Apple and MLB reveal September “Friday Night Baseball” lineup

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Apple and Major League Baseball Unveil September Schedule for "Friday Night Baseball" on Apple TV+

August 7, 2024

Apple and Major League Baseball (MLB) have officially announced the September game schedule for "Friday Night Baseball," a weekly doubleheader event available to Apple TV+ subscribers every Friday during the 2024 regular season. This exciting initiative allows fans in over 60 countries and regions to enjoy two major matchups each week without any local broadcast restrictions, making it a global baseball event.

September "Friday Night Baseball" Schedule on Apple TV+

• Friday, September 6
  • Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals at 8 p.m. ET
  • San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres at 9:30 p.m. ET
• Friday, September 13
  • Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves at 7 p.m. ET
  • Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees at 7 p.m. ET
• Friday, September 20
  • Detroit Tigers vs. Baltimore Orioles at 7 p.m. ET
  • Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets at 7 p.m. ET

    Broadcast Talent and Production Quality

    "Friday Night Baseball" boasts an impressive lineup of broadcast talent. The announcer booths feature Wayne Randazzo (play-by-play), Dontrelle Willis (analyst), Heidi Watney (sideline reporter), Alex Faust (play-by-play), Ryan Spilborghs (analyst), and Tricia Whitaker (sideline reporter). Additionally, former MLB umpires Ted Barrett, Brian Gorman, and Dale Scott will provide expert analysis on rules and game calls each week. Specific announcer assignments will be shared on a weekly basis.

    Pre-game coverage is hosted by Lauren Gardner, alongside former MLB player and analyst Xavier Scruggs, and baseball journalist Russell Dorsey. On September 13, the pregame show for the Red Sox vs. Yankees and Dodgers vs. Braves games will be broadcast live from Yankee Stadium, featuring exclusive player interviews and more.

    Advanced Production Techniques

    Produced by MLB Network’s Emmy Award-winning team in collaboration with Apple’s live sports production team, "Friday Night Baseball" offers an unparalleled viewing experience. State-of-the-art cameras capture vivid live-action shots, and the games are broadcast with immersive 5.1 sound and Spatial Audio. Drone cameras provide stunning aerial views of the stadiums, and player and field-level microphones enhance the in-game atmosphere. Fans in the U.S. and Canada can even choose to listen to the home and away teams’ local radio broadcasts during the games.

    Apple Sports and Additional MLB Content

    The new Apple Sports app is a must-have for baseball fans. Available for free on iPhone, it offers real-time scores, stats, and more. The app’s intuitive interface allows users to easily follow their favorite leagues and teams. Fans in the U.S. can also enjoy the MLB Big Inning whip-around show, which features live look-ins and in-game highlights every weeknight. Apple TV+ subscribers have access to a plethora of MLB-related content, including Countdown to First Pitch, MLB Daily Recap, and MLB This Week. Additional content like condensed game recaps, classic games, highlights, and interviews are also available for free in the Apple TV app.

    "Friday Night Baseball" in Commercial Establishments

    For commercial establishments in the U.S., DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS is the exclusive national home of "Friday Night Baseball." This partnership ensures that more than 300,000 restaurants, bars, hotel lounges, retail shops, and other venues can broadcast the action throughout the regular season using existing satellite equipment.

    Apple News and Apple Music Integration

    Fans can stay updated with the latest MLB news and highlights through the MLB feed in the Apple News app. Every Friday, a curated selection of the most exciting stories from around the league is available, and fans can directly watch "Friday Night Baseball" in the Apple TV app with an Apple TV+ subscription. Apple Music also offers exclusive playlists featuring walk-up songs from each week’s teams, as well as a collection of classic baseball songs.

    How to Watch

    Apple TV+ subscribers can watch "Friday Night Baseball" on the Apple TV app, which is preinstalled on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro. The app is also available on select smart TVs (including Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Sony, TCL, and VIZIO), Amazon Fire TV and Roku devices, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, Chromecast with Google TV, and set-top boxes like Sky Q, SK Broadband, and Comcast Xfinity. More information is available at apple.com/apple-tv-app. Fans can follow the action of every game this MLB season right on their iPhone Lock Screen with Live Activities. The multiview feature on Apple TV 4K devices and iPad allows fans to watch up to four simultaneous streams, including "Friday Night Baseball" games, Major League Soccer matches, and select MLS and MLB live shows.

    Pricing and Availability

    Apple TV+ is available for $9.99 (U.S.) per month, with a seven-day free trial. Eligible customers who purchase and activate a new Apple device can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.

    Additional Notes:

    1. Radio broadcasts for the Los Angeles Angels are available only for the team’s home games. In Canada, radio broadcasts are available only for Toronto Blue Jays home games.
    2. Apple Sports is free to download for users in the U.S., the U.K, and Canada, and is available for all iPhone models running iOS 17.2 or later.
    3. Live Activities is supported on iOS 16.1 and later.
    4. Multiview is supported on iPad (7th generation) or later.

       With these exciting developments, Apple and MLB are revolutionizing the way fans experience baseball. Whether you’re watching from home or on the go, the combination of advanced technology and top-notch production ensures an immersive and enjoyable viewing experience for all baseball enthusiasts.

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