MSG Varsity Scores PSAL Pact With NYC Department Of Education

MSG Varsity has finally finalized a deal with the largest high school sports league in the country.
Cablevision's 24/7 HD service for all things secondary school inked a multiyear agreement with the New York City Department of Education that makes MSG Varsity the official sports network of the Public Schools Athletic League.
Through the partnership, MSG Varsity will have the right to showcase any of the PSAL's regular season and playoff games. MSG Varsity, a strong acquisition and retention tool for Cablevision, says it will provide in-depth coverage of the PSAL's boys and girls sports, including full-game broadcasts, highlights and interviews with student-athletes and coaches, across its linear and digital platforms.
In July, the Panel for Educational Policy granted its approval for MSG Varsity to ink a deal that would allow the service to air the myriad PSAL athletic contests. Since that time, the city's DOE has been engaged in negotiations with MSG Varsity. It was unclear at press time at how the parties valued the deal. MSG Varsity declined to comment on the financials.

Published reports this past summer, though, pegged a two-year pact in the $500,000 range, with the outlay slated to be disbursed to the PSAL and the schools.
"Our agreement with the NYCDOE reinforces MSG Varsity's commitment to providing the most comprehensive coverage of tri-state area high school sports and activities," said Theresa Chillianis, general manager of MSG Varsity, in announcing the pact. "We are thrilled to partner with the PSAL -- the largest high school league in the country -- and to share the excitement of NYC boys and girls sports with students, parents, educators and the community at large."

During November, MSG Varsity will showcase full-game coverage of seven matchups, centering on championship girls volleyball and football matchups (see schedule below). New York City viewers can also watch the New York City edition of MSG Varsity's signature daily sports show, High School SportsDesk, each weeknight at 7 p.m. for additional coverage, including PSAL game highlights, athlete interview and feature stories.

NYC high school sports fans can find PSAL coverage across all of MSG Varsity's platforms: MSG Varsity, iO TV Channel 14; MSGVarsity.com; MSG Varsity on-demand, channel 614; MSG Varsity The Magazine; and MSG Varsity's new free mobile app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

Game Sport Match-Up Airdate
11/15 Girls Volleyball PSAL Volleyball Playoffs 11/16 @ 7:30 PM
[Townsend Harris High School vs. The Bronx High School of Science]
11/17 Girls Volleyball PSAL Volleyball Playoffs 11/21 @ 4:00 PM
11/21 Girls Volleyball PSAL "A" League Finals @ Hunter College 11/22 @ 4:00 PM
11/21 Girls Volleyball PSAL "B" League Finals @ Hunter College 11/23 @ 4:00 PM
11/26 Football PSAL Semi-Finals City Championship Playoffs 11/28 @ 7:30 PM
11/27 Football PSAL Cup Division Final @ Midwood 11/29 @ 4:00 PM
11/27 Football PSAL Bowl Division Final @ Midwood 11/30 @ 4:00 PM