<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-345756 size-full" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Streaming-Services.jpg" alt="Amazon and HBO Max Streaming Soccer" width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Streaming-Services.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Streaming-Services-300x200.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Streaming-Services-600x400.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Streaming-Services-150x100.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Streaming-Services-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure>
<p>There is a legitimate chance of seeing Amazon and HBO Max streaming soccer. Sure, we all know Peacock, Paramount+ and ESPN+. But, there are always new names entering the market.</p>
<p>In recent years, the broadcasting of soccer leagues has shifted from linear television to streaming services. This trend – best exhibited by the trendsetting Bundesliga followed by LaLiga – has continued to accelerate with more Americans streaming everything from Netflix movies to live sports events.</p>
<p>We’ve seen consumers adjust, albeit with some reservations to the transition of the aforementioned leagues, as well as more games of the Premier League, Serie A and UEFA Champions League that have shifted to streaming.</p>
<p>Given the current soccer streaming wars and the likelihood that more streaming services, not less, will begin broadcasting soccer, how will soccer fans react if we see Amazon Prime or HBO Max jump into the mix in the near future? Remember, neither of these services currently broadcasts live soccer matches at the moment. However, opportunities abound. The rights to the Premier League, MLS, USMNT and USWNT expire within the next twelve months.</p>
<h3><b>American Soccer fans have grown comfortable with streaming services</b></h3>
<p>The increased streaming of soccer on <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN+</a>, <a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paramount+</a> and <a href="https://imp.i305175.net/peacock" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peacock</a> accustomed viewers to using these services. Still, it must be noted these services are all connected to mainstream linear networks. Their intense promotion on linear programming helps the transition to streaming.</p>
<div class="ckeditor-em"><iframe loading="lazy" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1125851815&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true&amp;visual=true" width="100%" height="300" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc; line-break: anywhere; word-break: normal; overflow: hidden; white-space: nowrap; text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-weight: 100;"><a style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" title="World Soccer Talk Podcast" href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Soccer Talk Podcast</a> · <a style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" title="Premier League’s US TV Rights Deal: The Domino Effect" href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk/premier-leagues-us-tv-rights-deal-the-domino-effect" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Premier League’s US TV Rights Deal: The Domino Effect</a></div>
<p>Additionally, soccer fans are fairly comfortable using services like fuboTV or sports-only streaming platforms like DAZN or <a href="https://preview.mycujoo.tv/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eleven</a> to watch matches. Those who like less mainstream properties tend to be more savvy in this regard.</p>
<p>Even as streaming has grown as a way to broadcast live soccer, we’ve not seen the likes of Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime nor Discovery+ show matches in the United States. But it’s likely just a matter of time, given the shifting landscape in the media world before some prominent soccer property finds itself on Amazon Prime or HBO Max, in particular.</p>
<p>So, what happens when live soccer inevitably ends up on streaming services unassociated with live sports or a prominent linear broadcaster?</p>
<h3><b>The Hulu Experience</b></h3>
<p>Disney’s decision to integrate ESPN+ into Hulu for <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mg25qa">streaming bundle</a> subscribers has ended up being an effective gateway to test the concept of live soccer on what is otherwise an on-demand entertainment platform.</p>
<p>While Hulu is now associated with Disney, it has long-been a place to find on-demand programming associated with TV networks. But, in the past, it was not a place to view live events. Hulu, in many ways, pioneered streaming on-demand sitcoms and movies. This hedged the television networks against the growing power of Netflix and Amazon Prime.</p>
<p>The ESPN+ integration into Hulu, per this writer’s anecdotal evidence, changed the viewing habits of many in my circle.</p>
<h3><b>Premier League success in the UK on Prime&nbsp;</b></h3>
<p>Amazon Prime received rave reviews for its coverage of the Premier League in the United Kingdom since its inception. Over the years, Prime has used some of the best-known soccer commentators and presenters. Moreover, the service offered matches free of additional charge on its streaming service. Amazon only broadcasts Premier League matches on special midweek occasions, but that proved to be more accessible to viewers than its Sky Sports counterpart.</p>
