NY AND CT ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND SEVERAL BIPARTISAN ELECTED OFFICIALS AGREE: IT'S TIME FOR ALTICE USA TO GET THE KNICKS, RANGERS, DEVILS AND ISLANDERS BACK ON THE AIR!

Rhea-AI Summary

MSG Networks has issued a statement regarding their ongoing carriage dispute with Altice USA. The dispute has resulted in Optimum's more than 1 million subscribers losing access to local Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and Devils games in the tri-state area. Both New York Attorney General Letitia James and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, along with bipartisan elected officials, are urging both parties to reach an agreement.

MSG Networks has offered to enter binding arbitration with Altice USA before a neutral third party. However, Altice USA has dismissed this offer as a publicity stunt. MSG Networks maintains they are not seeking publicity and encourages Altice to accept the arbitration offer to restore game broadcasts to subscribers.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Service disruption affecting over 1 million subscribers
• Ongoing carriage dispute impacting revenue stream
• Failure to reach agreement with major distributor

NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MSG Networks released the following statement regarding their carriage dispute with Altice USA:

"Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joins New York Attorney General Letitia James and a bipartisan group of federal, state and local elected officials in imploring Altice USA and MSG Networks to reach a deal that results in the immediate return of MSG Networks' local Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and Devils games to Optimum's lineup and its more than 1 million subscribers in the tri-state area.

MSG Networks yesterday offered to enter into binding arbitration with Altice USA before a neutral third party. Altice USA has claimed that this offer is nothing but a publicity stunt, but we're not seeking publicity and encourage them to accept our offer of binding arbitration and give their subscribers back the games."

Click here to view Attorney General Tong's video message.

About MSG Networks
MSG Networks, a pioneer in sports media, owns and operates two award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks (MSG and MSG Sportsnet) and MSG+, a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming offering (included in the Gotham Sports App), that serve the nation's number one media market, the New York DMA, as well as other portions of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The networks feature a wide range of compelling sports content, including exclusive live local games and other programming of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres, as well as significant coverage of the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. This content, in addition to a diverse array of other sporting events and critically acclaimed original programming, has established MSG Networks as the gold standard in regional sports. MSG Networks is part of the Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR).

Contact: 
Dan Schoenberg (dan.schoenberg@msg.com)

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SOURCE Sphere Entertainment Co.

FAQ

Why are MSG Networks sports games no longer available on Optimum?

MSG Networks and Altice USA are in a carriage dispute, resulting in Optimum subscribers losing access to Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, and Devils games.

How many subscribers are affected by the MSG Networks and Altice USA dispute?

More than 1 million Optimum subscribers in the tri-state area are affected by this carriage dispute.

What solution has MSG Networks proposed to resolve the dispute with Altice USA?

MSG Networks has offered to enter binding arbitration with Altice USA before a neutral third party to resolve the dispute.

Which government officials are involved in the MSG Networks and Altice USA dispute?

New York Attorney General Letitia James, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, and various bipartisan federal, state, and local elected officials are involved in urging both parties to reach an agreement.