MSG Western New York

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MSG Western New York
MSG Network (Zone 3- Western New York only)
Empire Sports Network
Links
Websitewww.msgnetworks.com
Availability
Streaming media
MSG GOmsggo.com
(U.S. cable internet subscribers only; requires login from participating providers to stream content; some events may not be available due to league rights restrictions)
DirecTV Stream635-1
FuboTVAvailable within designated area

MSG Western New York (MSG WNY) is an American

MSG Network, with programming oriented towards the Western New York region, including coverage of the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres and the National Football League's Buffalo Bills
. It replaced MSG Network on television providers in the Sabres' media market in 2016.

MSG Western New York is available on

satellite via DirecTV
.

History

After the collapse of

FSN New York in Zone 2), but all games were carried on the main MSG Network service within Zone 3.[4][5]

The Buffalo Sabres' regional television

ratings are among the highest in the league; in the 2015-16 season, despite the team's poor overall performance, fan enthusiasm over star prospect Jack Eichel helped the team achieve the highest average regional viewership of all NHL teams for the first time since 2008-09, with a 6.55 share.[6] National telecasts on NBC and NBCSN have also had notably high ratings in Buffalo.[7][8]

It was speculated that

Entercom (Entercom had purchased the Sabres' previous owned-and-operated station, 107.7 WNSA, in 2004, and merged its remaining programming onto WGR). Pegula eventually secured a contract extension with Entercom keeping the Bills and Sabres on WGR through the spring of 2021.[9] However, in regards to television, he felt that it was more likely for Pegula to partner with MSG to form a full-time, Buffalo-specific feed of MSG Network with additional local programming, rather than actually establishing a new, standalone outlet.[3][10]

Basically, what we have done is create our own platform, which is stronger because we already have the distribution on MSG, we have the benefit of MSG programming on there and the benefit of the platform of producing as much programming as we feel comfortable.

—Mark Preisler[6]

On June 20, 2016, Pegula announced that it had entered into a joint venture with MSG to establish a new service known as MSG Western New York. The channel, a sub-feed of MSG Network took over the former MSG Zone 3/Sabres game only channel, replacing the parent channel within the Sabres existing television market—which was also, notably, expanded to include the entirety of Rochester.[11] The arrangement allows Pegula access to MSG's existing distribution and statewide programming, while allowing opt-outs for an expanded slate of local programming dedicated to the Bills and Sabres, which is produced and controlled by Pegula. MSG as part of the agreement pays $19 to $20 million per-year in rights fees to broadcast Sabres games and programming, as well as Buffalo Bills programming; it is nearly double the value of the previous Sabres deal. As with the previous deal, Pegula controls team programming on the network, including advertising sales and production (which is handled through PSE's production wing PicSix Creative), and receives all advertising revenue, while MSG collects the retransmission consent fee. Besides original programming and broadcasts exclusive to MSG WNY, the network also carries selected programming from the main MSG Network channel.[6]

Pegula's executive vice president of media and content Mark Preisler explained that the deal was an alternative to establishing a new regional sports network from scratch, as the company would be able to expand on its relationship with MSG as a long-standing partner by leveraging its infrastructure and distribution, rather than needing to invest in building a network and negotiating carriage with television providers.[6][12]

The first promos seen for the channel ran during a Bills preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on August 13, 2016 promoting its Bills programming. The channel debuted on September 10, 2016 at 8:00pm with a Western New York cut in showing the 2016 debut of The Rex Ryan Show and a special behind the scenes feature called Rex and Rob Reunited at 8:30 and 9pm, the daily feed followed on October 3.[13]

On April 4, 2017, news broke that James L. Dolan, controlling owner of MSG, was exploring the sale of his regional sports networks, including his share of MSG Western New York.[14]

On August 28, 2023, Pegula Sports and Entertainment was dissolved, with the Bills and Hockey Western New York LLC (the holding company that owns the Sabres, Americans and Bandits) becoming separate business entities and Terry Pegula assuming Presidency of the Sabres organization.[15]

