Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment, a joint venture between MSG Networks and the YES Network, has announced the launch of a new app called the Gotham Sports app. This app will allow locals in the New York area to watch games for seven local teams, including the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Brooklyn Nets, and New York Yankees. This is the first time that two regional sports networks have combined their apps into a bundled option, providing fans with a convenient way to access their favorite sporting events.
The Gotham Sports app will be available ahead of the NBA and NHL seasons, and viewers can subscribe to the Gotham Package for $359.99 annually or $41.99 monthly. Interestingly, this pricing is almost identical to the monthly price of Fox, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery’s joint streaming service, Venu, which was recently blocked by a temporary injunction. For customers who only watch some of these teams, they also have the option to purchase access to just MSG+ or the YES App services for $29.99 and $24.99 monthly, respectively. If they already have MSG Networks and YES Network via their pay-TV subscription, they will receive the Gotham Sports app’s services at no extra cost.
The launch of the Gotham Sports app is a response to the increasing fragmentation of outlets carrying fan-favorite sports programming. With so many options available, fans can now have one easy access point for New York area sporting events from MSG Networks and the YES Network. Andrea Greenberg, President and CEO of MSG Networks, highlighted the convenience of the app in a press release.
However, it is important to note that SportsNet New York, the regional sports network that airs the New York Mets, is not included in this joint venture. It is only available through other platforms such as FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, and online login for cable subscribers. This demonstrates the complex landscape of regional sports networks and the various platforms through which games are broadcast.
The regional sports networks business has undergone significant changes in recent years. Boston’s local cable network launched the first stand-alone regional streaming service in 2022, and other markets have followed suit. Diamond Sports Group, the largest owner of regional sports networks, filed for bankruptcy in March 2023, leading many professional teams to reconsider how they air their games. Some NBA, WNBA, and NHL teams have turned to local broadcasters, and even MLB teams have chosen to have their games produced by the league itself.
While the Gotham Sports app is not the first regional sports streaming option in the greater New York area, it offers a comprehensive solution for fans who want access to multiple teams. YES Network and MSG Networks previously launched separate streaming services, and customers who only want one network’s services can still pay a lower rate.
It’s worth noting that not all regional sports streaming services follow the subscription model. The NHL’s Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks, for example, have announced that their games will be locally aired on Victory+, a free, ad-supported streaming service owned by A Parent Media Co. This alternative approach demonstrates the diversity of options available to fans.
In conclusion, the launch of the Gotham Sports app by Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment provides New York area sports fans with a convenient way to watch games for seven local teams. By bundling the apps of MSG Networks and the YES Network, the app offers a comprehensive solution for fans who want access to multiple teams. This development reflects the changing landscape of regional sports networks and the various platforms through which games are broadcast. With more teams exploring alternative broadcasting options, it will be fascinating to see how the industry continues to evolve.
