(RTTNews) – Altice USA has dropped MSG Networks from its Optimum channel lineup within the tri-state space, Sphere Leisure Co. stated in an announcement on Wednesday.
Optimum and MSG Networks’ carriage settlement expired at midnight on December
31, 2024.
MSG Networks stated, “As a last-ditch effort to avoid wasting their struggling enterprise on the expense of subscribers, Altice is making an attempt to cost their clients extra and provides them much less. They simply raised costs—almost 50% for present Optimum subscribers and 70% for brand spanking new Optimum subscribers (after the expiration of a promotional provide) for the package deal that had included MSG Networks—and minimize entry to the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Devils, and extra on MSG Networks.”
MSG Networks additionally stated, “We supplied Altice numerous honest and affordable proposals that referred to as for Altice to pay us lower than final yr. Altice rejected all of them, together with our provide to maintain MSG Networks on the air whereas we continued to attempt to attain a deal. We stay prepared to barter in good religion.”
In a separate press launch, Optimum alleged that MSG Networks demanded exorbitant programming charges and required Optimum to make MSG channels accessible to the overwhelming majority of video subscribers, whether or not they needed the content material or not. This “all or nothing” strategy may increase cable payments whereas forcing nearly all of our clients to pay for content material they don’t watch.
Optimum stated it cares about its clients and labored on their behalf to achieve a deal that’s honest and brings its clients selection and worth. Sadly, MSG Networks wouldn’t budge, and their content material has been faraway from Optimum TV lineups.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the writer and don’t essentially mirror these of Nasdaq, Inc.
