Apple TV broadcast an MLS game that was captured only with iPhone 17 Pro Max phones.
The league used a rig of fifteen iPhone 17 Pro Max devices, each fitted with lenses and stabilization gear, to film the entire match. Apple’s production team coordinated the feeds in real time, switching between phones much like a traditional broadcast truck would. The setup was billed as more flexible and cheaper than conventional broadcast cameras, though it required extensive post‑processing to meet broadcast standards.
If the experiment proves reliable, networks could consider smaller, modular rigs for lower‑budget events, reducing equipment haul and setup time. It also puts the iPhone’s video capabilities on a public stage, letting advertisers and developers see what raw footage looks like when captured on a consumer device.
The novelty is clear, but the quality gap between phone lenses and broadcast optics remains a significant asterisk.