Apple is actively pursuing an exclusive television deal with FIFA for streaming rights to the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which is set to be revamped and launched in 2025. This iteration of the tournament will feature 32 teams from six different confederations, and a deal could be officially announced as early as this month.
Notably, the tournament’s inaugural event will be hosted in the United States next summer. Reports indicate that Apple may potentially invest around $1 billion for these rights, although it remains unclear whether any games will be available for free over the air.
If not, access to the entire tournament may be limited solely to Apple TV+ subscribers. Apple has already made significant investments in sports media, having previously committed $2.5 billion for global broadcasting rights to Major League Soccer.
The matches from MLS and the League Cup are available for streaming on Apple TV+, with various pricing options for both subscribers and non-subscribers. Apple views live sports as a strategic avenue to attract new customers to its Apple TV+ service.
In addition to the MLS partnership, the company has also secured a deal with Major League Baseball. Though negotiations for NFL Sunday Ticket did not come to fruition, recent reports suggest that Apple is still vying for streaming rights to NBA games.
Earlier this year, Apple launched a dedicated Apple Sports app, allowing users to access real-time scores and stats for their favorite teams, enhancing the overall sports viewing experience on the platform. With these developments, Apple’s ambitions in the realm of live sports streaming continue to grow, aiming to establish a stronger foothold in the competitive streaming landscape.
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