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Apple is building a live television ad network in preparation for streaming Major League Soccer games, reports Bloomberg. Apple has agreed to expand its advertising as part of its deal with MLS.

Apple-MLS-partnership-June-2022.jpeg

Back in June, Apple announced a 10-year partnership with Major League Soccer, which will see all matches streamed through the Apple TV app starting in 2023. Apple is now talking with advertising partners and MLS sponsors about ads that will air during the soccer games and related shows.

All three streaming tiers will have ads, including the dedicated package, paid TV+ subscriptions, and the free TV app.

Bloomberg says that ads for live TV are part of Apple's aggressive push into advertising. Apple recently added new ads to the App Store Today tab and to individual app pages, a move that has been unpopular with developers due to some of the ad types Apple has opted to show.

Apple is also working on a plan to add search ads to the Apple Maps app on iPhone starting next year, with these ads showing up alongside user searches for things like "gas" or "coffee." Bloomberg says that Apple is also exploring ads for other apps and services.

Apple's ad business generates around $4 billion annually at the current time, but the company is aiming to push that to at least $10 billion per year.

Article Link: Apple to Expand Live TV Advertising for Major League Soccer Deal
 
NBA League Pass has a commercial free option where you can see the in stadium cameras during commercial breaks.

It’s actually really cool to see everything that happens during breaks. Makes me feel like I’m there a little bit.

I wish every sport did it. Bummed that Apple won’t be doing it.
 
Big bucks in advertising, and advertising is everywhere. I'm wondering how the possible Sunday Ticket deal will handle ads. Will they stick with standard stuff, or add some bonus ads and offer a cheaper rate?
 
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All three streaming tiers will have ads, including the dedicated package, paid TV+ subscriptions, and the free TV app.

Cue all the people who say they will not pay for a service that shows ads.

Ready?

Go!

🤣


(Just a matter of time before regular Apple TV+ gets an ad tier like Netflix, Disney, HBO Max, Paramount, etc.)
 
In this thread: people that don’t watch soccer.

One of the beautiful things about the footy is that each half is played without clock stoppage. The only ads you’re going to see will be during halftime, where you’re just going to be watching something else for 20 minutes anyway.

As an MLS fan and Apple One subscriber, this is a treat. I’m excited that I won’t be paying my cable provider for this anymore.
 
Apple is controlled by scumbags now. If I were stupid enough to pay for AppleTV, I would cancel it as this is only the start of their forcing ads on subscribers. I am going to start cancelling any subs that go through the AppStore also. I can also nickel and dime. They can take their ad tsunami and gft.
 
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The only ads you’re going to see will be during halftime, where you’re just going to be watching something else for 20 minutes anyway.
How do you know that ads will only be shown during halftime?

The Bloomberg article states the advertisements will be aired "during soccer games" with no clear indication of when during the entire match.
 
How do you know that ads will only be shown during halftime?

The Bloomberg article states the advertisements will be aired "during soccer games" with no clear indication of when during the entire match.
What you’re suggesting would be a huge dereliction of soccer broadcasting norms. I don’t see it happening.

What most networks do at the very worst is show a split-screen ad during something that pauses the action such as an injury. Those are easy to ignore by simply keeping your eyes to the right.

EDIT: Also, bear in mind that I'm seeing these ads on channels that I pay an extra $89/yr to my cable provider for, because they're out-of-market games. Frankly, even if they do interrupt the action with a few ads here and there, they're saving me money with this service, and to me that's a fair trade.
 
Does anyone expect Apple to offer MLS streaming for the base ATV+ monthly fee? I expect an added fee to stream MLS … and we now know it will also come with ads.
 
How do you know that ads will only be shown during halftime?

The Bloomberg article states the advertisements will be aired "during soccer games" with no clear indication of when during the entire match.
If they do show ads during the match, they will shoot themselves in the foot because less people will watch if ads interrupt play. I highly doubt though that „during“ means showing ads while the ball is in play. However, I would not be surprised if they showed them while an injured player is attended to or while the match is stopped for a VAR review.
 
In this thread: people that don’t watch soccer.

One of the beautiful things about the footy is that each half is played without clock stoppage. The only ads you’re going to see will be during halftime, where you’re just going to be watching something else for 20 minutes anyway.

As an MLS fan and Apple One subscriber, this is a treat. I’m excited that I won’t be paying my cable provider for this anymore.
We’re totally getting in game ads where the screen goes small to show a 15 second commercial during the run of play. I’m sure they’ll pull that.
 
Does anyone expect Apple to offer MLS streaming for the base ATV+ monthly fee? I expect an added fee to stream MLS … and we now know it will also come with ads.
Sounds like some games will be free entirely, some free with Apple TV+, and everything with the add on package.
 
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