Landon Donovan: MLS still needs linear TV to grow, exclusive streaming deal limits visibility
By
Sam Neumann
Baker's choice. Dense with flavour, light on filler.
Summary
Landon Donovan argues that MLS's exclusive streaming deal with Apple TV, while innovative, has hurt the league's growth by reducing visibility. He believes MLS needs linear television's promotional power to attract casual fans and grow the sport in the U.S., and that the league is confusing accessibility (streaming anywhere) with visibility (being seen by broad audiences). Donovan notes that Commissioner Don Garber acknowledged the Apple deal wasn't working and changes were made, including dropping the paywall for some content, but insists MLS still isn't mature enough to abandon linear TV entirely.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledMLS is not mature enough yet to completely abandon linear television.
I think we confuse accessibility with visibility. Just because you can access it doesn't mean people see it.
The commissioner said to me, 'We tried something new, we saw it wasn't working, and we made changes.'
If you want to grow the game, you need people to be able to see it. And the easiest way for people to see it is on linear television.
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