PolicyBlog

I'm glad to hear that you are continuing to pursue the program access complaint despite Cablevision and spinoff MSG, LP's lawsuits (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7020496119) in response to FCC's January 20, 2010 order. Will this supplement be filed to the FCC 07-198 docket?

Verizon is huge. Why do they care what a little company like Cablevision is doing? I'm sure they could just hire a film crew and get their own HD sports for consumers.

@Dave: If it were only that easy. The biggest problem here in NYC is that the Dolan family not only owns Cablevision, but they own the Garden, MSG tv, and the Knicks and the Rangers. You want to get your own tv crew into a Ranger game, you need the Dolan's permission. This entire problem is due to the Dolan's fear that once Verizon has MSG-HD, thousands of their customers- who despise Cablevision with a passion- will bolt to Fios. Why the FCC is taking so long with this decision is beyond me.

I'll repeat my 6/29/2010 question. Will this supplement be filed to the FCC 07-198 docket? Or is it otherwise publicly available?

Since the FCC is taking their time to rule on this issue, I believe there is a simple solution to this problem: Verizon should buy a stake in the YES Network and/or the SNY Network. Obviously, the Steinbrenner's and Wilpon's started their own networks to make more money, but they also did so to get away from the Dolan's. Given their financial situation, I'm sure the Wilpon's would love the infusion of money that would come from a sale of a share of their network. Verizon has billions of cash on it's balance sheet and could very easily buy shares of either or RSN'S. I'm sure the sale would close much quicker than it is taking the FCC to act. Once they have a minority share of either network, I'm sure they will be able to influence the distribution of the services. They can with hold the HD feed or jack up the price so high that cablevision has no choice but to not purchase the HD feed. Tens of thousands of cablevision subscribers would cancel their cablevision services if this happened. If cablevision can get away with this practice for years, why not Verizon?

What percentage chance would you honestly predict regarding having MSG HD and MSG+ HD on Fios come October 9, when the NHL season starts? How many items are on the FCC's agenda that are ahead of this matter?

@Rob, not looking good for that Oct 9 date...and it sucks even more as a Sabres fan cause they just announced 81 of 82 games would be in HD this year (previously, only home and select away games).

I have been waiting for MSG HD for some time now with nothing more than promises and I have missed my NHL games in HD for 2 years. Why can't they give us the NHL packsage in the meantime for free instead of charging 179.00 for it? Really makes me wonder if I am going to stay with them or switch.

What is the latest with this situation? It's been over two years since this was filed. It's clear Cablevision uses this as a competitive advantage by promoting their HD sports dominance in all their commercials. It is so discriminatory and blatant that I cannot believe the FCC has not ruled in favor of Verizon and its customers. Cablevision must have a great lobbyist pouring money into the FCC's pockets. How and who can we contact at the FCC to register our complaints and have them render a decision in our lifetime?