Booth inside the Delta MSG Studios. Photo by Zack Lane via MSG Photos
The two biggest regional sports networks (RSNs) in New York City are merging.
MSG Networks, which hosts the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, and Devils, is partnering with the YES Network, which hosts the Yankees and Nets. It was announced today that the two networks are partnering to form the Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment (GAME). The new company will be a 50/50 venture between the two companies. The ultimate goal appears to create one platform featuring all of those teams for consumers.
“There’s great alignment between YES and MSG in the digital space,” YES CEO Jon Litner said regarding the merger. “There is a lot of infrastructure and there’s a lot of investment that goes into building these apps.”
The purpose of GAME will be to place the majority of New York sports teams on one network. However, it will also sell its infrastructure to third-party networks. RSNs across the country are falling, as major media corporations such as Bally Sports file for bankruptcy. But in the country’s largest market of New York, RSNs are thriving. GAME will apparently sell its infrastructure to other RSNs across the country to build new streaming services.
Struggling RSNs
“With the formation of GAME, we seek to marry our collective insight, expertise and best-in-class technology,” MSG Networks president Andrea Greenberg said, “not only to explore enhancements to our own products, but also to offer other networks, teams and sports properties an efficient way to launch a state-of-the-art streaming service.”
The only major team that would not be involved with GAME at this time are the Mets, who are affiliated with SNY. This also does not include football teams such as the Giants and Jets. Those are broadcast on national networks such as FOX and CBS, and are already available for free.
This news is big, not only for New York sports fans and those living within the Big Apple market, but for sports networks across the country. As the post-cable, streaming service era advances forth, many still opt for cable due to it being required to watch their favorite sports teams. But GAME may very well be a game-changer.
