Cable subscribers lose MSG Networks

Cable subscribers lose MSG Networks

NEW YORK

Subscribers of Time Warner Cable woke up New Year’s morning to find the sports channels MSG Network and MSG+ missing from their cable TV line-up.

The New York cable company says fans may miss games featuring the New York Knicks, Rangers and Islanders; the Buffalo Sabres; and New Jersey Devils. That’s because it has failed to reach an agreement with the MSG networks owner, Madison Square Garden Co.

It is the latest spat between a cable company and a channel provider that underscores the friction on both sides over the fees carriers pay for channels.

According to Time Warner Cable, MSG wanted a 53 percent increase in the rates it charges the cable network for its games. Time Warner said this demand came after the two companies already had agreed to a 6.5 percent rate increase last year.

The first games scheduled in 2012 on MSG Networks are at 7 p.m. today: New York Knicks-Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Devils-Ottawa Senators.

Gas rises 30 percent in Myanmar

YANGON, Myanmar

Gas prices unexpectedly rose more than 30 percent for the new year in Myanmar and sparked fears of other goods costing more as well.

Motorists learned of the increase at the pump Sunday when prices increased from $3.15 to $4.20 per Imperial gallon (4.2 liters).

The government made no announcement. But with the fuel hike and a new 40 percent electricity cost increase announced late last year, people are concerned about inflation of consumer goods, too.

Myanmar’s energy production is not enough to meet domestic demand, and it imports petrol and other fuels. The government subsidizes gas prices and rations it to two Imperial gallons a day.

Powerball tickets doubling to $2

DES MOINES, Iowa

Get ready to pay more for Powerball: Ticket prices are going up to $2.

Lottery organizers hope the price change will entice more people to play because jackpots are getting bigger and the odds of winning are improving.

The move is a strategy to differentiate the game from Mega Millions, another big-money, multi-state lottery game that sells for $1 a ticket. Both games are sold in 42 states, plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington, D.C. Both have drawings twice a week but are played on different nights.

Lottery officials say they are betting players will like the variety and changes made in the game. But some players say the price increase may keep them from playing as often or not at all.

The price change takes effect Jan. 15.

Associated Press