In N.Y., Christian Arnold reported MSG Networks “broke out the big guns” in their ongoing dispute with Altice-owned Optimum on Thursday, dropping a commercial featuring N.Y. Rangers TV voice Sam Rosen. The new ad shows Rosen “encouraging Optimum subscribers to switch over to a competing cable provider.” Rosen said in the video, “Because of Optimum dropping MSG, I’ve lost a big part of what I love the most and that are games.” The service disruption for Optimum customers comes amid Rosen’s final season calling Rangers games on TV (N.Y. POST, 2/13).
SELLING TIME: In St. Louis, Dan Caesar noted the St. Louis Cardinals’ local telecasts will be “sold directly to fans for the first time this season” and some of the pricing structure has been set. Viewers in the team’s television territory will be “able to purchase the productions via streaming,” either monthly for $19.99 or yearly for $189.99. The packages will be “sold through FanDuel Sports Network.” The telecasts will still be available on many cable, satellite and video streaming providers. But several of the major ones still do not carry FDSN, which “contributed to the Cardinals’ decision to begin offering games via direct purchase” (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 2/13).
VICE VENTURES: HOLLYWOOD REPORTER’s Etan Vlessing noted Vice TV, via its cable partnership with A&E, has signed a media rights agreement with BYB Bare Knuckle Boxing. The deal will see the cable TV platform “air 13 live events this year, mostly on Saturday nights.” The licensing agreement with the bare-knuckle boxing promoter also “marks the first live event series” for Vice TV. Vice Media recently launched the Vice Sports banner, and it “expects to produce over 50 hours of sports-themed docuseries, programs, events, and podcasts” for global distributors across TV and digital platforms (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 2/13).
