Altice USA’s Optimum cable customers lost access to MSG Networks on Wednesday amid a fee dispute between the cable operator and James Dolan’s regional sports channels. The blackout affected NBA and NHL games as negotiations broke down over fees and channel availability requirements. MSG Networks offered Altice lower fees than last year and proposed keeping the channels on-air during negotiations, but Altice rejected all offers. Altice USA claimed MSG Networks demanded high fees and broad channel availability, potentially increasing customer bills for content they might not want. Regional sports networks, grappling with high team contracts and streaming transitions, face financial hurdles.
