James Dolan, executive chairman of Madison Square Garden, which already owns regional sports networks MSG, MSG+ and MSG Varsity, among others, is weighing the rollout of a national cable channel called MSG National, sources say. The new channel wouldn’t be able to offer Knicks or Rangers games — but would look to air behind-the-scenes-type series and what is called “shoulder programming,” which includes video shows on players or pre-game interviews.
Facing a heated battle with MSG sports network over rising rates, Time Warner Cable Inc. CEO Glenn Britt said sports channels should be sold separately from the main cable TV package of channels.
