The 2022 MLS TV thread

Or a computer.

 

I'm an old guy too, @Onionrings -- I watch AppleTV+ on my Windows 10 laptop using the Edge browser. No problem.

 

I read it on sports business journal about how they can increase the deal after they reach a certain number of subscribers. The front end is guaranteed and can only go up. This is unique in all of sports but more than likely the model for the future for all sports.

 

Apple TV+.

Currently I'm blacked out of NYCFC games so anything will be an improvement.

 

So this deal is global, including Canada.

A far cry from the $4 billion for overseas rights alone that Riccardo Silva ahem "offered".

 

NO!

Sorry for shouting but this is incorrect information.

You don't need AppleTV+ for this. You need a free account on AppleTV, which is the app that allows you to subscribe to AppleTV+ (among other things). One you have the account you then have to subscribe (at unknown cost at this point) to the new MLS Channel available only through AppleTV. This will get you everything MLS, but nothing from AppleTV+ (Ted Lasso, etc.).

 

For those people saying "Great, don't need ESPN+ now", consider that the Open Cup matches, including those involving MLS teams, will still be exclusive to ESPN+.

 

MLS has sold all of its global media rights exclusively to Apple, becoming the first major U.S. sports league to go all-in with a digital media company. MLS still is negotiating with linear TV networks, including ESPN and Fox, to broadcast select matches. However, those games would not be exclusive to the broadcasters; they would simulcast with Apple. MLS execs said that Apple is not paying a straight rights fee for the package of rights. Rather, Apple is paying a minimum guarantee that sources say is worth $250M per year starting in ‘23. MLS will start to bring in more revenue as Apple sell subscriptions for a newly launched MLS subscription offering. “What's different here is traditionally media companies pay rights fees, and you sell ads,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “This is a partnership. And that partnership's core is a subscription business that we're going to build together, and we're going to get a guarantee against the revenues that will be achieved on the subscription business. Then, we go over those guarantees, we'll have the opportunity to make more money, which is really unique in sports media.”

 

I would be thrilled with consistent kickoff times. I don't care if it's x:00, 05, 07, 15 I just hope it becomes consistent!

Is this going to be ad-free?

 

Here's the cliff notes version of your predicament:

Think of Android as you would Microsoft Windows. There are dozens and dozens of different hardware configurations for Windows PC's. Because of this, not all software will run well, or at all on every different hardware setup. The same thing applies for phones running Android.

Also....The Apple TV App is available for Amazon Fire Stick (Android) and Roku, as well as many Smart TV's.

She's definitely up there, though Danny Higginbotham would be up near the top of that conversation.

 

Actually......those are moving to Turner/HBO as part of their deal with the USSF.

 

Are they? While I agree that those would not be included in this deal, I thought that the USOC right are part of the deal that the USF made with Turner. So they'd be more like to appear on the likes of HBO Max.

 

One good thing about the situation is that it is a partnership and, with worldwide rights, Apple would have very strong motivation to grow MLS. I'm not sure how that will play out but maybe we could see Apple exerting some influence to try to get higher profile players to MLS.

 

Does this mean...

Apple 250 million per season... plus a % of subscription base over a floor base subscription level.
ESPN ????
Fox ????
Univision ????

Two questions....
First
I assume Apple is a stream and ESPN, Fox, Univision are cable??? or Free To Air ???

Second

The secondary deals with ESPN, Fox & Univision... what is the high low spread expected from this ??? ... i.e. 10 million to 75 Million or whatever...

 

I hear you! Losing the MAYBE Network (Maybe it's on, maybe it's not) is not bad news at all.

Thanks to all for the replies!

 

Heh... I can do better I watch on a desktop computer But it's mostly for gaming, so not really an age thing, though I'm getting up there

 

Ugh didn't mean to have THAT many emojis. Sorry.

 

Per the Athletic sources, MLS will get just under $300 million in total from Apple & linear tv deals. Then subtract $60 million per year in production costs. There are also start-up costs in building out production facilities but not estimated.

