Optimum announces the latest information on the transfer of MSG Networks via Investing.com
NEW YORK–( BUSINESS WIRE )–Optimum today provides an update on its transfer of MSG Networks (NYSE: ).
Background:
Optimum’s and MSG Networks’ carriage agreement expired at midnight on December 31, 2024.
The companies have been negotiating for weeks about the continuation of transmission on the Optimum systems. During negotiations, MSG Networks demanded excessive programming fees and demanded that Optimum make MSG channels available to the vast majority of video subscribers, whether they wanted the content or not. This all-or-nothing approach could drive up cable bills while forcing most of our customers to pay for content they don’t watch.
Optimum cares about its customers and has worked on their behalf to reach an agreement that is fair and brings choice and value to our customers. Unfortunately, MSG Networks did not budge and their content was removed from the Optimum TV lineup.
Optimum issues the following statement:
At Optimum, we have a clear mission: to provide programming that our customers want and offer it to them at an affordable price. Problem: MSG Networks demanded that we pay exorbitant fees in order to stream its content And that customers who don’t want content “who are the majority” have to pay for it anyway. Now more than ever, especially in this economy, it’s unfair for MSG Networks to demand more money from its Optimum viewers, especially when there are ways for fans to get games directly from MSG through other direct-to-consumer options.
Nevertheless, Optimum offered to absorb their outrageous price demands if we could package MSG Networks in a way that would give more flexibility and control to our customers, so that fans could continue to watch and pay for their content, while non-viewers could not be forced to pay for what they don’t see. MSG Networks said no and turned down multiple of our offers to reach a deal.
It’s no secret that viewership for regional sports networks is increasingly fragmented across a myriad of platforms and streaming services. Yet MSG Networks continues to squeeze its viewers for more money to watch their content, refusing to evolve or deviate from a broken model that is outdated based on the evolution of the entertainment industry, anti-consumer and unsustainable in today’s programming environment.
Optimum wants to work with developers who put customer choice and flexibility at the center of every decision. We are disappointed in MSG Networks, but most importantly, sorry that our customers have to experience this change, which is why Optimum is working directly with customers to provide alternative viewing options to ensure they never have to miss a game.
Customers can call us at 888-347-4784, chat with us, or visit us www.optimum.com/MSG to learn more about the solutions and options we have for them so they can continue watching their favorite teams.
Users can also learn more about our modernized video solutions by clicking here.
About Optimum
Optimum is a brand of Altice USA, one of the largest broadband and video providers in the United States, providing broadband, video, mobile, proprietary content and advertising services to approximately 4.6 million residential and business customers in 21 states. The company operates Optimum Media, an advanced advertising and data business, which provides audience-based multi-screen advertising solutions to local, regional and national companies and advertising clients. Altice USA also offers hyper-local and international news through its News 12 and i24NEWS networks.
See the original version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241231499598/en/
Media:
Stephen Stokes
(917) 553-0667
stephen.stokes@optimum.com
Source: Altice USA
