MSG Networks returning to Optimum in NY, NJ as companies reach a deal

Tim Ullio, a bartender at Stout near Madison Square Garden, swings his lucky towel in hopes of helping the Knicks during the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Optimum and MSG Networks say they've ended the months-long contract dispute that pulled the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and Devils off the cable company's lineup at the start of this year.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said service would be restored before Saturday's game between the Rangers and the Buffalo Sabres.

"MSG Networks and Optimum would like to thank everyone for their patience as we partnered to reach this new agreement to benefit our fans and Optimum subscribers," the companies said in a joint press release distributed by Optimum Saturday afternoon.

They didn't release any terms of their agreement, but Optimum said its channel lineup remained unchanged change.

During negotiations, Optimum, owned by Altice USA, had accused MSG of demanding high license fees it said forced viewers to to subsidize sports programming, even if they didn't watch it. The cable company said only a third of subscribers who had access to MSG Networks through "antiquated" bundling models watched any games over the last year.

But MSG accused Altice of trying to overcharge customers while giving them less content.

Earlier this month, attorneys general frow New York, New Jersey and Connecticut pushed for Optimum to automatically refund customers who paid for MSG Network cable channels, but couldn't watch them because of the dispute.

“After 52 days in the penalty box, New York sports fans will finally be able to watch the Knicks, Rangers and Islanders again," Hochul said in a statement Saturday. She said the agreement came after she had the state Department of Public Service seek hearings "on how consumers are being shortchanged by weeks of corporate bickering."

This story has been updated with more information.