MLS RENEWS WITH FOX FOR 4 YEARS, ENDS RUN WITH ESPN

Fox will keep on broadcasting Major League Soccer games in the U.S. as part of a four-year agreement, ending the run of ESPN and ABC, which had carried matches since the league launched in 1996.

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MLS also announced linear television agreements on Tuesday with TSN and RDS in Canada and TelevisaUnivision.

MLS chose only one television partner in the U.S. due to its 10-year partnership with Apple that begins next season.

The rights deal with Apple, announced in July, allows fans to watch every game without local blackouts or restrictions.

MLS deputy commissioner Gary Stevenson noted the media deals, beginning with Apple, were built with a streaming-first mentality. The league has found 83% of its fans watch sports on streaming devices or recorded TV during an average week, up from 52% for all TV viewers.

“The original idea was to create what is primarily a streaming package and also add to that great linear agreements with partners that we know well. We’re very happy with what we’re going to be able to offer. We think it’s going to be a great fan experience,” Stevenson said.

Fox, TSN and RDS also have rights to the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.