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AppleTV and MLB - BrevinsBest - 03-08-2022

Somewhat surprisingly, Apple announced today that they will live stream MLB doubleheaders every Friday night once/if the MLB season starts. I believe this is Apple's first foray into live sports. I've always thought the PAC-12 Network should have partnered with Apple to carry their network. Maybe, just maybe, this is a step in that direction.

RE: AppleTV and MLB - DC 86 - 03-08-2022

(03-08-2022, 06:29 PM)BrevinsBest Wrote:  Somewhat surprisingly, Apple announced today that they will live stream MLB doubleheaders every Friday night once/if the MLB season starts. I believe this is Apple's first foray into live sports. I've always thought the PAC-12 Network should have partnered with Apple to carry their network. Maybe, just maybe, this is a step in that direction.

This is AppleTV's first foray into live sports but it's believed they are going to be very aggressive in acquiring more rights going forward.

They only have about 20 million paid subscribers (and had a lot less when the Pac-12 Network was launched) so I don't think it would have substantially changed the Pac-12's fortunes but it would have been nice to have more reach.

RE: AppleTV and MLB - OutsiderFan - 03-08-2022

The Apple TV deal with MLB is is the first sports rights arrangement where the local market audience will have to pay a non-cable provider to watch local market teams play. It has always been that local pro teams would be seen on local channels or regional sports networks as part of basic cable service, or on national broadcasts. Now, if you want to see the Giants play the Dodgers on Friday night and the game is on Apple TV, you will need an Apple TV subscription to see it - even if you live in Bay Area and have NBCSports Bay Area on cable/satellite TV service - in addition to your regional sports network that allows you to see most games.

RE: AppleTV and MLB - Phogge - 03-08-2022

I live on a hill without cable. DISH dropped NBC Sports Bay Area. I saw the occasional game on Ch 11 and a few games on ESPN. I found that sitting in a chair looking at nature and listening to radio to be superior. I can live large listening to the Giants KNBR crew. F*** Apple TV.

RE: AppleTV and MLB - OutsiderFan - 03-09-2022

My source for the Apple TV deal with MLB was Michael Kay on YES Network. I saw an AP report today that refuted the notion anyone would have to have an Apple TV premium subscription to watch MLB games. The AP story said all games would initially be free of charge.  I don't know what "initially" means.  

So to summarize, this is the deal:

- Two MLB games will be broadcast on Apple TV every Friday night
- The games chosen for Apple TV will be exclusively available on Apple TV
- Those games can be seen on Apple TV without a premium subscription

It would appear then that Apple is planning to use the free hook of MLB a a loss leader to advertise the rest of its Apple TV programming like the TV Networks do to promote their Sunday to Friday programming, hoping to convert MLB viewers into paying customers of Apple TV.  Will be interesting to see if they sell ads to traditional advertisers and media sponsors, or if they use it to promote all things Apple.  

Apple made $68 Billion in sales from its subscription services last year, so probably doesn't need to worry about selling ads to make up for the cost of MLB rights and production. They can make it back by selling Apple TV subscriptions.

I'm convinced the Pac-12 is going to Apple TV in the near future, so time to start getting comfortable with Apple TV sports fans!