Earlier this month, Apple announced its first-ever live sports deal with Major League Baseball to bring multiple games and other MLB content to the Apple TV+ service for the 2022 season. Today, Apple unveiled the first 12 weeks of its dual-player schedule. “Friday Night Baseball” billboard, which now says it will be available for free to anyone with internet access, without requiring an Apple TV+ subscription.
Previously, Apple had hinted that some of its Friday Night games would be available for free for a “limited time,” but didn’t detail how many. The offer could entice more users to try Apple TV+ before committing to a subscription. Apple confirmed to TechCrunch that consumers will not need to sign up for a TV+ subscription, or a free trial, in order to stream the games for free.
Apple says the first half of its “Friday Night Baseball” schedule will debut on April 8. The first game of the schedule will see the New York Mets take on the Washington Nationals, live from the National Park in Washington, DC, at 7 pm ET. After that, Apple TV+ will broadcast the game between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels live from Angel Stadium at 9:30 pm ET.
The “Friday Night Baseball” doubleheader will continue to be available to baseball fans in eight countries on Apple TV+ during the regular season. The first half of the schedule, which runs through June 24, can be found here. No word yet on whether Apple plans to make Friday night games in the second half of the season free to play as well.
The start of the MLB season had been postponed due to a labor dispute, but that is now resolved.
Fans in the US will also be able to tune in to a new live show called “MLB Big Inning,” which will feature highlights and performances and will air every night during regular hours. And fans in both the US and Canada will get access to a new 24/7 live stream of MLB game replays, news, analysis, highlights, classic games and more, as well as as on-demand programming that includes highlights and other original MLB content. Games and shows will stream via the Apple TV+ service, where they won’t be subject to local streaming restrictions.
Apple also noted that MLB will commemorate Jackie Robinson Day on April 15, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Hall of Famer’s major league debut.
That night, Apple’s “Friday Night Baseball” will offer special coverage featuring Randy Arozarena, former American League Rookie of the Year Jackie Robinson, the Tampa Bay Rays visiting All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson and the Chicago White Sox. Additionally, 2020 NL MVP Freddie Freeman and his new Dodgers teammates will play host to last season’s Jackie Robinson NL Rookie of the Year, Jonathan India, and the Cincinnati Reds, as part of the celebration.
Apple says other details of the presentation, including additional game times during the regular season, broadcast teams, production enhancements, and pre- and post-game coverage, will be announced at a later date.
The streaming service’s “Friday Night Baseball” offering will include live shows before and after the game.
The games will be available for streaming in the following countries:
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
- Brazil
- Japan
- Mexico
- Puerto Rico
- South Korea
- United Kingdom
The new “Friday Night Baseball” time slot will mark Apple’s first foray into live sports, which is something it was reportedly looking to add to its streaming service for quite some time. However, the launch is also an example of how Apple can leverage its market position and vast coffers to do something other streamers might struggle with: offer free live sports as a means of marketing its service to potential subscribers. .
Games can be accessed on all devices where Apple TV+ is found, including the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, along with select smart TVs, game consoles, and cable boxes.
Additional information: Sarah Perez
