If you are a fan of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, or New Jersey Devils with Comcast, you may soon be without your favorite teams. MSG Networks and Comcast Xfinity carriage deal expires on September 30th. According to MSG, “Comcast Xfinity intends to drop MSG Networks and access to hundreds of live game telecasts of the Knicks, Rangers, Devils, Islanders and Red Bulls.”
If they do end up dropping the channels, fortunately there are a few streaming alternatives without the need of cable. fuboTV offers MSG and MSG+ as part of their $64.99 base plan, which is available with a 7-Day Free Trial.
DIRECTV STREAM also offer the channels as part of their “Choice” ($84.99) plan, and is the only streaming service in the New York area that also includes YES Network.
MSG is not available on YouTube TV, Sling TV, or Hulu Live TV.
| DTV STREAM | Fubo | Hulu | Philo | Sling TV | YouTube | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free Trial | Get a Free Trial | Free Trial | Get $10 Off | Sign Up | |||
| $79.99 | $91.99 | $76.99 | $25 | $40 | $40 | $72.99 | ||
| MSG | + $29 | ✓ | - | - | - | - | - | |
| SportsNet NY | + $29 | - | ✓ | - | - | - | - | |
| YES Network | + $29 | ✓ | - | - | - | - | - | |
This would be bad timing for local sports fans. The Rangers, Islanders, and Devils are currently in the preseason, with the regular season starting on October 12th. The Knicks will begin preseason action on October 5th, with the regular season starting on October 19th.
Comcast previously had an 18 month blackout in a carriage dispute with YES Network, which carries New York Yankees games. YES Network was unavailable to Comcast subscribers until early 2017.