Apple TV is reportedly looking to expand its sports offering by landing a media rights deal for the Premier League.
Last year, the streaming service made a major splash in the sports content wars when it finalized a 10-year deal for MLS broadcast rights for $2.5 billion. In today’s television game content is king, and sports are one of the best options for consistently new content that also brings a dedicated fan base with it.
Related: Soccer games today – Get watch times for the next EPL, MLS, and Ligue 1 matches
However, MLS is not the only sports property Apple TV has a deal with. In a week they will begin their second run of “Friday Night Baseball” games with MLB, and they are reportedly a strong contender to land media rights for PAC-12 college sports action.
But the service may also be targeting one of the most prestigious sports leagues in the world. According to Bloomberg, Apple TV is looking to have an outstanding soccer one-two punch that could see MLS and the Premier League lead their sports content.
“Pushing into English football would pit Apple against entrenched media companies such as Sky and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., which last year agreed to a joint venture with BT Sport. It also could throw down the gauntlet with Amazon, which has become a force in streaming European football.”
– Bloomberg
The English Premier League is one of the most famous soccer leagues not just in Europe, but the entire world. The EPL was created in 1992 but was preceded by the English Football First Division which began in 1888. The league boasts some of the most valuable sports franchises on Earth, including Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea.