“Time for both sides to play ball so our residents can get back to the game.”
Hartford, CT—Today, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and fellow Democratic State Senators from Fairfield county issued a joint call to Altice and MSG Entertainment, urging them to resolve their ongoing dispute that has left Connecticut sports fans unable to watch their favorite teams.
In a letter addressed to Altice Chairman and CEO Dennis Mathew and MSG Entertainment Executive Chairman and CEO James Dolan, the senators expressed frustration with the prolonged negotiations, which have blocked access to critical sports programming. Fans of the New York Rangers, Knicks, Devils, and other teams remain caught in the crossfire as the companies fail to come to terms. Joining Senator Duff were Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox (D-Trumbull), Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport), Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury), Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton), and Senator Patricia Billie Miller (D-Stamford).
“We will not take any side in this dispute except that of our constituents, who pay significant amounts of money for the content you both provide but cannot view the athletic events that give them joy,” the Senators stated in their letter.
The senators demanded that customers regain access to the Madison Square Garden channel through Optimum while negotiations continue. Additionally, they called for refunds or reduced bills if customers remain unable to access the content for which they are paying.
“The constant gamesmanship by all sides in the television wars must stop,” the senators wrote. “Time for both sides to play ball so our residents can get back to the game.”
The senators highlighted the potential for both companies to lose customers if the issue remains unresolved, as frustrated fans may turn to alternative entertainment options.
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Dear Messrs. Mathew and Dolan:
We are writing to ask you to put your customers first and come to an agreement that will benefit all parties regarding this current disagreement between your companies. We will not take any side in this dispute except that of our constituents, who pay significant amounts of money for the content you both provide but cannot view the athletic events that give them joy.
Fans of the Rangers, Knicks, Devils and many other teams in Connecticut are unable to watch their teams as the competition heats up in both leagues. The constant gamesmanship by all sides in the television wars must stop. We need to put customers first. With the escalating costs we are all paying, there is no excuse for viewers to be without access to their sports teams.
We ask that you immediately begin giving viewers access to the Madison Square Garden channel through Optimum while your negotiations continue. If this does not happen, we demand that they receive refunds and reduced bills in the future for the content that they are paying for but are not receiving. Your customers are not the only potential losers in your disagreement. This disagreement will result in both of your companies losing paying customers who decide they are better off finding their entertainment and relaxation in other ways.
Time for both sides to play ball so our residents can get back to the game.
State Senator Bob Duff, Majority Leader
State Senator James Maroney, 14th Senatorial District
State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, 22nd Senatorial District
State Senator Herron Keyon Gaston, 23rd Senatorial District
State Senator Julie Kushner, 24th Senatorial District
State Senator Ceci Maher, 26th Senatorial District
State Senator Patricia Billie Miller, 27th Senatorial District
Contact: Kevin Coughlin | Kevin.Coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193
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