Yes, I see the difference. Liga MX doesn't need to move the games around or times. The times are always set. It's the US networks that have to work around Liga MX to showcase their games even in primetime and on weekends. MLS isn't. It's constantly moving games, dates and times around and has to work around the needs of a network. That's the difference.
How is the World Cup impacting @MLS and soccer in America?@JakeZivin & @TaylorTwellman join shortly after calling @LAFC v @LAGalaxy on @AppleTV. "A 6 to 14 year old boy or girl who watched the World Cup in their backyard can now immediately go to an MLS soccer specific… pic.twitter.com/QzUo2bMYJ8— Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) July 18, 2026
But MLS ratings > Bundesliga ratings. And the Liga MX ratings aren't that big of a difference when you compare them to MLS though. My point or pet peeve or whatever you want to call it is that US networks would rather invest in foreign leagues over MLS. But then again MLS never did itself any favors by always treating its own product as a minor league. So I'm in that place that I don't know who is to blame; US networks for not giving MLS a fair shot or MLS for treating its product like a minor league. I'm not trying to argue or cause debate, just trying to vent.
Your first point was correct but is now changing. We're seeing it with ESPN walking away from the Bundesliga, and Paramount drastically slashing it's payout for Italy's Serie A ($74M to now $10M). IMO, this is because the NFL has an opt out coming soon (2029 I believe?) and these networks need to free up money for that round of negotiations. Paramount additionally needs to free up cash for their purchase of WB-Discovery should that sale go through. Your second point I 1000% agree with. MLS has had a perception problem from day day 1. MAJOR League Soccer. American sports fans aren't dumb. When you call yourself a MAJOR league, you need to deliver a Major league product and experience. That just wasn't the case consistently overall for the league until possibly 2015ish? MLS has been trying to shed that image for the past 15+ seasons now. Sadly, a large portion of American sports fans, and even more importantly the executives running the TV networks still view MLS through that 1996-2006 lens. That and three decades worth of very poor viewership numbers. I don't know how MLS sheds that image. Most of us here have been going to MLS games and/watching them for a considerable amount of time. Some since 1996. Speaking for myself and my own experiences, I can unequivocally say that MLS is an entirely different league today than it was in 2010. The quality on the field is night and day. The in stadium gameday presentation and feel is completely different as well. Next Summer the Women's World Cup will be exclusively on Netflix. If they pull $5M-$10M+ for the USWNT games, if I'm MLS I'm sticking with their current streaming path be it with Apple or another platform (Amazon, Youtube, etc.). If I were heading up MLS' broadcast division I'd make a phone call to Paramount and ask them how much they would like for the Golazo Network. If it's a reasonable number I'd buy it. Stick that on the MLS App, Apple TV, Roku, etc. Partner with Apple and ask them if they would host it within the Apple TV platform. That would just give MLS' TV product more added Value. Now you have the punditry discussions from multiple voices. If possible take on the rights to the leagues/events Golazo/Paramount currently have too. That'd prolly get MLS more juiced for the Open Cup..... IMO, USL is going to have the same issue in 2028. You launch a new league and call it USL Premier, Pro/Rel isn't going to change the fact that fans are going to see a less than premier product.
But Bundesliga games are shown at noon. There's not a lot of competition. And Telemundo is a Spanish speaking network that caters to Mexican-American interests like Liga MX. Because their demographic would rather watch college softball, monster trucks or pregnant teenagers having plastic surgery while eating bugs in the jungle (Labor, Larvae, and Lipo is a show, no?). Apple was willing to work with MLS to expand interest the league. Most English language networks see it as filler.
I missed Fox Soccer Channel when it went away. Production quality aside, I thought it provided a well-rounded variety of games from various places, as well as weekend MLS contests. As mentioned by others, it would be nice if MLS would build up more content in addition to the games it shows on Apple (or Fox).
Telemundo has secured the US Spanish language rights to the UEFA Champions League starting in 27/28. Rights currently held by Univision.— Simon Evans (@sgevans) July 19, 2026 Champion's League i(in Spanish) probably coming to Peacock.
Funnily some fans talked about switching to Telemundo because of Lalas but I find the CBS Champions League crew more annoying.
Telemundo could put all the matches on Peacock’s streaming service. I don’t know if paying for all those broadcast crews would be worth it. Maybe use the local TV staff and also the local home team’s Spanish broadcast.
The regular season rights for college sports are done by conference. There are a bunch of deals with various networks. College football, for example, is broadcast by ABC/ESPN, CBS, CW, FOX, FS1/FS2, TNT, NBC, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, ACC Network, and various associated streaming channels. College basketball is broadcast by ESPN, CBS, USA Network, CW, FOX, FS1, TNT, Peacock, Scripps Sports, and Spectrum SportsNet College baseball is broadcast by CBSSN, ESPN channels, FS1/FS2, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, and ACC Network. Each sport has lists like this.
The numbers I’m seeing for Fox Sports are nearly double that 22M figure.Much more in tonight’s Varsity private email via @PuckNews. https://t.co/0tnBEiJ4Sh— John Ourand (@Ourand_Puck) July 20, 2026
We'll ignore what that dude is "seeing" until we see a press release, but 22 million just in Spanish? WOW.
ESPN does buy the rights for the playoffs/championship (or equivalent) for college sports directly from the NCAA, outside of D1 football and basketball.
Before the Friday night double header on Fox, MLS has been doing fairly well despite games being streamed on Apple TV. MLS games on the main FOX network have averaged 578,000 viewers per broadcast this year. This represents a significant +130% increase compared to the same period in 2025, driven by heightened overall interest and adjustments to the league's broadcast accessibility. When they go to FS1 is where they drop considerably. MLS games broadcast on FS1 have averaged 116,000 viewers per game during the 2026 season. . It will be interesting to see what the numbers from Friday are with the end of the Cup and Fox contract ending at the end of the season.
Not TV specific, but media related: 📻NEWS: WFAN and top Audacy sports stations are headed to SiriusXM, The Athletic has learned. https://t.co/91nEMLDA8y— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) July 21, 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina is estimated to have attracted between 1.5 and 2.5 billion viewers worldwide across television broadcasts, streaming platforms, and public viewing locations, making it one of the most-watched sporting events in history.… pic.twitter.com/Ta3Qt7VPkz— Caleb Pongratz (@CalebPongratz10) July 21, 2026
Fox averaged 38.9 million viewers for World Cup final, the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. TV history, per the network. Peaked at 51.7 million. Telemundo/Peacock averaged 22.6 million. Total: 61.5 million. Astounding. Fox averaged 38.9 million viewers for World Cup final, the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. TV history, per the network. Peaked at 51.7 million.Telemundo/Peacock averaged 22.6 million.Total: 61.5 million.Astounding.⚽️— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) July 21, 2026