Athletic's view:
Player comp: ...really significant jump, but probably not one that will enable a massive step forward for MLS in the short-term.

Overall: This deal feels like a legitimate positive for MLS... It might not change the trajectory of the league incredibly dramatically, but this deal puts MLS in a better position to capitalize on 2026.

The Canadian team views can be summed as not much reaction from Whitecaps and neutral/wait & see from TFC. CFM followers are 90% negative as Quebec always tend to lament loss of local people covering the sport & are concerned about the team's loss of visibility in the market. Apparently, Saputo would have voted against it if he had a vote. The rights holder TVA Sports quickly put out a release saying they have lost CFM rights.

 

Is it possible to compare media deals to games played.... my understanding is Hockey, & Baseball, play thousands more games than MLS ... My guess is the new media deal maybe a lot closer when games played are used.

Code........ Games Played..... Media Deal..... Per Match Payment

 

Time to give Canada the Internet.

 

My thoughts:

Pros -

No Blackouts
All games on one platform with on demand replay
Pre & Post game shows
Weekly MLS content (shows, etc.)
Redzone style whip around coverage
Consistent presentation (video quality) & production
Minimum of $250M/year for 10 years
Included in MLS Season Tickets
MLS NXT and NXT Pro games broadcast
Linear Broadcasts will have same video/production quality
Broadcast partner has real incentive to promote
Global availability

Cons -

Some teams will lose the consistently good PBP and Analysis they currently have
Who will be the announce teams?
How much will the MLS Channel cost for Non-STH's?
Currently reach is limited (?)
No World Cup "windfall" media rights bump
The anti-Apple crowd won't subscribe
Loss of local sponsorship $$$ due to no local linear broadcasts


Overall IMO this is a good deal for the league. The overall quality of the broadcasts will now be consistent. MLS can now sell those broadcasts to UniVision / ESPN / Fox / etc.

A big plus there is that those companies no longer have to provide the talent or equipment, or production staff, They just have to pay to simulcast the game or show it at their desired time slot. Those companies could conceivably pay the same they did in the last contract because they'll have no additional costs.

Regardless how one feels about Apple, there's no denying that they have a ton of reach across the world. I've seen some questions about how Apple will make any money on this deal. Make no mistake, $250M / year is a lot of money. That said, the amount of Money Apple brings in revenue in a month, is what most companies dream of bringing in in an entire year. It's also Apple putting a marker down to all sports leagues that they are serious about streaming Live sports content. Apple will promote MLS, because they want to get other Sports Streaming content. And they are paying at least $250M/year for the rights to stream MLS content and games.

Some may argue that MLS would have been better off on Netflix or Amazon. MLS would get lost on those platforms, just like it does on ESPN+ now. Also, Netflix isn't exactly in a position of strength at this moment.

I get it, streaming is new and different for many. The truth is that the Under 50 (?) crowd largely streams the majority of their entertainment content. The fact is that Fox and ESPN do the barest of minimum to promote MLS. They have done this for the past decade plus. That's not going to change. The NFL is king on those networks, and the NBA is next in line. The rest of the sporting landscape baely gets mentioned on the most popular programs on those networks.

MLS will have it's own dedicated channel with nothing but MLS content and games. This is the old MLS Live but with way more content.....and a media partner PAYING the league for it! MLS was not going to get this from any of it's current partners, and it's very doubtful that Paramount, Discovery, or Comcast would do this.

 

Hopefully Apple will be Steve Jobs' Apple and be extremely innovative and fun ( but hopefully not overpriced).

 

I’ve been poking around on my Apple TV app today. If it’s anything like their baseball coverage, all replay games will have the final score posted in the link. Whether a recent match day or a classic game.

Soccer fans don’t like this.

ESPN+ doesn’t do this.

Individual broadcasts do, so currently you have to be quick with the mute and avert your eyes for a few moments each half (or cover the ticker).

Thx,

Jay!

 

NBC shows live scores on the top right of the screen. This is the day and age we live in.

The most famous episode of one of the best comedies on British TV was set around the main characters trying to avoid the result of the Newcastle United England game.