Comcast and Apple Unveil New Integrated Viewing Experience for MLS Season Pass
Comcast and Apple have announced a partnership to provide an integrated viewing experience for MLS Season Pass starting with the 2025 season. The integration allows Xfinity customers to access MLS matches directly through their channel guide on X1 and Xfinity Stream app, eliminating the need to switch between apps.
Key features include seamless access to matches in both English and Spanish, integration with Xfinity's Sports Zone app, and free access to MLS 360 for all Xfinity customers throughout the season. The service will offer a free preview from February 22 to March 2, 2025, after which customers can subscribe through Xfinity. Subscribers can also access content through the Apple TV app on various platforms.
Comcast e Apple hanno annunciato una partnership per offrire un'esperienza di visione integrata per il MLS Season Pass, a partire dalla stagione 2025. L'integrazione consente ai clienti Xfinity di accedere direttamente alle partite MLS tramite la loro guida ai canali su X1 e sull'app Xfinity Stream, eliminando la necessità di passare da un'app all'altra.
Le funzionalità chiave includono l'accesso senza soluzione di continuità alle partite sia in inglese che in spagnolo, integrazione con l'app Sports Zone di Xfinity e accesso gratuito a MLS 360 per tutti i clienti Xfinity durante tutta la stagione. Il servizio offrirà una preview gratuita dal 22 febbraio al 2 marzo 2025, dopodiché i clienti potranno abbonarsi tramite Xfinity. Gli abbonati possono anche accedere ai contenuti tramite l'app Apple TV su varie piattaforme.
Comcast y Apple han anunciado una colaboración para ofrecer una experiencia de visualización integrada para el MLS Season Pass, comenzando con la temporada 2025. La integración permite a los clientes de Xfinity acceder a los partidos de la MLS directamente a través de su guía de canales en X1 y la aplicación Xfinity Stream, eliminando la necesidad de alternar entre aplicaciones.
Las características clave incluyen acceso fluido a los partidos en inglés y español, integración con la aplicación Sports Zone de Xfinity y acceso gratuito a MLS 360 para todos los clientes de Xfinity durante toda la temporada. El servicio ofrecerá una vista previa gratuita del 22 de febrero al 2 de marzo de 2025, después de la cual los clientes podrán suscribirse a través de Xfinity. Los suscriptores también podrán acceder al contenido a través de la aplicación Apple TV en varias plataformas.
컴캐스트와 애플이 2025 시즌부터 MLS 시즌 패스를 위한 통합 시청 경험을 제공하는 파트너십을 발표했습니다. 이 통합을 통해 Xfinity 고객은 X1 및 Xfinity Stream 앱의 채널 가이드를 통해 MLS 경기를 직접 접속할 수 있어 앱 간 전환이 필요 없습니다.
주요 기능으로는 영어와 스페인어로 경기에 원활하게 접근할 수 있는 기능, Xfinity의 Sports Zone 앱과의 통합, 시즌 내내 모든 Xfinity 고객에게 MLS 360에 무료로 접근할 수 있는 것이 포함됩니다. 이 서비스는 2025년 2월 22일부터 3월 2일까지 무료 미리 보기를 제공하며, 이후 고객들은 Xfinity를 통해 구독할 수 있습니다. 구독자는 또한 다양한 플랫폼에서 Apple TV 앱을 통해 콘텐츠에 접근할 수 있습니다.
Comcast et Apple ont annoncé un partenariat pour offrir une expérience de visionnage intégrée pour le MLS Season Pass à partir de la saison 2025. L'intégration permet aux clients Xfinity d'accéder directement aux matchs de la MLS via leur guide des chaînes sur X1 et l'application Xfinity Stream, éliminant ainsi le besoin de naviguer entre les applications.
Les fonctionnalités clés comprennent un accès fluide aux matchs en anglais et en espagnol, une intégration avec l'application Sports Zone de Xfinity et un accès gratuit à MLS 360 pour tous les clients Xfinity tout au long de la saison. Le service proposera un aperçu gratuit du 22 février au 2 mars 2025, après quoi les clients pourront s'abonner via Xfinity. Les abonnés peuvent également accéder au contenu via l'application Apple TV sur différentes plateformes.
Comcast und Apple haben eine Partnerschaft angekündigt, um ab der Saison 2025 ein integriertes Seherlebnis für den MLS Season Pass zu bieten. Die Integration ermöglicht es Xfinity-Kunden, MLS-Spiele direkt über ihren Programmführer auf X1 und der Xfinity Stream-App zuzugreifen, wodurch ein Wechsel zwischen Apps entfällt.
