Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and Devils Coverage
on MSG Networks is Dark for Optimum Subscribers
For More Information, Please Visit
KEEPMSG.COM
NEW
YORK, Jan. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite MSG
Networks' extensive efforts to reach an agreement, Altice
USA has dropped MSG Networks from
its Optimum channel lineup in the tri-state area, leaving
passionate Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and Devils fans out in the
cold this winter.
MSG Networks issued the following statement:
"As a last-ditch effort to save their struggling business at the
expense of subscribers, Altice is trying to charge their customers
more and give them less. They just raised prices – nearly 50% for
current Optimum subscribers and 70% for new Optimum subscribers
(after expiration of a promotional offer) for the package that had
included MSG Networks – and cut access to the Knicks, Rangers,
Islanders, Devils and more on MSG Networks. We offered Altice
a number of fair and reasonable proposals that called for Altice to
pay us less than last year. Altice rejected all of them, including
our offer to keep MSG Networks on the air while we continued to try
to reach a deal. We remain ready to negotiate in good
faith."
In addition:
- The previous Optimum Core TV package – which included MSG
Networks and includes other sports channels – increased from
$95 to $140/month, nearly a 50% increase.
- Now, following Altice's introduction of its new packages just a
few weeks ago, the most "affordable" new package that had offered
MSG Networks prior to the drop is $160/month – that is almost 70% more than what
Optimum customers paid before.
- MSG Networks offered Altice the same fair and reasonable terms
that other major providers accepted. And now Altice's own customers
are paying the price to bolster Altice's bottom line with dramatic
price hikes and unreasonable proposals to programmers.
- Optimum subscribers are encouraged to visit KEEPMSG.COM for
more information, including on how switch providers or to find
other options for watching MSG Networks' award-winning
programming.
- NBA and NHL telecasts appearing on MSG Networks regularly rank
as some of the most-watched cable programs in the
region.
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.
