GAME, The Digital Joint Venture Between MSG Networks And The YES Network, To Launch The GOTHAM SPORTS App Prior to Upcoming NBA and NHL Regular Seasons

Rhea-AI Summary

Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment (GAME), a joint venture between MSG Networks and YES Network, is set to launch The Gotham Sports App this fall before the NBA and NHL regular seasons. The app will be the exclusive streaming platform for MSG+ and YES App content, featuring teams like the New York Knicks, Rangers, Yankees, and Brooklyn Nets.

Authenticated subscribers within the regional coverage areas will access the app at no additional cost. The app will offer enhanced features such as advanced live stats, free-to-play games, and a loyalty program. For non-traditional TV subscribers, various subscription options will be available, including individual services and a combined Gotham Package.

The app aims to provide a unified, convenient platform for New York area sports fans, addressing the increasing fragmentation of sports programming outlets.

Positive

• Creation of a unified streaming platform for major New York sports teams
• No additional cost for existing authenticated subscribers
• Enhanced features like advanced live stats and loyalty program
• Potential for increased revenue through new subscription options
• Expansion of digital content distribution services to third parties

Negative

• Potential cannibalization of traditional TV subscriptions
• Competition from other streaming services and platforms
• Dependency on the performance and popularity of featured sports teams

Insights

Media Industry Analyst

The launch of The Gotham Sports App marks a significant shift in the regional sports streaming landscape. By combining MSG+ and YES App, GAME is creating a powerful, consolidated platform for New York area sports fans. This move could potentially increase subscriber retention and acquisition for both networks.

The app's innovative features, such as advanced live stats and free-to-play games, aim to enhance user engagement. This could translate to increased ad revenue and higher user lifetime value. The loyalty program is a smart addition, potentially reducing churn rates.

However, the pricing strategy is important to watch. At $359.99 annually for the combined package, it's a significant investment for cord-cutters. The success will largely depend on how well they can justify this premium pricing through content quality and user experience.

Financial Analyst

The joint venture between MSG Networks and YES Network is a strategic move to consolidate resources and streamline operations. This could lead to significant cost savings and improved profit margins for both entities. The direct-to-consumer offering provides a new revenue stream, potentially offsetting losses from cord-cutting.

The tiered pricing model ($279.99/$239.99 annually for individual services, $359.99 for the combined package) suggests a push for higher-value subscriptions. If successful, this could boost average revenue per user (ARPU). However, the relatively high price point may limit mass-market adoption, especially given the regional focus.

Investors should monitor subscriber growth rates, churn and content acquisition costs as key performance indicators for this venture.

Tech Industry Expert

The Gotham Sports App represents a significant technological advancement in regional sports streaming. By integrating advanced live stats, free-to-play games and a loyalty program, GAME is leveraging data and gamification to enhance user engagement. This could set a new standard for sports streaming apps.

The multi-platform availability (Amazon Fire TV, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, etc.) demonstrates a commitment to accessibility. However, the success will largely depend on the app's performance and user interface. Any technical issues or poor user experience could quickly lead to subscriber churn.

The joint venture's ability to offer turn-key digital content distribution services to third parties could open up additional revenue streams and position GAME as a technology provider in the streaming industry.

The Gotham Sports App Will Become The Exclusive TV Everywhere And DTC Streaming Home Of MSG+ and The YES App

NEW YORK, Aug. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment ("GAME"), the digital joint venture between MSG Networks and the YES Network formed earlier this year, will launch The Gotham Sports App this fall prior to the NBA and NHL regular seasons.  The app will house MSG+ and the YES App under one roof – becoming the exclusive regional TV Everywhere and direct-to-consumer streaming home of each programming service, featuring the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Brooklyn Nets and New York Yankees. 

Fans within MSG Networks' and YES' respective regional coverage territories (New York State, Connecticut, north and central New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania) who are authenticated MSG Networks and YES subscribers through their respective traditional pay TV providers will receive The Gotham Sports App at no additional cost. 

