Dispute between Optimum and MSG Networks Affects New York Sports Fans
New York sports fans who subscribe to Optimum lost access to view some of their favorite teams this week due to a spat between the cable provider and MSG Networks over fees.
The Dispute
The fallout from the dispute leaves fans of local teams whose games are carried by MSG Networks — including the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, and Devils — without televised access to games in the midst of the NBA and NHL seasons.
Optimum’s Perspective
Optimum, which is owned by the company Altice USA, alleged in a Dec. 31 statement that MSG is seeking “exorbitant fees” that could raise its customers’ cable bills. Additionally, the provider claims that MSG is demanding that it make their channels available to most Optimum subscribers — forcing even those who do not want to watch local sports channels to pay for them.
“We refuse to allow any entity to force our customers to pay more than they can afford,” the cable provider said. “And with direct-to-consumer options like MSG+ available on the Gotham Sports app, customers who want to watch it have alternatives so that non-viewers don’t have to pay for content they don’t want.”
MSG Networks’ Perspective
But MSG Networks responded that it made Altice several “fair and reasonable” offers that would have allowed the provider to pay less for its sports content.
“Altice rejected all of them, including our offer to keep MSG Networks on the air while we continued to try to reach a deal,” the company said in a Jan. 1 statement. “We remain ready to negotiate in good faith.”
Additional Claims
MSG also said that Altice is waging this battle while raising prices by 50% for existing customers and 70% for new customers who subscribe to the package that includes its channels.
“MSGN is one of the most viewed television offerings in the New York metro area. This is a pure and simple price gouge from Altice. An attempt to add over $10 dollars a month right to their bottom line – a $10 dollar rate increase on top of a 50 % rate increase.”
Rebuttal
However, an Optimum spokesperson told the news site Gothamist that less than a quarter of subscribers who get MSG Networks were subjected to a rate increase.
Conclusion
The dispute between Optimum and MSG Networks has left sports fans in the New York area without access to their favorite teams’ games. The two sides have differing views on the cause of the dispute and the implications for customers. As the two parties continue to negotiate, fans will be left hoping for a resolution that allows them to continue enjoying their favorite teams’ games.
FAQs
Q: Why did Optimum and MSG Networks stop carrying each other’s content?
A: The two parties are in a dispute over fees and the availability of MSG Networks’ channels to Optimum subscribers.
Q: How will this affect sports fans in the New York area?
A: Fans of the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, and Devils will no longer have access to televised games through Optimum.
Q: Is this a common issue between cable providers and sports networks?
A: No, this dispute appears to be unique to the situation between Optimum and MSG Networks.
Q: Will Optimum and MSG Networks continue to negotiate?
A: Yes, the two parties have stated that they are willing to continue negotiating to reach a deal.
