Optimum and MSG announced on Friday that they had reached a new carriage agreement, ending a standoff that lasted almost two months.

The cable TV service, which is owned by Altice USA and has about 4.7 million customers in 21 states, dropped MSG and MSG Sportsnet channels, home to the New York Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and New Jersey Devils at the end of December when its contract with MSG Networks expired after the two sides reached a stalemate over carriage fees.

At the time, MSG stressed that it “offered Altice the same fair and reasonable terms that other major providers accepted,” but that Altice “is trying to charge their customers more and give them less,”

One analyst at the time, predicted that the dispute could push MSG into bankruptcy, adding that he would “not expect a resolution anytime soon, if at all.”

MSG has faced serious financial difficulties in recent years, mirroring many of the same issues as other regional sports networks as major sports leagues sell more live sports rights to streaming services. Currently it is $829 million in debt.

The two sides issued the following statement on Friday night:

“MSG Networks and Optimum are pleased to announce they have reached an agreement for the relaunch of MSG Networks on Optimum video lineups. 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. Specific terms of the agreement were not released.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has called on Altice USA and MSG Networks to settle their ongoing carriage dispute and directed the state’s Department of Public Service (DPS) to push to end the sports networks’ blackouts and get refunds to consumers.

The MSG and MSGSN sports networks were dropped from Altice USA’s Optimum-branded pay TV offerings after the operator and MSGN were unable to reach a new carriage deal when the old one expired on Dec. 31. The blackout means Altice’s Optimum subscribers have lost access to New York Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and New Jersey Devils games. Key sticking points in the dispute are the cost of the networks and flexibility as to how they are packaged for consumers.

In a letter to Altice USA , DPS said the operator is required to respond to the letter within five days detailing the specific steps it will take to ensure customers are held harmless during the dispute. If Altice fails to provide a satisfactory plan, DPS said it will initiate public hearings where itwill be required to publicly explain how it is protecting affected customers as part of the department’s ongoing review of the matter.

“New Yorkers are proud sports fanatics, and blocking Knicks, Rangers and Islanders fans from watching programming they’ve paid to watch is simply unconscionable,” Hochul said. “Denying fans access to live sports because of a ridiculous dispute between Optimum and MSG is unfair to New Yorkers and our patience has expired. This has gone on for long enough — it’s time for both sides to get back to the negotiating table and resolve this for the good of New Yorkers. Enough is enough!”

In a statement, MSG Networks said: “We applaud Governor Hochul’s engagement and ensuring local sports fans have access to MSG Networks’ programming. We remain ready to negotiate with Optimum or enter binding arbitration to immediately bring our games back on the air.”

Altice USA supplied this statement: “We agree with Governor Hochul that local sports fans who want MSG Networks' content should have access to it, which is why we were asking MSG to reach a deal for our customers who want it. In the meantime, we have been making sure our customers don’t miss a game, spending millions of dollars to help sports fans and non-sports fans alike. We look forward to working with Governor Hochul to fix the outdated programming model that does not align with how consumers watch TV today. In the meantime, while we help customers with options, MSG Networks has done nothing to make their content more affordable and has made no effort to assist impacted fans.”

Recently, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin sent a letter to Altice USA urging the cable operator to quickly resolve the dispute. The attorneys general also demanded automatic refunds for customers who have been denied access to the MSG regional sports channels they paid for as part of their Optimum cable plans. The letter noted that some refunds or credits had been made but were not universally given out to subscribers.

Altice's response to those letters can be found here.

NEW YORK—New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin have sent a letter to Altice USA urging the cable operator to quickly resolve contract negotiations with MSG Networks.

The attorneys general also demanded automatic refunds for customers who have been denied access to the MSG regional sports channels they paid for as part of their Optimum cable plans. The letter noted that some refunds or credits had been made but were not universally given out to subscribers.

