Apple Siarkan Pertandingan MLS Menggunakan Kamera iPhone 17 Pro

Apple TV menyiarkan pertandingan sepak bola Major League Soccer antara LA Galaxy melawan Houston Dynamo FC secara penuh menggunakan kamera iPhone 17 Pro pada Sabtu, 24 Mei 2026.

Uji coba penyiaran total ini dilakukan di Dignity Health Sports Park, California, menjelang jeda kompetisi MLS untuk Piala Dunia 2026.

Kamera ponsel pintar tersebut ditempatkan di berbagai sudut stadion untuk menangkap momen pemanasan, perkenalan pemain, atmosfer penonton, hingga sudut di dalam jaring gawang.

Sebelumnya, Apple telah menguji teknologi ini dengan memasang empat unit iPhone pada siaran pertandingan Major League Baseball dan final MLS Cup 2025.

Produser Eksekutif Acara Langsung Apple, Royce Dickerson, menjelaskan perkembangan inovasi penyiaran ini dalam sesi tanya jawab bersama GOAL Convo.

"We first introduced iPhone into the professional workflow of our Friday Night Baseball broadcast last September, and the response from fans was incredibly positive. Since then, we’ve continued integrating iPhone footage into our live sports coverage – from the 2025 MLS Cup Final, where Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps, to weekly Friday Night Baseball and MLS broadcasts on Apple TV – using the device to capture select gameplay and cinematic in-stadium moments." kata Royce Dickerson, Produser Eksekutif Acara Langsung Apple.

Dickerson membeberkan alasan pemilihan laga antara LA Galaxy dan Houston Dynamo FC sebagai panggung eksperimen besar ini.

"The match comes during the final weekend of MLS play before the league pauses for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America, making it an exciting moment to showcase innovation in live sports broadcasting on a global stage." kata Royce Dickerson, Produser Eksekutif Acara Langsung Apple.

Ukuran gawai yang ringkas diklaim memberikan fleksibilitas lebih bagi kru produksi untuk mengambil sudut pandang baru yang sulit dijangkau kamera televisi konvensional.

"iPhone 17 Pro Max cameras will capture all the live gameplay and key matchday moments throughout the stadium, including player introductions, warmups, in-net goal angles, and immersive stadium shots. Because of the compact size and versatility of iPhone, the team has been able to position cameras in unique locations throughout the venue, delivering dynamic new perspectives that bring fans closer to the game." kata Royce Dickerson, Produser Eksekutif Acara Langsung Apple.

Kemitraan penyiaran global antara Apple dan MLS ini sendiri telah memasuki musim keempat sejak pertama kali disepakati.

"We’re committed to delivering fans the best possible viewing experience and have learned a great deal over the course of the partnership. Fans have responded especially positively to the unique product features we’ve introduced, the premium production quality, and the simplicity of being able to access every match in one dedicated destination with no blackouts. We’ve continued to iterate, experiment, and introduce new features, enhancements, and partnerships designed to reach new audiences and bring fans even closer to the sport – and we’ll continue building on that momentum moving forward." kata Royce Dickerson, Produser Eksekutif Acara Langsung Apple.

Melalui momentum Piala Dunia yang akan datang, pihak perusahaan berkomitmen untuk terus meningkatkan jangkauan global dan pengalaman menikmati pertandingan bagi para penggemar sepak bola.

"We remain encouraged by the momentum we’re seeing, and interest in MLS continues to grow. With the World Cup just around the corner, we believe it will serve as another major catalyst for the sport across North America. Looking ahead, our focus remains on continuing to elevate the fan experience and innovate around how the sport is presented. We’re proud of what we’ve built for fans – from the quality and consistency of the broadcasts to the simplicity and accessibility of the platform. We see significant opportunity ahead to continue expanding the league’s global reach, reach new audiences, and bring fans even closer to the game." kata Royce Dickerson, Produser Eksekutif Acara Langsung Apple.

Di sisi lain, jurnalis olahraga Andrew Marchand memberikan pandangan kritis terhadap langkah komersial yang diambil oleh perusahaan teknologi tersebut.

"Maybe I missed it, but I don’t recall the world talking about the iPhone angles on MLB coverage. The iPhone is an historic product, and this MLS game might even look good. However, the event seems more about promoting a product than about capturing a soccer match." kata Andrew Marchand, Jurnalis.

Kritik terhadap kualitas penyiaran MLS di Apple TV juga disuarakan oleh kontributor Forbes, Ian Nicholas Quillen, yang menyoroti kendala teknis dan penyampaian narasi pertandingan yang dinilai masih di bawah standar industri olahraga Amerika Utara.

Sementara itu, selain uji coba perangkat keras, FIFA secara terpisah mengumumkan penunjukan Madonna, Shakira, dan BTS untuk mengisi acara paruh waktu pertama dalam sejarah final Piala Dunia di MetLife Stadium.

"[T]his historic show will also shine a light on a greater purpose by supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and our shared mission to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide. It will be a celebration of football, unity and shared humanity that will resonate far beyond the final whistle," kata Gianni Infantino, Presiden FIFA.

Laga LA Galaxy melawan Houston Dynamo FC dijadwalkan memulai sepak mula pada pukul 19.30 waktu setempat.