Sports streaming... so hot right now

Apple and Major League Soccer have reached a ten-year deal, worth at least $2.5 billion, to broadcast games on Apple TV+ beginning in 2023.

⚽ A deeper dive... The agreement covers every MLS regular-season and playoff match, including the annual Leagues Cup showdown against teams from Mexico’s La Liga.

• According to Apple, the games will be shown on a new MLS streaming service that’ll soon be available for an undisclosed price exclusively through the Apple TV app.
• The tech giant also said a “broad selection of MLS and Leagues Cup matches, including some of the biggest matchups,” will be available to all Apple TV+ subs at no additional cost.
• Apple TV+ games won’t be subject to blackout restrictions, a change from the MLS’ current streaming deal with ESPN+.

📸 The big picture: MLS streaming rights are the latest trophy to be acquired in a fight among the likes of Netflix, Amazon, Disney, and others for new programming to fill their streaming services and to attract users with buzzy content, the WSJ reports.

• Apple is reportedly also considering a bid for the NFL’s out-of-market Sunday Ticket service, which the league is currently shopping around to a handful of streaming giants.