NJ ATTORNEY GENERAL JOINS CT AND NY ATTORNEYS GENERAL IN URGING MSG NETWORKS AND ALTICE TO REACH A DEAL THAT RESULTS IN THE IMMEDIATE RETURN OF LOCAL SPORTS PROGRAMMING

Rhea-AI Summary

MSG Networks has responded to their ongoing carriage dispute with Altice USA, highlighting that New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin has joined his counterparts from New York and Connecticut in urging both parties to resolve their disagreement. The dispute has left more than 1 million Optimum subscribers in the tri-state area without access to local sports programming, including Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, and Devils games.

MSG Networks has proposed submitting the matter to binding arbitration, which would allow for the immediate restoration of games to Optimum subscribers while negotiations continue. The company expressed its willingness to restore programming immediately if Altice USA agrees to the arbitration proposal.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Service interruption affecting over 1 million subscribers
• Ongoing carriage dispute impacting revenue stream
• Loss of key sports content distribution channel

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MSG Networks released the following statement regarding their carriage dispute with Altice USA:

"New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin joins New York Attorney General Letitia James, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, and a bipartisan group of federal, state, and local government officials in imploring Altice USA and MSG Networks to reach a deal that results in the immediate return of MSG Networks' local Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, and Devils games to Optimum's lineup and its more than 1 million tri-state area subscribers.

MSG Networks agrees with the Attorneys General. We don't want Optimum subscribers to miss another Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, or Devils game – that's why we offered to submit the matter to binding arbitration. If Altice USA agrees, MSG Networks can immediately bring back the games Optimum subscribers are desperately missing while MSG Networks remains off the air."

Click here to view Attorney General Platkin's X post.

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.

FAQ

What is the current status of MSG Networks' dispute with Altice USA?

MSG Networks and Altice USA are in a carriage dispute that has resulted in the removal of MSG Networks' sports programming from Optimum's lineup, affecting over 1 million tri-state area subscribers.

How many subscribers are affected by the MSG Networks and Altice dispute?

More than 1 million Optimum subscribers in the tri-state area are affected by the carriage dispute.

What solution has MSG Networks proposed to resolve the dispute with Altice?

MSG Networks has proposed submitting the matter to binding arbitration, which would allow for immediate restoration of programming while negotiations continue.

Which government officials are involved in the MSG Networks and Altice dispute?

Attorneys General from New Jersey (Matt Platkin), New York (Letitia James), and Connecticut (William Tong), along with other federal, state, and local government officials are involved in urging both parties to reach a deal.

What sports programming is currently unavailable to Optimum subscribers due to the MSG dispute?

Local broadcasts of Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, and Devils games are currently unavailable to Optimum subscribers.