Exactly. The lists set out what you must have access to in order to watch every game, not alternative access points for some games.
MLS and Apple Broadcasting Deal
- Thread starter Fantazma
- Start date
The spoiler thing seems to be an Apple problem, though as some of the comments note the separate F1TV product is also prone to spoilers in race thumbnails, if perhaps less often than Apple.
Relatedly, I've noticed the F1 coverage has not changed at all after the move to Apple. Pre-Apple, you had 2 choices to watch F1 in the States: buy the standalone F1TV product which had its own production or have a cable/satellite package with all the ABC and ESPN channels to watch the Sky Sports coverage. Now, AppleTV gives you access to both with nothing changed, lost or added. It really clarifies that for both F1 and MLS Apple is simply a distribution provider. The limitations of MLS coverage before, during and after games is an MLS issue. Though this has been known since the Apple deal started many people still discuss the Apple production. The issue is MLS went away from a model where ESPN and Fox paid for production (at least on national games) to one where MLS pays, and MLS is only paying so much. Compared to the old local/regional broadcasts, I'm pretty sure it's a mixed bag. Lots of fanbases loved their local coverage but a substantial number seemed to hate them.
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twsj91
Registered
MLS local markets unlikely to get media rights back when Apple TV deal ends: NYCFC CEO
MLS and Apple will break their media rights agreement early following the 2028-29 season.
nypost.com
It's very interesting that Sims said that we were better off financially before the Apple deal.Surprised this slipped through the cracks on hereMLS local markets unlikely to get media rights back when Apple TV deal ends: NYCFC CEO
MLS and Apple will break their media rights agreement early following the 2028-29 season.
It would be interesting to see what the local rights would be now with RSNs making less money. MSG almost filed Chapter 11. SNY and YES still do well, SNY because it pays the Mets below market value until sometime into the 2030s. Which of these RSN are paying for NYCFC. I mean YES would tape delay our games for Yankees and Net games. I understand Yankees but even Nets game when that team was eliminated from the playoffs.
League-Centralized TV rights is the trend. Major League Baseball has probably had the most successful run with local RSNs and it is working to extricate itself from them and put the league in charge of all TV deals in a few years.Surprised this slipped through the cracks on hereMLS local markets unlikely to get media rights back when Apple TV deal ends: NYCFC CEO
MLS and Apple will break their media rights agreement early following the 2028-29 season.
Also, the statement in the article about MLA and Apple breaking the deal early after the 2028-29 season is accurate but misleading in that omits half the story. That decision was made in November and discussed here:
Full article:
Apple, MLS Deal Will End in 2029 With Revised Payment Structure
MLS and Apple's streaming rights agreement will now end three and half years early, letting the league explore new partners after the 2026 World Cup.
www.sportico.com
Deal now ends in 2029 instead of 2032, but Apple's 2027 buyout option is gone, committing both parties to 2029. Apple's fees are increased by reported $50 million. Modest but upwards. If Apple is paying more and extending 2 guaranteed years it's not unhappy with the current arrangement. Neither is MLS. MLS will look to sell for more money in 2029. With this extension of guaranteed carry, there's close to zero chance MLS will be able to undercut...
Yes, the deal ends in 2029 instead of 2032, but also Apple gave up its 2027 opt-out and further agreed to raise its rights fees by a modest amount.
ETA: Oooh - look at the fancy new forum feature that shows the full content when you post an old forum link.
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I doubt we were getting paid much, if anything for our rights. My guess is that local tv deals better allow the club to attract local sponsor agreements, which is where the financial advantages came in.
Maybe Etihad will broaden into media and buy MSG to create Etihad Tv network. They'd probably pay around $100m a year for rights.
