AppleTV and MLS in 10 Year Streaming Deal

I just saw the email from MLS announcing this.

I've chosen not to subscribe to AppleTV. I already pay for enough for various streaming services. If I continue to not subscribe to AppleTV, I wonder if I'll continue to be able to watch the way I've been doing.

Specifically my NYRB are generally on MSG channel and if not, then on one of the big boys like ESPN. This is great because my Tivo DVR functionality is so so much better than any of the fragmented and primitive steaming providers.

And on occasion I'll watch/record some other "random" MLS matches, e.g. during playoffs, on various cable channels.

So will this new partnership with Apple likely change those traditional TV rights deals, i.e. diminish the availability of matches on conventional TV channels like MSG/ESPN/FOX?

Is MLS pivoting to favor digital over TV?

That'll suck (for some/many of us) if/when that happens.

 

I think the NYRB- MSG partnership is gone. No more local TV deals.

There will be a number of games on TV, but the details haven't been released.

I'm not really a MLS fan, although I do occasionally DVR matches for my home team that are on OTA tv (usually I don't get around to watching them). I will probably never watch the home team under the new deal.

Although the money the league is getting is good, it is still not enough to make MLS teams competitive with Euro leagues for the world's top players. So I don't think it will move the needle much in terms of increasing interest in the league. But who knows?

 

From what I've heard:

You won't need an Apple device.

There'll be a section in the Apple TV app for MLS.

MLS season ticket members will get access to this section included with their ticket purchase.

Partial season holders may get a discount, but it seems this is still TBD.

Regional TV deals are gone. It seems the regional announcers are gone and they may move to something like what the NFL does with announcers assigned by the league. Anyone in the USA will be able to access any MLS game via the AppleTV app.

Select games will be on linear "regular" TV channels such as ESPN, FS1 or national broadcast TV. These games will be part of the MLS section in the Apple TV app.

I don't know what this means for viewers in Canada or around the world, although I'd imagine it'll be similar.

 

This makes me more than a little sad, especially the part about no more regional TV deals.

I watch every NYRB match, the vast majority on my local sports channel MSG, with a regular team of announcers. This all included in my overall TV costs, i.e. cable package.

Also, because the games are often at inconvenient/family times, I tend to DVR them and watch them after the fact. And I leverage my Tivo's awesome features which include a great/consistent interface, speeding up playback by 25% without any chipmunk voice effect, skipping over any ads, and all regardless of whether my Internet is solid at that time.

With the new deal, I'll have to pay extra for Apple TV (yet another streamer subscription), use yet another unique/clunky GUI. And pray my internet is solid enough when I do (sadly less reliable than my cable).

I'm sorry, I know I'm a broken record about this, but...

Sigh.

 

MLS should've gone with ESPN+ since they already had games on ESPN+ and i'll never pay for Apple TV.[I already have ESPN+]

 

Disney didn't place a bid for ESPN+.

 

Will be an interesting test case for this model. I've never had a local MLS team and never watched it much and this won't change it but I hope it works out for them.