<p>The general consensus among UK-based Premier League fans is that they would not object to seeing a greater share of matches broadcast on Amazon Prime during the next rights cycle. Additionally, Amazon has been given favorable grades from the written press in terms of both their presentation and accessibility when broadcasting the league.</p>
<p>In the U.S., Amazon received praise for its streaming of live sports on Prime.</p>
<h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/primesignup?ref_=assoc_tag_ph_1402131641212&amp;_encoding=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=pf4&amp;tag=et00d-20&amp;linkId=6b0f457884c43b5e1f8f5166b84640c4"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-345752 aligncenter" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20210917_CMS_345747_Premier-League-on-Amazon-Prime_9b2a835c.webp&amp;width=700&amp;height=380" alt="" width="700" height="380" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Premier-League-on-Amazon-Prime.png 700w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Premier-League-on-Amazon-Prime-300x163.png 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Premier-League-on-Amazon-Prime-600x326.png 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Premier-League-on-Amazon-Prime-150x81.png 150w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px"></figure></a></h3>
<h3><b>Could we see Amazon and HBO Max streaming soccer?&nbsp;</b></h3>
<p>In a word, yes. In fact, it’s probably inevitable at this point. As noted above, Amazon Prime aired Premier League matches in England. Discovery+ expressed interest in acquiring Ligue Un rights domestically in France.</p>
<p>Major League Soccer appears a very attractive property for streaming. The decline of linear Regional Sports Networks (RSN’s) over the last five years compounds the interest of streaming services for the league. MLS’s growing relevance domestically makes out-of-market matches unavailable on a linear channel very attractive for streaming services.</p>
<p>The recent addition of MLS clubs in Austin, Nashville and Charlotte, three hot “emerging” Sun Belt markets that have attracted young professionals that are also streaming-savvy, improves MLS’ viability for a potential deal with Amazon Prime or HBO Max.</p>
<p>NBC Sports is in its final year of broadcasting the Premier League under its current six year deal. With NBC closing its dedicated sports channel, NBCSN, later this year and its increasing reliance on clunky streaming service Peacock, the time may be ripe for a new rights holder to move in.</p>
<h5>Potential Deals</h5>
<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-345755 size-medium alignright" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20210917_CMS_345747_EPL-on-NBCSN-300x169_fe890659.webp&amp;width=300&amp;height=169" alt="" width="300" height="169" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/EPL-on-NBCSN-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/EPL-on-NBCSN-600x338.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/EPL-on-NBCSN-150x84.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/EPL-on-NBCSN-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/EPL-on-NBCSN.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure>
<p>Some estimate the upcoming U.S. Premier League rights deal to surpass <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-14/comcast-faces-2-billion-u-s-battle-for-premier-league-rights?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=bd&amp;cmpId=google" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$2 billion</a> over six years. Therefore, only a few broadcasters will be willing to lay out that sort of cash for this property. Obviously, ESPN and CBS Sports are in the mix. Yet, it’s also very possible Amazon Prime or HBO Max could make a move.</p>
<p>The Premier League recognizes the power of streaming in the UK market. The league may not see much difference between buried channels on various service providers and a straight streaming deal.</p>
<p>Ultimately, an exclusive streaming deal is likely a non-starter. For example, NBC could continue to guarantee a match or more a week on network television, or CBS may likely promise a match a week or more on broadcast TV.</p>
<p>However, there are certain tricky hurdles. NBC decided to fold NBCSN to move matches to USA Network and NBC over-the-air. Putting games on over-the-air broadcasts is tricky with the FCC requiring educational and public affairs content on weekend mornings. Also, there is always the risk of people not switching over from NBCSN to the cable channels. In that regard, giant streaming services like Amazon Prime become a very real option for the league.</p>
<h3><b>Bottom Line</b></h3>
<p>Streaming is now the primary manner in which to watch top level soccer in the United States. As the transition from broadcast and cable television to streaming continues, expect to see more streaming players.</p>
<p>Furthermore, these will not be the standard sports-first programming. These rights bids will come from services known for on-demand programming.</p>

