AG James Urges Resolution in MSG Networks Dispute

New York Attorney General Letitia James is advocating for a resolution between MSG Networks and Optimum, whose ongoing contract dispute has left fans of local teams like the Knicks and Rangers unable to watch games since January 1. James emphasized the negative impact of the negotiations on everyday New Yorkers, stating that consumers are missing out on the programming they expect. MSG Networks has accused Optimum of walking away from talks, while Optimum claims MSG is spreading misleading information. As the dispute continues, MSG Networks is urging affected customers to demand refunds for services they are not receiving, estimating that over 1 million subscribers are affected, which equates to more than $120 million annually. Both companies are under pressure to settle the disagreement, with James pledging to monitor the situation closely to ensure consumer interests are prioritized. The conflict highlights broader issues in the broadcasting industry regarding fees and distribution terms between cable operators and content providers.