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Apple May Have Already Inked Deal for NFL Sunday Ticket
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Meanwhile, in the US no one cares about what Europe cares about.
Seriously, there are a number of NFL fans in Europe, such as Browns' fans. Although some question the Browns are a pro team.
I doubt it would be a smart acquisition. Apple likely would be liable for debts if the the league folded, players liable to ask for more money given Apple's deep pockets, and Apple is likely to get dragged into any controversy that happens. Far better to know exactly what it will cost by buying rights if they want to go that route.
Apple could partner with the XFL and integrate aspects into the ecosystem, so iPhone/iPad owners and AppleTV+ subscribers get access to special content, such as alternate camera angles or access to in game communications, similar to NASCAR.
Money. Far more for a package since they sell the good games with the bad, get bidding wars and can bundle games in various ways. Plus, there is little churn, unlike fans who likely would buy and cancel depending on interest in games and during the off season.
The XFL was originally founded in 2001.
I'm guessing it has to do with licensing and existing agreements, so a different agreement needed to be reached. if I was the holder of NFL rights outside of the US I'd be very pissed if Apple all of a sudden offered games as part of AppleTV+ and carefully reading my contract with the NFL in anticipation of the lawsuit.
Yea, I'd buy a new Apple TV every year if they gave a year of Apple TV+ with the purchase.
It's tough to compete with the NFL. The right marketing and being in the off season might help maintain interest, as well as not being a carbon copy with the rules. Even so, the Arena League wasn't able to sustain itself despite surviving 32 years.
College football is a bit different, IMHO, although there are similarities. Ties tend to be the result of attending the school or growing up with family members who attended and/or are fans in many cases. Even when people move they tend to maintain loyalty to the school.
Regional support within a state can be strong as well, given there are college teams located everywhere in the US, and games are not blacked out locally so fans can follow a team on TV. Smaller less popular schools are often cheap to attend in person.
In addition, since college teams don't pack up and leave the ties tend to run deep in many cases.
Money. It will come down to who pays the most and what return they want.
No, it's pretty easy. My wife regularly watches games, even beyond those two leagues.
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Have you tried NFL Game Pass International? Here you can check if it is available in your country https://support.nflgamepass.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360004691153-Where-is-NFL-Game-Pass-available-
Like I wrote in another post, the days prior to the Super Bowl they ran an offer, 0.99€ for 1 month access, I watched the Super Bowl on demand the following day, because I'm in same boat, sleep deprivation and age don't go well together, for my time zone I can basically watch the Sunday afternoon games live, but all the other games of course not, I usually watch the highlights on YouTube.
It's not cheap, it's more than 200€ for the season (pre-season, regular season, playoffs, Pro Bowl and Super Bowl), but it's worth it if you love the sport.
Here Amazon Prime also carries the Thursday games, I can usually watch the first half before my body reminds me I'm not in my early 20s anymore, when I'd watch the WWE live, sleep a couple of hours and then go to University.
It’s the Sunday daytime games for teams not in your market, which you’d get OTA if nothing else. Just like it’s always been.
You’ll get whatever “big ticket” games are played in the Sunday afternoon slots, just like always.
The Ravens too! If Lamar Jackson is healthy, and with a good offensive line protecting him, I can see him turning people from casual fans to more regular viewers, that guy is so fun to watch!
I think it's almost impossible to compete with the NFL, they get all the best players.
My understanding is that the XFL is going to implement rules that the NFL is considering, they'll evaluate the games and decide whether to bring those rules to the NFL.
But, please, get rid of the spot and choose rule! I like kickoff and punt returns too much! And, while they're at it, give one possession to each team during overtime.
Not enough money. The B1G probably will get a billion a year for TV rights alone under the new contract, along with having their own network. The SEC , PAC12 and ACC are likely not going to be far behind when they renew. That's around 4 billion alone, before a bidding war. Then there are the championship games to add to the mix.
The could focus on one conference and outbid the networks, but then they'd be more of a regional presence.
I Hope only for US, I don't Care about NFL and probably I will not even get the possibility to watch these events.
