Friday Night Baseball
| Friday Night Baseball | |
|---|---|
| Genre | MLB game telecasts |
| Production | |
| Production company | MLB Network |
| Original release | |
| Network | Apple TV+ |
| Release | 2022 |
Friday Night Baseball is a planned live broadcast of Major League Baseball (MLB) on Apple TV+ that will debut during the league's 2022 season. The weekly broadcast will be produced by MLB Network, featuring a doubleheader with pregame and postgame analysis.[1] Plans for the broadcast were formally announced on March 8, 2022, at Apple's Peek Performance event and later in an online press release.[2][3]
Apple Inc. signed a seven-year deal with MLB for the broadcast for US$85,000,000 per year, a total value of $595,000,000. This includes an annual $55,000,000 rights fee as well as $30,000,000 for Apple advertising.[4] The deal was the first sports broadcasting contract ever acquired by Apple.[5] Upon its debut, the broadcast will be available in the North American market consisting of the United States, Canada, and Mexico as well as select overseas markets including Australia, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.[1] The first broadcast date was initially made uncertain as the deal was signed amidst the 2021–22 MLB lockout and the threat of cancelled games.[6]
References
- ^ a b "Apple, MLB announce 'Friday Night Baseball' package". ESPN. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "Apple and Major League Baseball to offer "Friday Night Baseball"". Apple Newsroom. Apple Inc. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ Keck, Catie (8 March 2022). "Apple TV Plus announces Friday Night Baseball". The Verge. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ Ozanian, Mike (9 March 2022). "MLB Deals With Apple And NBC Sports Are Worth A Combined $115 Million Annually". Forbes. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ Axson, Scooby (8 March 2022). "Apple signs its first sports rights deal, teaming up with MLB for 'Friday Night Baseball'". USA Today. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ Goldsmith, Jill (8 March 2022). "Apple In Rights Deal With MLB For 'Friday Night Baseball'". Deadline. Retrieved 8 March 2022.