The Seattle Sounders announced a new media rights agreement with YouTube TV on Wednesday evening, a multi-year partnership that sees the latter become the club’s official live TV streaming home.
YouTube TV, a new monthly subscription streaming service, becomes the local streaming destination for all Sounders FC matches, enabling fans to watch the Rave Green live with YouTube TV on Xbox One, Apple TV, Roku, smart TVs and other popular TV streaming platforms, in addition to viewing options on their mobile device, tablet or computer.
“Seattle is a city of innovation and Sounders FC has always strived to contribute to the creative culture of our hometown, bringing the best and most forward-thinking elements to our fans,” said Sounders COO Bart Wiley in a team statement. “With the addition of YouTube TV into our viewing arsenal, Sounders fans now have an exciting and creative option for following their team, complementing our traditional broadcast channels.”
The Sounders announced their over-the-air regional broadcast plan on Tuesday, the renewal of a multiyear agreement with Q13 FOX (KCPQ-Channel 13) and JOEtv (KZJO-Channel 22) for English-language broadcasts and Univision-Seattle (KUNS-TV) for Spanish-language carriage.
The YouTube TV deal bolsters that coverage across the greater Puget Sound metro area, including exclusive streaming rights to the club's 20 regionally televised contests on a dedicated Sounders FC YouTube TV channel. YouTube TV members can also watch Seattle's 13 nationally televised contests on ESPN, FOX and FOX Sports 1.
Earlier this year YouTube TV and LAFC partnered up on a broadcast deal that makes YouTube TV the 2018 MLS expansion side’s official live TV and video partner, becoming the exclusive home for all locally televised English-language LAFC matches in Southern California as well as the club’s jersey sponsor.
Fittingly, LAFC and Seattle will face off in their first league match of the season on Sunday at the Sounders’ CenturyLink Field (5 pm ET | ESPN).