I was a Colts fan, when they left Baltimore pro football died for me. Can't be a Ravens fan after what they did to Cleveland.
I agree, the best approach would be to be a developmental league competing with players who chose to forgo college and have transfer payment clauses.
The old USFL had the right idea - play in the offseason and sign NFL talent. Letting Trump drag them into direct competition during the season was the beginning of the end.
Had they not done that they'd probably have eventually merged with the NFL.
Today the contracts would have to be huge to get players to jump.
Maybe, but given Apple's penchant for pricing comparability I suspect all would see any price hike.
Yep nothing at all. This is very important for US's customers (as usual) and some fans outside US (not alot).
You need to exercise some thicker skin. For an “almost 10 years” member, your OP was surprisingly naive.
Might hear about it soon. Will be good if Apple expands availability of live sports to regions outside US.
no it's games not on your local tv channels not local games like the MLB / NBA / NHL.
Not understanding the concept of the word “rumor”.
I did not take anything personal hence no need for thicker skin. I simply expressed an opinion you and some others disagree with, which is fine.
“Needs work”? Sportsball is sportsball. Short of following my suggestion and letting dogs play, what could Apple possibly do to make it better?
The way I understand it, this would not start until the fall of 2023. I don't see Apple announcing much until spring/summer 2023 to avoid confusion. Why announce this summer and then deal with tons of people confused and upset why they can't get it this year?
I'm also with the others saying this will most likely be an additional subscription, and not included in AppleTV+, AppleOne, etc.
As far as Sunday Ticket itself goes, I'm guessing the NFL will split it up. Stay with DirecTV exclusivity for "television" rights, so bars/restaurants and DirecTV satellite subscribers can continue to get it. But the streaming rights that DirecTV offers along with that subscription to watch on your phone, or for people who were unable to get satellite service, will go away. Instead that will be offered from Amazon (who I assumed would get it after their recent Thursday night deal), or Apple according to this article.
I just don't see DirecTV giving up the bar/restaurant business they currently have, that is where they make most of the money off Sunday Ticket (which is why they give it away pretty freely to home subscribers). I also don't see bars/restaurants wanting to install 8+ AppleTVs and upgrading their internet service to be able to accommodate streaming all of those games concurrently along with all of their other internet usage.
I'm also with the others saying this will most likely be an additional subscription, and not included in AppleTV+, AppleOne, etc.
As far as Sunday Ticket itself goes, I'm guessing the NFL will split it up. Stay with DirecTV exclusivity for "television" rights, so bars/restaurants and DirecTV satellite subscribers can continue to get it. But the streaming rights that DirecTV offers along with that subscription to watch on your phone, or for people who were unable to get satellite service, will go away. Instead that will be offered from Amazon (who I assumed would get it after their recent Thursday night deal), or Apple according to this article.
I just don't see DirecTV giving up the bar/restaurant business they currently have, that is where they make most of the money off Sunday Ticket (which is why they give it away pretty freely to home subscribers). I also don't see bars/restaurants wanting to install 8+ AppleTVs and upgrading their internet service to be able to accommodate streaming all of those games concurrently along with all of their other internet usage.
No commercials for starters; and filling the space with highlights of other games, etc. Show the entire halftime show. If they are the sole broadcaster, no TV timeouts.
The license will probably be for home, not commercial use, so a bar would risk getting hit with a demand for payment if they used Apple TVs.
I've never really had much interest in Sunday Ticket, mainly because I've never been a DirecTV subscriber and I live in my home team's area, so I get to watch all their games. That said, I absolutely love Red Zone since that is what I'll flip on after my team is playing (or if they're on a bye week) and still get to see every touchdown from every game. Plus, no commercials.
But big win for Apple if they do score the rights to Sunday Ticket. Though I'm not sure they'd be able to pry Red Zone away from me.
Why do you assume there will be commercials? Ted Lasso doesn’t have them. Unless you count product placement.
Timeouts are controlled are controlled by the umpires, I think. Broadcasters have no control over them.