The MLB and YouTube announce a new multi-year marketing partnership

Photo: MLB/YouTube TV

Last Thursday (March 8th), Major League Baseball and YouTube TV announced a new multi-year marketing partnership. 

Photo: MLB Network

Through the new partnership, the MLB Network is now part of YouTube TV's channel lineup while MLB.tv, the longest running sports streaming service, will be available to subscribers for an additional fee in the near future. 

 Following up last year's MLB postseason and World Series sponsorship, YouTube TV will return to serve as the presenting sponsor of the 2018 and 2019 MLB World Series.

The two will also team up for "First Pitch," a new season-long series of sponsored content that will air during the first pitch of games on the MLB Network and MLB.tv. This content will recieive amplification on MLB.com as well as MLB's digital properties. 

YouTube TV will also utilize MLB players in various promotional campaigns that include national TV spots, branded content across social media, in-stadium signage, and on-air call outs during games. 

Through the distribution of games on YouTube TV, the MLB will be able to attract a younger audience of baseball fans who are part of the cord-cutting culture while YouTube will receive increased exposure by aligning itself with a powerful entity like the MLB. It's a win-win deal. 

In other streaming service news, CBS recently launched CBS Sports HQ, a free 24-Hour streaming network.