The MSG and MSGSN networks have been blacked out on Altice-ownd Optimum cable systems since Jan. 1, when the two sides were unable to reach a new carriage deal. Key sticking points are pricing and whether the networks need to be part of large programming packages. The two New York City-area channels broadcast games from the NBA’s Knicks and the NHL’s Rangers, Islanders and New Jersey Devils.

“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,” James said. “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. I am determined to secure a solution for New Yorkers who have had to endure these unfair blackouts and I urge Optimum and MSG to finally reach a deal so New Yorkers can watch their home teams.”

Added Tong: “Optimum and MSG need to stop the posturing and get back to the table. Figure it out and let us watch our sports in peace. In the meantime, consumers are paying for sports they can’t watch and they are owed immediate refunds without hassle.”

The full letter is available here. The letter did not lay out specific details on what legal action the attorneys general could take or might be authorized to take under state or federal laws if the dispute is not resolved.

MSG Networks issued a statement saying: “We applaud the Attorneys General in demanding Altice do right by its subscribers and either issue a full refund or immediately reach an agreement to return MSG Networks to Optimum subscribers.”

In response, Altice USA noted that “since January 1, Optimum has been focused on limiting customer disruption by proactively engaging with customers to provide personalized assistance and alternative solutions for sports fans and non-sports fans alike. From press releases and social media campaigns to customer emails and educational videos, we have been vocal about the options we have available — from helping to offset the cost of Gotham Sports or Fubo to transitioning customers to new video offerings that save them an average of $25/month."

The operator reported that customers are encouraged to call the company and htat more information is available at optimum.com/msg. 

Altice also stressed that the the dispute is part of larger issues in the pay TV and video landscape, particularly high prices and large programming bundles, that have encouraged cord cutting.

"As we have repeatedly said, the legacy video model is broken because distributors like Optimum continue to be handcuffed by programmers like MSG Networks who demand we make their content available to the majority of customers, regardless of actual viewer interest," the statement said. "It is this antiquated model, one that forces high fees and minimum penetration rates, that continues to drive up the costs of legacy video packages and gives distributors like us little flexibility to adjust prices – especially in an evolving TV landscape where consumers now have more choice than ever before."

:We agree that our customers need affordable, practical options now, which is why we launched more affordable packages that are made possible thanks to programmers who are willing to partner with us in new ways that address customer needs," the company concluded. "This is also why we’re advocating for our customers and pushing back on MSG’s approach."

With cord-cutting and the decline of the pay TV industry already wreaking havoc on regional sports networks, analysts at Lightshed Partners say the blackout of MSG Networks on Altice USA’s Optimium systems could push MSG Networks into bankruptcy, making it the latest casualty of declining RSN ecosystem.

“We do not expect a resolution anytime soon, if at all,” of the MSGN blackout that began on Jan. 1, analysts Brandon Ross, Richard Greenfield and Mark Kelley wrote in a note to investors. “This could set off a bankruptcy for MSG Networks, which would have an impact on SPHR [Spere Entertainment, the parent company of MSGN], MSG Sports and the wider sports media ecosystem.”

Altice’s decision to drop the MSG and MSG Sportsnet channels is part of a wider trend across pay TV, “as RSN pricing became strongly divorced from viewership and MVPDs have become focused on video’s standalone profitability,” the analysts argued. “MSG Networks, at a cost of $10-plus per subscriber, has been one of the largest overearners. With alternatives such as Gotham Sports App (MSG+), there is little reason for distributors to lose money. Indeed, if you follow the QR code on MSG Networks Optimum feed, they suggest the Gotham app or Fubo (with a discount).”

The MSG and MSG Sportsnet networks carry games involving the NBA’s New York Knicks and the NHL’s New York Rangers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils to Optimum subscribers in the New York City market.

Altice has also been putting together new packages of content, pushing RSNs out of the bundle.

