FCC Says Cablevision and MSG Were Out of Bounds

FCC Says Cablevision and MSG Were Out of Bounds

Verizon Welcomes Order Directing Cablevision and MSG To Make High-Definition Sports Programming Available for FiOS Customers

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday (Sept. 22) ruled that the Madison Square Garden Company must make its MSG and MSG+ high-definition regional sports channels available to Verizon's FiOS TV service. In July 2009, Verizon filed a complaint with the FCC against MSG (controlled by the same principals who control Cablevision) for refusing to sell Verizon the high-definition formats of the two regional sports networks in the greater New York region. The following statement can be attributed to Mike Glover, Verizon's senior vice president and deputy general counsel for regulatory matters:

"The Federal Communications Commission's decision is a win for consumers and video competition. By directing Cablevision and MSG to make their high-definition programming available within 30 days, the decision promises to give consumers in New York and New Jersey a choice to obtain the sports programming they want -- including the Knicks, Rangers, Sabres, Islanders and Devils -- in high definition over Verizon's advanced FiOS TV service. That's great news for sports fans."

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 106 million total connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 196,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon

Verizon

CONTACT: Rich Young, +1-202-515-2514, richard.j.young@verizon.com

Web Site: http://www.verizon.com

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