MLS and Apple Broadcasting Deal

[ZYanksRule]

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.

Here's what's happening, and it's what we've been worried would happen.

MLS is getting a rights fee from Apple, but MLS is incurring all production costs so they are trying to limit how much they spend on their production in order to take home more profit on the Apple deal. It's really that simple.

They are also wasting an incredible amount of money because last year they opened a much-ballyhooed whole production facility in the NY metro area, and now they're shaving costs by moving some of that to London, where presumably the operational costs are lower than they are in NY.

 

[413Blue]

The pessimist in me says another year, another step in the wrong direction. The optimist in me says it absolutely can't get worse. The production is absolutely terrible to begin with, so maybe they are moving to someone else who might be less bad.

 

[ZYanksRule]

The pessimist in me says another year, another step in the wrong direction. The optimist in me says it absolutely can't get worse. The production is absolutely terrible to begin with, so maybe they are moving to someone else who might be less bad.

Or it'll get even worse, which seems hard to believe but I'm sure they can figure it out.

 

[gbservis]

Or it'll get even worse, which seems hard to believe but I'm sure they can figure it out.

I agree with you but it sure seems like a weird time to cheap out when you have Messi in the league and North American world cup this summer.

 

[LionNYC]

2027, MLS to introduce AI announcers and production.

 

[ZYanksRule]

2027, MLS to introduce AI announcers and production.

Honestly, it's not that funny. A little too on-the-nose for me.

 

[Fantazma]

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 to cut half of Spanish-language broadcast talent on Apple TV, according to sources

The league will send about half its live games to be produced in London, as MLS 360’s Spanish edition will cease production

www.theguardian.com

NOOOOOOOO.... the spanish 360 was what i would watch after nycfc away games. and i did like the commentators. some legit felt like they did some research on the team for the match.

ill just watch less mls on apple tv then.

 

[mgarbowski]

Under appreciated reasons why the Apple TV deal is great: games are never pre-empted, never delayed, and never fail to DVR because the game was switched to another channel (or preempted or delayed).

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021407695149154708

 

[moogoo]

Under appreciated reasons why the Apple TV deal is great: games are never pre-empted, never delayed, and never fail to DVR because the game was switched to another channel (or preempted or delayed).

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021407695149154708

weird. i watched the san diego match and it was broadcast on FS2 through to the final whistle. but definitely good point. not having to hunt down games is huge.

 

[mgarbowski]

weird. i watched the san diego match and it was broadcast on FS2 through to the final whistle. but definitely good point. not having to hunt down games is huge.

hmm. Alex Westry is apparently based in San Diego. Perhaps his local Fox station carried it on broadcast? I have no personal knowledge of what happened.

 

[FootyLovin]

Under appreciated reasons why the Apple TV deal is great: games are never pre-empted, never delayed, and never fail to DVR because the game was switched to another channel (or preempted or delayed).

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021407695149154708

Now if only they could build their UI to not reveal spoilers for every match.

 

[moogoo]

Now if only they could build their UI to not reveal spoilers for every match.

what? you don't enjoy your "do not show scores" setting resetting itself randomly and individual goal clips front and center on the match page? pffft... how dare you question apple's extensive research into UI design!

apple has MLB too right? is their interface better? I'm curious. I can't imagine MLB fans would be happy with having spoilers and they have a louder voice as a whole.