That's what New York Governor Kathy Hochul does. Threat of carrying the optimum cable And its parent company, Altis, is trapped from watching Tri-State area sports teams for more than a month, before administration over an “inappropriate conflict” with the Madison Square Garden Network. .
Hochul expressed his dissatisfaction on Monday with the ongoing conflict between MSG network and Optimum TV. This has left subscribers since January 1st without access to large-scale sports programming.
The governor directed the Public Services Department to intervene, ensuring that consumers were treated fairly.
“It's enough!” Hochul wrote in a news release. First it was obtained by Newsday.
According to Hochul, DPS sent an official request to Altice and requested a response that outlines the plan to assist customers paying monthly subscription fees.
If Altice does not respond within that period, Hochul warned that a hearing would be scheduled.
The blackout began at 12:01am on New Year's Day, when Altice removed the MSG network from Optimum TV.
Since then, negotiations over a new carriage contract have stagnated, and fans have not been able to watch the New York Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and Devils Games.
“New Yorkers are a proud sports fanatic, and it's simply ruthless to block Knicks, Rangers and Islanders fans and see the programming they paid to watch,” Hochul says. .
“It's unfair for New Yorkers for fans to deny access to live sports due to the ridiculous controversy between optimal and MSG, and our patience has expired. This has been long enough. It's time for both parties to return to the negotiation table and settle this for the benefit of the New Yorkers!”
A spokesman for MSG welcomed Hochul's statement and described the post as follows:
“We are ready to negotiate with the optimal or enter binding arbitration and are ready to quickly bring the game back into the air.”
This post is being asked for comment from Altice and Hochul.
Letter from DPS CEO Rory Christian Outline the specific requirements to Chris Bresnan, senior director of government affairs at Altice, and explain to Altice how customers can register if available. I asked to do so.
Alternatively, Optimum was asked to confirm whether they plan to offer a refund for lost services and explained in detail how to communicate this information to subscribers.
“If your response does not demonstrate that the customer is being harmless during this dispute, you hereby notify us that we will hold a hearing as part of an ongoing review of this issue.” The letter states.
“Governor Hochul speaks to New York sports fans who are unhappy about not being able to view all cable channels and are entitled to a refund for services that no one has access to or cannot provide costs,” Christian said. He said he was there, reinforced Hochul's stance. A neutral alternative.”
“The Public Services Bureau works diligently to ensure cable companies protect their customers,” Christian wrote.
In response, Altice focused on Newsday, since January 1st, focusing on limiting customer disruption by actively engaging with customers and providing alternative solutions to sports fans and non-sports. issued a statement on Newsday, highlighting its efforts to minimize confusion. The same goes for fans. ”
The company also called for a broader cable programming model change, saying, “MSG Network has done nothing to make content more affordable and has not made any effort to support affected fans. “It claims.
The dispute also sparked scrutiny from New York Attorney General Leticia James and her counterparts in New Jersey and Connecticut.
Altice offers invoice reductions for affected customers, and in certain cases, it offers gift cards worth hundreds of dollars, but for subscribers who lose access to the MSG network. We do not issue universal refunds.
The conflict highlights the ongoing challenges in the cable industry as both companies struggle with the growth trend of “cordcut” which has restructured television consumption.
Approximately one million households in New York's metropolitan area are affected, and Long Island is particularly affected as it has a concentration of optimal television customers.
“We were asking Governor Hochul to reach a deal for customers who want it because it should be accessible to local sports fans who need MSG network content. Until then, During this time, we have been making sure our customers don't miss out on the game. We spend millions of dollars to help both sports fans and non-sports fans,” Optimum responded to the Post.
“We look forward to working with Governor Hochul to fix an outdated programming model that doesn't match the way consumers watch TV today. In the meantime, we will be offering customers an option. We are supporting it, but the MSG network has done nothing to make content more affordable and has not made any effort to support affected fans.
