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In this article on the Adweek Website we learn that MLSLive.tv, the online service which streams MLS matches to subscribers for a fee will likely be free again and totally ad driven. This no doubt reflects the changing online streaming landscape presented by streaming services such as Justin.tv, UStream and soon-to-be launched Youtube Live. MLS originally started it's streaming service through Yahoo! as a free service.
MLS delivers live game streams -- full regular season matches and playoffs -- through MLSLive.tv, which is part of the league's Web site, an initiative it began in 2005. Initially free, it's been sold on a subscription basis, without advertising, since 2006. No games shown by its broadcast and cable partners -- ABC, ESPN2 and Fox Soccer Channel -- are included in the subscription package, since those rights are held in agreements with those networks. The league's intention next season is to provide the service again for free through an ad-supported network, possibly with one or more of its corporate partners.
"As Soccer United Marketing [the league's marketing arm] now represents the new women's league for their sponsorship sales and online advertising, that will give us two properties, MLS and WPS, [for which we] own the rights to for live games. So, we're looking at how to get creative in putting together a significant sponsorship program," said Dan Courtemanche, svp of marketing and communications for MLS and SUM.
I think this makes sense. And with many of us viewers already using Sopcast to watch the games for free, MLSlive still has better quality (usually). I buy my MLSlive subscription every year, and its definitely worth it, but an ad driven version would be fine with me also. So, by the sounds of it, some games we'll still have to watch via sopcast... those of us that dont want to support the big media monopolies like Charter, Comcast and Time Warner.
oooo, does this mean that there will be a free live WPS online stream as well? =-)
Sounds gret!
I welcome an ad-driven version of the player. I'm a paying subscriber, but i certainly don't mind saving some cash, even if it means watching a 15-second ad.
proof that MLS is growing as finding sponsors is not as difficult as it used to be
Good. I started watching MLS back when it was free. I didn't have a tv, still have no cable, and otherwise would never have gotten into MLS.
I have to differ from Bluezy - I'm also a paying subscriber and I'd continue to pay a subscription to not have my intelligence insulted by advertisers.
Good news for next season, if it happens. Hopefully the ads won't be that intrusive, and I'll easily be able to hook my laptop up to my LCS to watch them on a larger screen. Wish I could just stream stuff like this with Mediacentre.