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Apple TV+ Reportedly Abandoning MLB Coverage

If they included F1 coverage without any caveats that would be enough for me to pay $10/month. As it is, even though I enjoy some of the shows, I only get TV+ on sale.

And they really need to remove all the TV+ ads they have all over the TV app - there’s a TV+ tab, put it all on there where it belongs.
 
When the dust settles, the Apple TV+ MLB deal is chump change. Selling MLB.TV to ESPN is the major news. ESPN just acquired NFL Network so they are on a roll. Putting Friday/Sunday on NBC/Peacock works since Peacock has experience and NBC is expanding their sports offerings after some years of contraction. NBC is jumping back into the NBA as well, so between that, MLB, and Sunday Night Football they are well equipped for cross-promotion.
 
MacRumors said:


Apple is apparently set to exit its partnership with Major League Baseball and discontinue its "Friday Night Baseball" package on Apple TV+.

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Apple first entered Major League Baseball in March 2022 with a seven-year agreement valued at roughly $85 million per year, which granted it exclusive global streaming rights to two Friday night games each week on Apple TV+. The deal was originally scheduled to run through 2029, but Yahoo Sports' Kendall Baker now says that Apple has exercised an early opt-out provision, allowing the company to end its involvement before the contract's planned expiration.

Apple's exit from baseball arrives less than three full seasons into its seven-year arrangement, marking a rare early termination of a major streaming sports contract. Baker described the new arrangement as "close to being done."

The shift would see Apple leave Major League Baseball coverage entirely. Baker reported that NBCUniversal, through its Peacock streaming service, is expected to assume the Friday night slot as well as gain rights to Sunday exclusive games and the Wild Card round. Disney's ESPN is said to be in advanced negotiations to acquire the MLB.TV direct-to-consumer service, while Netflix is reportedly set to secure the rights to stream the annual Home Run Derby.

The early termination would represent a significant retreat from one of Apple's highest-profile sports investments to date. When the partnership was announced in 2022, it was framed as an important part of Apple's video streaming strategy, intended to expand the Apple TV+ offering beyond scripted entertainment into live sports. At the time, Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Services, described the deal as an opportunity to provide fans with "the best seat in the house."

Apple's most prominent remaining sports deal is the 10-year global agreement with Major League Soccer, signed in 2023 and valued at an estimated $2.5 billion. The MLS Season Pass package is available exclusively through Apple TV+.

In addition to MLS, Apple has held discussions with other leagues and rights holders. The company was previously linked to negotiations for NFL Sunday Ticket, which ultimately went to YouTube, and explored packages with the English Premier League and the Pac-12 conference. Multiple reports suggest that Apple is currently in talks to acquire Formula 1 streaming rights in the United States.

Article Link: Apple TV+ Reportedly Abandoning MLB Coverage
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Yet another disaster for Apple at the hands of Eddie Cue. How does this guy keep his job?
 
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Oestreich Dieter said:
I am still amazed people can actually watch baseball on TV. I mean, the only reason people go to the games is to drink and socialize, but watching the game itself....its painful to watch.
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I remember when I learned that some people, in fact many people, like different things than I do. I was 6. My friend Danny told me he liked the color green.
 
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mlayer said:
When the dust settles, the Apple TV+ MLB deal is chump change. Selling MLB.TV to ESPN is the major news. ESPN just acquired NFL Network so they are on a roll. Putting Friday/Sunday on NBC/Peacock works since Peacock has experience and NBC is expanding their sports offerings after some years of contraction. NBC is jumping back into the NBA as well, so between that, MLB, and Sunday Night Football they are well equipped for cross-promotion.
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I suspect that will kill the t-mobile mlb.tv pass this is given out yearly to post-paid subscribers. :(
 
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Rogifan said:
ESPN is scooping up everything. Soon it will have a monopoly over sports.
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Yeah, it's interesting. They were in trouble due to the large number of cord cutters. I guess they've decided to pivot and throw money at the problem buy getting streaming deals in order to lock-in fans.
 
Does this mean I’ll finally stop receiving those stupid notifications?

I turned off sports notifications already, but that seems to have gone ignored by my phone.
 
NeonNights said:
This is a serious question for baseball fans:

Can you please explain what you enjoy about watching baseball? Do you have the same patience for all other aspects of your life? Thank you.
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Two old sayings are all you need for your answer - and cover so many other parts of life:
1) If you have to ask, it’s just not for you.
2) Those who know cannot explain. Those who don’t know cannot understand.
 
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sigamy said:
I remember when I learned that some people, in fact many people, like different things than I do. I was 6. My friend Danny told me he liked the color green.
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Oh, I get it. I just understand it. It's like watching paint dry. The players are so refreshed and rested after one game, that sometimes they play 2 games in one day.
 
It's incredible to watch games in 4k on Apple. Along with the data graphics they show all game. I think they actually brought something to broadcasts that no one else really has. I prefer my local announcers, but I wasn't expecting to hear this news.
 
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For me, other than postseason, baseball on TV is a hard sell.

I just find it really boring and time consuming.

In person, I can have a great time at any sporting event -- entirely different deal.
 
verniesgarden said:
it's the issue of most sports needs commentary from a bias source to be enjoyable. You want to hear people talk about the game that are rooting for the same team you are.
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I want to hear people talking about the team I’m watching and not another team that’s not even playing that day…
 
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MacRumors said:
The early termination would represent a significant retreat from one of Apple's highest-profile sports investments to date. When the partnership was announced in 2022, it was framed as an important part of Apple's video streaming strategy, intended to expand the Apple TV+ offering beyond scripted entertainment into live sports.
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From rumor mills in the media industry, Apple, they wanted more editorial control, like how they do MLS coverage where they do all of production. For MLB, right now, it’s produced with MLB Network, and viewers have complained about the quality of the coverage because of it. All the announcers and commentators, all hired by MLB Network, not Apple, so latter have no control on talent. Apple wants to change that by having direct control on talent and production and cut out MLB network.

League won’t do that, so Apple is walking away from deal, which is actually a huge blow for MLB, because now the next Friday Night deal won’t be global.

MacRumors said:
Multiple reports suggest that Apple is currently in talks to acquire Formula 1 streaming rights in the United States
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They are trying to get GLOBAL rights, not just US. And Apple is willing to buy out rights from Sky and other networks if necessary. For Apple’s streaming service, they want all of the world to be able to view content they have the rights to, not just limited to one country.
 
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I liked the minimalistic look of the broadcast without the regular graphics clutter of ESPN and Fox. I was hoping they would eventually add an option just for nat sounds without any announcers and then eventually have an option for the Apple Vision Pro using a camera behind homeplate or in the outfield to feel like you are actually in the stadium. I guess it's more in MLB's interest to have a broadcast bombard you with on screen graphics promoting Draft Kings and FanDuel while pretending they are still some sacred and prestigious American institution.
 
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