Sports Media Briefs: MLS Playoffs Free On Apple TV; DIRECTV Adds NBA Channel; Fans See Red Over NFL RedZone Ads
By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.
Apple to Make MLS Playoffs Free to All Apple TV Subscribers
Apple has announced that Apple TV subscribers will be able to watch every MLS playoff game for free regardless of whether they get the MLS Season Pass plan. This follows Apple’s recent announcement that it will offer F1 races as part of the Apple TV $12.99 a month subscription starting in 2026. The MLS playoffs start on Wednesday, October 22. To learn more click here.
DIRECTV Adds Gulf Sports Network For Pelicans Games
DIRECTV has officially added the Gulf Sports & Entertainment Network which will air the regional broadcasts of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans. (The NBA regular season starts tomorrow night but the Pelicans’ first game is Wednesday, October 22, against the Memphis Grizzlies.) The channel, which is available in markets in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, will be on DIRECTV channel 676 on satellite and streaming and 1759 on the DIRECTV-owned U-verse.
Fans Upset Over Increased Ads on NFL RedZone Channel
NFL RedZone Channel host Scott Hanson revealed before the 2025 regular season that his channel would include advertising for the first time this year. The news provoked a firestorm from fans online but the ads were few and far between for the first several weeks of the season. However, NBC’s Pro Football Talk reports that the in-action commercials increased significantly yesterday, prompting a renewed uproar on social media. To learn more, click here.
ESPN App Passes 2 Million Subscribers Mark in 6 Weeks
Antenna, the data research firm, says that ESPN’s new Unlimited app reached an estimated 2.1 million subscribers from its launch on August 21 to the end of September. Several analysts said the service, which offers live feeds of all ESPN channels for $29.99 a month, would barely reach that number by year’s end. Antenna also said Fox One, the new $19.99 a month standalone app from Fox, had an estimated 1.1 million subscribers at the end of September. To learn more, click here.
Apple/Peacock ‘Sports Bundle’ Available Starting Today
The so-called ‘Sports Bundle’ of the $12.99 a month Apple TV and the ads-included $10.99 a month Peacock is now available for $14.99 a month. The package has been dubbed a sports bundle because Apple TV carries the MLS Season Pass, Major League Baseball ,and F1 racing in 2026, while Peacock has a slew of live sports from NBC. To learn more about the bundle, click here.
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My direct tv streaming didn’t add gulf sports network on channel 676 it already has mavs network I live where I get blackouts from Houston ,Dallas.and New Orleans
Sean, if you think you are blacked out incorrectly, contact their customer service.
Thank you contacting now
I got told the channel not available on direct tv or direct tv streaming 🤦🏻♂️ not very good customer service
Said wasn’t a local blackout that channel wasn’t available I live in Lousiana I tired to explain it’s a new channel to the direct tv and direct tv stream they didn’t understand all said not available
What is your zip code?
70668
Not listed yet: https://www.directv.com/sports/regional-sports-networks/
Did you get the Pelicans when they were on the previous channel?
Yes it was when it was Bally sports I believe or fan duel.
Well, it’s new so give it a day.
Thanks sure will