Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment, a joint venture between MSG Networks and the YES Network, is set to revolutionize the way New York sports fans consume their favorite teams’ games with the launch of a new app in the fall. This innovative app, called the Gotham Sports app, will provide access to local games for seven New York area teams, marking a groundbreaking collaboration between two regional sports networks.
The package, announced on Wednesday, is a first-of-its-kind offering that combines the apps of MSG Networks and the YES Network into a bundled option. With the Gotham Sports app, fans will be able to watch games from the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Brooklyn Nets, and New York Yankees with a subscription.
The Gotham Package, which grants access to all of these teams, will be priced at $359.99 annually or $41.99 monthly. This pricing is almost identical to the monthly cost of Fox, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery’s joint Venu streaming service, which recently faced a temporary injunction. For fans who only wish to watch specific teams, they can opt for access to just MSG+ or the YES App services for $29.99 and $24.99 monthly, respectively. Additionally, customers who already have MSG Networks and the YES Network through their pay-TV subscription will receive the Gotham Sports App’s services at no extra charge.
Andrea Greenberg, President and CEO of MSG Networks, expressed excitement about the launch of the Gotham Sports app, emphasizing the convenience it will offer to fans of the New York area teams. She stated, “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.”
It is important to note that SportsNet New York, the regional sports network that airs New York Mets games, is not part of this joint venture. Fans can access SportsNet New York via platforms like FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, and online login for cable subscribers. The network is co-owned by Sterling Entertainment Enterprises, Comcast, and Charter.
The landscape of regional sports networks has undergone significant changes in recent years. For instance, a local cable network in Boston that aired Red Sox and Bruins games launched the first stand-alone regional streaming service in 2022, paving the way for similar initiatives in other markets. Diamond Sports Group, the largest owner of regional sports networks, filed for bankruptcy in March 2023, prompting professional teams across leagues to rethink how they broadcast their games.
In response to these changes, some NBA, WNBA, and NHL teams have turned to local broadcasters for game coverage. Most notably, the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks have recently made this transition. Additionally, some MLB teams have chosen to have their games produced by the league itself.
While the Gotham Sports App represents a new offering for New York area sports fans, it is not the first regional sports streaming option available to them. Both the YES Network and MSG Networks launched separate streaming services last year, allowing customers to choose between the networks’ services or opt for the combined package at a discounted rate.
Not all regional sports streaming services follow the subscription model. For example, the NHL’s Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks have announced that their games will be available for free on Victory+, an ad-supported streaming service owned by A Parent Media Co. Previously, these teams had their games carried by a regional sports network owned by Diamond Sports.
In conclusion, the collaboration between MSG Networks and the YES Network to launch the Gotham Sports app represents a significant development in the realm of regional sports broadcasting. With this new app, New York sports fans will have a convenient and comprehensive platform to access games from their favorite teams. As the industry continues to evolve, initiatives like the Gotham Sports app demonstrate a commitment to meeting the changing needs and preferences of sports enthusiasts.