Apple is getting into sports entertainment with MLB baseball
Baseball coverage every Friday on Apple TV
I’m aware of years of speculation that Apple may begin to offer sports entertainment as a sticky new addition to help build its Apple TV+ streaming service, and this is precisely what the company announced with news it will offer MLB “Friday Night Baseball’ via the service soon.
Apple and Major League Baseball to offer “Friday Night Baseball”
The company has confirmed its plans. They mean baseball fans will be able to catch two games on Fridays during the season on Apple TV+. Programming will include live pre- and postgame shows that will be available to fans in eight countries exclusively on Apple TV+ as soon as the regular season begins.
Baseball fans in the US and Canada will also have access to a new 24/7 livestream with MLB game replays, news and analysis, highlights, classic games, and more, as well as a full complement of on-demand programming, including highlights and MLB-themed original content. US baseball fans will also get to dip into “MLB Big Inning,” a live show featuring highlights and look-ins airing every weeknight during the season.
“Friday Night Baseball” will be available for a limited time, without the need for a subscription.
What Apple said
“Just like all baseball fans, we can’t wait for the season to open,” said Peter Stern, Apple’s vice president of Services. “Baseball has a special place in the heart of so many Apple customers — not just in the United States, but in many countries around the world. We’re proud to make Apple TV+ the home for great baseball moments throughout the season.”
What MLB said
“Apple is the ideal partner to bring ‘Friday Night Baseball’ to fans around the world,” said Noah Garden, MLB’s chief revenue officer.
“Following milestones like the launch of At Bat on day one of the App Store in 2008 to the integration of Apple technology in ballparks across the country, this robust new game package is the perfect next collaboration in our long history of offering quality and innovative content to our fans. With national availability and international reach, MLB on Apple TV+ offers an exciting new platform to fans that allows a wider audience to connect with the game.”
Where can you get it?
“Friday Night Baseball” will be available on Apple TV+ in the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, and will expand to additional countries at a later date.
Apple and MLB will also provide league and team coverage in Apple News, with the ability to watch highlights in the News app.
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