Apple is vying for MLB game broadcasting rights, with a higher bid than NBC

According to the Sports Business Journal, Apple’s Apple TV+ is currently competing for streaming rights in Major League Baseball (MLB). According to people familiar with the matter, Apple’s offer will exceed NBC’s bid for the same package, especially for Sunday night games.

NBC is said to have bid for all of ESPN’s current MLB rights, but the league faces a dilemma: traditional broadcasters have a wider reach but lower offers, and digital platforms bid higher but have smaller audiences.

Apple is vying for MLB game broadcasting rights, with a higher bid than NBC
Apple is vying for MLB game broadcasting rights, with a higher bid than NBC
Under the existing contract, Apple will need to pay MLB about $85 million a year (about 612 million yuan at the current exchange rate) until 2028 for the broadcast rights of “Friday Baseball Night”.

The potential new contract will be set for a three-year term, allowing MLB to integrate the national broadcast rights when the existing contracts of Fox Sports and TNT Sports expire in 2028.

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Currently, Apple TV + subscribers ($9.99 per month / $99 per year in the US) can watch Friday Night games for free, and this benefit is also included in all Apple One subscriptions that integrate with Apple services.

MLB has not yet finalized the rights distribution plan after the ESPN contract expires, and there are many possible options for Sunday night games, wild card games, and home run tournaments. According to various sources, the negotiations are still dynamic, and a number of provisions are still under discussion.