This puts MSGN in a difficult position, given that “MSGN has already been in workout with lenders on its debt, which was already due and MSGN cannot repay,“ the Lightshed analysts said. “Lenders are now facing a two-front war with Altice and Sphere (MSGN’s parent). Without Altice carrying MSGN, we estimate that segment becomes EBITDA breakeven leaving nothing for interest payments. Plus, we believe there is a renewal with Charter coming at the end of 2025. The result seems to be heading toward Chapter 11, even as Dolan has likely tried to avoid that scenario, hoping to work something out with his relationship banks.”

Bankruptcy would improve Sphere Entertainment’s balance sheet but would hurt MSG Sports in the near term, the analysts said.

The analysts also argue this will have a larger impact on the NBA, which has been looking to centralize local OTT rights. “The biggest impediment to that is the deals from some large-market teams, especially the Knicks and [Los Angeles] Lakers,” the analysts wrote. “Perhaps a MSGN bankruptcy could catalyze those ambitions.”

MSG Networks has been dropped from Altice USA’s Optimum-branded pay TV offerings after the operator and the regional sports provider were unable to reach a new carriage deal when the old one expired on Dec. 31.

The blackout means Altice’s Optimum subscribers have lost access to Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and Devils games carried locally on the MSG and MSG Sportsnet channels.

Key sticking points were the cost of the networks and flexibility as to how they are packaged for consumers. Like a number of other cable operators faced with rapidly declining video subscribers, Altice seeks a deal that would allow it to provide consumers with lower-cost programming options without some sports and package more expensive MSG programming separately.

Following the blackout both sides, as usual, traded barbs.

"As a last-ditch effort to save their struggling business at the expense of subscribers, Altice is trying to charge their customers more and give them less,” MSG Networks said in a statement. “They just raised prices—nearly 50% for current Optimum subscribers and 70% for new Optimum subscribers (after expiration of a promotional offer) for the package that had included MSG Networks—and cut access to the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Devils and more on MSG Networks. 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. We remain ready to negotiate in good faith.”

MSG Networks also noted that the previous Optimum Core TV package—which included MSG, MSGSN and other sports channels—increased by nearly 50%, from $95 to $140 per month. Altice’s introduction of its new packages just a few weeks ago means that the most “affordable” new package that had “offered MSG Networks prior to the drop is $160/month—that is almost 70% more than what Optimum customers paid before,” MSG Networks said.

MSG Networks also stressed that it “offered Altice the same fair and reasonable terms that other major providers accepted.”

In response, Altice said in a statement: “We have a clear mission: provide the programming that our customers want and give it to them at an affordable price. The problem: MSG Networks demanded that we pay an exorbitant amount in fees to be able to carry its content AND that customers who don’t want the content—who are the majority—have to pay for it anyway. Now more than ever, especially in this economy, 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.“

MSG’s content is available direct-to-consumer via the Gotham Sports app, a joint venture with the New York Yankees-owned RSN, YES Network.

“Despite this, Optimum offered to absorb their egregious price demands if we could package MSG Networks in a way that would give more flexibility and control to our customers, so that fans could continue to watch and pay for their content while nonviewers would not be forced to pay for what they don’t watch,” the statement continued. “MSG Networks said no and refused multiple offers from us to reach a deal.”

“It is no secret that viewership for regional sports networks has become increasingly fragmented across countless streaming platforms and services,” the statement also noted. “Yet MSG Networks continues to squeeze its viewers for more money to watch their content, refusing to evolve or deviate from a broken model that is outdated based on the evolution of the entertainment industry, is anti-consumer, and unsustainable in today’s programming landscape.”

TORONTO—Quickplay has announced that it was involved in “another banner year” of OTT transformation at scale that saw the company involved in the launch of multiple new services for MSG+, YES Network, Pilipinas Live, Allen Media Group's Local Now and The Weather Channel and others.

