Apple and EA Sports Announce New Way to Watch MLS Matches For Free

[MacRumors]

Apple and EA Sports today jointly announced that four selected MLS Season Pass matches will be streamed for free in the FC Mobile app on the iPhone and iPad.

The first match will see the reigning champions LA Galaxy face the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The second match is set for Saturday, May 17, and it will feature the Atlanta United FC taking on the Philadelphia Union at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. In an emailed press release, Apple said the remaining two matches will be held in September, with details to be announced at a later date.

To access a live stream of each match, users will need to tap the "Extra Time" button in the app's main menu, and look for the TV feature. While there is no cost to watch the matches, users must have an account that is Level 4 or higher in order to unlock access. Eligible users will also be offered a one-month free trial of MLS Season Pass.

MLS Season Pass is a subscription service in the Apple TV app, which is the exclusive home of all MLS matches. In the U.S., MLS Season Pass is normally priced at $14.99 per month or $99 per season, and it provides access to all regular season and playoff matches. However, with the season underway, Apple is now offering 25% off the price.

The EA Sports FC Mobile app is available in the App Store for the iPhone and iPad, and more details can be found on EA's website.

Article Link: Apple and EA Sports Announce New Way to Watch MLS Matches For Free

 

[springsup]

Why is Apple supporting a gambling app that preys on young people?

 

[iJulio]

Interesting marketing scheme.

 

[cateye]

Why is Apple supporting a gambling app that preys on young people?

Given Apple is busy dying on a hill trying to protect its juicy cut of hundreds of millions of App Store gacha microtransactions, I don't know that lazily shoehorning some game streams into one of those apps merits much hand-wringing.

 

[Ronald Reagan]

Can’t give soccer away for free.

 

[bigchrisfgb]

Can’t give soccer away for free.

It’s the most popular sport in the world, but the MLS has little in the way of fans outside of the USA/Canada.
It’s also made worse since the Apple deal they have integrated an extended Play offs round that isn’t comparable with the sport.
Many Soccer/football purists don’t like play off’s to determine a league champion to start with, now add in that they have went away from the accepted 2 legged tie format to a best of series similar to the NHL, and MLB and it’s turned a lot of people off from it.
I say turned a lot of people off it. It is actually increasing in popularity in the USA and Canada, but the MLS isn’t attracting the viewers from elsewhere in the world. We have our own leagues and own clubs.
Imagine saying the Tom Brady started playing for European team, Apple bought the TV rights, and I came along and said that American football can’t be given away because NFL fans aren’t shunning their own teams and the NFL to watch it?
You’d call me delusional wouldn’t you?

 

[turbineseaplane]

Why is Apple supporting a gambling app that preys on young people?

Same financial model as a large chunk of their iOS App Store

 

[carrrrrlos]

I’m over MLS Season Pass and my last year. Coverage is fine, but getting overly sponsored and distracting w/ “Heat maps brought to you by x, Team benches brought to you by y, Net cam sponsored by z” etc. Watching the Premier league is so much more enjoyable.