Fans tuning into live games on The Gotham Sports App will enjoy numerous innovative enhancements including the most advanced app-based live stats package, free-to-play real-time games, a loyalty program featuring rewards points, and convenient one-stop access to their favorite teams.   

Fans can learn more about The Gotham Sports App by visiting www.Signup.GothamSports.com. The app will be available on a variety of devices and platforms at launch, including Amazon Fire TV, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku and the Web, with additional platforms expected to be added in the near future. 

For those customers who do not subscribe to a traditional TV service, The Gotham Sports App will offer for purchase the existing MSG+ and YES App services, as well as a combination Gotham Sports package that includes both services:   

 

	ANNUAL	MONTHLY	GAMEPASS
MSG+	$279.99	$29.99	$9.99
YES App	$239.99	$24.99
Gotham Package (MSG+ and YES)	$359.99	$41.99

Andrea Greenberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of MSG Networks, said: "We are excited through GAME to bring New York area fans their favorite teams in one state-of-the-art app.  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." 

"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, YES Network. "The app, which will be free to our distributors' authenticated customers, will provide one convenient digital destination for our programming services and for fans of some of the most iconic teams in all of sports."     

In January, MSG Networks ("MSGN") and the YES Network ("YES") announced GAME, a 50/50 joint venture to capitalize on technical and operational synergies associated with MSGN's and YES' streaming services.  GAME also offers turn-key digital content distribution services, including platform technology, operational support and comprehensive data analytics to third parties, utilizing the combined technical and operational expertise each company has garnered from the respective successful launch and operation of the MSG+ and the YES App.

About MSG Networks
MSG Networks, a pioneer in sports media, owns and operates two award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks (MSG and MSG Sportsnet) and MSG+, a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming service, that serve the nation's number one media market, the New York DMA, as well as other portions of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The networks feature a wide range of compelling sports content, including exclusive live local games and other programming of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres, as well as significant coverage of the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. This content, in addition to a diverse array of other sporting events and critically acclaimed original programming, has established MSG Networks as the gold standard in regional sports.  MSG Networks is part of the Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR).

MSG+ launched in June 2023, and was the first Regional Sports Network to offer single game purchases.   MSG+ offers fans access to all MSG-produced programming included on the networks in their area on a monthly or annual basis as well, and is available at no additional charge to subscribers of participating pay television providers of MSG Networks.

About YES Network
The YES Network owns the exclusive regional media rights of the 27-time World Champion New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Nets. YES, which has earned 146 Emmy Awards since its 2002 launch, also televises original biography, interview and magazine programs, college sports and Manchester City and AC Milan soccer. YES made the list of Forbes' top 10 most valuable sports business brands in the world for nine straight years.

YES launched the YES App in March 2021 for authenticated users in its regional coverage territory, and it quickly became the #1 free sports app in the Apple App Store.   Direct-to-consumer access to the YES Network has been available through the YES App since March 2023.  In addition to providing fans with a live stream of the YES Network, the YES App features customizable push notifications, personalized content, game highlights, and app-exclusive original sports and lifestyle programming.   It has won two New York Emmy Awards in its first two years of eligibility.  

Contact: Eric Handler, YES Network – EHandler@yesnetwork.com

Contact: Dan Schoenberg, MSG Networks – Dan.Schoenberg@MSGNetworks.com

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SOURCE Sphere Entertainment Co.

FAQ

When will The Gotham Sports App launch?

The Gotham Sports App is set to launch in fall 2024, prior to the NBA and NHL regular seasons.

What teams will be featured on The Gotham Sports App?

The app will feature the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Brooklyn Nets, and New York Yankees.

How much does The Gotham Sports App cost?

Authenticated MSG Networks and YES subscribers can access the app at no additional cost. For non-subscribers, various pricing options are available, including annual, monthly, and gamepass subscriptions for individual services or a combined package.

What platforms will The Gotham Sports App be available on?

At launch, the app will be available on Amazon Fire TV, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, and the Web, with additional platforms expected in the future.

What unique features does The Gotham Sports App offer?

The app offers innovative enhancements including an advanced app-based live stats package, free-to-play real-time games, a loyalty program with rewards points, and convenient one-stop access to favorite teams.