MLS and Apple Broadcasting Deal

I know that Xfinity is largely relegated to the suburbs of the NYC metro area, but for those of you who have Xfinity Internet, I just remembered they have a package called "Streamsaver" which has AppleTV, Peacock (ads) and Netflix (ads) for $18 a month. If you don't have those via your cell provider or season tickets, that is probably the best deal for those and covers a ton of soccer plus other content.

I just left T-Mobile so I signed up for that. I figured it was better than trying to jump from promo deals and free trials to maybe save a few bucks but have to keep changing log ins.

I got Walmart+ at black Friday for $49 for the year (which is a bargain by itself if you ever need groceries delivered in a pinch) and that has Paramount Plus included. Then I have a $35 DirectTV package which has just about every non-sports cable channel and comes with Disney, Hulu and Max included.
 
About time they did something like this.


To me its irrelevant as long as every game is starting at 7:30. I'm still watching NYCFC instead of whatever "premium" game they're offering.

Also there's no reason they can't use all their technology for every game, other than cost. MLS continues to run its broadcasts on the cheap and are using these "spotlight" games as a cop-out.

When we move to the winter schedule, MLS has a glorious opportunity to piggyback weekends with the Premier League. On Saturdays, after the 12:30 EPL game we should have games at 3, 5:30, 7:30, and 10. On Sundays after the 11:30am game is over, we should have games at 2pm, 5pm, 7:30pm, and 10pm. Give people a reason to sit in front of the TV all day and watch soccer.
 
To me its irrelevant as long as every game is starting at 7:30. I'm still watching NYCFC instead of whatever "premium" game they're offering.

Also there's no reason they can't use all their technology for every game, other than cost. MLS continues to run its broadcasts on the cheap and are using these "spotlight" games as a cop-out.

When we move to the winter schedule, MLS has a glorious opportunity to piggyback weekends with the Premier League. On Saturdays, after the 12:30 EPL game we should have games at 3, 5:30, 7:30, and 10. On Sundays after the 11:30am game is over, we should have games at 2pm, 5pm, 7:30pm, and 10pm. Give people a reason to sit in front of the TV all day and watch soccer.
I just want fixed match windows so I know there's a game on Sunday at 2 (or whatever). I'm never going to go browse a streaming service to see what's on.
 
About time they did something like this.

So the summary of this seems to be
* IDed / labeled marquee matches
* enhanced production

I wonder if the future will include any kind of increased access to those matches. Maybe national broadcast the first 4 marquee matches of the season? Something like that.
 
To me its irrelevant as long as every game is starting at 7:30. I'm still watching NYCFC instead of whatever "premium" game they're offering.
I don't disagree, because that was also my first reaction. However, there aren't any conflicts between any NYCFC matches and any of the matches listed in the article. Admittedly it's a huge leap of faith on my part, but since they specifically used the term "spotlighting a marquee MLS matchup each Saturday throughout the regular season" I'm assuming these matches are the only ones being played at the time.
 
I don't disagree, because that was also my first reaction. However, there aren't any conflicts between any NYCFC matches and any of the matches listed in the article. Admittedly it's a huge leap of faith on my part, but since they specifically used the term "spotlighting a marquee MLS matchup each Saturday throughout the regular season" I'm assuming these matches are the only ones being played at the time.

Some of these games are at 7:30 pm, so they are not making them standalone games for the most part. They're swinging at windmills.
 
Some of these games are at 7:30 pm, so they are not making them standalone games for the most part. They're swinging at windmills.
I wonder if it is early stage still. Game times can be moved. Or maybe they learn this season and implement different marquee game times next season.
 
What does "enhanced production" mean to Apple? Good news everyone for the Walmart Saturday Showdown instead of 3 former red bull players we will have 5 and an all former redbull player announcing crew! All the smug Redbull homerism you've come to know and love on our current productions cranked up to 10!
 
Christopher Guest These Go To Eleven GIF by Maudit
 
What does "enhanced production" mean to Apple? Good news everyone for the Walmart Saturday Showdown instead of 3 former red bull players we will have 5 and an all former redbull player announcing crew! All the smug Redbull homerism you've come to know and love on our current productions cranked up to 10!

chanot is retired. he'd be great for on air commentary i think but he probably wouldn't be interested.

let's also remember that MLS is in charge of production, not Apple. My guess is "enhanced production" will mean more graphics and stat overlays. possibly an on field reporter for player/coach interviews, something they already do for SUNDAY NIGHT SOCCER.

i wouldn't get my hopes up with any real story telling, which is what I think they should be doing to get casual fans hooked.
 
chanot is retired. he'd be great for on air commentary i think but he probably wouldn't be interested.

let's also remember that MLS is in charge of production, not Apple. My guess is "enhanced production" will mean more graphics and stat overlays. possibly an on field reporter for player/coach interviews, something they already do for SUNDAY NIGHT SOCCER.

i wouldn't get my hopes up with any real story telling, which is what I think they should be doing to get casual fans hooked.

Their storytelling has been terrible.

It's also probably more camera angles. Which is fine -- I'm pretty sure most MLS games now use fewer cameras than MLS mandated during the regional sports network era.
 
MLS continues to make cuts to its broadcasts. This Apple arrangement continues to be a disaster.

The American soccer league will have some productions done out of London. Can't get more authentic than that!

 
MLS continues to make cuts to its broadcasts. This Apple arrangement continues to be a disaster.

The American soccer league will have some productions done out of London. Can't get more authentic than that!


The article says that previously the production had been consolidated in Florida. The quotes predicting disaster seem to be from US based production staff. I'll wait and see if I can tell a difference.

On the plus side, all announcers will again be at the games and not in a studio which is a big improvement.

The Spanish language cuts are a surprise. MLS claims the Spanish wrap around show gets low viewership compared to games. But then they also are cutting down to 1 announcer per game on the Spanish side. I find it bizarre that MLS is cheaping out on courting the Spanish language market so I don't know what to make of this.
 
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