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MLB Network had a partnership with YouTube TV as part of the ever-expanding streaming options for baseball games. Last season, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+ and more had games every so often throughout the season.
Unfortunately, YouTube will not be continuing that in 2023. According to reports, the two parties were unable to reach an agreement for the future.
As fo January 31, MLB Network has no relationship with and no plans to stream on YouTube TV.
MLB Network said via Variety:
“With spring training about to start, we regret that YouTube TV has been unwilling to negotiate a fair carriage agreement. MLB Network has offered terms consistent with what close to 300 other U.S. providers have agreed to for distribution.”
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It's clear that neither side was really willing to budge, so the network simply walked away. YouTube also said in a statement:
“We have held good-faith negotiations with MLB for several months to renew our deal to continue carrying their content on YouTube TV. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we were unable to reach a new agreement before our existing one expired.”
Neither party said in their official statements that they would be looking into renewing the contract eventually, so the days of baseball being on YouTube are more than likely over.
However, a representative for YouTube said:
“MLB is a long-standing and important partner to YouTube, so we’ll continue our conversations with them.”
However, it's probably too late for the 2023 season. The game will continue to be streamed on various streaming networks this year.
If not YouTube TV, where will MLB games be available in 2023?
Everything else for viewing baseball games will remain the same in 2023. Each team has their own broadcasting network, though some of them are at risk of going bankrupt.
If that happens, Rob Manfred and company will step in and make sure there's an alternative, but for now it remains the same.
Games will also be available on FOX, TBS, ESPN and the various streaming services for national games. Pretty much every game will be televised somewhere, so this YouTube fiasco doesn't hurt as much.
