Amazon Channels Adds MLB.TV Offerings

Major League Baseball is partnering with Amazon to sell subscriptions to its MLB.TV packages through Amazon Prime Video Channels.

Starting Wednesday, users can subscribe to MLB.TV for $24.99 per month, or a one-time payment of $118.99 for a season pass, following a seven-day free trial.

MLB.TV streams all regular season out-of-market baseball games both live and on-demand. Users of Amazon devices, such as the Fire TV, can access Amazon X-Ray during games, providing stats and background information and players and teams.

Amazon Prime Video Channels is the tech giant’s subscription bundling service, connecting Amazon users with subscription video packages they may want. Users can subscribe directly through Amazon, using the payment options on file, with the company taking a cut of the revenue.

MLB.TV is a streaming video pioneer, having streamed its first game in 2002, three years before YouTube was founded, and half a decade before Netflix started streaming video.

Prime Video Channels has become a dominant force in streaming in a different way. The service is one of the most successful drivers of subscription sign-ups in online video. BMO Capital Markets estimates Amazon is driving between 25% to 45% of OTT subscribers for many services.

Amazon Prime Video already streams NFL “Thursday Night Football” and U.S. Open tennis in the U.K. It also offers sports through NBA League Pass, the PGA Tour and CBS All Access.

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