The ongoing saga between MSG Networks and Altice — the parent company of Optimum — has taken another turn.
According to MSG Networks, Altice walked away from negotiations after pulling its last proposal as the search for an agreement that would include allowing Optimum customers to regain access to Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and Devils games dragged on.
The previous deal, where Optimum paid MSG Networks $10 per subscriber, expired at midnight on Jan. 1, The Post’s Josh Kosman previously reported.
“Altice USA has pulled their last proposal and walked away from negotiations to bring MSG Networks back to its Optimum subscribers,” MSG Networks said in a statement Friday, in part. “They also just dropped WPIX Channel 11 in New York and other local stations around the country. If you have been waiting, like we have, for them to do right by their customers — don’t wait any longer.
“Now is the time to switch to Verizon Fios who has a special offer for Optimum subscribers. Meanwhile, Optimum has been charging their over 1 million customers for local sports programming they have not been receiving and EVERY subscriber should be credited at least $10 a month.”
Optimum EVP of Communications Lisa Anselmo provided a different side of events as the two sides traded blows in the saga.
“MSG Networks is simply throwing out things that are completely inaccurate,” Anselmo said in a statement Friday night. “Despite our ongoing efforts to reach a fair and reasonable deal for our customers, MSG Networks continues to demand that non-fans be forced to pay for content that they do not want. In fact, almost half of customers with access to MSG Networks didn’t even turn on the channel in 2024.
“Optimum offered numerous proposals and offers to MSG Networks, and they refused all of our offers. In an effort to continue good-faith discussions, Optimum invited MSG Networks to our offices this week to work towards a resolution, and, in fact, today Optimum requested a follow up meeting with MSG executives and we are still pending a response. Instead of pushing out misleading narratives to the media, they should focus on continued negotiations.”
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