Knicks, and Rangers games will be streamed by MSG Networks

Dolan's cable-TV channels, which broadcast professional sports games in New York and New Jersey, are launching their own streaming service.

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In addition to the NBA's New York Knicks, there will be games from the NHL's New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, and New Jersey Devils available on MSG+ this summer. According to a company release issued on Wednesday, the streaming service will be available for $29.99 a month or $309.99 a year.

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MSG Networks said it has also recently launched a free, ad-supported streaming TV channel called MSG SportsZone on Vizio televisions and Plex, which is available nationally on Vizio televisions and Plex streaming platforms. A number of additional platforms will be available in the near future. There is a dedicated channel on FAST that features sports betting and classic gaming programming from MSG Networks.

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As the name implies, MSG+ is only going to be available in those areas where MSG Networks is already available on cable TV. As part of the deal, traditional TV subscribers will also be able to access MSG+ for free.

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Regional sports networks in particular have felt the pain of consumers leaving their cable-TV bundles and opting instead for streaming services as a result of the launch of the service. It is often difficult for cord-cutters to watch their local sports teams since few online bundles cover regional sports networks, and the networks have been slow to offer their own direct-to-consumer options.

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There is also a need for these networks to be careful when it comes to pricing their streaming options so as not to disrupt the pay-TV model further and breach their contracts with distribution companies. There are billions of dollars in fees that the regional sports networks pay professional sports teams in order to air their games on their networks. As a result of the pay-TV contracts, these networks are able to support these fees.

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Direct-to-consumer streaming services are one of the ways in which companies are attempting to retain or re-engage customers who have cut the cord. There's a streaming option available for $29.99 a month, or $329.99 a year, that's similar to what New England Sports Network launched last year, which is the local TV home of the Boston Red Sox and the NHL's Boston Bruins.

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A similar service offered by Diamond Sports Group was launched last fall under the name Bally Sports+ for the price of $19.99 a month, or $189.99 a year.

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The MSG Networks' new streaming service will also provide fans with the option to purchase single-game streams for $9.99 per game as part of its new service. As of yet, other regional sports networks that have developed a streaming platform have not yet added this service to their offering.

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It is true, however, that the cable-TV providers have seen the rate of customers fleeing the bundle accelerate over the last year, which has exacerbated their problems on a number of fronts.

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The parent company of Diamond’s Bally Sports is on the verge of bankruptcy due to a heavy debt load. Warner Bros. Discovery is reported to be trying to get out of the regional sports networks business.