Apple TV keeps Friday Night Baseball free until 2028

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Apple TV will remain a fixture in the MLB landscape until at least 2028. Despite conflicting reports in recent years, it's now confirmed that Friday Night Baseball will continue to be streamed for free on Apple TV in the coming seasons. This decision resolves a period of uncertainty and demonstrates how crucial live sports have become to the entire Apple ecosystem.

Apple TV has gradually become one of the central hubs for sports content in recent years. From soccer and motorsports to baseball, the service focuses on an expanded streaming offering and long-term rights packages. This strategy not only strengthens its competitive position but also integrates live streaming with its own products and services. The continuation of Friday Night Baseball clearly fits into this strategy.

The future of Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV

Friday Night Baseball has been part of Apple TV's lineup since 2022 and is offered there at no additional cost. For a long time, however, it was unclear whether this would remain the case after 2025. Rumors in the summer of 2025 initially pointed to major changes. In June, it was reported that Apple was planning to acquire the baseball rights previously held by ESPN. This would expand the baseball offering on Apple TV. A few weeks later, another rumor surfaced, suggesting a possible transfer of the Friday and Sunday games to NBC.

Ultimately, only some of these speculations proved true. Sunday Night Baseball is indeed moving from ESPN to NBC. However, Friday Night Baseball remains a staple of Apple TV. MLB confirmed that the popular doubleheaders will continue to be streamed for free on Apple TV. The agreement stipulates that Apple will pay $85 million annually for the rights to Friday Night Baseball through 2028.

Overview of other streaming rights

While Apple strengthens its position in baseball, the rest of the industry is also making changes. Netflix will now broadcast the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, the Field of Dreams Game, and the World Baseball Classic in Japan. TBS retains the rights to LCS and Division Series games, as well as Tuesday night regular-season games. Fox remains responsible for the All-Star Game, numerous regular-season games, the World Series, and other major series. ESPN secures a national midweek package. Games can still be purchased directly through the MLB website via MLB.TV.

New sports content on Apple TV

In addition to baseball, Apple TV is continuously expanding its sports offerings. In early November 2025, Apple confirmed that subscribers will receive free access to Major League Soccer starting in 2026. Users in the US will also gain access to complete Formula 1 race weekends at no extra cost. With this, Apple is further expanding its sports portfolio and creating an increasingly broader selection of live events.

Apple's sports-related activities

Apple has been focusing on strengthening the connection between its sports content and its products for years. One example of this is the Apple Sports app, released in February 2024. The app provides real-time scores and statistics for the MLS, NBA, and other leagues. It thus complements the streaming service and creates a unified access point to sports information within the Apple ecosystem.

Friday Night Baseball itself is increasingly serving as a platform for Apple to showcase its own hardware and services. Devices like AirPods Max regularly appear in the broadcasts, as do collaborations with Apple Music. With the iPhone 17 Pro, this connection between live sports and product advertising was further expanded, positioning the platform simultaneously as an entertainment channel and a showcase for Apple products.

Apple TV focuses on a long-term sports strategy

The decision to keep Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV until 2028 strengthens the streaming service for the long term. With clear rights, free content, and a growing variety of sports content, Apple is consistently pursuing its strategy. The combination of MLB games, MLS, Formula 1, and accompanying sports apps demonstrates the importance that live sports now hold for Apple TV. The long-term partnership with MLB ensures that Friday Night Baseball continues to play a key role in Apple's sports offerings and lays the foundation for the years to come. (Image: Apple)