"What we accomplished in the past year was hands-down an industry record," said André Christensen, CEO and Co-founder of Quickplay. "Our team and our superior architecture were exceptional in driving massive change that accelerated the streaming ambitions of some of the industry's biggest brands, as well as in roadmapping and executing on the next wave of streaming innovation. We have become the No. 1 trusted go-to-partner for Tier 1 sports and entertainment for future-proofing and solving their transformation needs."

The company reported that its cloud-native, open architecture platform supported the simultaneous migration and launch of multiple new Tier 1 services across the globe, while at the same time accommodating significant growth from existing customers. 

The Quickplay platform handled the most complex and diverse use cases in the industry and expedited the ability of customers to future-proof their businesses, reshaping sports and entertainment experiences for tens of millions of consumers around the world, while laying the groundwork for an AI-driven future.

"Architecture matters in OTT: ours is enabling customers to control their own roadmaps and monetization strategies, leading to better business outcomes and time-to-market advantages in delivering innovation to their consumers," Christensen continued. "These architectural advantages have also allowed our customers to set the pace in applying AI marketplace capabilities that enhance customer engagement and drive monetization."

Quickplay also reported that Tier 1 providers such as MSG Networks' MSG+, Rogers Sports & Media's Sportsnet SN NOW, PLDT Smart, Cignal TV, Pilipinas Live, aha, and others are leveraging the platform’s architecture to control their product roadmaps.

Quickplay's architecture helped power the company to multiple awards, most notably a second straight Google Cloud Industry Solution Technology Partner of the Year Award for Media & Entertainment and that Quickplay's latest collaboration with Google Cloud, which debuted at IBC 2023, also provides generative AI-powered consumer engagement, satisfaction, and monetization tools

"In the near future, AI and super aggregation both will be essential to OTT providers' success," said Paul Pastor, CBO and Co-Founder of Quickplay. "Our platform's seamless integration with cloud providers' AI marketplaces and the ability to aggregate video and digital services will enable service innovation and differentiation – defining market winners in the years to come."'

Quickplay will be hosting meetings in its suite at the Aria Resort and Casino at CES 2024 in Las Vegas Jan. 9-12. 

NEW YORK—The YES Network and MSG Networks regional sports networks have formed Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment ("GAME"), a new 50/50 joint venture that they say will work to capitalize on technical and operational synergies associated with YES' and MSGN's streaming services.  

GAME will also offer turn-key digital content distribution services, including platform technology, operational support and comprehensive data analytics to third parties, utilizing the combined technical and operational expertise each company has garnered from the respective successful launch and operation of the YES App and MSG+, the companies said. 

"As we continue to capitalize on the momentum created by YES' award-winning digital offerings, we look forward to collaborating with MSG Networks to further elevate the fan experience," said Jon Litner, CEO of the YES Network.  "With the launch of GAME, we are excited to develop new product offerings, and premium features and functionality, to serve audiences like never before, while also providing a scalable tech solution for third-party content owners seeking to deliver state-of-the-art streaming experiences to their customers."

"This joint venture with YES will combine the streaming expertise of two of the largest regional sports networks in the country,” explained Andrea Greenberg, president and CEO of MSG Networks. “With the formation of GAME, we seek to marry our collective insight, expertise and best-in-class technology not only to explore enhancements to our own products, but also to offer other networks, teams and sports properties an efficient way to launch a state-of-the-art streaming service. We are excited to partner with YES to create solutions for third-party content providers looking for a seamless way to reach new audiences."

GAME said that potential clients would benefit from a broad range of world-class streaming services, all of which would be be run centrally by an expert staff experienced in live sports streaming.  Streaming products will be customizable and capable of delivering locally branded customer experiences, each catering to a client's particular needs. 

More information on GAME is available at GothamAdvanced.com.  

NEW YORK—In the run-up to the start of the 2023-24 NHL and NBA seasons, MSG Networks announced that its new streaming product MSG+ has expanded the way users can access content with monthly, annual and even single game purchases. 

MSG is billing the option to purchase single games as an industry first for regional sports networks. 

