State AG demands refunds for Optimum customers facing MSG blackouts

State Attorney General Letitia James and her counterparts in New Jersey and Connecticut have taken action to secure automatic refunds for customers of Altice USA, the owner of Optimum, which have been denied access to MSG Networks cable channels as a result of Optimum’s blackouts.

In January, Attorney General James called on Optimum and MSG to quickly resolve contract negotiations so New Yorkers would not be impacted by service disruptions. As a result of a contract dispute between Altice and MSG, Optimum cable consumers have been blocked from accessing MSG stations, leaving residents in the tri-state area who paid extra for these sports channels unable to watch them.

In a letter to Optimum’s owner, Altice, the attorneys general demanded automatic refunds for customers who have been denied access to the MSG channels they paid for as part of their cable plans.

James’ move comes after Congressman Pat Ryan (D, NY-18) and Senator Chris Murphy last week introduced the “Stop Sports Blackouts Act,” which will force cable companies to refund customers for television blackouts.

“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,” said James. “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.”

Altice removed access to MSG channels for its Optimum cable plan customers beginning in January 2025. MSG channels, which provide exclusive coverage of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres have remained blacked out since January 1. In January, Attorney General James alerted both Optimum and MSG that the Office of the Attorney General would be monitoring the ongoing contract situation closely to ensure New York customers received the services for which they were paying.