“Ted Lasso” is, far and away, the biggest hit on Apple TV+. But you may still be able to see it elsewhere if WarnerMedia gets its way.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, sources say the current “Ted Lasso” deal allows WarnerMedia to air the comedy on its linear channels (like TNT or TBS) within a few years after the conclusion of Season 3. But Apple is unlikely to give up its crown jewel that easily.
According to Parrot Analytics, the show has a phenomenal 26x demand, compared to the average show.
“Ted Lasso” has enjoyed critical success and numerous awards. Its recent Season 2 debut was a massive traffic driver for Apple TV+.
Keeping its star program as a platform exclusive seems like a major priority for Apple. The company has been doling out extremely generous free subscriptions for certain equipment purchases. (For example, T-Mobile will give you 12 months for free. Target Circle members can get 4 months for free.) That has helped it retain subscribers, but the question still remains whether users will continue to subscribe once they’re on the hook for $4.99/month.
While Apple TV+ doesn’t enjoy the intellectual property advantage of a Disney+ or the sheer volume of Netflix, its shows are of uniformly high production value. As the most valuable company in the world, Apple also has the deep pockets to commit to multi-season arcs or high-budget efforts. You might compare Apple TV+ to HBO’s original programming strategy prior to the launch of HBO Max - a small slate of originals planned deliberately and given a wide berth.
It remains to be seen what, if anything, Apple can do to keep “Ted Lasso” as an exclusive. There’s also the question of whether a cable network would benefit significantly from the addition of a program with so few episodes. Historically, a show needed to hit 100 shows before it was deemed viable for syndication. “Lasso” could end with as few as 36 or 48.
Ted Lasso
Ted Lasso, an American football coach, moves to England when he’s hired to manage a soccer team—despite having no experience. With cynical players and a doubtful town, will he get them to see the Ted Lasso Way?