In a move that disrupts the business models of regional sports networks in the country’s largest television market, YES Network and MSG Networks will launch a new app called The Gotham Sports App that will bring together all of their live games and programming under one app.
YES, the television home of the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets, and MSG Networks, the home of the New York Knicks and Rangers, will launch the app this fall, ahead of the start of the NBA and NHL seasons.
Users will have the option to subscribe to YES or MSG+ in the app for $24.99 or $29.99 per month, respectively, or they can subscribe to both through the “Gotham Package” for $41.99 per month. Pay-TV subscribers will have access to the app at no additional cost.
Gotham Sports represents a sea change in the way RSNs operate in streaming. Until now, some RSNs (including YES and MSG) have launched their own standalone streaming services, while others (like Diamond Sports) have attempted to launch streaming across their entire region. Gotham effectively brings together multiple RSNs in the New York market to attempt to work together on a streaming option, offering sports fans less complexity.
YES and MSG Networks announced earlier this year that they would be partnering in a JV to launch Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment (GAME), a streaming-focused company that would also provide support for third parties (such as other RSNs). The Gotham Sports App is the first product to come out of that JV.
“We are thrilled to bring New York City area fans their favorite teams in one cutting-edge app through GAME,” said Andrea Greenberg, president and CEO of MSG Networks. “With the growing fragmentation of channels airing fans’ favorite sports programming, The Gotham Sports App gives our team fans an easy access point to New York City area sporting events from MSG Networks and YES Network.”
“The new Gotham Sports app will utilize best-in-class GAME technology to deliver a dramatically improved fan experience, showcasing the best of New York sports in one place,” added Jon Litner, CEO of YES Network. “The app, which will be free to authenticated customers of our distributors, will provide a convenient digital destination for our programming and for fans of some of the most iconic teams in all of sports.”