Apple's deal with Major League Baseball announced at the Apple Event on Tuesday is part of a $115 million deal between it, NBC Sports, and Apple.
According to the report detailing the deal by Forbes on Wednesday, Apple can bail out of the agreement up to two years after the start of broadcast. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the report also claims that the national deals with all broadcasters and streamers is $1.96 billion for the 2022 season, split among 30 teams.
The breakdown of the revenue between the teams isn't clear. Historically, it's been uneven, and based on a complex equation loosely based on viewership.
Apple's partnership with Major League Baseball consists of a weekly double-header with live pre- and postgame shows, available in eight countries. Fans will be able to view marquee games on Friday nights without local broadcast restrictions wherever Apple TV+ can be viewed, and for a limited time, without a subscription.
As well as Friday Night Baseball, Apple is providing users in the U.S. with "MLB Big Inning," a live show with highlights and look-ins airing every weeknight of the regular season. A 24-7 livestream will also be viewable with MLB game replays, news, and analysis in the U.S. and Canada.
"Friday Night Baseball" will be available in the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. An expansion into more countries will take place at a later date.
As well as Apple TV+, the partnership has Apple and MLB providing enhanced league and team coverage for fans in Apple News, complete with highlights watchable within the News app.
Streaming of the games is scheduled to start on April 8. The existing MLB lockout will likely prevent that.