Report: YES Network to Launch Direct-to-Consumer Streaming Service

The Yankees have yet another plan to follow a major TV trend in MLB: leaning into streaming.

The Yankees are planning a direct-to-consumer streaming service for YES Network, president Randy Levine told the “Carton and Roberts” show. The service will likely mimic that of the Red Sox’ NESN360. 

“You have to provide coverage for all of your fan base,” Levine reportedly said. “Younger fans tend to stream. You’re going to see a direct-to-consumer package come out from YES very, very soon.”

It also might provide some relief to a season-long lament from Yankees fans. New streaming deals have made it increasingly difficult for many fans to access games — even in the local market. 

The main example: the team’s deal with Prime Video, which broadcasts 21 Friday night Yankee games only to Prime customers.

“We have to do a much, much better job explaining to our fan base how to get to those games,” he said. “I think there are a lot of people who have Amazon Prime, who don’t even know they do, and don’t know how to get to the games. That’s on us, and we got to get better at that.”