MSG Networks, which airs local games for New York-area teams including the New York Knicks and other regional sports networks, went dark for Altice USA’s Optimum cable TV customers early Wednesday due to a carriage dispute. The blackout is the latest struggle for regional sports networks as customers increasingly turn to streaming options.
The issue centers on fees between the cable TV operator and James Dolan’s regional sports network. MSG Networks has offered “fair and reasonable proposals” but Altice USA rejected them, citing exorbitant programming fees that could increase customer bills. The dispute also involves requiring Optimum subscribers to pay for content they may not watch.
Despite the blackout, customers with an active streaming subscription can access MSG Networks through their mobile devices or other platforms. This comes as regional sports networks navigate the shift towards streaming and avoid breaching contracts with distributors. These contracts are crucial in paying billions of dollars in fees to professional sports teams for airing their games.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/01/msg-networks-knicks-rangers-goes-dark-altice-usa-optimum-cable.html