Explaining the Apple TV Deal, As Much As We Can Anyway
Kevin Wallace
This season is the start of a decade long experiment for MLS, Apple, and sports broadcasting rights generally. Apple will be the main, though not exclusive, home for all MLS games for every MLS team. In addition to MLS, Apple will broadcast all of the Leagues Cup matches, a new tournament between MLS and the Mexican soccer league LigaMX, and MLS Next Pro, MLS’s new developmental league.
The thing is, a lot of people are confused on the details of how this deal is going to work. Where will you be able to watch the matches? How on earth are you going to be able to explain this all to your friends or parents who aren’t huge FC fans or tech savvy? That’s what this is going to try and help you with.
Q: Where will I be able to watch MLS matches?
A: You will be able to watch every single MLS, Leagues Cup, and MLS Next Pro Match on a new Apple TV channel dedicated to MLS. Some games, generally one a week, will be broadcast on Fox or Fox Sports 1 at the same time, but you will still be able to watch those same games on the Apple TV app.
Q: Are there local blackouts for home teams?
A: No, there are no blackouts anywhere on planet earth. For the next decade, every single MLS will be viewable on the Apple TV app.
Q: Will there be local broadcasts of games?
A: Not on TV, no. If you were used to watching your local team on cable or over the air, you will no longer be able to do so. Now, this is just for TV. Teams will still be able to broadcast on radio with local crews. In fact, Apple has said they will give users an option on the Apple TV app to switch the audio to the radio broadcasts. Though, that feature may be limited in this year to either not at all, or only home radio broadcasts only.
Q: What is going to happen to Tommy and Kevin?
A: It’s not clear right now. We do know Tommy G has interviewed with Apple for the job. He was also in Qatar for Fox’s World Cup coverage supporting Derek Rae and Aly Wagner. They could both come back to do radio for FC Cincinnati, or Tommy could be hired on as one of Apple’s commentators. Or we may have seen the last of them commenting on FC Cincinnati. We just don’t know anything concrete right now.
Shouts to whoever remembers the old, unsupported MLS Apple TV app
Q: How much is this going to cost?
A: If you want the full package of every single game, it’ll cost you $14.99 per month or $99 per season. But, if you already subscribe to Apple TV+ it’ll only cost $12.99 per month or $79 per season.
But, it’s been reported at around 40% of all MLS matches in 2023 will be available to watch for free within the app.
Q: Do I get anything as a Season Ticket Member?
A: Yes! You get one free subscription per season ticket account. This means if you have more than one ticket on your account, you will still only get one free subscription. The workaround here would be to add your seat mates to family sharing, which will let you share the subscription.
Q: Do I need to have an Apple Device to watch these games?
A: No. The Apple TV app is available on smart TVs, Roku streaming devices, video game consoles, and can be accessed via the web on any web browser. The main missing platform right now is Android mobile devices don’t have an Apple TV at this time, but one is expected to be out “soon”.
Q: What’s the difference between Apple TV, Apple TV app, Apple TV+, and an Apple TV Channel?
A: Steve Jobs is rolling his grave with this naming convention. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Apple TV - This is a physical device that you plug into a TV to stream content. This is comparable to a Roku or Android TV device. They are very good pieces of hardware, but are expensive.
Apple TV App - This is an app that is available on any smart TV, video game console, or streaming device. Within this app you will find different channels as well as a aggregation of some of your other subscriptions. For instance if you subscribe to HBO Max and Peacock, you’ll find links to shows you’re watching within this app. As well as other channels.
Apple TV+ - This is channel within the Apple TV App. Think of it as Apple’s version of Netflix or Disney+ and you got it. There are original shows and movies as well as other content they have acquired the rights to such as the Will Farrell soccer movie Kicking and Screaming and the Peanuts characters.
Apple TV Channel - These are other streaming platforms, of which one of them is Apple TV+. These include Paramount+, HBO Max, Starz, etc. MLS will be getting their own channel here, and this is how you will access MLS matches and content.
This is a screen capture of the Apple TV app on Mac. Along the bottom we’ll see an MLS channel.
Whew.
Q: Is there anything else we get? Or is it just MLS matches?
A: We’ll see, but that is the plan. You know that fun content the club started putting out last year, like the Ice Bath Trivia or the visit to the African restaurant? Apple is expecting clubs to produce a lot more content like that to help fill out the app with MLS content. Expect a lot of folks at MLS like the folks behind Extra Time, The Call-up, Club and Country, etc to be putting a lot of that content on the MLS Channel.
Q: When can I subscribe?
A: On February 1st of this year. Click here to sign up to get a notification from Apple when it becomes available or follow the Post for more updates as we get them.