RUSSO SAYS CABLEVISION SHOULD RECONSIDER DIGITAL CABLE BOX FEE FOR ANALOG CUSTOMERS

Assemblyman David Russo today said Cablevision should reconsider charging analog customers a monthly digital cable box fee since the move is strictly a business decision that will allow the cable company to reclaim space and ultimately increase its revenue by giving it the ability to offer subscribers increased digital channels.

“Since only five percent of Cablevision’s subscribers pay for an analog-only package, waiving the monthly digital box fee would not have a significant impact on the provider,” said Russo, R-Passaic, Bergen and Essex. “To do otherwise is tantamount to a rate increase. In the spirit of fairness, I encourage Cablevision to reconsider this fee for this small population of subscribers.”

Cablevision is moving channels that had previously been offered in an analog format to a digital format. To maintain an analog TV and receive these channels customers must install digital cable boxes for each analog television they own. The company is offering free service for one television per customer for one year. Beyond that and for additional TVs, the cable box rental fee is $6.95 a month.

Russo also said the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU) should take a more active role in helping protect the best interests of the public against unwarranted cable television price increases. He said he will reach out to the state Ratepayer Advocate and U. S. Rep. Scott Garrett, R-NJ, in an effort to resolve this matter.

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