Verizon a Rumored Buyer for MSG Networks After offloading the family's Cablevision cable business to Altice in late 2015, the Dolan Family is now looking to sell MSG Networks as well. And according to the New York Post, Verizon is rumored as one of several potential buyers. Verizon has been looking to expand its wireless video offerings as broadband providers continue to shift their focus from broadband to content and advertising. MSG Networks provides access to Knicks, Rangers, Devils, Islanders and other regional New York sports teams, collects roughly $5 per subscriber per month for the honor of accessing that content.

Verizon this week (coincidentally or not), expanded a deal with the network that lets FiOS TV customers with MSGN networks in their cable lineup access that content via the MSG GO live streaming and video-on-demand platform. ISPs and regional sports networks have, however, come under fire for the practice of burying regional sports fees below the line post sale -- jacking up the cost of service but allowing cable providers to artificially advertise a lower price. Charter is currently being sued for the practice. That said, the Post is quick to note that with a growing number of consumers opting to cut the cord -- and opt out specifically of pricey sports programming -- selling the network at this juncture could be difficult. "An MSGN sale will not be easy, several sources said, as RSNs are considered mature and perhaps even a melting ice cube as viewers opt for skinny bundles and cord-cutting," notes the Post. "Plus, there are some MSGN contracts with local cable companies expiring soon and hammering out deals for more money could be tough." Verizon so far has refused to comment on the possibility of any pending deal. Verizon so far has refused to comment on the possibility of any pending deal.







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topics flat nest ansky

join:2009-05-18

West Orange, NJ 1 recommendation ansky Member Why? Why would Verizon want this? Sports networks are a sinking ship. Just look at ESPN. They are losing tons of money and having layoffs. People are tired of spending ridiculous amounts of money every month for these expensive sports networks that they don't watch. Looking at MSG specifically, the Knicks have not had a competitive team in over 20 years. Who is watching them? The other pro sports teams carried by MSG are all hockey, which is not nearly as popular as the other pro sports in this country.

chuch

join:2001-04-11

Tampa, FL 102.7 113.7

6 recommendations chuch Member Re: Why? said by ansky: Why would Verizon want this?



It's probably because Lowell has riddled the company with bad decisions ever since they decided to start selling off all their local assets. Why did Verizon spend so much money for AOL and willing to spend a mint for Yahoo?It's probably because Lowell has riddled the company with bad decisions ever since they decided to start selling off all their local assets.

Anone2b79

@2602:100.x 1 recommendation Anone2b79 Anon Re: Why? said by chuch: said by ansky: Why would Verizon want this?



It's probably because Lowell has riddled the company with bad decisions ever since they decided to start selling off all their local assets. Why did Verizon spend so much money for AOL and willing to spend a mint for Yahoo?It's probably because Lowell has riddled the company with bad decisions ever since they decided to start selling off all their local assets. The money spent on AOL is about 2-3 months profit. shanghaista

join:2014-08-03

Canton, MA 1 recommendation shanghaista Member Re: Why? said by Anone2b79 : The money spent on AOL is about 2-3 months profit.



In another way, you could also spin it as Verizon wasted 1/4 of its annual earnings; you think investors want to only make 75% profits?



The real question is how valuable was the AOL acquisition in generating more profits versus other uses of the cash, not the significance or magnitude of its financial impact in relation to the size of the company. SoSo? With that justification, you could also say that building out FiOS is only 2-3 months profit.In another way, you could also spin it as Verizon wasted 1/4 of its annual earnings; you think investors want to only make 75% profits?The real question is how valuable was the AOL acquisition in generating more profits versus other uses of the cash, not the significance or magnitude of its financial impact in relation to the size of the company. elefante72

join:2010-12-03

East Amherst, NY 1 recommendation elefante72 to ansky

Member to ansky

First off popularity has to do with eyeballs and ads. Believe it or not there are other sports than football. 2 of the NY teams are hosting playoff hockey teams and the 3rd (Sabres) has the highest rated viewership of all US teams.



The issue as I see it w/ Fios is that they charge me for the package and then again for an RSN fee of $5, which if you are a new subscriber is now $6.50. That from 3-4 years ago when there was ZERO RSN BTL fee.



A new Verizon customer today will have to pay $10 a month in BTL broadcast/RSN fees (up from zero), and it's to the point where Verizon is going to get sued also.



My last negotiation w/ them is "I dont care what bs fees you charge, I only care about the out the door price". At least they SAY what they are. New Charter, I can't for the life of me figure out what their BTL fees are.



And MSG has been the WORST channel, up until very recently you couldn't even get them on mobile, and they aren't available on ANY platform other than linear cable which is butt stupid. You can get YES (Yankees) now on almost every streaming service.



In any case this little comfy sports arrangement is going to just keep pissing people off.



Amazon buys Thurs night football so you need Prime from free last year on twitter, nobody can stream NFL football on their mobile except for Verizon because they signed an exclusive w/ the NFL. I won't even get into stupid blackouts.



Well guess what if they dont offer it, I'm not switching my provider just for them and then they are going to lose out. ansky

join:2009-05-18

West Orange, NJ 1 recommendation ansky Member Re: Why? said by elefante72: First off popularity has to do with eyeballs and ads. Believe it or not there are other sports than football. 2 of the NY teams are hosting playoff hockey teams and the 3rd (Sabres) has the highest rated viewership of all US teams. That isn't saying much. Buffalo is one of the smallest sports markets in the country, so if they have the highest viewership amongst all NHL teams, then than translates to pitiful ratings for the rest of the league....proving my point. elefante72

join:2010-12-03

East Amherst, NY 1 recommendation elefante72 Member Re: Why?



»www.espn.com/nhl/attendance



The only point you prove that it was a good idea to move upstate! Apparently you are not a hockey person which is different than football. Buffalo has higher attendance than Devils, Isles, Rangers:The only point you prove that it was a good idea to move upstate! ansky

join:2009-05-18

West Orange, NJ 1 edit 1 recommendation ansky Member Re: Why? said by elefante72: Apparently you are not a hockey person which is different than football. Buffalo has higher attendance than Devils, Isles, Rangers:



»www.espn.com/nhl/attendance



The only point you prove that it was a good idea to move upstate! I don't think you're following my point. What I'm saying is, if the highest attendance in hockey takes place in one of the smallest markets, then that doesn't bode well for the sport. In a region like Buffalo you have a pool of about 500,000 possible fans that may attend a game. In a region like NYC you have a potential of 18 million fans. So that may be great for Buffalo, but if you're telling me a region with 18 million people can't sell out a hockey game, that doesn't bode well for the sport as a whole. Also, I never said anything about football, and MSG doesn't even carry football, so I'm not sure why you keep bringing that up. Adam G620

join:2016-01-31

River Forest, IL Adam G620 Member Well... Dolan has to pay Derrick Rose's salary somehow.

batterup

I Can Not Tell A Lie.

Premium Member

join:2003-02-06

Netcong, NJ -1 recommendation batterup Premium Member No FiOS for you. It appears FiOS is not a top priority; enjoy. tmc8080

join:2004-04-24

Brooklyn, NY -1 recommendation tmc8080 Member apparently... Apparently, Verizon wants to be in EVERY OTHER BUSINESS but a wire line and wireless business!



At least, they spend money that way!

Eddy120876

join:2009-02-16

Bronx, NY Eddy120876 Member For those knicks fans out there This will be the best thing ever. Hell im a Celtics fan and I want the dolans away from NYC. your comment..

