[Elvis]

There's been some talk that Apple TV might not get it after all because they're very specific about what the want and the NFL might not be wiling to go there...

[St. Loser Fan]

There's been some talk that Apple TV might not get it after all because they're very specific about what the want and the NFL might not be wiling to go there...

Two titans going at it. Plus the problem is the current TV contracts might not let the NFL give Apple what they want which is some sort of almost complete control.

Apple and Major League Soccer to present all MLS matches around the world for 10 years, beginning in 2023
In a historic first for sports, fans can stream every single MLS match through the Apple TV app, without any local blackouts or restrictions

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/06/ ... g-in-2023/

Right now if a game is on OTA like Fox or CBS locally you cannot watch that game on Sunday Ticket. One guess is Apple doesn't want that any more.

[Hacksaw]

Apple has always been extremely proprietary with their products. It started with iTunes.
I'd prefer if Amazon didn't get the contract...

[actionjack]

Apple has always been extremely proprietary with their products. It started with iTunes.
I'd prefer if Amazon didn't get the contract...

Both arent great options, but I feel the chances of getting screwed by Apple are higher at this point, just a gut feeling

[St. Loser Fan]

Apple has always been extremely proprietary with their products. It started with iTunes.
I'd prefer if Amazon didn't get the contract...

Sounds like they're heading towards an NBA contract. Would they want both?
https://frontofficesports.com/nba-media ... streaming/

[St. Loser Fan]

The pricing is out for the MLS package on AppleTV+;

• Stand-alone pay $14.99 per month during the season or $99 for a whole season
• Apple TV+ subscribers can sign up at a special price of $12.99 per month and $79 per season.

Not sure how it's working with other teams: but season ticket holders of St. Louis SC get it for free.

[actionjack]

The pricing is out for the MLS package on AppleTV+;

• Stand-alone pay $14.99 per month during the season or $99 for a whole season
• Apple TV+ subscribers can sign up at a special price of $12.99 per month and $79 per season.

Not sure how it's working with other teams: but season ticket holders of St. Louis SC get it for free.

I pray that Amazon even more gets it. Hopefully Amazon would wrap it Amazon Prime in some way as an add-on. I wish I was enjoying my free Sunday Ticket more this season, need some wins!!

[St. Loser Fan]

https://9to5mac.com/2022/11/21/nfl-sund ... e-unknown/

NFL Sunday Ticket: Apple taking streaming football negotiations into overtime over ‘rights to the unknown’

It’s hardly a secret that Apple is negotiating with the National Football League for streaming rights to NFL Sunday Ticket. What seems impossible to know yet is if Apple will actually replace DirecTV as the new home of the valuable pro football package.

The Athletic’s Daniel Kaplan cites multiple sources familiar with the talks between the NFL and Apple to give us a glimpse into the current state of play.

According to Kaplan, “Apple wants rights to the unknown,” and that’s what’s running out the clock on sealing the deal.

The report includes this characterization from an individual close to the NFL:

“Because you have to think about, not the way things are today, not just the way things are tomorrow,” the individual said. “But the technology that has never even been invented, delivery systems that have never even been invented yet, ways people want to consume that have never been invented yet.”

That’s somewhat correct as it relates to a streaming video partner replacing television distribution via satellite with DirecTV. The NFL already offers its own streaming solution for smaller screens, however, and Amazon streams Thursday Night Football for Prime Video subscribers.

Perhaps Apple is expecting to secure rights to stream NFL games in a more immersive capacity through its rumored mixed-reality headset that it plans to release in the spring. As we first reported, Apple already acquired experts in the field of sports streaming for virtual reality with NextVR.

Another point of contention is unsurprisingly over the price for distribution rights. The NFL reportedly values the package at $3.5 billion per year. That’s a $2 billion increase on the money-losing amount DirecTV paid on average annually.

But there are limits to what the NFL is selling that changes the value for Apple. The NFL’s price does not include international streaming rights, and Apple will have no ability to claim exclusivity over FOX and CBS for in-market broadcast games.

Contrast that with the Major League Soccer deal starting next season, where Apple has a decade of full streaming rights without restrictions. The NFL and MLS are leagues apart, however, in terms of popularity.

Apple did score a far less comprehensive deal with Major League Baseball to stream just two Friday night games per week throughout the last season. That shows Apple is willing to be one distributor among many, but the MLB games are streamed exclusively, including outside of the U.S.

Finally, Kaplan breaks down the economics for Apple if it were to land the rights to NFL Sunday Ticket:

Apple, for example, would have to sign up 8.75 million subscribers each paying $400 for Sunday Ticket (and that’s after they pay for the core Apple TV+ service). DirecTV is believed to have about 1 million paying subscribers to Sunday Ticket.

Amazon and Disney’s ESPN+ remain in the mix, yet Apple is said to remain the favored partner. Now we continue to hurry up and wait for a deal to be reached, hopefully before the 2022 season Super Bowl. Subscribers can read the full report at The Athletic.

[PARAM]

I hope Apple doesn't get it. $400 plus an Apple subscription? I would guess Bezos will give existing Amazon Prime members a discount. What I want.to see is team exclusive NFL ticket.

[St. Loser Fan]

I hope Apple doesn't get it. $400 plus an Apple subscription? I would guess Bezos will give existing Amazon Prime members a discount. What I want.to see is team exclusive NFL ticket.

Don't hold out for Amazon too hard as
1) they're in the lane for the NBA
2) Amazon is even less receptive to the NFL's demands