MSG Networks also announced that the pharmaceutical company Bayer and the Aleve brand at Bayer will serve as the presenting sponsor for MSG+.  Bayer has been a thought leader in sports marketing and brand activation and will be presented throughout the MSG+ streaming service. 

MSG announced the launch of the streaming service in March.

"This is an exciting time for MSG Networks and fans of our teams," said Andrea Greenberg, MSG Networks president and CEO.  "MSG+ is a game-changer for fans who do not subscribe to a traditional, bundled pay television subscription and a win for our subscribers of participating traditional distribution partners who will have free access to this robust streaming service."

MSG+ (which includes all content from MSG Network and MSG SportsNet) will offer fans access to all MSG-produced New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres and New York Knicks games and other live sports events and programming, included on the networks in their area. 

As part of the new pricing option, fans are now able to purchase single games of their favorite local teams for $9.99 per game.

Fans may also subscribe to MSG+ on a direct-to-consumer basis by purchasing monthly ($29.99) and annual ($309.99) subscriptions, the streaming service reported. 

Pay TV subscribers can also also access MSG+ and its full complement of programming at no additional charge if they subscribe to a package that includes the MSG networks. MSG+ replaces MSG GO as the company's authenticated streaming service.

MSG+ will be available on a variety of devices and platforms, including iOS, Android, web (www.msgplus.tv), Samsung Smart TV, Apple TV and Android TV, with additional devices expected in the future.

Preseason hockey on MSG Networks and MSG+ begins on September 24th, with the Rangers facing off against the Bruins. 

COLUMBIA, MD—LTN has announced a multi-year agreement with MSG Networks to use its terrestrial IP-based, live video transmission solution LTN Wave to transition MSG from satellite to terrestrial IP-based distribution The transition is also a key component to enhance the live sports experience on MSG Network’s MSG+ streaming service coming this summer, offering access on a direct-to-consumer subscription and authenticated basis.  

LTN will distribute the MSG Networks channels delivering live coverage of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres to fans while future-proofing the organization's distribution model and harnessing the full benefits of the LTN Network.

David Schafer, SVP Product, Technology & Operations at MSG Networks, said: “LTN is trusted across the broadcasting and live sports industry. Our partnership with LTN provides us with mission-critical reliability. An IP-first approach to content distribution delivers the foundations for success, with greater business agility and a host of new revenue opportunities. We are truly excited about this next phase of IP-powered content distribution.”

Built on LTN’s intelligent, multicast-enabled, fully-managed IP transport network, LTN Wave provides a flexible, scalable, and reliable video transport solution that de-risks satellite migration with end-to-end management and automatic stress-free changeover while supporting next-generation possibilities such as content replacement and custom ad triggers, according to the company. Wave can seamlessly integrate within existing infrastructure while harnessing other solutions such as third-party encoders, decoders, and hardware or software. LTN’s open and agnostic network strategy means customers can acquire content in a single format and deliver in multiple formats, common third protocols, and in and out of public clouds, as needed.

“The media industry is steadily moving away from satellite, but mission-critical channels cannot afford to rely on the open internet with billions of dollars in revenue at stake,” said Chris Myers, EVP, Chief Revenue Officer, LTN. “Customers like MSG Networks need the managed network that LTN offers along with the peace of mind of a 5 nines reliable SLA and a 24/7 TOC.” 

NEW YORK & TORONTO—MSG Networks and Quickplay have announced that MSG+, MSG Networks' new streaming service set to launch this summer, will use the Quickplay cloud native OTT platform to power the service and optimize sports viewing experiences for consumers. 

As part of the deployment MSG+ will use Quickplay's CMS, edge services, and player – all running on Google Cloud – to support the data-driven delivery of content based on viewers' specific interests.

MSG+ is being developed as a state-of-the-art streaming platform to provide fans in the region with the ability to access MSG Networks' exclusive coverage of their favorite teams wherever they are and on their favorite devices, the companies said. 

