MSG Networks and Optimum Reach Carriage Deal for New York Sports Fans

Image credits: Sphere Entertainment Co.

MSG Networks and Optimum have reached a carriage deal that will restore access to MSG Networks for Optimum subscribers, allowing them to watch live games of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, and New Jersey Devils. The agreement was announced on February 22, 2025, and service has been restored in time for the Rangers vs. Sabres game. MSG Networks and Optimum thanked everyone for their patience as they partnered to reach this new agreement to benefit their fans and Optimum subscribers.

The specific terms of the agreement were not released, but it is reported that Altice USA, the parent company of Optimum, will have the option to move MSG Networks onto its "Everything TV" tier for new and existing customers, which costs $140 per month. Altice USA now offers skinnier bundles that don’t include sports for less money. The deal is seen as a win for New York sports fans, who will once again be able to watch their favorite teams play live games on MSG Networks.

MSG Networks is a pioneer in sports media, owning and operating two award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG and MSG Sportsnet, as well as MSG+, a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming offering. 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. 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.

Optimum is a brand of Altice USA, one of the largest broadband communications and video services providers in the United States, delivering broadband, video, mobile, proprietary content, and advertising services to approximately 4.6 million residential and business customers across 21 states. The company operates Optimum Media, an advanced advertising and data business, which provides audience-based, multiscreen advertising solutions to local, regional, and national businesses and advertising clients. Some of the key benefits of the deal include:

• Restored access to MSG Networks for Optimum subscribers
• Live games of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, and New Jersey Devils
• Option to move MSG Networks onto the "Everything TV" tier for new and existing customers
• Skinnier bundles that don’t include sports for less money

The deal is a significant development in the telecommunications industry, as it highlights the ongoing negotiations between content providers and cable operators over carriage fees and tiering.

The agreement between MSG Networks and Optimum is expected to have a positive impact on New York sports fans, who will once again be able to watch their favorite teams play live games on MSG Networks. The deal is also seen as a win for MSG Networks, which will be able to reach a wider audience and increase its revenue. As the telecommunications industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this deal affects the broader landscape of sports media and cable television.

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