Time Warner Dispute with MSG Leaves New Yorkers out in Cold for Winter Sports

The New York Rangers are one of the best teams in all of hockey. The New York Knicks are one of the most exciting teams in the NBA. 

The New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils aren't having their best years, but their fans deserve to watch them if they want to. 

And guess what? They can't, at least, not on a regular basis.

Anyone who watches any of these teams on Time Warner Cable in the New York metropolitan and Buffalo areas cannot do so any more. MSG and MSG+ were pulled from the provider's systems in the aforementioned areas.

On the Time Warner Cable conversations page they posted a message highlighted with the following statement:

"

With the game clock running down, MSG Networks rejected all proposals, refused to engage in any meaningful way, and refused to allow us to keep the channel on.  In the end, MSG pulled the plug on Time Warner Cable customers ... We think MSG is being unreasonable – and unfair to fans.  They continue to demand a 53% price increase for their programming, which just doesn’t make sense.   We do want MSG to return to our channel lineup, and we will continue to work hard to reach an agreement that gives you the sports you love at a price you can afford to pay.

"

But, the New York Post's Richard Sandomir writes:

"

Time Warner Cable replaced the MSG Network late Sunday afternoon with NBA TV ... But shifting NBA TV to MSG’s channel slot on its affected systems — which reach 1.7 million subscribers — offers little benefit to Knicks fans. NBA TV’s games are carried nationally but are blacked out in the markets of the teams playing.

"

Ultimately, 15-of-17 Knicks and 9-of-12 Rangers games will be affected if the standoff lasts through the first month of the year.

Fans of those teams have every reason in the world to be absolutely irate with their service provider.

MSG has urged fans to switch to Verizon Fios or DirecTV. The problem with that is obviously a) affordability, and b) availability. Fios is not available everywhere and some buildings won't allow the use of DirecTV and/or don't get solid reception due to taller buildings.

With the NBA season truly kicking into gear and the hockey season in full swing, these fans who previously enjoyed their favorite teams from the comfort of their own homes are now being completely screwed over by two companies haggling over broadcast price.

Sports are one of the most popular forms of entertainment in this country and in the Tri-State area in particular.

For this to happen now, when regionally broadcast games are at premium, is terribly unfair.

Expect to hear more on this as fans continue to miss games and sooner or later there will be a breaking point where Time Warner loses customers or MSG caves.