Mountain West launches subscription-based streaming platform for game, team-specific content
The Mountain West conference this week launched its new “direct-to-consumer” digital subscriptions platform called MW+.
While the days of getting all the conference-hosted games and events for free online at the Mountain West’s website are over, the new app-based subscription comes with higher production standards for all conference members and revenue generating options for the specific schools themselves — a perk that could mean extra money in the pockets of the University of New Mexico if past streaming numbers for Lobo games and events are any indication of new subscription numbers.
“We are excited about the launch of the MW+ and our fan base should be, too,” UNM Athletic Director Ryan Berryman told the Journal in a text exchange about the new subscription-based format and app.
“Lobo fans have historically demonstrated amazing viewership numbers on the former Mountain West Network and now they can look forward to new content, improved broadcast quality, and greater functionality on the MW+.
“Our broadcast team, led by the creativity and expertise of Chase Christiansen, is already hard at work thinking about the ways that we can generate new content for our fan base.”
While there has been some confusion from fans who still see a Mountain West app or channel appearing through Amazon Prime, there will not be new content available anywhere moving forward other than through subscription to the app — one that restricts use to two devices.
The cost for new subscribers is $79.99 annually or $10.99 per month. There is a first three-month discount of $67.99 (15% off) for the annual subscriptions if purchased by September.
The Journal walked through the subscription process and, with a larger (20%) discount offered to people who signed up to the league’s MW+ early bird newsletter prior to the July 1 launch, the total cost of a one-year subscription was $75.76 — $63.99 for the subscription, $5.37 in taxes and $6.40 in “service fees”.
Game content will be all Mountain West-hosted events that are not already scheduled to be televised by one of the league’s top-tier media rights partner networks, CBS Sports or Fox Sports.
Some of that new content could mean coaches shows, player-hosted podcasts and possibly even weekly or post-game news conferences could be streamed on the MW+ app as opposed to being on UNM’s GoLobos.com and YouTube pages in the past (postgame pressers for men’s basketball will also continue to be available through the Journal, but not for other sports).
UNM already released social media video teasers to a podcast called “Two PGs in a Pod” hosted by UNM Lobo women’s basketball point guard Laila Abdurraqib and men’s basketball point guard Uriah Tenette — a show that will be on the app.
The Mountain West launched the app Wednesday, the same day it introduced its new roster of full and sport-specific members thanks to the recent departure of five schools — Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State — to form a new version of the Pac-12 conference. The league has partnered with Kiswe, a company well versed in streaming technology and services.
“The platform marks a significant step forward in the conference’s digital evolution, delivering expanded access to live and on-demand content, while creating new opportunities for fan engagement and revenue generation for member institutions,” a release posted on the Mountain West’s website states. “A majority of each subscription purchased through a member school’s dedicated page will directly support that institution, creating a scalable and sustainable revenue opportunity aligned with fan engagement.”
Specific numbers haven’t been released about exactly how much the schools will get, but it is believed to be at least 60% of each subscription going directly to the school linked to each subscription (the subscription process requires linking to a specific school to complete). That revenue will be a part of each school’s media rights payout each summer.
As for past, on-demand content. The app right now has available such games as last seasons’ San Diego State at UNM Lobo football game in University Stadium. When clicking on the on-demand “Classic Games”, the app indicates you have one week’s time to watch the video. It is unclear if the game will then later be available or not.
The league added in its rollout announcement: “The launch of MW+ underscores the conference’s commitment to innovation, visibility, and long-term sustainability. By owning and operating its own platform, the Mountain West is positioning itself — and its member schools — for continued growth in an evolving media landscape.”
To subscribe or learn more about the app, visit TheMW.com or Watch.TheMW.com. The app is available on web, iOS and Android devices and through streaming services lime Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and others.
Reach Geoff Grammer at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) @GeoffGrammer.
