The ongoing carriage dispute between MSG Networks and Optimum has now drawn the ire of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
MSG Networks went dark Jan. 1 on the cable service because of a carriage dispute with Optimum’s parent company, Altice USA. That has left New York-area fans of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils without a way to watch their favorite teams on Optimum.
In a statement Monday, Hochul called the blackout “unconscionable,” and is asking the Department of Public Service to intervene on behalf of consumers.
“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!”
This rift has been particularly acrimonious. MSG Networks recently accused Altice of walking away from negotiations. When MSG proposed arbitration as a short-term solution to end the blackout, Optimum called the proposal “nothing more than a PR stunt.”
Hochul directed the Department of Public Service “to demand that all customers are either provided with alternative means to view the games of the affected New York sports or be provided with a pro rata refund.” The DPS sent a letter to Altice requesting “the specific steps the company will take to ensure customers are held harmless during the dispute.”
Optimum customers do have an alternative for viewing games. MSG Networks offers a direct-to-consumer streaming service, MSG+, at $30 per month. Optimum has offered to “help offset and defray the costs” of an MSG+ subscription.
Hochul isn’t the first public figure to get involved in the carriage dispute. The attorneys general of New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey issued a statement last week urging MSG Networks and Optimum to reach a resolution and issue refunds to customers who’ve been denied access.
“New York sports fans are being put in the penalty box, forced to shell out their hard-earned money for television channels they cannot even watch,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in the statement.
Hochul’s statement included a message from Department of Public Service CEO and Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian.
“Governor Hochul is giving voice to New York sports fans who are frustrated that they cannot view all their cable channels, and who should be entitled to a refund for services that they are unable to access or be provided with cost-neutral alternatives,” Christian said. “The Department of Public Service will work diligently to ensure the cable companies protect customers.”
