LIU CALLS FOR TIME WARNER TO REBATE CUSTOMERS FOR PROGRAM BLACKOUT

   City Comptroller John C. Liu requested that Time Warner Cable reimburse its customers for the continued blackout of Madison Square Garden-owned channels and called for a quick resolution of the dispute affecting 1.3 million City residents.

“As this dispute continues, 1.3 million City residents are left without the programming they paid for.  The least they could get is a break on their cable bill.

“Unfortunately, this type of disruption is becoming a regular occurrence.  These companies must resolve their dispute immediately. Both Time Warner Cable and Madison Square Garden receive significant financial benefits as a direct result of doing business in New York City.

“We will also work with New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in his efforts to bring the sides together.”

Background:

The letter calling for reimbursement was sent to Time Warner Cable today:

January 9, 2012

Glenn A. Britt
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Time Warner Cable Inc.
60 Columbus Circle, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10023

Dear Mr. Britt:
I am writing to follow up on the discussion that representatives of Time Warner Cable had with my staff last week.  As a member of the NYC Franchise Concession and Review Committee (FCRC), I am concerned that only months after a new television franchise agreement was authorized between the City of New York and Time Warner Cable, which allowed Time Warner Cable access to over one million New York City customers, these customers have been forced to experience a blackout which prevents ardent fans from watching Knicks, Rangers, and Islanders games.

To compensate viewers for this missed programming, I urge Time Warner Cable to immediately issue a $5.95 monthly rebate - the value of the “Time Warner Cable Sports Pass,” which Time Warner recently provided to the 1.3 million New York City customers affected by the ongoing
dispute with MSG Networks.  Customers are understandably frustrated that they are forced to pay for channels they do not receive, particularly when many customers do not have access to another cable television provider.

My office is encouraged by the reports that Time Warner Cable and MSG Networks will be meeting at the request of the New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.  It is in everyone’s best interest that this dispute be resolved quickly.  In the meantime, in recognition of
the benefits Time Warner Cable has reaped under its cable franchise agreement and for the service standards it owes its New York subscribers, I ask that you immediately compensate customers for the missed programming in connection with this unfortunate dispute.