MSG Network, Time Warner Cable Reach Deal After 2-Month Impasse
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork / AP) — After a two month impasse, MSG Network and Time Warner Cable have finally reached an agreement.
Throughout the dispute, Time Warner customers voiced their unhappiness and urged the two sides to come to a settlement. Time Warner customers can now watch the Knicks, Rangers, Devils, Islanders, Red Bulls and Sabres.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo just confirmed the agreement with a statement he released Friday afternoon:
"I applaud both Mr. Dolan and Mr. Britt and their companies. I thank them for being responsive to the needs of New Yorkers."
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New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman also released the following statement:
"Our office has worked diligently with Time Warner Cable and MSG Networks over the last month to bring about a resolution to their dispute. We are pleased that both parties have reached an agreement that will finally allow Knicks, Rangers, and Sabres fans to enjoy the rest of this season's games."
Civil Rights lawyer Norman Siegel had weighed in on the cable TV dispute that had blacked out the New York Knicks and four NHL teams for 2 million Time Warner Cable subscribers.
MSG carries Knicks games as well as the NHL's Rangers, Islanders, Devils and Sabres as well as WFAN's popular Boomer and Carton morning show. A dispute over fees had prevented Time Warner subscribers from watching MSG since Jan. 1 but now they'll be able to watch all their favorite teams and MSG content.
Siegel wrote to executives at Time Warner and MSG on Friday demanding that they resolve their impasse. He called it "wrong and unfair" that fans like him couldn't watch the Knicks and their breakout star Jeremy Lin.
Lin's sudden popularity appears to have played a large role in getting the two sides to come to an agreement. First, he lifted the Knicks back into the playoff hunt. Now Jeremy Lin has put the Knicks back on TV. MSG saw an increase of 87% in viewership even before they came to a settlement with Time Warner Cable.
Knicks fans are crediting the excitement generated by Lin and the Knicks' 7-game win streak as reason why the dispute was finally resolved. Is there anything Lin can't do?
Time Warner customers, how pleased are you to finally have MSG and your favorite teams back on your TV set? Share your thoughts below...
(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
