Two local-sports giants, the YES Network and MSG Networks, hope to do for New York sports what some bigger companies are still struggling to do nationwide.
A digital joint venture formed between MSG Networks and YES Network earlier this year will launch a streaming sports hub called The Gotham Sports App this fall prior to the launch of the regular seasons of the NHL and NBA. The app will house each company’s mobile app on a single platform, making games from the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Brooklyn Nets and New York Yankees available to stream.
Fans who are subscribers to YES or MSG Networks in their regional territories will receive The Gotham Sports App at no extra cost. Customers without a traditional cable subscription may purchase existing services from either YES or MSG via the new Gotham app or a combination Gotham Sports package that includes the offerings from both services.
The price for the combined package is $359.99 per year or $41.99 per month.
“With the increased fragmentation of outlets carrying fan favorite sports programming, The Gotham Sports App allows fans of our teams one easy access point for New York area sporting events from MSG Networks and the YES Network,” said Andrea Greenberg, president and CEO of MSG Networks, in a statement.
The companies launch the new service at an interesting moment. Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery have proposed launching a new streaming joint venture called Venu that would make their sports networks available to subscribers. The new service is aimed at younger consumers who typically do not rely on cable or satellite services for access to entertainment and video content. Venu was set to debut before the launch of the next NFL season, but those plans have been scuttled, perhaps temporarily, by a court order suggesting the combination is anticompetitive. Disney, Warner and Fox have already filed an appeal.
MSG Networks and YES in January launched Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment, a joint venture that was to examine ways to monetize the two outlets’ streaming products.
The new Gotham Sports App will feature a live stats package, free-to-play real-time games and a loyalty program featuring rewards points
“The new Gotham Sports App will deploy GAME’s best-in-class technology to deliver a greatly enhanced fan experience, showcasing the best in New York sports all in one place,” said Jon Litner, CEO of YES Network, in a statement.
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