Apple Looking To Close Deal On FIFA World Cup, Might Block SuperSport And SABC

Soccer's global governing body FIFA is close to an agreement with Apple to give the tech company worldwide television rights for a new, month-long club tournament, the New York Times reported on Monday.

The deal with Apple could be announced as soon as this month and valued at around $1 billion, a quarter of the $4 billion FIFA had first estimated, the report said, citing three people familiar with the matter.

The potential agreement would give the company's streaming business an edge amid competition among streaming services providers to lap up rights for widely watched sporting events in a bid to add subscribers.

If the deal goes through, this would mark the first time that FIFA has agreed to a single worldwide contract, the report said.

Senior executives at FIFA, however, have raised concerns over the possibility of "free-to-air rights", which would make the event only available to subscribers of Apple TV+, according to the report. It is unclear whether the deal includes any such rights.

Sponsors have also been reluctant to commit the $150 million that FIFA is seeking for sponsorship packages, the report said.

The 32-team event will be held next year between June 15 and July 13. Usually, no major events are scheduled during this period in order to allow players to rest in the off-season a year before the World Cup, according to the report.

FIFA has faced criticism from players unions for not consulting them before making announcements about the event, according to the report.

"As a general practice, FIFA does not confirm or deny commercial discussions," a spokesperson for the governing body said in a response. Apple declined to comment.

Trouble for sports in SA

Seeing as Apple is looking to secure this for their platforms being Apple TV+ it's possible that SuperSport and SABC might miss out on the action. Considering that MultiChoice opted to minimize the sports on Showmax its likely that it could be televised. 

Provided that SuperSport licenses the rights from Apple same goes for the SABC as opposed to running through SuperSport. This comes after eMedia Investments had won a broadcasting dispute against MultiChoice in regards to the Rugby World Cup.

Although this news may seem pleasing to some readers, in other countries you have most sporting events from SuperSport viewed on multiple platforms (additional fees) while in South Africa it was under one tile (one fee).

Rumour: Disney CEO Reportedly Planning To Sell Disney To Apple After Projecting $800M Loss

In a move that would shake up the entertainment industry, Disney CEO Bob Iger is reportedly planning to sell the company to Apple. The news has sent shockwaves through the industry, with many analysts and investors questioning the logic of the deal. 

There are a number of potential benefits to a Disney-Apple merger. First, the deal would create a media giant with unrivaled reach and scale. Disney’s vast library of content, combined with Apple’s global distribution network, would create a powerhouse that could dominate the streaming wars. The merger would allow Disney to accelerate its transition to a streaming-first business. But why is Disney’s CEO Bob Iger so keen on selling when he’s known as someone who builds, not breaks?

The deal of the century

There are ongoing rumors in the industry that Bob Iger, who was recently reappointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Disney, is planning on selling the company in its entirety after having already made up his mind about selling the company’s television assets. This could be because the company’s streaming division is currently looking at possibly $800 million in losses in its recently ended third quarter, according to sources.

Bob Iger returns to Disney after a 2-year retirement

Apple is already a major player in the streaming market, with its Apple TV+ streaming service. If this merger happens, it would give Disney access to Apple’s expertise and resources, which would help it grow its streaming business faster than ever before. The merger would also allow Disney to expand its reach into newer markets.

Apple has a strong presence in China, where Disney has struggled to gain traction. The merger would give Disney access to Apple’s Chinese customers, which would be a major boost for the company’s growth. 

Is a merger between the two companies actually possible? And is it a good idea?

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to a Disney-Apple merger. First, the deal would raise concerns about antitrust regulation. The combined company would have a significant amount of market power, which could lead to higher prices for consumers.

Apple CEO Tim Cook

The folks at AppleInsider also claim that a deal this size is not very possible, and that is even if Apple has the kind of loose change lying around to buy Disney. Some time ago, a US judge denied a merger between two leading publishing houses just because a merger would mean lesser advances to their authors and cutting competition.

This means that if we consider even for a second that a deal as massive as Apple buying Disney were to go down, it would be happening through federal regulators of the United States.

Bob Iger is reportedly looking for an heir.

Second, the deal could lead to job losses. Disney and Apple are both major employers, and the merger could result in layoffs as the two companies consolidate their operations. Third, the deal could be seen as a sign that Disney is giving up on its own streaming business. Disney has invested heavily in its streaming services, such as Disney+ and Hulu.

The potential benefits and drawbacks of a Disney-Apple merger are complex and far-reaching. It remains to be seen whether the deal will actually happen, but it is clear that if it happens, it would have a significant impact on the entertainment industry.