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Apple inks global broadcast deal for Major League Soccer

(Image courtesy Apple, Inc., Graphic by The Desk)

Apple will serve as the exclusive global streaming broadcaster for all Major League Soccer games starting next year, the companies announced in a joint press release on Tuesday.

The deal will see Apple distribute a new Major League Soccer streaming service, which will be exclusively available through the Apple TV app.

The agreement covers all Major League Soccer matches through 2032, the companies affirmed, except Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup events for viewers in Mexico.

“For the first time in the history of sports, fans will be able to access everything from a major professional sports league in one place,” Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior executive in charge of the company’s services division, said in a statement. “It’s a dream come true for MLS fans, soccer fans, and anyone who loves sports. No fragmentation, no frustration — just the flexibility to sign up for one convenient service that gives you everything MLS, anywhere and anytime you want to watch. We can’t wait to make it easy for even more people to fall in love with MLS and root for their favorite club.”

Matches that are broadcast in the United States will include English and Spanish audio tracks, while Canadian matches will feature English and French commentary. On-demand content will be available alongside live events and can be streamed using the Apple TV app for iPhones, iPads, Apple TV hardware and via the Apple TV app on Android TV (Google TV), Samsung’s Tizen, LG WebOS, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Comcast’s Xfinity X1 platform.

Pricing was not announced on Tuesday, but Apple said Apple TV Plus customers will be able to view select matches as part of their subscription.  A subscription to Apple TV Plus costs $5 a month or $50 a year.

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About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys covers the business of broadcast and streaming TV, radio broadcasting, social media, technology and telecommunications. A journalist for over 15 years, Matthew previously worked at Thomson Reuters, KGO-TV in San Francisco, KTXL in Sacramento and McNaughton Newspapers. He received 9 California Journalism Awards between 2018 and 2020, and is a member of IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors).
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