• by Wayne Friedman , March 2, 2023

At a time where regional sports TV networks are battling with more financial issues, including increasing cord cutting at legacy pay TV services, MSG Networks will launch MSG+, a $29.99-a-month streaming service, this summer.

Video consumers can also buy the New York-based network annually for $309.99 a year to see New York City-area New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, as well as the Buffalo Sabres and other live sports.

MSG Networks is also launching free, advertising-supported streaming TV service MSG SportsZone, which will offer a mix of original MSG Networks programming as well as library content.

It will be available on the Vizio TV streaming platform and the Plex streaming TV platform.

The company says MSG+ will be available for those who do not subscribed to a "traditional pay television service." Existing MSG Network linear TV subscribers can get MSG+ at no additional charge.

MSG+ will also be available to sports fans on a per-game basis for $9.99.

Linear TV regional sports networks are looking to start streaming services in response to legacy pay TV cord-cutting and some resistance from pay TV systems in carrying regional sports networks due to thin profit margins.

Some new existing virtual pay TV services carry MSG Network TV, like DirecTV Stream. MSG Network is included in the company’s “Choice” plan along with over a hundred channels for $89.99 a month. You can also get MSG Network on FuboTV, under its “Pro” plan for $69.99, which include 140 TV channels.