MacVoices #26085: TV+ Talk - Tehran Tragedy, MLS Access Changes, and Apple's Sports Expansion

Charlotte Henry and Chuck Joiner discuss major Apple TV news, starting with the tragic death of Tehran co-creator Dana Idan. They then discuss MLS Season Pass returning with improved access, including the implications of reduced paywall friction and recap viewer options. Finally, Apple's sports distribution deal via EverPass and award wins tied to the F1 film highlight the evolution and excellence of the streaming services's options. Hijack stands out as a specific example, with character depth bringing a different dimension to a familiar genre.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:22 Show setup and Apple TV's busy news cycle
00:55 Tehran co-creator death and production context
05:40 MLS returns and season/timing discussion
07:09 Messi vs. Son, coverage notes, and commentary quirks
08:08 Dropping the extra MLS paywall and accessibility debate
10:16 Messi's deal and "piece of the action" question
13:30 Apple TV match recaps and highlights experience
16:04 Deal changes, growth expectations, and subscription fatigue
21:15 Youth soccer growth and the "round ball" future
23:25 EverPass distribution deal and Apple's live-sports strategy
26:27 Broadcast TV surrender and the new streaming reality
30:29 F1 sound-team awards and prestige momentum
35:13 Hijack season talk and what makes it work
39:59 Wrap-up and where to follow

Links:

Tragedy as Tehran Co-Creator Found Dead
https://theaddition.net/news/tragedy-as-tehran-co-creator-found-dead/

EverPass in Apple TV distribution deal
https://www.sportcal.com/newsletters/everpass-in-apple-tv-distribution-deal/

F1: The Movie' sound team get a weekend of awards
https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/02/23/f1-the-movie-sound-team-get-a-weekend-of-awards

Apple's "The Studio" and "Mr. Scorsese" score at the 78th Annual Directors Guild Awards
https://www.apple.com/uk/tv-pr/news/2026/02/apples-the-studio-and-mr-scorsese-score-at-the-78th-annual-directors-guild-awards/

Guests:

Charlotte Henry is a media junkie, covering how Apple is not just a revolutionary tech firm, but a revolutionary media firm. She is based in London, writes and broadcasts for various outlets, and is the author of Not Buying It, an examination of fake news. You can find her on her The Addition blog, her podcast, in her The Addition newsletter on substack, and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

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