other soccer player I know is Landon Donovan and that's because he's from Redlands, CA (considered a local boy).

 

[Buzz Rules]

ray hudson for MLS on Apple

Magisterial!!!!

 

[Buzz Rules]

Not really. They really screwed themselves with their TV deal..

That’s what half of the MLS fan base thinks about this one.

 

[sam_gordon]

And as a negative, many people are losing jobs because of this (local channel layoffs).

No one is losing their job because of this.