ALBANY, NY (February 22, 2025) — New York Attorney General Letitia James, alongside her counterparts in Connecticut and New Jersey, demanded automatic refunds Friday for Optimum cable customers unable to access MSG Networks channels due to ongoing blackouts, despite paying for the service.
The action targets Altice USA, Optimum’s parent company, after a contract dispute with MSG Networks led to subscribers in the tri-state area losing access to channels featuring exclusive coverage of teams like the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres. The blackout began Jan. 1, 2025, leaving sports fans without the programming they expected from their cable plans.
In a letter to Altice, James, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, and New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin called for immediate refunds for affected customers, accusing Optimum of charging for undelivered services. The move follows James’ January warning to both Optimum and MSG to resolve their negotiations swiftly to avoid disrupting New Yorkers’ access.
“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 in a statement. “I am determined to secure a solution for New Yorkers who have had to endure these unfair blackouts.”
Platkin urged a quick resolution, saying, “New Jersey consumers deserve the services they paid for to watch their favorite local teams play.” Tong added, “Optimum and MSG need to stop the posturing and get back to the table. In the meantime, consumers are owed immediate refunds without hassle.”
The dispute has dragged on since January, with no agreement in sight. James’ office had previously signaled it would monitor the situation closely to protect consumers. The letter to Altice insists on automatic refunds for all impacted subscribers, rather than requiring individual requests.
This marks the latest in a series of consumer protection efforts by James. In December 2024, she secured refunds for SmileDirectClub customers charged for unprovided telehealth services after the company’s bankruptcy. Earlier actions included refunds for canceled hotel bookings in Buffalo before the October 2024 solar eclipse and for New Yorkers overcharged for COVID-19 vaccines in February 2024.
Neither Altice nor MSG Networks immediately responded to requests for comment.