Fans can subscribe to MSG+ on a direct-to-consumer basis by purchasing monthly and annual subscriptions, which will include MSG channels and all MSG-produced Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Devils, and Sabres games as well as other live sports, events and programming. Additionally, fans will be able to purchase single games of their favorite local teams, an innovative offering not made available by any other regional sports network. 

MSG+ will also be available at no additional charge to subscribers of participating pay television service providers of MSG Networks, replacing MSG GO as the company's authenticated streaming service.

"In the same way MSG Networks was a pioneer in sports broadcasting, the launch of MSG+ and our migration to the cloud are pivotal for our passionate sports fans," said David Schafer, senior vice president, product, technology and operations, for MSG Networks. "Using the Quickplay platform, we are creating an industry-leading direct-to-consumer streaming sports service that offers fans a feature rich experience with the choice to subscribe directly or through their TV provider."

The Quickplay platform combines the flexibility and scalability of the cloud with the quality and reliability of traditional broadcast and cable environments, the companies said. 

The platform is also the foundation of an enriched environment in which MSG+ can quickly and efficiently create new features that uniquely cater to diverse subscriber interests and enhance the viewing experience of MSG+'s marquee live sporting events and complementary content.

"Maximizing viewership today requires the flexibility to meet sports viewers on their terms: live or archived game coverage, real-time highlights, gamification and more" said Paul Pastor, CBO and co-founder of Quickplay. "MSG Networks' shift to the cloud is paving the way for truly personalized experiences that will enhance the ability of viewers and sponsors to connect with many of the world's most important sports brands."

NEW YORK—MSG Networks announced that it has completed a comprehensive, multi-year renewal of its distribution agreement with Verizon Fios. 

The new deal ensures Verizon Fios customers will continue to have access to MSG Networks and hundreds of exclusive, live games from the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres and New York Red Bulls as part of their Fios TV packages and through MSG GO, the companies said. 

The agreement comes amid increasingly contentious negotiations between regional sports networks and pay TV providers. 

Last week MSG’s networks were taken off Comcast systems, mostly in New Jersey and Connecticut, when the two companies were unable to come to a new carriage agreement. 

The new deal with Verizon means that some Comcast customers will be able to switch to Fios and view games on MSG Networks. 

“We are thrilled to have reached this multi-year agreement with Verizon Fios, who has been a long-time, valued partner,” said Adam Levine, executive vice president of business affairs for MSG Networks said:  Live sports remains some of the most valuable programming on air, and all of our teams have passionate fan bases. We look forward to providing our lineup of sports programming to Fios subscribers for years to come.”

MSG Networks, which debuted as the country’s first regional sports network in 1969, offers two networks and telecasts approximately 400 live professional games annually, as well as significant coverage of the NFL’s New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. 

NEW YORK—After being unable to come to a new carriage agreement, the MSG Networks have gone dark on Comcast’s Xfinity channel lineup, primarily in New Jersey and Connecticut. 

The MSG Networks carry games from New York Knicks, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and New York Islanders. A prolonged dispute could keep the games off the cable systems as the NBA and NHL seasons begin.

Regional sports networks are some of the more expensive channels carried on pay TV packages and have been the subject of increasingly contentious negotiations between operators and programmers. 

In a statement, MSG Networks complained that: “Right when fans are looking forward to the start of the NBA and NHL seasons, Comcast dropped MSG Networks to try to force us to accept terms they’d never agree to for their own regional sports networks, including SNY in New York. They rejected proposals that are consistent with their current deal and deals we have with other major providers, as well as our offer to keep our programming on air under existing terms so we could continue to work on a longer-term agreement. And even though they’ve taken away hundreds of live Knicks, Devils, Rangers and Islanders games, they continue to charge Xfinity customers the same monthly rate -- in addition to a regional sports fee that they increased 22% in January to more than $10 per month. Comcast’s refusal to negotiate is deeply disappointing.”

