Knicks, Rangers Games at Risk In New Year’s Carriage Standoff Between MSG, Optimum

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As a die-hard Knicks and Rangers fan living in the heart of New York City, I can’t help but feel a pang of frustration as the looming carriage dispute between MSG Networks and Optimum threatens to blackout games just as the NHL and NBA seasons are heating up.

I have been following these teams for years, attending countless games at Madison Square Garden, and relying on my cable subscription to catch every home and away game on MSG Networks. The thought of missing out on the action during such a crucial part of the season is disheartening.

Notably, I recently subscribed to the Gotham Sports app in anticipation of such an eventuality, but I’m not sure if that will be enough to keep me connected to my beloved teams. The app may provide some relief, but I can’t help feeling that something is missing when I’m not able to watch games on the big screen with fellow fans at home.

I guess I’ll just have to start practicing my free throws and slap shots at home until the dispute is resolved – who knows, maybe I’ll make the team in the meantime!

Fans of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers might find this New Year less than celebratory, as a disagreement over carriages between MSG Networks and cable provider Optimum could potentially cause their games to become unavailable from 2025 onwards.

Optimum, a pay-TV service offered by Altice, provides coverage in many New York City suburbs and certain areas within the city itself. Meanwhile, MSG Networks – an entertainment company division – airs games for the NBA’s Knicks, along with the Rangers, Islanders, and Devils from the NHL. The potential for blackouts arises during both the NHL and NBA seasons, particularly when the Knicks are on a winning spree.

This year, MSG Networks and the Yankees’ YES Network introduced an app named Gotham Sports, which consolidates games for consumers in one convenient location. Optimum is recommending its customers consider this streaming alternative if their area experiences a broadcast blackout.

Optimum is objecting to MSG Networks’ excessive programming fees, which might lead to increased cable bills for our customers. To make matters worse, MSG Networks wants us to offer their channels to most Optimum TV subscribers, potentially forcing customers to pay for content they don’t desire. We refuse to let any organization dictate what our customers should pay. Fortunately, direct-to-consumer options like MSG+ on the Gotham Sports app give those who want to watch it an alternative, so that customers who don’t wish to view it won’t have to pay for unwanted content.

As a passionate supporter, I’m expressing my frustration. Regrettably, Altice has shown no willingness to meet standard market rates, leaving us in a predicament where we cannot accept their unjust demands. Their motto is “Where Local is Big Time,” but it seems they might soon deny Optimum subscribers the pleasure of watching their beloved sports teams when our contract ends – hardly what I’d call ‘big time’ or beneficial for local fans like myself.

As a devoted enthusiast speaking, I’ve heard from reliable sources that MSG Networks proposed a similar deal to Altice as they did with a significantly larger pay-TV company not long ago. The intriguing part is, they’re also offering more adaptable channel bundling options.

As a long-time cable TV subscriber, I have noticed that carriage disputes have become more frequent over the years due to the increasing popularity of streaming services. These disputes force pay-TV providers to reconsider their offerings and justify their value to customers. In my personal experience, Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) seem to be the most affected by this shift, given their high costs and limited appeal to avid sports fans like myself. I have often found myself questioning the necessity of these channels in my TV package, especially when considering the high monthly cost of cable subscriptions. It seems that RSNs need to adapt to the changing landscape of television viewing habits or risk becoming obsolete.

Multiple Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) are now providing streaming options for viewers who’ve opted out of traditional cable or lost their preferred channels due to provider changes. In an attempt to cut expenses for budget-conscious customers and maximize revenue from sports enthusiasts, many service providers are shifting RSNs from basic packages to higher-tier subscriptions.

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2024-12-31 19:55