NEW YORK — The YES Network has extended its partnership with OTT Advisors (OTTA) into a sixth consecutive season, reinforcing a collaboration that has driven innovation in live sports streaming since 2020. The partnership has delivered measurable improvements in digital performance, streaming reliability, and viewer engagement while maximizing digital advertising revenue across all platforms.
OTTA’s technology-focused approach has helped transform The YES App and now The Gotham Sports App into industry-leading streaming destinations through best-in-class technology advisory services, real-time digital advertising operations and monetization of YES Network advertising impressions.
Record-breaking performance fuels partnership extension
The partnership extension comes on the heels of exceptional performance for The Gotham Sports App, which launched in October 2024 as the unified streaming platform for YES Network and MSG Networks content. During the 2025 Yankees season, key metrics demonstrated significant year-over-year growth:
- Streamed viewership of Yankees games increased 91% year-over-year in the New York DMA in the 2025 season, according to Nielsen.
- Pick-N-Play Live participation increased 28% year-over-year throughout YES’ regional coverage territory.
- Live Stats impressions on connected TVs grew 169% year-over-year during streamed Yankees game telecasts throughout YES’ regional coverage territory (for linear and The Gotham Sports App).
- Average streaming time per user rose 15% year-over-year during Yankees Opening Weekend in April 2025 (Gotham’s first Yankees Opening Weekend).
In April 2025, The Gotham Sports App peaked at number four nationally among Apple’s free sports apps during Yankees Opening Weekend.
Technology innovations drive viewer engagement and ad revenue
OTTA’s technical implementations for The YES Network focus on three key areas that directly impact both fan experience and monetization:
1. Superior streaming quality
High-quality streams with reduced buffering events keep viewers engaged throughout the game, reducing mid-game drop-offs and extending session duration.
2. Interactive features
Interactive overlays including live stats, Pick-N-Play, loyalty rewards, and instant replay capabilities give fans compelling reasons to stay within the app rather than switching to second screens.
3. Real-time advertising delivery
YESN relies on OTTA advertising operations (AdOps) services, which sit at the intersection of revenue, quality, and trust. AdOps is no longer just execution — it is a revenue engine. OTTA and YESN have built a strong digital ad delivery operation, with both teams working in close collaboration to align live game inventory, audience demand, and campaign performance.
Using OTTA’s trafficking technology, implemented exclusively for YESN, the network benefits from real-time decisioning that supports high fill rates, maximizes live game eyes-on-glass, advances programmatic sophistication, and drives strong year-over-year revenue growth.
“These year-over-year gains are the direct result of specific product and advertising innovations we deployed. Together with YES Network and our technology partners, we transformed the streaming experience from a passive feed into an interactive live sports destination — driving more minutes watched per game and per season, and unlocking high-value, in-game impression opportunities for advertisers.”
OTT Advisors spokesperson
Executive perspectives
“OTTA has been our longest and most trusted digital partner since we launched The YES App in March 2021. They are a key part of our team, bringing years of experience in technology and media sales. Their technical expertise and strategic guidance have been instrumental in helping us achieve these record-breaking streaming milestones and deliver the best possible experience for Yankees fans across all platforms.”
Matt Duarte, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, YES Network
“Over the last five seasons, OTTA has become a key member of the YES Network team, with our staffs operating as a single, unified force to grow digital audiences, extend viewing time, and drive more high-value digital advertising impressions. We are excited to continue this partnership into the sixth season and look forward to driving continued innovation and growth for The Gotham Sports App and the YES Network’s digital ecosystem.”
Chris Wagner, Founder and Managing Partner, OTT Advisors
The Gotham Sports App is now available across Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Prime Video, Roku, Apple TV, Google TV, Samsung, LG, and Vizio Smart TVs, supporting the growing migration of streaming audiences to big-screen devices.
About The YES Network
The YES Network, America’s pre-eminent regional sports network, owns the exclusive regional media rights to the 27-time World Champion New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Nets. In addition to live Yankees and Nets games and related pregame and postgame coverage, YES televises numerous Yankees- and Nets-themed original programs such as its Homegrown series, The Stadium, Yankees Magazine and Nets Magazine. The network also airs Yankees minor league games, original biography, interview and magazine programs, college sports and AC Milan soccer. YES has earned 161 Emmy Awards since its 2002 launch. YES is also available on The Gotham Sports App.
About The Gotham Sports App
The Gotham Sports App, the exclusive TV Everywhere and DTC streaming home of the YES Network and MSG Networks, launched in October 2024 and provides New York sports fans with access to their favorite programming and teams all in one location. Fans who subscribe to MSG and YES through The Gotham Sports App can receive more than 500 live games featuring the New York Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres. The Gotham Sports App is a product of Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment (“GAME”), the digital joint venture between the YES Network and MSG Networks.
About OTT Advisors
OTT Advisors (OTTA) is a leading technology advisory and digital advertising firm specializing in over-the-top (OTT) streaming technology, digital platform strategy, and monetization solutions for sports media and entertainment companies. Founded by Chris Wagner, a pioneer in sports streaming technology, and Paul Wagner, who brings expertise in digital advertising, OTTA delivers deep expertise in video rights licensing, streaming infrastructure, digital advertising technology, and operates a national live sports video platform and digital fan network. With a track record of success across major sports networks and media organizations, OTTA advises clients on building scalable, revenue-generating streaming platforms that maximize audience engagement and advertising yield. OTTA’s key live sports partners include the YES Network, Chicago Sports Network, New England Sports Network, Monumental Sports Network, Marquee Sports Network, and numerous NBA, NHL, and MLB teams. The firm’s strategic partnerships and technical guidance have helped transform how sports content is distributed and monetized in the digital age.