A coalition of attorneys general from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut is demanding refunds for Optimum customers who have been affected by MSG Network blackouts. The push follows an ongoing contract dispute between Optimum's parent company, Altice USA, and MSG Networks, which has resulted in the loss of access to MSG sports programming for thousands of customers. While the attorneys general have urged Optimum to issue automatic refunds, the company is not legally obligated to do so.
Why It Matters
Subscribers to Optimum's cable service have been paying for MSG Networks as part of their cable packages but have been unable to access the channels since January 1, 2025, when a contract between Altice and MSG expired.
MSG Networks carries coverage of several professional sports teams, including the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres. The blackout has left many sports fans without a way to watch their teams despite continued charges on their bills.
Who's Impacted
Customers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut who subscribe to Optimum cable and pay for MSG Networks as part of their package have been affected. The blackouts began on January 1 and remain unresolved. The attorneys general argue that these customers should receive automatic refunds since they are not receiving the services they paid for.
What To Know
In a letter to Altice, the attorneys general urged the company to issue refunds to customers who lost access to MSG Networks.
According to Altice USA's website, Optimum is "one of the largest broadband communications and video service providers in the U.S." The service's reach is expansive, covering 21 states and over four million customers.
A source close to negotiations told Newsweek multiple deals were offered for consideration, but all were rejected in some form.
"New York sports fans are being put in the penalty box, forced to shell out their hard-earned money for television channels they cannot even watch," New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a press release. "Optimum customers have paid for channels to watch their home sports teams, but their cable company is not offering these channels while charging them anyway."
Altice has responded by stating that it has offered alternative programming options, including partnerships with streaming services.
What People Are Saying
Three attorney generals, including Letitia James of New York, Matthew Platkin of New Jersey and William Tong of Connecticut said in a joint letter: "Our respective offices have received complaints from consumers who simply want nothing more than to relax on the couch and watch the games they signed up (and paid) to watch. While we understand that some consumers have been able to obtain some refunds or credits, that has been far from a universal or satisfactory result for many consumers. Meanwhile, it does not appear that the two sides are any closer to reaching a deal.
We hereby request that you promptly and voluntarily credit all affected consumers who were not able to access MSG stations during the month of January 2025. Reducing only future charges of consumers who continue to be unable to access MSG stations is not enough. It is inappropriate for our residents to be charged for services that Optimum did not provide in January."
A spokesperson for Optimum told Newsweek: "Optimum is ready to put the games on for customers who want it – all MSG Networks needs to do is give us the green light, but they won't because they want to force hundreds of thousands of customers who don't watch their content to have to pay for it. We believe this is unfair. We are open to reaching a fair deal that brings their content to fans while ensuring those who don't watch don't have to pay for it."
MSG Networks said in a January 21, 2025, press release: "Our goal is to make sure our Knicks, Rangers, Devils, and Islander fans who are Optimum subscribers don't have to miss another game. To that end, we are willing to agree to a short extension tied to resolving our dispute through binding arbitration by a neutral, third party. This will enable Optimum subscribers to watch their favorite sports programming while we resolve our outstanding issues."
What's Next
It remains unclear whether Optimum will comply with the attorney generals' demand for automatic refunds.
While customers await a resolution, affected subscribers may need to monitor their bills and request refunds directly from Optimum if the company does not issue them automatically. For now, the dispute between Altice and MSG continues.
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