Amazon and HBO Max to enter soccer streaming wars?

Streaming services now dominate the landscape of soccer viewership. However, could we see Amazon and HBO Max streaming soccer?

Amazon and HBO Max to enter soccer streaming wars? - World Soccer Talk

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-344951 aligncenter" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/MLS-Cup.jpg" alt="MLS Playoffs" width="1024" height="696" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/MLS-Cup.jpg 1024w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/MLS-Cup-300x204.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/MLS-Cup-600x408.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/MLS-Cup-150x102.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/MLS-Cup-768x522.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure>
<p>The MLS Playoffs are just around the corner. With the 12-team single-elimination tournament starting in mid-November, we have news about the postseason MLS schedule.</p>
<p>Among notable differences from previous years, there will be a game on Thanksgiving for the first time.</p>
<p>Additionally, ABC will air four consecutive weekends of MLS coverage. ABC and the network’s of ESPN will cover all four rounds of the MLS Playoffs. Their over-the-air network coverage includes every round from every weekend of the tournament.</p>
<h3>MLS Playoffs</h3>
<p>Unlike the majority of professional soccer leagues in the world, Major League Soccer determines their season champion with a tournament. The top seven teams in each conference qualify.</p>
<p>For both the eastern and western conference, the top teams in each side of the bracket receive a bye to the second round. The other 10 teams begin their single-elimination tournament based off their regular-season seeding.</p>
<div id="attachment_344953" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-344953" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-344953 size-medium" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20210909_CMS_344877_Atlanta-United-300x225_92d1784d.webp&amp;width=300&amp;height=225" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Atlanta-United-300x225.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Atlanta-United-600x450.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Atlanta-United-150x113.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Atlanta-United-768x576.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Atlanta-United-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Atlanta-United-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure><p id="caption-attachment-344953" class="wp-caption-text">Atlanta United won the MLS Cup in just their second MLS season.</p></div>
<p>For example, if the MLS Playoffs were to start <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/standings/2021/conference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">right now</a> (Sep. 9), the New England Revolution and the Seattle Sounders would receive first-round byes. Essentially, they begin their tournament after four teams are knocked out.</p>
<p>Formerly, MLS used two-leg ties to advance teams throughout the playoffs. Starting in 2019, the single-game elimination rule came into effect.</p>
<p>Moreover, the MLS tournament used during 2020 differed significantly from that which we will see in 2021. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic caused MLS to base playoff seeding off of points earned per game. This season, they revert back to the total points accumulated during the regular season. Moreover, there will not be a play-in round as there was in 2020. The top-team in each conference does receive a bye. Yet, the bottom teams do not play to qualify for the MLS Playoffs.</p>
<p>There is one change that could cause some controversy similar to 2020. MLS outlined mechanisms for postseason qualification. Among them, there is a certain minimum number of games played required for a team to qualify for the playoffs.</p>
<h3>Playoff TV Coverage</h3>
<p>All 12 of the single-elimination playoff matches in the tournament will air on national television in the United States. To start, the four opening-round games are on the weekend of Nov. 20/21. ABC and ESPN doubleheaders will bring coverage of the first round and the conference semifinals. Additionally, FOX will carry a portion of these games.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>READ MORE</strong></em><em>: Where to watch MLS on U.S. TV.</em></p>
<p>FOX is making history with the MLS Playoffs as they bring a first for the league. A Thanksgiving Day showdown will air on the FOX broadcast network and FOX Deportes.</p>
<p>Together, FOX and the ESPN/ABC family of networks provide coverage of each game on national television.</p>
<p>For Spanish-language coverage, ESPN Deportes and FOX Deportes will also carry complete coverage of the MLS Playoffs. Univision will also have coverage, marking the 10th-consecutive year Univision network’s will broadcast the MLS Championship over the air.</p>
<p>Canadian coverage of the MLS Playoffs is available through TSN and TVA Sports. TSN and TVA Sports will provide comprehensive coverage of the postseason with coverage of every match. Channels are set to be announced at a later date.</p>
<p>Coverage of the tournament begins on Saturday, Nov. 20. Over the ensuing four weekends, the tournament culminates in the 2021 MLS Cup. On Dec. 11, the two conference champions play one game. The host is whichever team earned more points in the regular season. Consequently, the winner is the 2021 MLS Cup Champion.</p>
<p>The MLS Cup Final will be on ABC on Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. ET.</p>

MLS Playoffs to air across FOX, ABC and Univision

The MLS Playoffs are just around the corner. With the 12-team single-elimination tournament starting in mid-November, we have news about the schedule.

MLS Playoffs to air across FOX, ABC and Univision - World Soccer Talk

Latest news from ESPN. Find out about all the news related to ESPN on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "ESPN - Page 8"

News

Amazon and HBO Max to enter soccer streaming wars?

News

MLS Playoffs to air across FOX, ABC and Univision