Is there anything Jeremy Lin can’t do?
After more than a month of millions of Knicks and Rangers fans being blacked out, Time Warner Cable and MSG have resolved their dispute, meaning fans can again watch the surging Knicks and first place Rangers.
Politicians put on the full court press, forcing the companies to reach a pact. Council Speaker Christine Quinn recently sent a letter to the companies requesting they come to an agreement or face public hearings. What pushed Quinn to the edge was her case, like many fellow New Yorkers, of Linsanity.
When the agreement was announced on Friday afternoon, Quinn tweeted, “I want to thank Time Warner Cable and MSG for coming to a deal that will put the Knicks and the Rangers back on TV. Now, a million more New Yorkers will be able to go Linsane in the privacy of their own living room.”
Quinn also thanked Governor Andrew Cuomo — who assisted in talks this week — and Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman.
“Our office has worked diligently with Time Warner Cable and MSG Networks over the last month to bring about a resolution to their dispute,” Schneiderman said. “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.”
Despite not being shown in more than one million area homes, MSG has scored season-high ratings since Lin has entered the starting lineup and Wednesday’s game was the highest rated since Carmelo Anthony’s first game nearly a year ago.
The dispute was over licensing fees that cable companies pay networks for the right to carry their channel.
The Knicks play the New Orleans Hornets tonight on MSG at 8 p.m.
