With cord-cutting and the decline of the pay TV industry already wreaking havoc on regional sports networks, analysts at Lightshed Partners say the blackout of MSG Networks on Altice USA’s Optimium systems could push MSG Networks into bankruptcy, making it the latest casualty of declining RSN ecosystem.

The blackout impacting New York Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and New Jersey Devils fans started after the current contract expired at midnight on Dec. 31 The post MSG Networks Goes Dark on Altice USA’s Optimum Amid Contract Dispute appeared first on TheWrap.

MSG Networks, the regional channel that airs local games for New York teams including the Knicks, went dark for Altice USA's Optimum cable TV customers.

MSG and Altice USA, the parent company of Optimum, are embroiled in a dispute that is screwing over customers — and there is no resolution in sight. Optimum dropped MSG Networks on Jan. 1 after their existing deal expired, as the two sides could not reach an agreement over the overall price.

Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and Devils fans are losing access to games in the tri-state area as MSG and Optimum clash over pricing and programming.

MSG Networks, part of the Sphere Entertainment (SPHR), announced that Altice USA (ATUS) has dropped MSG Networks from its Optimum channel lineup in the tri-state area. “As a last-ditch effort to save their struggling business at the expense of subscribers,

Optimum (Altice USA) has dropped MSG Networks from its channel lineup, leaving fans of the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, and Devils without access to live coverage of their teams.

Altice USA Inc. dropped MSG Networks from its Optimum cable-TV lineup on New Year’s Day, meaning subscribers in the New York area can’t watch games from teams such as the Knicks and Rangers.