https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...e-is-said-to-gain-exclusive-pro-soccer-rights
Looks like $5/month. Much like NBCSN Live Gold.
Looks like $5/month. Much like NBCSN Live Gold.
MLS Live Rights Bought by ESPN
- Thread starter The Toe
- Start date
Awesome news. And games will stream for free on MLS.com until ESPN fully implements MLS coverage.
I was wondering why they weren't pushing renewals of MLS Live.
I cut the cable cord 15 years ago. $20/month for sling + $5/month for ESPN+. Sucks.
I have 2 concerns about the ESPN+ product as compared to MLS live. First, will the new product allow us to watch games after they are over, and if so for how long. MLS Live let you watch any game any time until the season ended, and even after. Second, will they still create the 20 minute condensed games? I love those.
What sucks? Is it needing to pay $5/month on top of Sling? Because it comes out to less than MLS Live.
What sucks? Is it needing to pay $5/month on top of Sling? Because it comes out to less than MLS Live.
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My guess is that ESPN+ will archive everything the same way WatchESPN archives everything. MLS Live allowed us some (condensed?) matches from 2016, as well as those from the 2017 season, which was nice. The condensed matches were amazing and I hope they keep those, but something tells me ESPN won't put in the manpower to do it. At least ESPN+ will be ~20 bucks cheaper than Live and have loads more content sprinkled in.
Cable companies are shook. The only thing keeping them alive after this is there stupid ass internet+cable packages.
the conspiracy theorist in me thinks they just going to massively increase their internet prices
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What I like about this (besides the savings) is what it represents. I still believe the NHL’s downfall in popularity was not just the result of its strike, but its split with ESPN (I have no stats to prove this, but they may exist). I know ESPN isn’t the juggernaut it used to be, but the cross promotional aspects that come along with the league affiliating in this way could lead to much more exposure overall and popularity in general. I hope to see a portion of sportscenter dedicated to MLS highlights, a weekly MLS show beyond ESPN FC, and even coverage and interviews on ESPN radio. I mean we can dream, right?
The condensed game are the only reason I bought MLS Live. ESPN has also bought the company behind MLB.tv so hopefully its built on that platform.
This is basically what happens when you cut the cord. I am paying almost as much now for internet as I was paying for cable plus internet pre-cut. I'm not on such a long contract now though. It's messed up.
If I'm not mistaken, ESPN acquired the digital rights during the last contract a few years ago. They were originally expected to launch their own service, but kept operating via MLS LIVE while they ironed out their digital strategy.
So I don't think this is a new agreement, but ESPN is just finally going to run it's asset on it's own platform.
+1 on hoping they offer the condensed matches, that's how I watched most of the rest of the league.
So I don't think this is a new agreement, but ESPN is just finally going to run it's asset on it's own platform.
+1 on hoping they offer the condensed matches, that's how I watched most of the rest of the league.
I truly hope 5g is all it's hyped up to be, although I fear service will be crazy expensive.
ESPN Plus is supposed to launch Thursday with a transition period in which everyone can watch MLS games for free like we are doing now.
When MLS announced this, I didn't understand that ESPN Plus would be a standalone service -- I assumed I would have to be an ESPN subscriber to pay $5/month for ESPN Plus.
If they have condensed games on ESPN Plus I wont wait for the free transition to end before signing up.
When MLS announced this, I didn't understand that ESPN Plus would be a standalone service -- I assumed I would have to be an ESPN subscriber to pay $5/month for ESPN Plus.
If they have condensed games on ESPN Plus I wont wait for the free transition to end before signing up.
My buddy who works at BAM (former season ticket holder) says they will do condensed games, but doesn’t know if that will be from the start. It’s a tricky transition apparently.
It looks like MLS Live is going to go dark 4/24. MLS has had a few clickthrough condensed matches on the regular website this season but not many. I am curious what kind of setup they will have.
I'm confused. ESPN+ will deliver full matches for $4.99 per month, and the condensed matches will be available to everyone for free on the MLS app? That makes little sense. I watch few non-NYCFC matches in full, and can probably live with the Univision, Fox and ESPN offerings. I mostly paid the MLS Live fee so I could get access to the condensed matches. If they give that away for free, I might forego the subscription.
This is interesting. My neighbor who works at BAM told me they understood the popularity of the condensed matches and would keep them. He didn't say where (and probably didn't know).
The issue is that the condensed matches I've seen on the MLS site have been around 8 minutes, and not the 20 minute matches from seasons past. This is a big difference.
The issue is that the condensed matches I've seen on the MLS site have been around 8 minutes, and not the 20 minute matches from seasons past. This is a big difference.
Yeah, and in response to a query Castillo said the condensed were usually 8-12 minutes.
I want my 20 minute condensed games and I'm willing to pay for it!!!
