CH. 9 will air up to 21 Yankees games a season in a new, multi-year deal worked out with the YES Network.

The new deal, announced yesterday, returns baseball to Ch. 9 – which had been the original home of the Mets until they moved to Ch. 11 in 1999.

“The popularity of the Yankees and the incredible brand they represent is a perfect programming acquisition for WWOR,” said Ch. 9 VP/GM Jim Clayton, who also oversees Ch. 5.

“This is yet another indication of our commitment to build an excellent programming base for UPN9.”

Ironically, over-the-air Yankees games aired for years on Ch. 11 before the telecasts moved to Ch. 5 (1999-2001) and then to Ch. 2.

Under the new Ch. 9 deal, the majority of the Yankees games will air on Friday nights. The schedule will be announced at a later date.

John Filippelli, who directs the Yankees games on YES, will do the same for the Ch. 9 games.

“YES Network is pleased to continue our commitment of having an over-the-air broadcast partner for some of our Yankees’ games,” said YES president/CEO Tracy Dolgin.

“WNYW Fox5 currently airs several afternoon Yankees games via the Fox Network’s ‘Saturday Game of the Week’ national agreement, and the YES-WWOR agremment extends that relationship.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Ch. 9 is owned by News Corp., which also owns The Post.