MSG Network will launch new direct to consumer product

[RangerBoy]

Looks like MSG Network will be available to consumers who cut the cable cord or want to dump cable but they can't because all of the sports channels require a cable subscription. The NHL app had the out of market NHL games until they went to ESPN+. You would pay MSG directly.

ESPN needs to change their business model. They charge $100 per year now and you can't watch ESPN or ESPN2 without a cable subscription or a streaming subscription.

Dolan sells the cable TV system to Altice and now MSG will sell their product directly to the consumer bypassing the middleman.

Click to read more...

 

[Hire Sather]

Wow this is truly groundbreaking stuff

Changes the industry

Not being sarcastic at all this is amazing

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Looks like MSG Network will be available to consumers who cut the cable cord or want to dump cable but they can't because all of the sports channels require a cable subscription. The NHL app had the out of market NHL games until they went to ESPN+. You would pay MSG directly.

ESPN needs to change their business model. They charge $100 per year now and you can't watch ESPN or ESPN2 without a cable subscription or a streaming subscription.

Dolan sells the cable TV system to Altice and now MSG will sell their product directly to the consumer bypassing the middleman.

Great. More platforms to watch 1994 reruns.

 

[Hire Sather]

Great. More platforms to watch 1994 reruns.

Or live games

 

[17futurecap]

NESN did this in Boston, it’s a lot of money per month.

 

[GENESISPuck94]

This sounds like it has potential but I'll wait to see.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Yeah I wouldnt get too excited over this just yet. These things usually take a lot longer to materialize, especially in this market.

But hey, its a start. MSG is one of the only reasons I still have cable and it would be cool to completely cut the cord at some point in the future. But i'd expect it to be expensive

 

[irishlaxburger2]

NESN did this in Boston, it’s a lot of money per month.

It will inevitably be a ton of money, but ultimately it does add a bunch of flexibility to cable subscription choice.

In the past/currently, knowing MSG was available ended up being a major part of which provider you chose. Now we'll have far more flexibility in choosing other cable/streaming providers.

And if MSG is willing to have a monthly model, we may get away with just subscribing for a portion of the calendar year. Though given how connected the NBA and NHL are seasonally, I'm not sure MSG would be willing to totally throw their subscriber base away during the summer.

 

[haohmaru]

This isn't Disney+ or Netflix price ranges. We're talking $30/mo.+ likely.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

It will inevitably be a ton of money, but ultimately it does add a bunch of flexibility to cable subscription choice.

In the past/currently, knowing MSG was available ended up being a major part of which provider you chose. Now we'll have far more flexibility in choosing other cable/streaming providers.

And if MSG is willing to have a monthly model, we may get away with just subscribing for a portion of the calendar year. Though given how connected the NBA and NHL are seasonally, I'm not sure MSG would be willing to totally throw their subscriber base away during the summer.

Im eager to see what they will do there as well.

Like right now, there is no reason for me to want to pay for MSG. Theyll probably set a premium on "in season" monthly charges. Or to justify their ad pricing theyll probably offer a slightly discounted yearly subscription to keep viewer/membership up in the summer months

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Or live games

And that's all. I miss the days of quality content like MSG Beginnings

 

[Kane One]

NESN did this in Boston, it’s a lot of money per month.

Yeah but at least they get baseball+hockey vs MSG’s basketball+hockey.

I don’t see the demand here being even close to NESN’s service.

 

[zlev]

i'm cancelling cable as soon as this is available

 

[Fitzy]

This isn't Disney+ or Netflix price ranges. We're talking $30/mo.+ likely.

At that point why not just go in on the streaming package? Unless you're a fan of both NYR and the Knicks I suppose.

 

[Crease]

At that point why not just go in on the streaming package? Unless you're a fan of both NYR and the Knicks I suppose.

This is my thought as well. Out of towners can get the Rangers and Knicks on ESPN+ for $10/month. In towners can get the Rangers and Knicks and a lot more on Fubo or DirectTV or via cable for around $80/month. $30/month for MSGN alone doesn’t seem like good value. It’ll be interesting to see how they price this.

