Cablevision Systems Corp. is pitching new packages aimed at
cord-cutters that combine broadband service with a free digital
antenna to pick up local television signals.
The move by the New York cable operator is meant to appeal to
consumers who are tired of rising pay-TV bills and are dropping
those connections. It comes just days after Cablevision rival
Verizon Communications Inc. launched new low-price packages for its
FiOS TV service that allow customers to mix and match tiers of
channels covering various genres over a slimmed-down basic
package.
Unlike the Verizon offering, Cablevision's cord-cutter deal
doesn't come with any access to cable channels such as Walt Disney
Co.'s ESPN or Viacom's MTV. The free digital antenna will let
viewers access broadcast TV programming from CBS, Fox, ABC and
NBC.
One of the new Cablevision packages starts at $44.90 a month for
the first year and comes with ultrafast broadband. The lower-price
version is $34.90 a month and comes with download speeds of up to
five megabits per second. Customers who sign up to either package
can choose to pay extra to add HBO Now, the HBO channel's
stand-alone streaming service. There are additional charges of
about $5 a month for modem leasing and other items.
"Our new "cord-cutter" packages take a modern approach to
traditional triple-product bundles and provide real alternatives
that fit new consumer lifestyles," said Kristin Dolan, chief
operating officer of Cablevisison, in a statement.
Verizon's new packages include several different bundles of
programming services. Some include many children's channels while
others are geared toward sports fans.
Programmers, including Walt Disney Co., Comcast Corp.'s
NBCUniversal and 21st Century Fox Inc. have said Verizon is
violating their programming contracts with this new marketing
approach.
Write to Joe Flint at joe.flint@wsj.com
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