By Hank Russell
Governor Kathy Hochul called on Altice and MSG Networks to settle their longstanding dispute and restore basketball and hockey programming that has been blocked for New York consumers for more than a month.
“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!”
As previously reported in Long Island Life & Politics, on January 1, Optimum stopped carrying MSG Network, as well as MSG Sportsnet and MSG+. The MSG Networks carries games from the New York Knicks, the New York Rangers, the New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils. Both sides have accused each other of greed. Since then, elected officials have called on Altice and MSG to work this out soon. LILP also reported that Attorney General Letitia James urged the cable company to provide refunds to subscribers who are paying for the three sports networks, but are not receiving those channels.
Governor Hochul is urging the companies to resolve this dispute as soon as possible. As the contract negotiations continue, more customers are becoming aware of the lapse in certain programming and understandably have questions about their options and refunds. The governor’s directive to the Department of Public Service (DPS) is 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. On February 9, DPS sent a letter to Altice, Optimum’s parent company, as part of their efforts to hold the company accountable to protect the customers who have been affected by the lapse in MSG programming.
To hold Optimum accountable, DPS is requiring a response to the letter within five days detailing the specific steps the company will take to ensure customers are held harmless during the dispute. If Altice fails to provide a satisfactory plan, DPS will initiate public hearings where the company will be required to publicly explain how it is protecting affected customers as part of the Department’s ongoing review of the matter.
Rory M. Christian, CEO of the Public Service Department and chair of the Public Service Commission, said, “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. The Department of Public Service will work diligently to ensure the cable companies protect customers.”