While we wait for some ratings to bicker about, I was wondering what you all thought of the picture quality of MLS on Apple TV? I feel like they used to argue that they’d present everything in 4k. however I recently got a really good LG OLED tv and the picture quality of MLS on apple tv is not anywhere close to how nice the 4k broadcasts of college football on fox or espn, for example. It was really obvious when turning from mls cup to Georgia v Alabama yesterday and Indiana v Ohio State. This American football games look incredible and mls on apple never really does. just wondering your thoughts. should mention I’m watching the 4k college football on YouTube tv
Just out of curiosity, did you switch to FOX to see if there was a difference for the Cup? I did notice when they used the Apple iPhone cameras there was a difference but for the most part on the replay I thought the quality was good. I didn't compare it to other events so I guess it's hard to answer your point with the college broadcast.
The Fox broadcast is clearly not a 4 k broadcast. It’s really easy to tell on YouTube tv if something is a 4k presentation or not. It’s pretty rare. A few college football games a week, mlb playoffs, odds and ends other items. Looking at Fox HD broadcast on YTTV it looks the same as apple tv to my eyes. Maybe the Fox broadcast had a weird color mix but neither was sharper than the other. I had my wife do the “Pepsi challenge” just now between the versions and this was her verdict too lol.
How so? I mean, the icicle bicycle in the CPL championship game went superviral but it didn’t move the league enough to measure without a microscope. their pink jerseys are great. Their blue jerseys are next level, they’re perfection.
Given the doom over last year’s number obviously a strong number this year means MLS has reached a tremendously huge new level of awesomeness. A bad number and it’s time for NASL 4.0 or whatever number they’re on.
From what I gather Fox streams in 1080. Fox on TV is usually 720. The 4K feed is upscaled for premium services. It's not as good as native 4K. I may be wrong.
Depends where you are. NBA has no following in the UK but it's massive in other parts of Europe. There were plenty of Joe Theisman jerseys back in the day and of course millions of Yankee caps, mainly because they look cool.
I don't think it's that extreme. If the number is better, I would think it means they captured an audience that aren't Apple subscribers. Even though the game was free most folks who want nothing to do with signing up might be the crowd that watches on linear TV. It could also be the same as last year but ten times the number on Apple and that would be the data they might base decisions on. If they had a million people watching or ten million on Apple you would think that moves the needle one way or the other.
I believe I remember them announcing that everything would be in 1080 on Apple when the deal started. A few years ago, that was still a pretty big deal. I don't remember 4k ever being talked about
What are your predictions for the MLS CUP tv ratings? but on YouTube so far the highlights are good, MLS 2.6 million, Fox soccer over 700 k, Fox deportes 1 million etc.
The official 2025 highlights have 2.7 million views on MLS YouTube channel. 2024 have 252k, 2023 284k.
Ha. Thank you. I am reaching an age where I start inventing things in my head, lol. Maybe it’s talk about picture quality was just a clearer HD.
World Cup Draw Ratings: Fox platforms drew an average of 1.232 million viewers for World Cup draw last Friday — a U.S. English TV record — and peaked at 1.358 million.— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) December 10, 2025
Pretty sure 2014 was eastern time and noon local. I was actually there watching the Revs lost cup number 5.
They must have negotiated sort of make-up for that. You wouldn't get away with just unilaterally yanking an income source from the biggest star in the league. They must have done something to make him happy.
Bad sign that it hasn't been released yet? Big 10 championship game number already out from the same network...