Apple TV+ is significantly pushing into sports coverage, expanding its offerings to include live events and real-time scores. The streaming platform recently unveiled a new sports app that provides fans with up-to-the-minute information on their favorite teams and leagues. This move comes as Apple invests heavily in sports content, building on its successful partnerships with Major League Soccer (MLS) and Major League Baseball (MLB).
The new sports app, integrated seamlessly with Apple TV+, allows users to track Yankees and Dodgers live scores during the World Series, view game schedules, and access detailed statistics for various sports. This feature complements Apple’s existing sports programming, which includes live MLS matches and MLB’s “Friday Night Baseball.” By offering live events and comprehensive score tracking, Apple aims to become a one-stop destination for sports enthusiasts, potentially rivaling traditional sports networks and established streaming competitors.
2024 World Series Documentary
Apple TV+ announced the first all-access documentary exploring the 2024 World Series, in which the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees battle to capture the championship trophy.
The new three-part documentary will provide never-before-seen views while highlighting all of the most powerful moments from the World Series. With exclusive access to behind-the-scenes coverage, including interviews with players, coaches, fans, journalists, and family members, Apple’s series will take fans through each team’s journey.
The project is being produced in partnership with MLB and award-winning Imagine Documentaries, R.J. Cutler’s acclaimed This Machine, a part of Sony Pictures Television, and five-time World Series champion and executive producer Derek Jeter, alongside his production company, Cap 2 Productions.
The series, directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Cutler, is currently in production. The executive producers are Jeter, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Cutler, Nick Trotta, Justin Wilkes, Sara Bernstein, Marc Gilbar, Mark Blatty, Trevor Smith, and Justin Yungfleisch.
The currently untitled MLB docuseries joins Apple’s expanding offering of nonfiction programming featuring the biggest stories in sports, including “The Dynasty: New England Patriots,” a documentary event series about the New England Patriots, from Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Documentaries.
Also included are “Messi’s World Cup: The Rise of a Legend,” the first official and definitive account of the soccer star’s sensational career with Argentina’s national football team and his five FIFA World Cup appearances, including his 2022 win, and “Stephen Curry: Underrated,” the remarkable coming-of-age story of one of the most influential, dynamic and unexpected players in the history of basketball, Stephen Curry.
Apple is additionally working on a currently untitled film that, among other projects, will focus on the groundbreaking life and career of seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton.
MLB had long chronicled World Series championships through its official World Series films, dating back to 1943 when the U.S. State Department commissioned the league to produce a recap of the World Series for troops overseas.
MLB’s multi-platform media and licensing projects—produced under the League’s MLB Studios Label—span film, television, and digital distribution. They include diverse and pioneering programming that taps an expansive media archive to cover historical and cultural subjects.
Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment. It is available to watch across all of a user’s favorite screens.
After its launch on Nov. 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service available worldwide. It has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut.
Apple Original films, documentaries, and series have earned 517 wins and 2,321 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
Apple TV+ and MLB partnership
Apple TV+ just completed its third season as the exclusive home of “Friday Night Baseball,” a weekly doubleheader streaming exclusively to Apple TV+ subscribers every Friday night throughout the regular season.
Baseball fans in 60 countries and territories enjoy a custom production of these two marquee weekly matchups with no local broadcast restrictions.