In response Comcast issued this statement: “We don’t believe that our customers should have to pay the millions of dollars in fees that MSG is demanding for some of the most expensive sports content in the country with extremely low viewership in our markets. We have successfully negotiated thousands of agreements with programmers and reached agreements in almost every instance and are disappointed that MSG decided to pull their content rather than reach a fair agreement.”

NEW YORK—With the NHL and NBA seasons looming, MSG Networks is warning that Comcast/Xfinity intends to drop MSG Networks, impacting customers in New Jersey and Connecticut.

The carriage agreement expires at midnight on September 30 and if a new agreement is not reached those subs could lose access to the start of the NHL and NBA seasons. 

MSG carries games from the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and MLS’s New York Red Bulls. 

Negotiations over carriage for regional sports have been increasingly contentious in recent years as pay TV providers have sought to reduce programming costs. 

In a statement on the carriage negotiations, MSG said: “We’ve been working to reach an agreement that is fair, reasonable and consistent with other major providers, while Comcast is demanding terms they’d never accept for their own regional sports networks, including SNY in New York. Xfinity customers do not deserve to lose MSG Networks’ coverage of their local sports teams, which includes hundreds of live games for the upcoming NBA and NHL seasons. MSG Networks is ready to continue working in good faith, however, we encourage Comcast Xfinity subscribers who want to watch the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Devils and Red Bulls to visit www.keepmsg.com for more information, including alternative providers in their area.” 

In a statement published by Next TV, Comcast noted that “Comcast’s agreements with programmers expire from time to time. We have successfully negotiated thousands of agreements with programmers and reached agreements in almost every instance. We would like to reach a fair deal with MSG that makes sense for our customers before the current one expires, allowing us to continue offering their networks on our channel lineup.”

NEW YORK—Looking to serve its New York-area fan base, MSG Networks recently added The Video Call Center services to the production of its weeknight sports talk show “MSG 150,” VCC announced in a press release. VCC’s technology offers high-quality live video connections to handle interviews each night on the show.

The VCC technology is designed to be a flexible and efficient option for handling interviews with subjects regardless of where they might be. Guests can call in using a smartphone with standard mobile data or Wi-Fi connection to appear on camera without downloading specialty software. The VCC uses standard native video calling apps like Apple FaceTime and WebRTC-based Gruveo.

The calls can be viewed on MSG’s on-set monitors, while the VCC’s instant return video also lets the guest view the host on their own phone.

“MSG 150” has utilizied the VCC technology to conduct interviews with Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Mike Breen, Ken Daneyko, Jim Furyk, Mariano Rivera and Pat Shumer.

LAS VEGAS—Imagine Communications is heading to the Big Apple to lend a hand to MSG Networks to help revitalize its playout production facilities. The installation will aim to expand the sports network’s ingest, storage and playout operations, as well as provide new editing capabilities and offering a path for future updates.

Key to the deployment will be Imagine’s Nexio+ AMP media server technology. The software-based platform supports more than 80 channels at MSG and integrates with the network’s Adobe Premiere Pro editing system. The Nexio Insight has also been included to deliver asset management capabilities, allowing operators to streamline multiple tasks involving cataloging, editing and distribution of content.

Imagine will also provide its Versio IOX Storage unit, a high-bandwidth storage system designed for live production facilities. With Versio IOX, MSG will have sharable and scalable storage over a 10-gigabit Ethernet link to manage the content lifecycle. This deployment will serve as the debut for the Versio IOX Scale-out NAS storage model that is powered by EditShare EFS and provides network operators with a storage system that can support high-bandwdith, high-volume media ingest operations.

The Nexio+ AMP unit supports UHD and HDR as well as a variety of codecs and formats. The Versio IOX, meanwhile, provides storage for today’s standard video formats and can scale to accommodate future increases in storage requirements, including 4K/UHD and higher resolutions.