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Many New York Knicks and Rangers fans are unable to watch their teams on television due to a cable dispute between MSG Networks and Optimum TV. The disagreement began when their contract expired at midnight on Wednesday (January 1), leaving Optimum customers without access to MSG channels. MSG Networks is the regional broadcaster for the New York Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, and New Jersey Devils.
The conflict centers around the fees MSG Networks wants Optimum to pay for carrying its sports channels and the programming packages they would be included in. Optimum claims that MSG Networks is demanding high fees, which would lead to increased cable bills for all subscribers, even those who do not watch the channels. Optimum also criticized MSG Networks for insisting that its channels be included in basic packages, forcing all customers to pay for them.
In response, MSG Networks has launched a streaming service, MSG+, which costs $30 a month and does not require a cable subscription. Optimum argues that this service makes it unreasonable for MSG Networks to demand more money from cable subscribers. Optimum has set up a website to inform viewers about the dispute, while MSG Networks has also provided information on its own website.
The dispute is expected to continue, leaving NBA and NHL fans in the New York area searching for alternative ways to watch their favorite teams. Both companies have expressed a willingness to negotiate, but no agreement has been reached yet.