(Bloomberg) — Apple Inc. reached a deal with Major League Baseball to air Friday night games on its streaming service, marking the iPhone maker’s first major foray into sports broadcasting.
Apple TV+ will broadcast two games on Friday nights to fans in eight countries once the regular season begins, the company said in a statement Tuesday.
The iPhone maker will also broadcast a live show with highlights every weeknight during the regular season. Fans in the U.S. and Canada will have access to a 24-hour livestream with replays, news and analysis.
Apple’s deal with MLB is significant because it brings another deep-pocketed tech giant into competition for broadcast rights with TV networks. Amazon.com Inc. will be the exclusive home of NFL games on Thursday nights this coming season.
Read more: Baseball whiffs on two counts: labor peace and slow games
Major League Baseball is currently in a labor dispute with players that has led the league to cancel early-season games, risking the loyalty of even die-hard fans of the sport.
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