Programming

The network carries team programming related to the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills; the former including all 70 regional Sabres games and the latter including local Bills shows formerly aired by WKBW-TV; preseason telecasts began to be simulcast with WKBW beginning in 2017. In addition, the channel simulcasts The Instigators (formerly known as Sabres Hockey Hotline)[16] and One Bills Live (formerly known as The John Murphy Show) from WGR radio as part of a five-hour weekday block, originating from studios (dubbed the One Buffalo studios) at Highmark Stadium; Murphy's program was moved from the evening to the afternoon and had a co-host added. As an aspect of the overall deal, PSE agreed in principle to extend its radio rights with WGR.[citation needed]

MSG Western New York added a package of five

MSG Network schedule, such as New York Knicks basketball.[6][11] In turn, MSG also has rights to air the Pegula-produced original programming and game converge on its other networks.[6][11]

In 2018, MSG-produced Bills preseason telecasts moved to the stations of Nexstar Media Group in all media markets outside Buffalo. As the Bills could not break their existing contract with WKBW in Buffalo, the rights in that city did not change until 2021, when Nexstar-owned WIVB-TV would begin carrying the games.[20]

Original programming

Hockey

Football

  • The
    John Murphy
    and head coach Sean McDermott.
  • Bills All-Access — weekly half-hour newsmagazine
  • Bills Tonight — weekly postgame show
  • One Bills Live — daily talk show co-hosted by Chris Brown and Steve Tasker; simulcast on WGR (formerly known as The John Murphy Show)[22][23]
  • Top 10 in Bills History — countdown miniseries; debuted June 12, 2017[24]
  • The Extra Point — Monday radio show simulcast with WGR
  • Buffalo Bills: Embedded — Documentary series covering the Bills
    training camp; debuted August 2018, created by MSG WNY for Facebook Watch[25]

On-air staff

Current on-air staff

Football

Hockey

Main article: List of Buffalo Sabres broadcasters
  • Martin Biron – Sabres studio analyst, co-host of Sabres Live
  • Brian Duff – Sabres studio host, co-host of Sabres Live
  • Dan Dunleavy – Sabres play-by-play announcer
  • Danny Gare – Sabres fill-in analyst
  • Rob Ray – Sabres color analyst
  • Ric Seiling – Amerks color analyst
  • Don Stevens – Amerks play-by-play announcer

Former on-air staff

Carriage

Cable television

Both of the two primary cable providers in Western New York,

Cattaraugus County
) have carried the network from its inception.

DirecTV

On August 10, 2016, the debut night of MSG Western New York it was revealed that DirecTV would not be running the network's full programming schedule.[29] The Sabres noted that MSG made the programming available to DirecTV but the provider was not willing to carry it.[30] This made MSG WNY a part-time channel on DirecTV with the provider continuing to air the channel as a game only service showing Sabres games only. For the 2017 NFL season, DirecTV began showing Bills All Access and irregularly showing the first runs of The Sean McDermott Show and Bills Tonight in addition to the Sabres games that the channel airs. A week later DirecTV began showing The Instigators and The John Murphy Show. DirecTV happens to be the service that Pegula owned properties like 716 Food and Sport, a sports bar and grill in downtown Buffalo use.

