Local television broadcaster TEGNA has extended its 20-year partnership with the Cleveland Guardians that will see more baseball games from the team distributed on free over-the-air television this season.
The 10 regular-season games will simulcast from the Cleveland Guardians’ own regional sports service, which is typically exclusively to cable and satellite TV services and Fubo.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Guardians said the deal with TEGNA and its local NBC station, WKYC (Channel 3), helps reach new and existing baseball fans and strengthens the club’s distribution agreements with pay TV partners.
“These broadcasts allow a larger audience of Guardians fans to watch a sampling of the regular season, enhancing distribution of the games and strengthening the league’s partnership with pay TV partners that provide access to the full regular season,” the spokesperson said.
WKYC and the Guardians have partnered on various media-related initiatives over the past two decades, to include the annual student-led “Weather Day” field trip to Progressive Field, which will continue this year.
As part of its renewed agreement, WKYC meteorologists will also continue to provide weather forecasts ahead of Guardians games as the “Official Weather Partner” of the team.
“Our ongoing relationship with WKYC has been incredibly valuable,” said Alex King, the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy for the Guardians. “Throughout our 20-year partnership, Channel 3 has consistently demonstrated their dedication to serving our fans and our community. We are thrilled to expand our partnership to ensure our games are broadly accessible and our fans can experience exciting and impactful Guardians programming.”
“We’re incredibly proud to extend this long-standing creative partnership, which not only strengthens our connection with the team but also deepens the bond fans feel with the players, the moments, and the stories that make baseball so special,” said John Trevino, President & General Manager of WKYC. “With thoughtful coverage and behind-the-scenes access, we’re committed to bringing fans closer to the heart of the game.”
The 10-game simulcasts begin on May 30 when the Guardians take on the Los Angeles Angels at home, and runs through September 19 with a game against the Minnesota Twins.
