While this was the model, I am not sure how long it will last. As an example, YouTube TV carries the local games of LAFC live. Presumably, they offered more than the regional sports networks. This is potentially good news for the fans who don't buy season tickets but is bad news for franchises like the Galaxy that have sold their local rights for a good fee.
Can't remember if we discussed this here or not. Rep to @kirsoccer for posting in the MLS forums. MLS preparing comprehensive TV rights deal for 2022 Hopefully this means better access to local games. We're somewhat privileged as Galaxy fans, but even then, demonstrably, it's a crapshoot.
Yeah, unfortunately the MLS app on Apple TV has been de-activated. You need to put the app on your phone or tablet, etc. And, they don't have the condensed games on their website - you can only access them from the app. They really are shooting themselves in the foot with this. Again.
Thanks for posting that. This explains a lot of the weird TV deals going on this year. They are stopgaps that have to end in 2022. I remember reading that DCU's local fans have the same issue trying to watch their non-nationally televised home games. They aren't available except by subscription to a little known newbie streaming service that none of them would be using otherwise. IOW, not on regular TV, not on cable, not on satellite, and not on MLS Live. Sounds like MLS fans will have to deal with this crap for three and a half more seasons. Hopefully the TV contract signed in 2022 is a big step up from the current $90mil/yr and can vault MLS to the next level. It would be nice to actually win the CCL more than once every 15 years. Or it's equivalent. I'm vaguely remembering the CCL is going away... is that right?
Thanks, I'll put it on my phone. Sigh. Then I have to mirror the condensed game to my TV, but the quality isn't as good.
Valuable info about the rights deal. I'm skeptical that it will mean anything different for fans, though. The league still seems intent on squeaking out as much money as possible. Growing the fan base means accessible TV. And we still have to wait 3 more seasons for anything new. Grrrr...
No guaranty that we would get anything better than spectrum sports net for lag. In fact with our neighbors to the north being media darlings lag will be hard pressed to get fees comparable to what they have now.
I'm saving these valuable instructions. There's NO WAY I would have found the condensed game without them! Thanks, my friend.
Calling all ⚽️ fans. You can now catch all the @MLS action (CH 203) free on @PlutoTV! #FreeTV pic.twitter.com/peYJmXhgO7— Pluto TV (@PlutoTV) May 13, 2019 Just saw this...not sure about any info
Last Wednesday, I went to my 24 Hour Fitness gym and watched a half of the Galaxy game on their TV. It was the second half and it was horrible, but still there's one place I can watch a soccer game on Spectrum Sports Net, assuming I can stay on the elliptical that long.
Pluto Tv is Viacom's internet based tv service. It is free and has a quite a bit of cable channels available. MLS has their own station where they will be showing games as well as some of their Youtube series like Extra time
So what's the business model of Pluto TV? I just went to their website and I seem to have easy access to all the "free tv" without even having to enter in an email address. I'm currently watching Seattle vs. Portland from 2018. It's just weird to me. Is it really just "free" tv? Picture quality on the MLS channel could be better.
I was confused too. This link says that they are using free content that is already on the internet. https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/what-is-pluto-tv/
From my reading of the announcement Pluto will not be showing 2019 season games until they reach "classic" status. I would be delighted if this isn't the case, but showing live games seems like a direct conflict with ESPN and other right holders like Spectrum.
Yeah I checked it tonight. They weren’t playing the live games but a game from last season. So this is for “classic” games.