Dish Network

MSG Western New York, like

MSG and MSG Sportsnet, is unavailable on Dish Network. As part of an ongoing feud with the family of Charles Dolan (owners of MSG), Dish has not carried any MSG network channel since the last agreement expired on October 1, 2010.[31]

Over-the-top services

FuboTV added the MSG networks for the fall 2017 season.[32]

See also

References

  1. ^ John Dempsey (March 6, 2005). "Adelphia adds NFL Net". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  2. ^ "Sabres Extend MSG Contract". Buffalo Sabres. September 1, 2006. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Sabres in strong negotiation position as TV, radio deals near end". Buffalo News. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  4. ^ "2005-2006 NHL Telecast Schedule". Buffalo Sabres official website. NHL, MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  5. ^ "Buffalo Sabres 2005-2006 NHL Telecast Schedule" (PDF). Buffalo Sabres. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Pergament, Alan (June 21, 2016). "Wide-ranging deal will keep Sabres – and other Pegula Sports & Entertainment content – on MSG". The Buffalo News. Berkshire Hathaway. Archived from the original on June 22, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  7. ^ "Sabres end Penguins' reign atop RSN ratings". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  8. ^ "Buffalo is No. 1 market for hockey ratings despite 35 percent drop in year". Buffalo News. Archived from the original on April 15, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  9. ^ Fink, James (September 9, 2016). "Entercom Buffalo to keep broadcasting Bills, Sabres on radio". Business First. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  10. ^ "Are the Pegulas hiring for their own regional sports network?". Die By The Blade (SB Nation). Vox Media. June 15, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  11. ^ a b c Pergament, Alan (June 21, 2016). 12 opinions on the MSG-Pegula Sports deal. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  12. ^ Fink, James (June 21, 2016). "Pegula Sports and Entertainment, MSG Networks seal new, long-term deal". Buffalo Business First. American City Business Journals. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  13. ^ "Bills preseason ratings drop 25 percent in a year; Dedes and Wilcots to call opener - Talkin' TV". Archived from the original on September 8, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  14. ^ "MSG Networks is looking to sell". April 4, 2017.
  15. ^ Wawrow, John (August 28, 2023). "PSE being dissolved, Terry Pegula taking over as president of the Buffalo Sabres". Associated Press via WGRZ. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  16. ^ "The Instigators premieres Tuesday on WGR 550 and MSG".
  17. ^ "Amerks Announce 2016-17 Television Schedule".
  18. ^ Pegula Sports and Entertainment set to air series of Monsignor Martin football games. The Buffalo News (September 7, 2017). Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  19. ^ "Monsignor Martin high school football returns to New Era Field".
  20. ^ "Fred Jackson to join Bills postgame show; Catalana replaced on sidelines". August 2, 2018.
  21. ^ "Industry News: WYRK number one in Nielsen spring book". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  22. ^ Veronica, Nick (April 11, 2018). "'The John Murphy Show' becomes 'One Bills Live' with Tasker as co-host". The Buffalo News. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  23. ^ Baker, Kelly (April 11, 2018). "Bills legend Steve Tasker returns to roots as he joins "One Bills Live"". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  24. ^ "'Top 10 Moments in Bills History' airs on MSG tonight". June 12, 2017.
  25. ^ "Bills' 'Embedded' improves, local TV wins in 27th District". August 23, 2018.
  26. ^ Bills preseason games have new sideline reporter known for analytics
  27. ^ "Column: WGR's Simon asked off pregame; 'Bills Tonight' has new host; McDermott's show moves". August 7, 2019.
  28. ^ "Steve Tasker to replace Donald Jones on 'John Murphy Show'". April 3, 2018.
  29. ^ Michelle Girardi Z [@chellegz] (September 10, 2016). "@Jay_Cwik @PegulaSE @Joseph_Video Because DirecTV is being difficult & currently not airing MSGWNY programming. 10:30 is the national airing" (Tweet). Retrieved December 31, 2020 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ Buffalo Sabres [@BuffaloSabres] (October 4, 2016). "@PUGSJR77 @MSGNetworks MSG has made the programming available to DIRECTV- but right now they're not able to carry. Please check w/DIRECTV" (Tweet). Retrieved December 31, 2020 – via Twitter.
  31. ^ "Dish NEtwork Drops MSG". Buffalo News. October 1, 2010.
  32. ^ "fuboTV Adds MSG Networks". broadcastingcable.com. September 26, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
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