Optimum TV Reaches New Deal With MSG Networks: What It Means for Subscribers

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.

Optimum TV, the cable TV operator that serves the tri-state New York area, has announced it has signed a new agreement to carry MSG Networks, the regional TV home of the New Jersey Devils, New York Knicks, Rangers and Islanders.

The deal will end a dispute between the companies that kept the MSG channels off Optimum since January 1, 2025.

What Sparked the Optimum TV and MSG Networks Dispute?
The fight appeared to be over what MSG Networks wanted Optimum to pay to carry the sports channels as well as which programming packages they would be offered. But today’s announcement did not reveal the terms of the new agreement.

“MSG Networks and Optimum would like to thank everyone for their patience as we partnered to reach this new agreement to benefit our fans and Optimum subscribers,” the short statement from the companies stated today.

Why Optimum Pushed Back
Optimum TV on January 1 said that a carriage fee increase would be unfair because MSG Networks now offers its channels directly via the Gotham Sports app with plans starting at $29.99 a month. The streaming app, which does not require a cable or satellite subscription, hurts Optimum TV’s subscription effort, the cable TV operator argued.

“It is unfair for MSG Networks to demand more money from their Optimum viewers, especially when there are ways for fans to get games directly from MSG through other direct-to-consumer options,” Optimum TV stated.

But MSG Networks contended that other major TV providers have accepted carriage terms offered to Optimum TV.