Apple Secures Rights to MLB Games

Days after Apple signed a deal with Nike to supply soccer kits for its hit show “Ted Lasso,” the technology giant announced its first foray into live sports with the addition of “Friday Night Baseball.”

Apple TV+ will exclusively air a weekly MLB doubleheader for fans in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and the U.K. with live pre- and post-game shows. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The broadcasts will be free to those without an Apple TV+ subscription for a limited time, and will begin with the regular season when the MLB lockout ends.

Apple’s deal with MLB doesn’t end with “Friday Night Baseball.”

• “MLB Big Inning,” a highlights show that runs on weeknights during the season, will be available to U.S. customers.
• The U.S. and Canada will also be able to access a new 24/7 livestream featuring replays, highlights, classic games, and news and analysis.

“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,” MLB’s chief revenue officer Noah Garden said.

Home Run for Apple

The Friday games became available thanks to ESPN trimming its baseball rights package in a new seven-year agreement with MLB worth $550 million annually.

“The most important thing for us right now is reach,” Garden said.