I’m just gonna make a thread for this. New rumor is that Apple TV+ is now out. So, basically Fox isn’t really interested (beyond one national game per game), ESPN+ looks like they could take it or leave it, Apple is out. Remaining options are HBO Max/Discovery (which would include B/R Live and TNT), Peacock, Amazon, and….. I think HBO Max might get involved, but I could also just see it defaulting to ESPN. What a shitshow lol.
ESPN is teetering on the edge of broke. They're not going to be able to pay much. Their business model is dependent on cable customers paying six bucks a month even if they don't want it. ESPN + can't. begn to replace that kind of money.
Would NBC possibly be interested? EPL/MLS doubleheaders, anyone? I have a feeling they're a long shot.
As is most every other channel on the 6-7 (more?) non-cable providers in the country. FS1, Paramount, MTV, etc....they all have similar models. Channels owned by Turner, Viacom, Comcast and whoever else are charging Hulu and DirecTV the same money that they're charging Charter and Cox. The exception might be the TV providers that have ownership in specific channels such as AT&T owning U-Verse, part of DirecTV and DirecTV Stream and a whole lot of channels or Hulu being partially owned by Disney which also owns the ESPN/Disney channel group (Comcast is most likely out of Hulu as early as 2024.) But since we're not privy to the negotiations, nobody can tell for sure.
First, no other channel charges anywhere near what ESPN does. Those other guys don't even come close. Secondly, ESPN is paying billions and billions of dollars for NFL/NBA/NCAA rights. Again, the other channels pay relative peanuts for their programming. What do you think I Love Lucy and Law & Order reruns cost anyway? Not even remotely close to what the NBA gets for the playoffs. ESPN is playing a whole different game
isnt mls's whole "business" model built upon the premise of ever increasing tv rights deals? edit: and ever increasing franchise fees
I doubt it. Franchise fees, perhaps. But the league has never had a major TV deal, and it’s managed to survive, and thrive, for over a quarter century. The stadium situations nearly every club has now, coupled with strong attendance and sponsorship deals seem to have the league in a decent position. TV ratings have always been the league’s weakest link as a business. Hard to see that changing much, at least in my lifetime.
Absolutely. The numbers are what they are. Broadcasters pay for eyeballs and MLS doesn't deliver them, and all the flummery about growth and the future and blah blah don't change that.
NHL delivers at a regional level from what I understand. The ratings in both cities are high when Columbus plays Chicago although people in Boston or Denver don't necessarily watch. MLS doesn't have that. 260K nationally doesn't move the needle. I read an article years ago that claimed MLS regionally, and it didn't matter whether you were talking about the all mighty Sounders or lowly Crew, drew around 17K. It's difficult walking into a negotiation wanting more money when you're outdrawn by Pudgy Middle Aged Guy Plays Golf With Inexplicable Hot Chicks.
premier-league-ratings-nbc-preakness-viewership-f1-nascar-indycar-stanley-cup Says 507K for EPL but doesn't give a breakdown per channel.
There's a TV thread in the N&A forum with weekly and overall season ratings for EPL vs Liga MX vs MLS. MLS trails Liga MX and EPL though we usually beat Series A or Bundesliga.
Liga MX is far and away the most popular league in the US, based on regular ratings. Highlights on MLS TV rights negotiations:▶️Apple still involved, not a sure thing. Possible that they get all the former local tv matches. Apple wants MLS Cup if giving big $. ▶️ABC/ESPN down from 35 to 25 events ▶️Fox still interested▶️Total package hovering around $250m https://t.co/ZU6tNfkm1I— Chris Ivey (@ChrisIvey865) June 1, 2022
From 2021: '21 Champions League Final viewers (CBS): 2.1 million '21 Champions League Final viewers (Univision): 1.6 million '21 Liga MX Final viewers (Univision): 3.0 million 2021 Season Averages MLS average viewership on ESPN and Fox: 355,000 EPL average viewership on NBC: 475,000 Liga MX average viewership on Univision: 845,000 https://frontofficesports.com/liga-...t-opportunity-for-franchise-valuation-growth/
Official: ALL MLS games will be on Apple for 10 years, 2023 to 2033. All full season ticket holders will get the service for free. If you already subscribe to Apple TV+ you’re all set, it’s included. It’s $5 a month I think.