 

[haohmaru]

This is my thought as well. Out of towners can get the Rangers and Knicks on ESPN+ for $10/month. In towners can get the Rangers and Knicks and a lot more on Fubo or DirectTV or via cable. $30/month for MSGN doesn’t seem like good value. It’ll be interesting to see how they price this.

That number coming from what NESN charges in the Boston market.

 

[cwede]

My cable is xFinity(Comcast,)
which removed MSG last season (contract renewal impasse) and dont seem close for coming season.
If this option shows up for the stretch run, it may be my best option

 

[alkurtz]

Will this be available out of market? Living in Charlotte, NC, I subscribe to ESPN+ to get the games (and use a VPN to access it when they play the Canes).

Would love to access MSG directly.

 

[Ruggs225]

Yeah I wouldnt get too excited over this just yet. These things usually take a lot longer to materialize, especially in this market.

But hey, its a start. MSG is one of the only reasons I still have cable and it would be cool to completely cut the cord at some point in the future. But i'd expect it to be expensive

Fubo already has the MSG channels. Its why i was able to cut the cord. Even has sny for metsies. But no yes for yankee fans. Also missing tnt/tbs

 

[wolfgaze]

Well if you don't have cable, and you're going to want to watch all the NHL playoff games - you're going to need to opt for the ESPN+ service regardless over anything that MSG can offer you. Don't really see the incentive to use MSG's service (unless you watch a lot of basketball)

 

[mas0764]

So would this mean I can pay for MSG despite not having cable and living outside the MSG broadcast area?

Cause I would ditch ESPN+ in a heartbeat.

 

[RangerBoy]

The $30 NESN charges includes the Red Sox.

Boston’s NESN, the regional sports network that televises Red Sox and Bruins games, will be the first RSN to offer its full slate of programming directly to consumers through a streaming service, allowing them to bypass the pay-TV bundle.

Called NESN 360, the service will cost $29.99 per month or $329.99 per year (each after a $1 first month offer). The yearly option will also also include 8 tickets to Red Sox games this season. NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group, which also owns the Red Sox.

NESN 360 will be available only in New England, owing to regional rights agreements tied to the “home” areas of the Red Sox and Bruins, and with the league holding streaming rights outside of the region for its MLB.tv service.

Boston’s NESN Offers Break From Cable Bundle With Streaming Service Launch

NESN 360 will stream live Red Sox and Bruins games, and cost $30 per month.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

Is Dolan offering Rangers or Knicks tickets as part of the package?

You can add MSG in late September when preseason starts and not subscribing after the first round of the playoffs.

 

[bernmeister]

Looks like MSG Network will be available to consumers who cut the cable cord or want to dump cable but they can't because all of the sports channels require a cable subscription. The NHL app had the out of market NHL games until they went to ESPN+. You would pay MSG directly.

ESPN needs to change their business model. They charge $100 per year now and you can't watch ESPN or ESPN2 without a cable subscription or a streaming subscription.

Dolan sells the cable TV system to Altice and now MSG will sell their product directly to the consumer bypassing the middleman.

GOD BE PRAISED
This appears to mean even almost reasonable app providers like FuboTV getting $80/mo and I'm paying for my own wifi to use (access) Amazon Firestick TV (free) will be forced to dial it down and/or offer more packages for less $.
I don't begrudge anyone else wanting to and paying for all these soccer games, but I don't want to have to underwrite it.

EVERYTHING should be MODULAR
PAY FOR THE CHANNELS YOU WANT, NOT EXCESS YOU DON'T

My cable is xFinity(Comcast,)
which removed MSG last season (contract renewal impasse) and dont seem close for coming season.
If this option shows up for the stretch run, it may be my best option

until this happens, can do streaming via cable then Amazon Firestick [1 x $30-ish for hardware] then get Fubo app 80/mo.
No yes, but all MSG [except NHL restricted games on tnt, etc]

 

[bernmeister]

Oh, and one more quick thought

to Spectrum and the other cable systems who have abused us for years,
DIE YOU f***IN BASTARDS, DIE, DIE, DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Depends on the cost per month/year but could be cool. A lot of people complain about NHL Center Ice, NBA Courtside, NFL Red Zone etc. for like $150 per season but you have to remember that's the cost of going to like 1-2 live games or 1-2 bar trips so it's not that bad.