Optimum, a cable operator owned by Altice, has pulled the plug on MSG Networks, leaving Knicks and Rangers fans without access to their favorite teams’ games. The blackout is part of a wider struggle between the two sides over a new contract that expired at midnight Tuesday.
The breakdown in talks comes as cable operators look to slash prices demanded by regional sports networks (RSNs). Optimum subscribers are being offered a 30% discount on MSG Networks if they subscribe to the streaming service Fubo, which carries MSGN. However, the channel remains off the air for now.
MSGN, led by Knicks and Rangers owner James Dolan, has refused multiple offers from Optimum to reach a deal. The company claims it had “offered Altice a number of fair and reasonable proposals that called for Altice to pay us less than last year.”
Optimum has accused MSGN of demanding exorbitant fees and taking advantage of customers who don’t want the content. The dispute could have major implications for both companies, with potential long-term effects on the cable industry.
The blackout has already impacted games scheduled for New Year’s Day, and fans are furious over losing access to their beloved teams. The situation is part of a broader trend of cord-cutting that has reduced cable’s dominance over the past decade.
MSGN faces significant financial risks if it remains off the air, including a potential bankruptcy. However, cleaving away MSGN could benefit Sphere Entertainment, which includes Madison Square Garden Sports and the Las Vegas music mecca.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/01/01/business/msg-networks-optimum-dig-in-for-long-fight-as-knicks-game-blacked-out-sources