On New Year's Eve 3 million Cablevision subscribers, including thousands from Rockland County, were "alerted" that two of their favorite channels - the Food Network and Home & Garden Network would no longer be broadcast by Cablevision starting at midnight.
I have filed a formal complaint with the New York State Public Service Commission for Cablevision's Violation of Part 890 of Public Service Law 224-a, which stipulates the following:
"Every cable television company shall provide notice to subscribers of any change in rates; programming services or channel positions as soon as possible through announcement on the Cable System and in writing."
Reminiscent of their impasse with the YES Network over broadcasting Yankee Games several years ago, Cablevision and the Scripps Network are battling over how much the cable operator will pay Scripps for carrying the Food Network and HGTV. Both sides have begun playing the "blame game" on websites, in print and the TV media.
This corporate feud over revenue is of secondary concern to me. What concerns me the most is Cablevision's callous disregard for their loyal customers, and the public officials who sign off on their franchise agreements. Rest assured that when Cablevision wants a renewal of its franchise agreement, it does not wait until hours before the franchise expires to notify municipalities.
Since the removal of the Food Network and HGTV is a significant change in programming, I am requesting that subscribers receive a rebate for the loss of these services.
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