Two billion devices, a billion subscribers: Are Apple about to buy up football?
Alamy | Earlier this month Apple and MLS kicked off a broadcast rights deal worth a reported $2.5 billion over 10 years, putting the North American football league’s matches on its streaming service globally.
Apple and MLS kicked off a ten year broadcast deal earlier this month. A leading broadcast executive, who is working with the tech giant on the service, believes it is only the start.
The tech giant is merely “scratching the surface” so far in terms of its sports product but is going to make “a concerted move into sport” – “they’re here to stay”.
Why it matters: With two billion active devices, a billion subscribers and streaming part of the fastest growing part of its service, a serious entry into football transform how we watch football.
The perspective: MLS have given huge control to Apple as well as opt out clauses. Nor does the deal “move the needle” on rights values. Will the rest of the world follow?
10 March 2023 - 1:00 PM
The world’s largest company Apple, which last week launched its first football streaming service, is going to make “a concerted move into sport” and recognises that the “power” of sport and football will “positively influence” its overall multi-trillion business, according to a senior broadcast executive.
Apple’s service segment – which includes its streaming platforms – is now the fastest growing part of its business, with record earnings of $2
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