ALTICE USA IS ABANDONING LOCAL SPORTS FANS AND IS KEEPING MSG NETWORKS AND ITS KNICKS, RANGERS, ISLANDERS AND DEVILS COVERAGE OFF THE AIR
MSG Networks, part of Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR), announced that Altice USA has withdrawn from negotiations to restore MSG Networks to Optimum subscribers. The dispute affects over 1 million customers who have been paying for local sports programming without receiving the service. MSG Networks suggests affected customers should receive at least a $10 monthly credit.
The company is actively directing customers to alternative providers, including Verizon Fios, which is offering special deals for Optimum subscribers. Other viewing options include DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo, and The Gotham Sports App. MSG Networks operates two regional sports networks (MSG and MSG Sportsnet) and MSG+, providing coverage of major New York sports teams including the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Devils, and Buffalo Sabres.
MSG Networks, parte di Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR), ha annunciato che Altice USA si è ritirata dalle trattative per ripristinare MSG Networks agli abbonati di Optimum. La disputa interessa oltre 1 milione di clienti che hanno pagato per la programmazione sportiva locale senza ricevere il servizio. MSG Networks suggerisce ai clienti interessati di ricevere almeno un credito mensile di $10.
L'azienda sta attivamente indirizzando i clienti verso fornitori alternativi, tra cui Verizon Fios, che offre offerte speciali per gli abbonati di Optimum. Altre opzioni di visione includono DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo e The Gotham Sports App. MSG Networks gestisce due reti sportive regionali (MSG e MSG Sportsnet) e MSG+, fornendo copertura delle principali squadre sportive di New York tra cui Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Devils e Buffalo Sabres.
MSG Networks, parte de Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR), anunció que Altice USA se ha retirado de las negociaciones para restaurar MSG Networks a los suscriptores de Optimum. La disputa afecta a más de 1 millón de clientes que han estado pagando por programación deportiva local sin recibir el servicio. MSG Networks sugiere que los clientes afectados deben recibir al menos un crédito mensual de $10.
La compañía está dirigiendo activamente a los clientes hacia proveedores alternativos, incluyendo Verizon Fios, que está ofreciendo ofertas especiales para los suscriptores de Optimum. Otras opciones de visualización incluyen DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo y The Gotham Sports App. MSG Networks opera dos redes deportivas regionales (MSG y MSG Sportsnet) y MSG+, brindando cobertura de los principales equipos deportivos de Nueva York incluyendo Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Devils y Buffalo Sabres.
MSG Networks는 Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR)의 일부로서 Altice USA가 Optimum 가입자에게 MSG Networks를 복원하기 위한 협상에서 철수했다고 발표했습니다. 이 분쟁은 서비스 없이 지역 스포츠 프로그램을 위해 비용을 지불해온 100만 명 이상의 고객에게 영향을 미칩니다. MSG Networks는 영향을 받는 고객이 최소한 한 달에 $10의 크레딧을 받아야 한다고 제안합니다.
회사는 고객을 Verizon Fios와 같은 대체 공급자에게 적극적으로 안내하고 있으며, 이곳은 Optimum 가입자를 위한 특별 제안을 제공합니다. 다른 시청 옵션으로는 DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo 및 The Gotham Sports App이 있습니다. MSG Networks는 Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Devils 및 Buffalo Sabres를 포함한 뉴욕의 주요 스포츠 팀을 다루는 두 개의 지역 스포츠 네트워크(MSG 및 MSG Sportsnet)와 MSG+를 운영합니다.
MSG Networks, qui fait partie de Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR), a annoncé que Altice USA s'est retiré des négociations pour restaurer MSG Networks aux abonnés d'Optimum. Ce litige concerne plus d'un million de clients qui ont payé pour une programmation sportive locale sans recevoir le service. MSG Networks suggère que les clients concernés devraient recevoir au moins un crédit mensuel de 10 $.
L'entreprise dirige activement les clients vers des fournisseurs alternatifs, y compris Verizon Fios, qui propose des offres spéciales pour les abonnés d'Optimum. D'autres options de visionnage incluent DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo et The Gotham Sports App. MSG Networks gère deux réseaux sportifs régionaux (MSG et MSG Sportsnet) et MSG+, couvrant les principales équipes sportives de New York, y compris les Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Devils et Buffalo Sabres.
MSG Networks, Teil von Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR), hat angekündigt, dass Altice USA von den Verhandlungen zurückgetreten ist, um MSG Networks für Optimum-Abonnenten wiederherzustellen. Der Streit betrifft über 1 Million Kunden, die für lokale Sportprogramme bezahlen, ohne den Dienst zu erhalten. MSG Networks schlägt vor, dass betroffene Kunden mindestens einen monatlichen Kredit von 10 USD erhalten sollten.
Das Unternehmen leitet Kunden aktiv zu alternativen Anbietern weiter, einschließlich Verizon Fios, das spezielle Angebote für Optimum-Abonnenten anbietet. Weitere Sehmöglichkeiten sind DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo und die Gotham Sports App. MSG Networks betreibt zwei regionale Sportnetze (MSG und MSG Sportsnet) und MSG+, die über wichtige Sportteams in New York, einschließlich der Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Devils und Buffalo Sabres, berichten.
- Multiple alternative distribution channels available through major providers
- Strong content portfolio including exclusive rights to major NY sports teams
- Loss of significant distribution through Altice USA's Optimum service affecting revenue
- Potential subscriber loss due to distribution dispute
- Risk of reduced advertising revenue due to decreased viewership
Insights
The breakdown in negotiations between MSG Networks and Altice USA represents a significant distribution challenge for Sphere Entertainment's media segment. With over 1 million Optimum subscribers affected, this dispute directly impacts MSG Networks' revenue stream and market penetration. The timing is particularly problematic during peak sports seasons for NBA and NHL coverage.
The dispute's financial implications extend beyond immediate subscription revenue. MSG Networks' suggestion of a
For investors, this situation highlights both risks and opportunities: while traditional cable distribution faces challenges, MSG's pivot toward streaming solutions and partnership with alternative providers like Verizon Fios demonstrates strategic adaptability. The company's strong content portfolio, including exclusive rights to major sports teams in the nation's largest media market, provides leverage in these negotiations but also exposes vulnerabilities in the traditional distribution model.
This carriage dispute illustrates the ongoing transformation in sports media consumption. MSG's multi-platform strategy, particularly the Gotham Sports App, positions them to capitalize on the shift toward direct-to-consumer models. The dispute could accelerate digital adoption rates among traditional cable subscribers, potentially benefiting Sphere Entertainment's long-term digital transformation goals.
The company's emphasis on alternative viewing options, including streaming services like Fubo and DirecTV Stream, suggests a well-prepared contingency plan. This flexibility in distribution channels helps mitigate the immediate impact while potentially accelerating the transition to higher-margin direct-to-consumer services. The strategy aligns with broader industry trends toward streaming, though it carries short-term revenue risks during the transition period.
"Altice USA has pulled their last proposal and walked away from negotiations to bring MSG Networks back to its Optimum subscribers. They also just dropped WPIX Channel 11 in
Verizon Fios is ready to take your business. If you are not in Verizon Fios area, you can get games through these other providers DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo and The Gotham Sports App. For more options on how to switch providers, visit www.keepMSG.com."
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
Contact:
Dan Schoenberg (dan.schoenberg@msg.com)
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SOURCE Sphere Entertainment Co.
FAQ
How will the Altice USA dispute affect SPHR's MSG Networks revenue in 2024?
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