New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has called on Altice USA and MSG Networks to settle their ongoing carriage dispute and directed the state’s Department of Public Service (DPS) to push to end the sports networks’ blackouts and get refunds to consumers.
The MSG and MSGSN sports networks were dropped from Altice USA’s Optimum-branded pay TV offerings after the operator and MSGN were unable to reach a new carriage deal when the old one expired on Dec. 31. The blackout means Altice’s Optimum subscribers have lost access to New York Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and New Jersey Devils games. Key sticking points in the dispute are the cost of the networks and flexibility as to how they are packaged for consumers.
In a letter to Altice USA , DPS said the operator is required to respond to the letter within five days detailing the specific steps it will take to ensure customers are held harmless during the dispute. If Altice fails to provide a satisfactory plan, DPS said it will initiate public hearings where itwill be required to publicly explain how it is protecting affected customers as part of the department’s ongoing review of the matter.
“New Yorkers are proud sports fanatics, and blocking Knicks, Rangers and Islanders fans from watching programming they’ve paid to watch is simply unconscionable,” Hochul said. “Denying fans access to live sports because of a ridiculous dispute between Optimum and MSG is unfair to New Yorkers and our patience has expired. This has gone on for long enough — it’s time for both sides to get back to the negotiating table and resolve this for the good of New Yorkers. Enough is enough!”
In a statement, MSG Networks said: “We applaud Governor Hochul’s engagement and ensuring local sports fans have access to MSG Networks’ programming. We remain ready to negotiate with Optimum or enter binding arbitration to immediately bring our games back on the air.”
TV Tech has reached out to Altice USA for comment.
Recently, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin sent a letter to Altice USA urging the cable operator to quickly resolve the dispute. The attorneys general also demanded automatic refunds for customers who have been denied access to the MSG regional sports channels they paid for as part of their Optimum cable plans. The letter noted that some refunds or credits had been made but were not universally given out to subscribers.
Altice's response to those letters can be found here.
