How to Watch MSG on Roku (Without Cable As Well)

Great news, sports fans! There’s now a way to watch MSG on Roku! That’s right, with the launch of the network’s streaming app, MSG Go, avid sports fans can now watch all the network’s awarding-winning original content and live games, plus highlights of all the New York sports teams. This lineup includes the Knicks, Rangers, Giants, Red Bulls, Riptides, and the New Jersey Devils.

Named after the iconic Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, MSG broadcasts primarily to the Mid-Atlantic region, consisting of New York, Northern and Central New Jersey, Southwestern Connecticut, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. 

One of my best buds is a Knicks superfan, so when he heard about MSG Go, he called me up and asked how to watch MSG on Roku. I understand his dilemma because who wants to watch a game on a tiny mobile screen when you have a giant flat screen at your disposal? And since I was the one who convinced him to get a Roku TV in the first place even though he had a smart tv, it only made sense that I helped him out.  Oh! by the way do check out my article on why you need a Roku even if you have a smart tv.

I’ve got all the information to get you started if you want to know how to stream MSG.

If you have a cable subscription, you can ask your cable provider to add it to your channel list. If MSG is one of your regional sports channels, call your provider to get the MSG network on Roku.  If you don’t have a subscription and want to know how to watch MSG without cable, then you have a couple of options.

There is no official app for MSG Go on Roku on the Roku Channel store, so if you are eligible, you can install the MSG Go app on your smartphone or PC and then cast the screen to get MSG Go on Roku. Otherwise, you can install DirectTV or fubo TV, which are paid subscriptions, to your Roku TV and access the MSG network from there.

How to Get MSG on Roku with Cable

If you live in the Tri-State area or Northeastern Pennsylvania, you most likely have the MSG network as one of your regional sports channels, so first check your TV channel list. In case it is not there, you can go to MSG’s website and enter your zip code and TV channel provider to see if any of the network’s shows are available in your area. If they are available and you don’t have them listed, then contact your cable 

TV provider to have them update your cable settings. Getting the MSG Network on Roku is as simple as that.

How to Watch MSG Without Cable

If the MSG network isn’t one of your regional sports channels and you want to know how to watch MSG without cable, I have four options for you, all detailed below.

Option 1: Screen Mirror MSG Go on Roku

If you qualify for the MSG network, you can download the MSG Go app, install it on your Android device or PC, and then mirror it to a TV. There is currently no direct channel adding option for MSG Go on Roku.

Enable Screen Mirroring on Your Roku TV

1. Start your Roku TV to open on the Home Screen or use the Home button on your Roku remote control
2. Select Settings from the left-hand menu to view all the device options
3. Select System from the list to see all the system options
4. Scroll to screen mirroring 
5. Open screen mirroring mode and select either Prompt or Always allow
   • Prompt will ask you whenever a device tries to cast on your Roku TV.
   • Always allow will always connect to the casting device without asking.

Mirror MSG Go From Your Android Phone

1. Download the MSG Go app from the Play Store. It will automatically install
2. Open MSG Go to sign in using your login credentials and TV provider.
3. Pull down the notification panel on your Android phone and select the mirroring/casting option available. Different manufacturers use different terms, but they all work the same way. The various options, depending on your phone model, will be as follows:
   • AllShare Cast
   • Cast
   • Display mirroring
   • HTC Connect
   • Quick Connect
   • Screen Casting
   • Smart Share
   • Smart View
   • Wireless Display

4. Open the relevant option and search for your Roku TV. Ensure your phone and Roku TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
5. Connect to your Roku TV
6. You will now see your phone on the TV screen. Launch the MSG Go app to play the channel; this is how to watch MSG on Roku.

Mirror MSG Go From your PC

1. On your PC, go to Start and search for Display Settings
2. Scroll down and open Multiple displays 
3. Selected connect to a wireless display
4. Select your Roku TV, and your PC screen will mirror your Roku TV
5. Open your browser on your PC and go to the official website for MSG Go
6. Select your TV provider and sign into your account
7. Select the full-screen mode for the video player, and you now have MSG on Roku.

Option 2: Screen Mirror MSG Go Using AirPlay for iOS Devices

The latest Roku TVs and devices now have an option to mirror iOS devices like iPhones and iPads using AirPlay directly. There are several steps, but they are simple to follow.

1. Go to the Home Screen on your Roku TV using the Home button on your Roku remote control
2. Select Settings from the left-hand menu
3. Scroll down to find Apple AirPlay and HomeKit to open the AirPlay options
4. Toggle the AirPlay option to On. 
5. Connect your Roku TV and iOS device to the same Wi-Fi network.
6. Open the Control Center on your iOS device
7. Select Screen Mirroring
8. Select your Roku device from the list of available devices. 
9. An AirPlay code will be displayed on your Roku TV
10. Enter that same code when prompted on your iOS device
11. Install MSG Go from the App Store on your iOS device

Now that the two devices are connected, you will see your device’s screen on the TV. As soon as you launch MSG Go, you will see it on your TV screen. There you go, now you know how to stream MSG network on your TV.

Option 3: DirectTV Stream

DirectTV Stream is a streaming service from AT&T that can answer the question, “how to stream MSG?” if you don’t have a cable subscription. DirectTV Stream’s entertainment starter package is $69.99 monthly for over 75 live TV channels, including MSG, provided you live in MSG’s broadcast zone. There is a 5-day free trial run, so you can decide if it is worth your while. 

 Available on the Roku Channel Store, you can add it to your Roku TV in a few steps:

1. Go to the Home Screen
2. Scroll and select Streaming Channels to open the Channel Store
3. Go to Search Channels 
4. Type “DirectTV” in the search bar
5. Select  + Add channel  to install DirectTV on your TV

To watch MSG, use your Roku remote control to select the DirectTV Stream and open the app on your TV. Then it is just a matter of signing in with your username and password, and you are good to go.

Option 4: fuboTV

fuboTV is another streaming service known for its sports-centric channel listing. It has all the big names and regional channels like MSG, provided you are in the right zip code. The Pro subscription package starts at $69.99 a month, offering 120+ channels and giving you access to 100 national and international sporting events. 

fuboTV is available on the Roku Channel Store and can be easily installed, so you can quickly get MSG on Roku.

1. Go to the Home Screen
2. Scroll and select Streaming Channels to open the Channel Store
3. Go to Search Channels 
4. Type “fuboTV” in the search bar
5. Select + Add channel to install fuboTV to your Roku TV.

Conclusion:

If you can’t decide which option is the best for you, ask yourself this: do you want to watch only MSG, or do you want to watch MSG and other things? If you just want to watch MSG, then there really isn’t any point in spending $70 a month for one channel. You are better off streaming MSG on a mobile device and mirroring that to your Roku TV. 

One thing to keep in mind is that mirroring your smartphone’s screen drains the battery, so keep the charger close or, better yet, keep it plugged in. A downside to mirroring is that every phone call and notification on your smartphone will pause the screen mirroring and in certain cases cause it to glitch, the same with any network issues. This issue can interrupt the viewing atmosphere, so ensure notifications are turned off, and the phone is set to “do not disturb” mode. 

Oh, and another thing, everything on your device will be visible on your TV screen, so if you have company, it is probably better to have a dedicated device for mirroring shows in public. 

That’s about it. Now you know what to say if anyone asks how to get MSG network on Roku.