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NY sports fans lose MSG Networks as Optimum fee dispute escalates
By
Phil Corso
Published Jan 2, 2025
Modified Jan 2, 2025
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Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images
By
Phil Corso
Published Jan 2, 2025
Modified Jan 2, 2025
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MSG Networks has gone dark for Optimum customers after negotiations between the two companies collapsed over certain types of fees — part of an ongoing standoff that is likely to rile New York sports fans.
The dispute leaves fans of the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and Devils without televised access to their favorite teams in the middle of the NBA and NHL seasons.
Optimum, owned by Altice USA, accused MSG Networks of demanding exorbitant fees that force non-sports viewers to subsidize sports programming.
“Now more than ever, especially in this economy, it is unfair for MSG Networks to demand non-viewers to pay and demand high license fees, especially when there are ways for fans to get games directly from MSG through their direct-to-consumer Gotham Sports app,” Optimum said in a statement.
MSG Networks countered that it offered Optimum “fair and reasonable” terms, proposing to keep its content on air during negotiations.
MSG Networks accused Altice of trying to charge their customers more for less content, in a statement saying Optimum recently initiated price hikes of nearly 50% for existing customers and 70% for new ones.
However, Optimum spokesperson Erin Smyth said less than a quarter of Optimum subscribers with access to MSG Networks experienced a video rate increase, with the average increase for affected East Core TV package subscribers being under $3. Additionally, only a third of these customers watched any games on MSG Networks in the past year, and nearly half of those with access have not tuned in at all during that period, according to Smyth.
Smyth said company believes that viewers who wish to watch should have access without forcing non-viewers to pay for unwanted content. Optimum attempted to negotiate with MSG Networks to agree on their rates and offer MSG content only to fans, but MSG Networks declined the proposal, according to Smyth.
Smyth added that Optimum offers several options for customers seeking continued access to MSG Networks and encourages them to reach out for more information.
New York Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages, who represents parts of Long Island, expressed concern over the impasse on Thursday.
“This decision leaves countless fans of the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, and Devils without access to their favorite teams during a critical time for sports and community engagement,” she said in a statement.
Solages urged both sides to prioritize affordable programming and find a resolution.
As tensions remain unresolved, frustrated fans may need to consider streaming alternatives or switching providers to follow their teams this season.
This story has been updated with additional comment from Optimum spokesperson Erin Smyth.
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new york state
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Phil Corso
Phil Corso is the evening news editor at WNYC/Gothamist. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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