Major League Baseball and Apple announced they have agreed to a streaming deal that will see two Friday night games streamed exclusively on Apple TV+ each week, beginning with the 2022 season. “Friday Night Baseball” will feature live pre- and postgame shows that will be available to fans in eight countries.
The streaming service will also offer a program called “MLB Big Inning,” a live show featuring highlights and look-ins airing every weeknight during the regular season. Apple TV+ will give fans in the U.S. and Canada access to a new 24/7 livestream with MLB game replays, news and analysis, highlights, classic games and more.
“Just like all baseball fans, we can’t wait for the season to open,” Apple’s vice president of Services Peter Stern said in a statement. “Baseball has a special place in the heart of so many Apple customers — not just in the United States, but in many countries around the world. We’re proud to make Apple TV+ the home for great baseball moments throughout the season.”
The Friday night games being carried by Apple TV+ won’t be subject to local broadcast restrictions. However, fans who want to watch them will need to have an active subscription to the streaming service. For a limited time only, Apple will make Friday Night Baseball accessible to everyone, with or without a subscription.
Apple and MLB will also provide enhanced league and team coverage for fans to easily follow the league or their favorite teams in Apple News, with the ability to watch highlights right in the News app.
“Apple is the ideal partner to bring ‘Friday Night Baseball’ to fans around the world,” MLB’s chief revenue officer Noah Garden said. “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 in our long history of offering quality and innovative content to our fans.
“With national availability and international reach, MLB on Apple TV+ offers an exciting new platform to fans that allows a wider audience to connect with the game.”
How to watch Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is available on all Apple devices and additional platforms, including Amazon Fire TV, Roku devices, Chromecast with Google TV, select smart TVs, gaming consoles, and some set-top cable and satellite boxes.
