Less than two years in, MSG Networks and YES Network are ending their streaming-focused joint venture Gotham Sports in favor of distributing their live games and related content through the DAZN sports streaming app.
The announcement comes as DAZN explores ways to generate more interest in its streaming sports offerings in the United States after a period of explosive growth overseas.
The switchover will occur in the middle of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Hockey League’s (NHL) upcoming seasons, which are slated to begin around October. Current subscribers of MSG Networks or YES Network through the Gotham Sports app will continue to have uninterrupted access to live sports while the changeover takes place, the companies affirmed.
Cable and satellite subscribers who receive one or both networks in their packages will have free access to the same programming through DAZN when the change occurs. Pricing for YES Network and MSG Networks through DAZN was not revealed.
“The New York sports landscape has a rich heritage of teams and DAZN is honored to partner with both the YES Network and MSG Networks to become their exclusive direct-to-consumer streaming home, bringing the Yankees, Knicks, Rangers, Nets, Devils, Islanders, and Sabres to more fans than ever before,” Shay Segev, the CEO of DAZN, said in a statement. “This is what DAZN does best – connecting fans to the sport they love and creating immersive digital experiences that go far beyond the game. It is a defining moment for us and underscores our commitment to expanding our footprint in the United States.”
“Our new strategic partnership with DAZN reflects the YES Network’s continued commitment to elevate the streaming experience for our direct-to-consumer subscribers and TV Everywhere users,” Jon Litner, the President and CEO of YES Network, said on Wednesday. “DAZN offers a world-class technology platform and elite, live sports streaming expertise, and we look forward to working with them and MSG Networks to continue to serve Yankees and Nets fans, as well as fans of the teams carried by MSG, with the most compelling sports content in the country.”
“DAZN is a premier streaming platform that operates all over the world and we couldn’t be happier to offer our fans this opportunity to watch MSG Networks content on their state-of-the-art platform,” MSG Networks Senior Vice President of Content and Marketing Kevin Marotta said. “oming off of a historic Knicks Championship season, we are excited to take our streaming offering to the next level. Fans of the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Devils and Sabres deserve the best of the best and we’re proud to offer the MSG and YES direct-to-consumer content through this partnership with DAZN.”
The move makes the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets the first NBA teams available through the DAZN app in the United States, at a time when the service is one of several under consideration by the league to host live telecasts from other NBA teams following the demise of the FanDuel Sports Network’s regional cable networks.
