According to a recent CNBC story, Apple has reportedly “shown interest” in purchasing an NBA streaming package. Amazon, NBC Sports, and Apple are among the other interested parties. NBCUniversal is especially interested in repurchasing NBA games.
In exchange for a contract, NBCUniversal could stream some regular-season games exclusively on the Peacock streaming service and telecast postseason games on the NBC network. What other possible buyers, such as Apple, could be interested in needs to be clarified in the report.
Before Disney and Turner Sports purchased the NBA rights more than 20 years ago, NBC held those rights. Negotiations will only resume if Turner Sports and Disney concur to forgo an exclusive bargaining window that runs out in April 2024. The NBA may finally decide against accepting bids from other businesses and renew its agreement with Disney and Turner Sports. Apple may still be able to make an offer.
According to CNBC, the NBA might offer bidders two packages with material for three or four partners distributed across streaming and traditional TV.
Apple has focused on sports content to draw more users to the Apple TV+ streaming service. Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer have contracts with the company. While MLB programming made its debut with Friday Night Baseball last spring, MLS games will begin to be available in February, with the MLS Season Pass costing $14.99 per month or $99 for the entire season.