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Optimum drops MSG Networks: How to watch Knicks, Devils and Rangers games

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4 days ago

January 2, 2025

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Optimum drops MSG Networks: How to watch Knicks, Devils and Rangers games

Local sports fans that subscribe to Optimum got unwelcome news to start the new year when the cable provider dropped the MSG Networks channels after the two sides could not reach a new deal.

Optimum is no longer carrying the network’s channels upon expiration of the previous agreement Dec. 31. The announcement has left customers scrambling to find other ways to watch their favorite pro teams, while the two companies place blame on each other for causing the situation.

MSG broadcasts live game coverage of the NBA’s New York Knicks and the area’s three local NHL teams: the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and New York Islanders. Both the Knicks and Devils played their first game of 2025 Wednesday, neither of which was shown on Optimum’s MSG channels due to the dispute.

This marks the second time in four years that a cable provider has dropped MSG Networks from its programming lineup after Xfinity did so in October 2021.

MSG, Optimum speak out

MSG Networks criticized Optimum and its parent company, Altice USA, in a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, shortly after midnight Wednesday. The post claims the cable company recently raised prices nearly 50% for current subscribers and 70% for new subscribers following the expiration of a promotional offer, a move it called “a last-ditch effort to save their struggling business at the expense of subscribers.”

“We offered Altice a number of fair and reasonable proposals that called for Altice to pay us less than last year. Altice rejected all of them, including our offer to keep MSG Networks on the air while we continued to try to reach a deal,” the statement read. “We remain ready to negotiate in good faith.”

Optimum, meanwhile, pointed the finger at MSG in its own online statement. The service providers contends the network demanded “much higher fees” that would have increased cable costs.

“We’ve worked tirelessly on your behalf to reach an agreement with MSG Networks. However, they’ve refused to offer a deal that is fair for our customers,” the statement read. “As a result, we no longer carry their channels.”

Since the agreement lapsed, MSG’s channels have displayed a message reading: “MSG Networks is no longer available on your TV lineup. Fortunately, Optimum has options to ensure you never miss Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and Devils games.”

The channel includes a QR code with more information on the dispute. Customers can also visit www.optimum.com/MSG to learn more.

How to watch Devils, Rangers, Islanders and Knicks games

In order to continue watching games, MSG encouraged local residents to subscribe to the Gotham Sports app. The service, which launched in October, provides live coverage of all five MSG teams — the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres are also part of the network — along with the YES Network, which broadcasts New York Yankees baseball games and Brooklyn Nets basketball games.

The Gotham Sports app is $359.99 annually, with other monthly and per-game packages also available.

Optimum subscribers can watch their teams on the streaming platform Fubo, which has partnered with the cable provider to offer a free trial followed by 30% off the first two months of service. Customers can start the trial by visiting www.fubotv.com/optimum.

Optimum also noted that some games air on other networks already included in its cable package, such as ABC, ESPN, TBS, TNT, NHL Network and NBA TV. The schedule pages for both the NBA and NHL offer detailed lists of where each game is broadcast.