Red Sox vs. Tigers Game on Apple TV+ Tonight Will Be Partly Shot on iPhone 17 Pro

[MacRumors]

Apple TV+'s broadcast of the Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers game at Fenway Park tonight will incorporate live footage captured with the iPhone 17 Pro.

Image Credit: Apple TV+​

Apple says the iPhone 17 Pro will capture live gameplay, along with batting practice, player introductions, dugout angles, and the crowd. Apple says this is the first time an iPhone will be used in a live professional sports broadcast workflow.

Viewers will see an overlay on the screen when the broadcast is showing iPhone footage.

Apple TV+ subscribers can watch the Red Sox vs. Tigers game at no extra cost, as part of the streaming service's final "Friday Night Baseball" doubleheader of MLB's 2025 regular season. The game begins at 7:10 p.m. Eastern Time tonight. The other game in this week's doubleheader is the Tampa Bay Rays vs. the Toronto Blue Jays.

Article Link: Red Sox vs. Tigers Game on Apple TV+ Tonight Will Be Partly Shot on iPhone 17 Pro

 

[macduke]

Let's see what that vapor chamber can do! It's one thing to overheat during a production, it's another to overheat during a live broadcast. Should be cool enough and a night game. At least the forecast isn't calling for rain, as broadcast cameras have these huge spinning filters on the front that sling rain and snow off of the front of the lens. Doubt such a thing exists for the iPhone yet, but even so baseball doesn't usually play long in the rain before the game is postponed.

 

[ericinboston]

I think recording a video on the iPhone 16/17Pro at 4k is quite nice...IF...you never zoom. Once zoom is introduced (even during playback), it's realllllly grainy. The problem is the lens...if Apple didn't insist on making everything smaller and smaller each year, the iPhone (which is really a camera that makes phone calls) could have stunning camera/video capabilities.

 

[JosephAW]

Good luck with the limitation of the zoom. 🔍 📱⚾🧢

 

[Tuckrat]

Hey, if it helps the Red Sox clinch a playoff berth... Go Sox!

 

[adamjackson]

In a separate article, it was noted the broadcast is in 1080P so perhaps the Blackmagic software suite is enabling Apple to shoot a cropped 1080P video that essentially becomes zoom?

 

[iamgalt]

At least the forecast isn't calling for rain, as broadcast cameras have these huge spinning filters on the front that sling rain and snow off of the front of the lens. Doubt such a thing exists for the iPhone yet

There are these things called umbrellas that are used to keep rain of things and people. They're light-weight, and can easily be carried in your hand. I think they could use one of these things to prevent rain from getting on the iPhone lens.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Good luck with the limitation of the zoom. 🔍 📱⚾🧢

It'll be a dugout camera.

 

[BornAgainMac]

With Disney on Star Wars, they should film a Star Wars movie using an iPhone next. I am sure the video quality will not be the factor if the movie flops.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

How much does Apple pay (or Alex garland) to persuade them to use an iPhone instead of an actual camera

 

[Unity451]

These things are annoying and clearly Apple-paid promotions. Sure you could use an iPhone for filming sports games, commercials, shows, etc., but no DP or camera operator worth his/her salt would opt for that when professional equipment is available.

 

[macdisciple]

It'll be a dugout camera.

people seem to be overlooking the actual description and use.

 

[Mr_Ed]

Does this really work? I mean, does telling us the phone is being used to film X or Y production (while glossing over the additional hardware/software used in those productions) actually move the needle and convince typical smartphone users to buy a Pro iPhone if they were trying to decide between iPhone models, or between Android phones and iPhones?

 

[G5isAlive]

Good luck with the limitation of the zoom. 🔍 📱⚾🧢

The shots they list can all be set up with no zoom needed. They didn’t say the whole game will be shot on iPhone, just select parts. Quick transitions to make the claim but not be too challenging.

 

[Mousse]

With Disney on Star Wars, they should film a Star Wars movie using an iPhone next. I am sure the video quality will not be the factor if the movie flops.

A Mickey Mouse operation😏 would use a phone to film a movie instead of a professional camera. Something like The Blair Witch Project being shot entirely on the iPhone would fit in with the theme. Heck, it would give extra credence to the endeavor.

 

[erk_0]

I'm convinced this is the real reasoning behind the choice for such a bold orange Pro. It is immediately identified as an iPhone in these situations.

 

[crawfish963]

I think recording a video on the iPhone 16/17Pro at 4k is quite nice...IF...you never zoom. Once zoom is introduced (even during playback), it's realllllly grainy. The problem is the lens...if Apple didn't insist on making everything smaller and smaller each year, the iPhone (which is really a camera that makes phone calls) could have stunning camera/video capabilities.

How much would you bet this isn't an off the shelf production phone?

 

[StuBeck]

How much does Apple pay (or Alex garland) to persuade them to use an iPhone instead of an actual camera

Likley nothing. This is just a line item that Apple will provide the video equipment for the games.

 

[andrewxgx]

Likley nothing. This is just a line item that Apple will provide the video equipment for the games.

no, its an ad. as in article: "Viewers will see an overlay on the screen when the broadcast is showing iPhone footage."

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

Likley nothing. This is just a line item that Apple will provide the video equipment for the games.

I ain't buying it

 

[MacATDBB]

Not the first time AJ will have had a camera in the stands. Er. Allegedly. Go Tigers.

 

[fathergll]

28 Innings Later

 

[johnsc3]

“….the iPhone (which is really a camera that makes phone calls).” Spot on, my guy!

 

[Agent007]

broadcast cameras have these huge spinning filters on the front that sling rain and snow off of the front of the lens. Doubt such a thing exists for the iPhone yet

There are these things called umbrellas that are used to keep rain of things and people. They're light-weight, and can easily be carried in your hand. I think they could use one of these things to prevent rain from getting on the iPhone lens.

I've been telling people for years that the Spinning Filter Rain Snow Slinger industry is a total racket and we should just use umbrellas.

 

[StuBeck]

no, its an ad. as in article: "Viewers will see an overlay on the screen when the broadcast is showing iPhone footage."

How does that dispute what I was referring to? Its an Apple broadcast, so Apple isn't going to be paying Apple to broadcast that an Apple iPhone mobile phone is being used to film on an Apple broadcast. They simply want to show what the camera is because otherwise there is literally no point to this whole thing.