Apple TV’s 2026 playbook: MLS included, F1 added, and a March 27 baseball-and-sci‑fi doubleheader

Apple TV’s big spring: MLS goes all‑in, F1 joins the bundle, and Friday Night Baseball returns

As of March 15, 2026, Apple TV is in the middle of its most aggressive expansion since launch: all MLS matches are now included in the base subscription, Formula 1 coverage in the U.S. debuts this season, and Friday Night Baseball returns March 27. At the same time, Apple’s originals slate is ramping up with For All Mankind season five on March 27 and high‑profile film releases, while the service—rebranded from Apple TV+ to Apple TV late last year—holds six Oscar nominations heading into tonight’s 98th Academy Awards. (apple.com )

What’s new now

• MLS is part of Apple TV at no extra cost beginning with the 2026 season; the standalone MLS Season Pass ended after 2025. Season-ticket holders get a year of Apple TV included. (apple.com )
• Apple confirms added distribution for live sports through Comcast Xfinity, DIRECTV, and EverPass for commercial venues, broadening reach beyond the app. (apple.com )
• Friday Night Baseball’s fifth season starts Friday, March 27, with weekly doubleheaders through the regular season. (apple.com )
• Formula 1 joins Apple TV’s U.S. sports portfolio in 2026, previewed during Apple TV’s press slate day. (apple.com )
• The service is $12.99 per month with a seven‑day free trial; limited‑time device promos continue. (apple.com )

Live sports: a bigger tent—and simpler bill

Apple and MLS have folded every league match—regular season, Leagues Cup, All‑Star, Campeones Cup, and the MLS Cup Playoffs—into the standard Apple TV subscription worldwide, ending the separate Season Pass product and eliminating blackouts. Industry watchers see the change as both a discovery play and a price/value reset for soccer in the U.S. (apple.com )

For venues and viewers, Apple is widening distribution. DIRECTV will carry Apple TV’s live sports in homes and via DIRECTV for BUSINESS; EverPass offers the complete Apple TV sports portfolio to commercial establishments; and Comcast Xfinity integrates Apple’s live sports directly in X1 and Stream guides, with MLS 360 available free to Xfinity customers. (apple.com )

Friday Night Baseball is back March 27 with an MLB doubleheader every Friday across 60+ regions, and Apple says it will further integrate iPhone into select game broadcasts after a Hall of Fame–recognized 2025 trial. Opening night features Angels–Astros and Guardians–Mariners. (apple.com )

Formula 1 arrives on Apple TV in 2026. Apple previewed the race‑day experience during its February slate event alongside F1 leadership, positioning F1 alongside MLS and MLB as pillars of its live offering. (apple.com )

Originals: weekly debuts and marquee returns

Apple TV flagged a “new originals every week” cadence in 2026. Near‑term anchors include For All Mankind season five (March 27), followed by Outcome (April 10) and Margo’s Got Money Troubles (April 15), with additional first looks at upcoming series like Lucky and Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed. (apple.com )

The originals push meets awards momentum. Apple enters tonight’s Oscars with six nominations, led by F1 for Best Picture and craft categories, plus nods for the documentary Come See Me in the Good Light and The Lost Bus. Winners will be announced this evening in Los Angeles. (apple.com )

Price, branding, and ads

Apple TV costs $12.99 per month in the U.S., following a 2025 price rise. Apple continues to position the service as ad‑free, with Services chief Eddy Cue saying there are “no plans” for an ad‑supported tier “at this time.” The company also completed a 2025 rebrand from Apple TV+ to simply Apple TV to align with consumer usage and simplify the umbrella brand across app, service, and devices. (macrumors.com )

Devices, app, and tvOS 26

The Apple TV app—and Apple TV subscription—is available on over a billion screens, including Apple TV 4K, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro, major smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, PlayStation, Xbox, and the web. Apple also highlights added subscription “endpoints” through partners like Prime Video subscriptions, Roku premium subscriptions, Comcast Xfinity, and DIRECTV. (apple.com )

On the set‑top box side, tvOS 26 brought a Liquid Glass visual refresh, improved profile switching, and iPhone‑as‑microphone karaoke features for Apple Music Sing. The update supports Apple TV HD (2015) and all Apple TV 4K models, though some effects are 4K‑only. (9to5mac.com )

Hardware outlook: patience required

Despite periodic reporting about a refreshed Apple TV 4K, insiders now suggest Apple may time new TV‑and‑Home hardware to a broader Siri/AI rollout slated for later in 2026. In other words, don’t be surprised if any box refresh lands closer to fall alongside next‑gen assistant features. Nothing is official yet. (t3.com )

Why this matters

• Simpler value story: Collapsing MLS into the base plan brings Apple TV closer to rivals that bundle major leagues into a single subscription, lowering friction and improving perceived value. (sportsbusinessjournal.com )
• Sports as a flywheel: Adding F1 next to MLS and MLB gives Apple a year‑round live‑sports spine that can drive daily engagement and cross‑promotion for originals. (apple.com )
• Distribution muscle: The DIRECTV/EverPass/Xfinity tie‑ups extend Apple’s sports into traditional channels and public venues, a key step for reach. (apple.com )

Key dates to watch

• March 15, 2026: 98th Academy Awards; Apple enters with six nominations. (apple.com )
• March 27, 2026: For All Mankind season five premiere. (apple.com )
• March 27, 2026: Friday Night Baseball 2026 season opener. (apple.com )
• 2026 season: MLS matches included with Apple TV; Sunday Night Soccer and Walmart Saturday Showdown return. (apple.com )

How to watch

• Subscribe: Apple TV is $12.99/month with a seven‑day free trial; select new Apple devices include three months free for a limited time. (apple.com )
• Where to watch: Apple TV app on Apple devices, major smart TVs, Roku/Fire TV/Chromecast, PlayStation/Xbox, and the web. (apple.com )
• Follow along: Apple Sports app on iPhone provides MLS scores, Live Activities, and deep stats with tap‑to‑watch links into Apple TV. (apple.com )

Bottom line: Apple TV has turned 2026 into a statement year—richer sports rights, a steady drumbeat of originals, and broader distribution—while keeping its identity ad‑free and its price on the premium end of the market. The next shoe to drop is hardware; if the AI‑era Apple TV 4K arrives later this year, the living‑room story gets even tighter. (macrumors.com )