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MLB, YouTube TV Announce Expanded Partnership

MLB World Series logo

Major League Baseball has announced an expanded partnership with YouTube TV, making the cable-free, live TV service the presenting sponsor of 2018 and 2019 World Series.

For the first time, YouTube TV will also partner with MLB on a brand new season-long sponsorship – “First Pitch” – that will bring to life the YouTube TV brand during the first pitches of games on MLB Network and MLB.tv, and will be amplified on MLB.com and MLB social channels. YouTube TV plans to once again incorporate MLB players in its promotional efforts throughout the multi-year deal, which will also include a variety of national TV spots and on-air call-outs during the games, branding across MLB’s digital properties and official social media accounts, and in-stadium promotion.

The extended partnership also offers expanded baseball coverage to all YouTube TV members with the addition of the award-winning MLB Network to its channel lineup starting today. In the future, YouTube TV members will also be able to add MLB.tv, the longest running sports streaming service in the U.S., for an additional fee.

“YouTube brought tremendous creativity, marketing energy and innovation to the most exciting part of our year, the Postseason and World Series,” said Noah Garden, MLB Executive Vice President, Commerce. “Their engagement with our young fans, rising stars and Clubs showed that YouTube TV is a natural partner for our sport and we’re proud to build on this groundbreaking relationship. And with the addition of MLB Network and the upcoming launch of MLB.tv on the platform, our fans’ options to consume baseball continue to grow.”

Launched in conjunction with the beginning of the 2017 Postseason, MLB and YouTube TV began a partnership to increase attention and awareness around the live TV streaming service, the lead-up to the World Series and the Fall Classic itself. This included the first-ever presenting sponsorship of the World Series, television ads that incorporated live footage, six-second spots with current MLB stars on YouTube and TV, exclusive baseball content from YouTube’s popular creators, and player support across social media. The integrated marketing campaign’s success throughout October led YouTube and MLB to extend and broaden the World Series partnership for an additional two years.

“Our historic partnership with MLB was a first of its kind. From live programming morphing into a YouTube TV spot, to prominent in-stadium placements, our innovative partnership allowed us to build awareness for YouTube TV and have a voice during one of the biggest live sporting events of the year,” said Angela Courtin, Global Head of YouTube TV & Originals Marketing. “MLB has been a great long-term partner and we are excited to renew our World Series partnership as well as play a role in games throughout the season with the inaugural First Pitch sponsorship, bringing more ways for fans to enjoy their favorite teams cable-free with YouTube TV.”

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