MLB.com CEO Bob Bowman talks about selling content on the iPhone
Major League Baseball Advanced Media is one of the most powerful developers on the App Store -- every spring, when the new version of the MLB app arrives, the company picks up a sizable chunk of income just from the mobile app, not to mention the subscription service that fuels the live game streaming. Bob Bowman runs the company, and All Things Digital has a nice long interview with him about the app market and how Major League Baseball has taken advantage of mobile.
Straight off the bat (pun intended, sorry), he says that the company has seen a major difference between Android and iOS users: "The iPhone and iPad user is interested in buying content ... that's one of the reasons they bought the device. The Android buyer is different." That's interesting to hear -- I've heard exactly the opposite from the makers of Pocket Legends, that Android users were more willing to spend in-app money than iOS users. We're likely just talking about two different audiences here rather than different types of handset owners.
Bowman also says MLB is "living with" the 30 percent cut from Apple on its subscription income, but hopes that "over time, the margin will fall from 30 percent." That's a hope for a lot of subscription sellers on the App Store, and most of those are much smaller than the base MLB has built-up for itself on iDevices.
[via Edible Apple]
Share
Major League Baseball Advanced Media is one of the most powerful developers on the App Store -- every spring, when the new version...
Add a Comment
It's fascinating to me people complaining that it's too expensive or they can't justify buying the app. How much did you spend eating out last week? Or at the bar last weekend? $15 for an amazing piece of software is too much, but you'd bay $15 to have a couple pints of beer poured for you?
You all pay well over $50/month for cable TV, which also has ads. You pay $30/month for your $600 phone's data plan. But scrutinize for hours whether to spend 99 cents in the app store.
I too love this app, for 3 or 4 years now. Wish MLB offered a reasonable price for the app however, because paying $15 for an iPad and iPhone version is ridiculous. Whoever IS doing that, needs to stop right now. Bought it this year for my iPad, which is simply incredible. Disappointed with who MLB considers my market (also have the MLB.TV package). Favorite team is the Phillies, as a Tennessean that's perfect. I do lose the games versus the Braves, which is understandable. However, for some reason, the Reds are also my market. Cincinnati is 4 hours away. WTH is going to drive 4 hours for a baseball game?!
April 05 2011 at 6:39 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWe can't justify the price, but when/if we finally decide to subscribe we're going to be in luck, as my wife is a die hard Giants fan (she grew up in the Bay Area), and we live in Wichita, KS. I grew up in Houston and am a casual Astros fan, so I would imagine we'd get most of their games too.
April 05 2011 at 9:25 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAs an overseas Yankees fan the combination of mlb.tv and the iOS apps is a brilliant combination and, for me at least, pretty decent financial value.
My only criticism of the article is the use of the Red Sox in the screen shots -dIdn't know that TUAW was an off shoot of ESPN ;-)
It's a shame that they have to live with paying apple. *sarcasm*
What's really is a shame is that I would have to pay $15 for an app with ads. Not to mention all the black out restrictions from MLB.tv. I could deal with it if it was only 75 bucks for a season, but it's not. And I could deal with a $5 app with adds. At bat has gone up every year and only gets marginally better.
Just want to point out this is the 4th year of the app. The first year it was free, had no audio, and came out mid season. This app changes to the lite version. 2009 added gameday audio, and was $9.99. Mid year they added video. Last year they added more, full year with video, and was $14.99. This year the again, in my opinion, improved the app, and it remains at $14.99. No price increase. If you don't think you are getting a good value, you don't need to buy it.
April 05 2011 at 6:44 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI love the MLB app for my iPhone but can not justify paying for a full subscription considering my MN Twins games are blacked out even when they are playing in Toronto! Can't watch away games or home games considering the app can not differentiate or blocking sold out home games...that really sucks.
April 05 2011 at 1:50 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI don't think you are comparing the same thing. MLB's app is primarily a purchase of the application itself, and most developers are saying that sales of apps are WAY higher on iOS vs Android.
Google is just now [Mar 2011] starting to enable in-app purchasing for Android, so the developer of Pocket Legends rolled their own solution. This means that
a) the developer probably pockets more than 70% of the in-app purchase price and
b) they probably have a lot less competition for their MMOG on Android vs iOS [because there was no in-app purchasing, every MMOG would have to roll their own solution, also making the app more unique vs other Android apps (as in, hey, lets see how this works vs just another cash for points game on iOS, delete)].
Deals of the Day
more deals- Skullcandy Riot Earbud Headphones for $10 + free shipping
- Apple Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard for $40 + $8 s&h
- Refurb Mac Pro Xeon Quad-Core 2.8GHz Workstation for $1,150 + $38 s&h, more
- Used Apple iPad 32GB Wi-Fi Tablet for $200 + free shipping
- Apple iPod nano Multi-Touch 8GB MP3 Player for $100 + $8 s&h
- Cases for New iPad at HandHeldItems: Extra 20% off, $2 credit, from $3 + $3 s&h
Software Updates
more updatesFeatured Stories
more stories
Popular Stories
TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
11 Comments