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Isiddiqui t1_iwmnhvh wrote

I will note that for people saying it's "too much", this is the cost of no blackouts.

(and Apple is apparently offering around 40% of the games free on their Apple TV app.. according to reporting from The Athletic)

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reddit455 t1_iwm54sv wrote

>Starting February 1, fans can subscribe to MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app for $14.99 per month during the season or $99 per season, and Apple TV+ subscribers can sign up at a special price of $12.99 per month and $79 per season.

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InspectorSpaceman t1_iwmx53t wrote

Who is producing the games? I’m not as tuned in on MLS as other sports casters in the US.

Do local RSNs still produce the games and are supplying to Apple for national redistribution? Or is this like the EPL producing every game and selling to the highest bidder, in this case Apple?

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Meeksdad t1_iwnbm10 wrote

No. There is no such thing as “local” broadcasts anymore. MLS will produce all the broadcasts as well as hire the PXP, analysts and studio hosts. They also allow fans to hear the local radio calls (if any) instead of their announcers.

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InspectorSpaceman t1_iwncj4w wrote

That's great. I don't know if the other leagues would want to do that, too much money by diversifying, but its an intriguing thought.

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Saar13 OP t1_iwm5hka wrote

A selection of MLS and Leagues Cup matches, including some of the biggest playoff matchups, will also be available at no additional cost to Apple TV+ subscribers, with a number of matches available for free on the Apple TV app.

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mjc1027 t1_iwokav6 wrote

$12.99 a month just to get MLS games? No thank you

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Lil-Stevie t1_iwtd5db wrote

I think it’s a pretty god damn great deal for soccer fans in the US. I hope they knock it out and pick up more leagues.

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mickeyflinn t1_iwqwgpz wrote

Wow, watching the MLS grow over the last 25 years has been wild. It is awesome that they can do something like a season pass.

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losimagic t1_iwmr2pf wrote

Hmm, Ted Lasso S3 premiere date?

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[deleted] t1_iwn2n0t wrote

Oh boy retirement home

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bangharder t1_iwmh6xz wrote

Lol, might as well just hand money out on the street if they’re dying to waste it

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Saar13 OP t1_iwmt7mk wrote

$250m a year for Apple is nothing. MLS strikes me as more of a "first look" at what they can do with sports broadcasts for other leagues than something AppleTV sees as profitable. It's their real introduction to the sports rights market, and based on how traditional media companies are doing, Apple will end the decade with all the big leagues.

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bangharder t1_iwmxrc1 wrote

It might not be a lot of money to them but it’s still a waste

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Dennyisthepisslord t1_iwn4hal wrote

Depends. 250 million a year isn't huge compared to the premier league global rights but behind the premier league, la Liga, Seria A and PSG Qatari money it'll start to make it a decent option for many. With the south American and Mexican talent plus home grown stuff and the occasional big name on one last pay day the league will keep improving.

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Saar13 OP t1_iwoh720 wrote

I said it's not much for Apple. It's a loss that wouldn't matter to them, but it's an excellent financial deal for MLS. MLS has a younger audience than other leagues. They will easily migrate to streaming. The league is still weak (in terms of technical quality), but they are improving and soccer should get a buzz in America with the 2026 World Cup

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Dennyisthepisslord t1_iwoynha wrote

Yeah it's already got pretty good crowds on a world level too. Obviously it's got over 100 years of history to overcome with the big leagues. The next step is for it to sign south American prospects before they go to Europe to make big money on transfers. That final the other day was all over Twitter in the UK as it was a crazy game. There's potential there.

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