Apple hired a bunch of prominent commentators from all across the sport. The broadcast quality was bested and they actually took an interest in the sport unlike ESPN. Bally’s (formerly the regional fox sports channels) was the only way to watch some teams, and Sinclair destroyed its market reach by
Apple is actually cheaper than what came before it. Previously to watch every game, you had to have ESPN 1&2, ESPN+(out of market only), Fox Sports 1&2, Univision, local Fox, and the regional channels (often Bally’s) and often there was no way to get replays on demand. That would easily run you $80/month. For $99/year ($79/year with an active Apple TV+ subscription) you get every regular season game, postseason, Leagues Cup, and Campeones Cup, replays, highlights, a red zone style nfl broadcast, plus a ton of extra content from the teams with zero blackouts. The only games not included are US Open Cup, CCL & CWC, and maybe some preseason matches and friendlies if any because MLS doesn’t hold those rights, USSF, CONCACAF, and FIFA do respectively.
Apple has raised the quality of MLS and made it accessible to everyone where Apple TV+ is available. You don’t not need an Apple device to watch it either.
The broadcast quality is fucking dogshit unless you’re a fan of one of a few select clubs. It’s biased and no longer has any local ties with the clubs. Austin FC used to broadcast their games locally for free on the website. Now it’s paid, and the commentators suck.
As an F1 TV PRO subscriber, I agree. I don’t think much would change from it if Apple were to be successful with this bid though. They put a lot of time and effort into making MLS successful, and my only complaint so far is the back catalog is a bit lacking, but that may be MLS’s fault.
Unless they purchase exclusivity rights then you won’t be able to subscribe to it.
Unfortunately I live in a country where F1 TV Pro cannot be purchased because of exclusivity deals and so I have to navigate the wavey seas to access it. They’ve been tightening up people’s abilities to stream the content non-legitimately these past few years. It’s been becoming more and more difficult; this year, if I wasn’t technically minded then I would have to fall back on to ace streams or those websites that share the stream with a shocking amount of adverts and other ‘fun’ things. I foresee that in the near future it’ll be even stricter and I’ll completely lose access to F1 TV Pro. :(
The annoying thing is that I’d quite happily be a paying customer… if only they would allow me to be one.
There is a webpage on F1’s website that shows which countries have access to what, when, and how long for.
My understanding is this would be a rolling pick up. Essentially Apple would gain more exclusive broadcast rights as old deals expired. As soon as rights are gained in countries where Apple TV+ is available then it would also be available for purchase.
You can watch MLS anywhere in the world that Apple TV+ is available. It would undoubtedly be the same with F1.
Lol. Apple also axed local commentary, and was far more expensive than what came before it. Fuck. That!
Apple hired a bunch of prominent commentators from all across the sport. The broadcast quality was bested and they actually took an interest in the sport unlike ESPN. Bally’s (formerly the regional fox sports channels) was the only way to watch some teams, and Sinclair destroyed its market reach by
Apple is actually cheaper than what came before it. Previously to watch every game, you had to have ESPN 1&2, ESPN+(out of market only), Fox Sports 1&2, Univision, local Fox, and the regional channels (often Bally’s) and often there was no way to get replays on demand. That would easily run you $80/month. For $99/year ($79/year with an active Apple TV+ subscription) you get every regular season game, postseason, Leagues Cup, and Campeones Cup, replays, highlights, a red zone style nfl broadcast, plus a ton of extra content from the teams with zero blackouts. The only games not included are US Open Cup, CCL & CWC, and maybe some preseason matches and friendlies if any because MLS doesn’t hold those rights, USSF, CONCACAF, and FIFA do respectively.
Apple has raised the quality of MLS and made it accessible to everyone where Apple TV+ is available. You don’t not need an Apple device to watch it either.
@vinylshrapnel @SatouKazuma
I’d pay $80/year extra to be able to watch all the F1 stuff live and on-demand.
Me too! I’m already subscribed to F1 TV Pro
The broadcast quality is fucking dogshit unless you’re a fan of one of a few select clubs. It’s biased and no longer has any local ties with the clubs. Austin FC used to broadcast their games locally for free on the website. Now it’s paid, and the commentators suck.
You can still listen to local broadcast audio if you select it
F1 TV Pro > any other broadcast of F1
As an F1 TV PRO subscriber, I agree. I don’t think much would change from it if Apple were to be successful with this bid though. They put a lot of time and effort into making MLS successful, and my only complaint so far is the back catalog is a bit lacking, but that may be MLS’s fault.
Unless they purchase exclusivity rights then you won’t be able to subscribe to it.
Unfortunately I live in a country where F1 TV Pro cannot be purchased because of exclusivity deals and so I have to navigate the wavey seas to access it. They’ve been tightening up people’s abilities to stream the content non-legitimately these past few years. It’s been becoming more and more difficult; this year, if I wasn’t technically minded then I would have to fall back on to ace streams or those websites that share the stream with a shocking amount of adverts and other ‘fun’ things. I foresee that in the near future it’ll be even stricter and I’ll completely lose access to F1 TV Pro. :(
The annoying thing is that I’d quite happily be a paying customer… if only they would allow me to be one.
There is a webpage on F1’s website that shows which countries have access to what, when, and how long for.
My understanding is this would be a rolling pick up. Essentially Apple would gain more exclusive broadcast rights as old deals expired. As soon as rights are gained in countries where Apple TV+ is available then it would also be available for purchase.