The Columbus Crew have announced a multi-year local television rights deal with Fox Sports Ohio ahead of the new Major League Soccer (MLS) season, reports, www.sportspromedia.com/.

The agreement will see 33 of the Crew's 34 regular season matches in 2019 air on either Fox Sports Ohio or the pay-TV network's sister channel SportsTime Ohio. The live coverage, which will include 30-minute pre and post-game shows, will also stream on Fox Sports Go.

The deal ends the Crew's relationship with Spectrum Sports, which had been the Eastern Conference team's local broadcast partner for the past five years.

Columbus Crew president Tim Bezbatchenko said: "One of our core tenants as an organisation is to seek deep engagement with our supporters and so we are pleased that this partnership allows for not only a top-notch broadcasting product, but also offers supporters the added benefit and flexibility to tune-in via the stream on Fox Sports Go."

The coverage kicks off with the Crew's season-opening game at home to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

"Fox Sports Ohio and SportsTime Ohio are pleased to welcome the Columbus Crew back to our all-star programming line-up," added Tom Farmer, vice president of programming and production at Fox Sports Ohio and SportsTime Ohio. "This is a new era for the Crew, and we are excited to deliver in-depth coverage for the team's passionate fan base."