By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –@tvanswerman
TV Answer Man, the Dodgers are playing the Mets on Apple tonight. Do you need to subscribe to watch the game? — Pete, West Hollywood, California.
Pete, as it did last season, Apple TV+ is offering an exclusive weekly Friday night doubleheader of Major League Baseball games this season. The games will not be broadcast anywhere else, including the teams’ regional sports channels, MLB Extra Innings, or MLB.TV.
Tonight’s (July 14) doubleheader is the Los Angeles Dodgers at the New York Mets at 7 p.m. ET and the San Francisco Giants visiting the Pittsburgh Pirates at 7 p.m. ET.
The good news is that you can watch the games for free.
How Do You Watch Apple TV+ For Free?
Apple TV+ and Major League Baseball have extended their offer of two free months of Apple TV+. The promotion, which was set to expire on July 7, is now available until September 30.
That means you can sign up at any time during the rest of the MLB regular season and watch Apple TV+’s Friday night doubleheaders for free for two months. (The regular subscription cost is $6.99 a month.)
The offer of free two months of Apple TV+ is available to new and qualified returning subscribers. You can redeem the free sub here.
The two-month free sub also entitles you to watch the rest of the Apple TV+ lineup, which includes award-winning shows such as Ted Lasso, Severance and Coda.
Note that you will need to get an Apple ID. If you already own an Apple device, such as an iPad or iPhone, you probably have one. But if you don’t, you go to the Apple TV+ web site and click the Sign In button in the right-hand corner of the Home Page. A screen will display with instructions on how to sign up. Click the ‘Create New Apple TV ID’ link.
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Then, about 30 minutes before the game begins, open the Apple TV+ app or go to its web site. You’ll see the game listed in a thumbnail on the Home Page. Click on the thumbnail and start watching. It’s that easy. Pre-game shows usually begin about 30 minutes before first pitch.
There are a few other things you need to know.
* Apple TV+ is not available on Android phones or tablets. If you own one of those, you will need to watch the games on the web site.
* If you subscribe to MLB.TV, you can watch the game by clicking on the Apple TV+ icon in the app. That will take you directly to the Apple TV+ app. (Unless you’re using an Android phone or tablet.)
* The games are streamed in 1080p, not 4K, as some have suggested. But the picture is still quite remarkable for HD.
For more information on which devices are compatible with Apple TV+, click here.
Pete, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
— Phillip Swann
@tvanswerman