Wichtige Funktionen umfassen einen nahtlosen Zugang zu den Spielen auf Englisch und Spanisch, die Integration mit der Sports Zone-App von Xfinity sowie freien Zugang zu MLS 360 für alle Xfinity-Kunden während der gesamten Saison. Der Dienst wird vom 22. Februar bis 2. März 2025 eine kostenlose Vorschau anbieten, nach der die Kunden über Xfinity abonnieren können. Abonnenten können auch über die Apple TV-App auf verschiedenen Plattformen auf Inhalte zugreifen.
- New revenue stream through MLS Season Pass subscriptions
- Enhanced product offering with integrated sports content
- Exclusive free access to MLS 360 for all customers
- Multi-platform availability across X1, Stream app, and Apple TV
- None.
Insights
The Comcast-Apple partnership marks a significant evolution in sports streaming distribution, introducing a novel approach to content integration that could reshape how streaming rights are monetized. The deal's structure offers multiple revenue and strategic advantages:
Strategic Benefits:
- Direct subscription sales through Xfinity create a new revenue stream and customer touchpoint
- Integration into Xfinity's channel guide reduces friction and could lower churn by eliminating app-switching
- Free MLS 360 access serves as a powerful customer acquisition tool and differentiator
The multiview experience, combining MLS with other major sports, positions Xfinity as a premium destination for sports fans. This integration could serve as a template for future streaming partnerships, potentially leading to similar deals with other major sports streaming services.
The timing is particularly strategic, coinciding with MLS's 30th season and the growing popularity of soccer in the U.S. market. The free preview period (February 22 - March 2) is well-calculated to capture early-season enthusiasm and drive conversions.
This partnership represents a shift in the streaming landscape, where traditionally competitive platforms are finding mutual benefit in collaboration. For Comcast, it strengthens their sports entertainment ecosystem while providing Apple with expanded distribution and potential subscriber growth through Xfinity's substantial customer base.
Integration Brings MLS Season Pass Directly into Xfinity’s Channel Guide, Offers Free Access to MLS 360, and More
All Xfinity Customers Can Enjoy a Free Preview of MLS Season Pass from February 22 – March 2 on X1 and the Xfinity Stream App
Comcast and Apple plan to offer all Xfinity customers an integrated viewing experience for MLS Season Pass (Photo: Business Wire)
“Xfinity provides customers an unrivaled access to sports entertainment, and our new partnership with Apple will offer soccer fans new ways to immerse themselves in Major League Soccer,” said John Dixon, Senior Vice President, Entertainment, Comcast. “Through this new experience, our customers will be able to easily find, follow, and catch up on their favorite MLS teams with the best seat in the house.”
When the season kicks off February 22, every MLS Season Pass match will be accessible from the channel guide on X1 and Stream in both English and Spanish. With an MLS Season Pass subscription from Xfinity, when a customer selects a game, playback will begin within Xfinity’s viewing experience, without the need to open an app. The matches will also be featured within a curated MLS destination on both platforms, the center for all things MLS for Xfinity customers and accessible by saying “MLS” into the Xfinity voice remote. Additionally, on X1, MLS matches will be available in the Xfinity Sports Zone app, a sports companion experience that gives customers the ability to watch one event while getting live updates on others in progress and quickly flip to different games when the action gets exciting.
Comcast and Apple are also unlocking free access to MLS 360 for all Xfinity customers for the entire season, the first time the program has been available outside of an MLS Season Pass subscription. Available in the channel guide next to other sports channels and throughout the X1 and Stream user interfaces, MLS 360 is a matchday whip-around show featuring live look-ins and highlights from across the league. Comcast plans to make MLS 360 a part of its multiview experience, giving customers the ability to follow all the MLS action on the same screen as other popular sports like NCAA basketball, MLB and NBA & NHL playoffs.
“We’re excited to provide Comcast customers with a new and convenient way to enjoy all the action of MLS Season Pass with no blackouts. Fans also get MLS 360 to stay up-to-speed on the best matchday moments with expert analysis and discussion throughout the league’s 30th season,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s Vice President of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Sports, and Beats.
To celebrate the start of the 2025 season and the launch of the new viewing experience, Xfinity will offer all customers a free preview of MLS Season Pass from February 22 – March 2, accessible on both X1 and the Xfinity Stream app, after which they’ll be able to subscribe to MLS Season Pass through Xfinity.
In additions to access on X1 and the Stream app, customers who sign up for MLS Season Pass through Xfinity can enjoy the service on the Apple TV app on X1, Xumo, Apple TV and other third-party streaming devices.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250129531444/en/
Debbie Frey
Comcast Corporation
Debbie_Frey@Comcast.com
Source: Comcast Corporation
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