Major League Soccer Scales Back Spanish-Language Broadcasts on Apple TV
Major League Soccer is implementing substantial changes to its broadcast arrangements on Apple TV for the upcoming season, with a significant reduction in Spanish-language broadcast talent taking centre stage. According to five anonymous sources familiar with the league's plans, approximately half of the Spanish-language commentators and analysts will be let go, marking a dramatic shift from the initial emphasis placed on bilingual coverage when the partnership launched in 2023.
Spanish-Language Programming Curtailed
The restructuring will see the league retain only what it considers its seven best Spanish-language play-by-play and commentary pairings. Among those expected to remain are the duos of Sammy Sadovnik and Diego Valeri, Ramses Sandoval and Miguel Gallardo, and Jorge Perez-Navarro and Marcelo Balboa. Furthermore, the Spanish-language version of MLS 360, the whip-around show featuring live look-ins across multiple matches, will be discontinued entirely, though the English-language version continues unaffected.
League sources indicated that viewership data revealed Spanish-speaking audiences predominantly prefer watching complete matches rather than studio-based programming. "The numbers are different between English and Spanish," commented one source involved with Spanish-language broadcasts. "But it's hard to read the plans as anything other than the league saying they value Spanish-speaking and Latino fans less than others."
Executive Response and Strategic Shift
MLS executive vice-president for media Seth Bacon contested this characterisation in an official statement. "After careful consideration and in response to fan feedback, we are evolving our Spanish-language programming to better reflect how our audience engages with the game," Bacon stated. "Our Spanish-language coverage will focus on what fans value most in shoulder programming: high-energy, live broadcasts from the stadium that bring them closer to the action through pre- and post-game shows."
The executive emphasised that the league is enhancing its on-site Spanish-language presence during matchdays to deliver more authentic, engaging content directly from stadiums. This represents a strategic pivot from the original 2023 approach, which promised parity between English and Spanish broadcasts, including sending Spanish-language teams to every match.
Production Moves Across the Atlantic
In another major development, approximately half of MLS's live game productions will be handled overseas. The league has contracted IMG to produce these broadcasts from their studios in London, England, continuing a pattern of adjustments to production processes. This follows previous experiments with remote commentary from Florida-based studios, which resulted in several broadcast personalities being released after relocating for those roles.
A league source confirmed that while broadcast talent will return to being on-site for all matches, the actual production for many games will occur across the Atlantic. "We are going to lean into the existing infrastructure that they have [at IMG]," Bacon explained. "All they'll be doing is creating the clean feed – the announcers will be on site, the graphics will be created here [in the US]. The look and feel of it should be almost exactly the same as last year."
Concerns and Opportunities in Production Shift
The transatlantic production move has generated mixed reactions within the industry. One production-side source expressed concern: "It feels like it might be an absolute disaster. Imagine somebody in London communicating with talent in the US in completely different lingo. I don't think it will end well." Others pointed to potential differences in live production processes between the US and UK markets.
However, some sources were more optimistic, suggesting broadcasts might actually improve due to IMG's well-regarded talent and extensive experience in sports broadcasting. Bacon noted that MLS is training IMG production staff to ensure consistency, particularly regarding camera usage for VAR decisions and overall broadcast aesthetics.
Additional Broadcast Changes and Context
English-language programming will also see reductions, with MLS Wrap-Up – the post-match night studio show – being discontinued in its previous format. A post-match component will remain, but without on-camera studio talent. Conversely, the league is expanding its featured match coverage, with pre- and post-game crews appearing on-site for Sunday Night Soccer, alongside new sideline reporter assignments.
These broadcast adjustments come as MLS prepares for the 2026 World Cup, which commissioner Don Garber has repeatedly described as potential "jet fuel" for growing interest in the league. The changes also follow the recent announcement that Apple's original agreement with MLS, initially running through 2032, will now conclude prematurely in 2029, with adjusted financial terms for the intervening seasons.
As MLS continues to refine its broadcast strategy, these significant cuts to Spanish-language talent and the internationalisation of production represent a pivotal moment in the league's media evolution, with implications for how it engages with diverse fan bases during a crucial period of growth for North American soccer.
