Time Warner brings back New York Mets games - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

vashti1999 · 05-09-2005, 09:59 PM

Time Warner brings back New York Mets games after deal with Cablevision

May 9, 2005, 8:14 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) _ New York Mets fans can watch their team play on the Time Warner cable television system for the first time this season after the company said it hammered out a deal with rival Cablevision.

Until Monday, the Mets' games had been blacked out of their normally scheduled slots on two networks owned by Cablevision Systems Corp. because of a dispute over fees between the two cable companies.

In a long-term deal brokered by New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, Time Warner Inc. will return the two channels that broadcast Mets games, MSG network and Fox Sports Net New York, plus three other Fox Sports digital channels to its cable TV packages.

The move happened in time for Monday night's Mets game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Time Warner had been compensating customers $2 per month during the breakdown.

The agreement follows threats by New York legislators to punish both companies with fines for every day they went without an agreement.

But Spitzer said the two companies agreed to the deal without the threat of force.

"It's not a question of leverage; I offered a different perspective," Spitzer said of his role in the negotiations. "The credit goes to the companies."

One of the New York assemblymen who had proposed the punitive legislation hailed the deal.

"We are obviously pleased that we are getting the Mets back on TV," Assemblyman Michael Gianaris said. "It's a home run for Mets fans. It goes to show that when the public gets angry and rolls up its sleeves we get results."

In a statement, Time Warner said additional terms of the agreement would not be disclosed.

A spokesman for Cablevision did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.

Going into Monday's game, the Mets were 17-15, good for fourth place in the National League East.

Copyright 2005 Newsday Inc.

05-09-2005, 09:59 PM	#1
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	Time Warner brings back New York Mets games Time Warner brings back New York Mets games after deal with Cablevision May 9, 2005, 8:14 PM EDT NEW YORK (AP) _ New York Mets fans can watch their team play on the Time Warner cable television system for the first time this season after the company said it hammered out a deal with rival Cablevision. Until Monday, the Mets' games had been blacked out of their normally scheduled slots on two networks owned by Cablevision Systems Corp. because of a dispute over fees between the two cable companies. In a long-term deal brokered by New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, Time Warner Inc. will return the two channels that broadcast Mets games, MSG network and Fox Sports Net New York, plus three other Fox Sports digital channels to its cable TV packages. The move happened in time for Monday night's Mets game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Time Warner had been compensating customers $2 per month during the breakdown. The agreement follows threats by New York legislators to punish both companies with fines for every day they went without an agreement. But Spitzer said the two companies agreed to the deal without the threat of force. "It's not a question of leverage; I offered a different perspective," Spitzer said of his role in the negotiations. "The credit goes to the companies." One of the New York assemblymen who had proposed the punitive legislation hailed the deal. "We are obviously pleased that we are getting the Mets back on TV," Assemblyman Michael Gianaris said. "It's a home run for Mets fans. It goes to show that when the public gets angry and rolls up its sleeves we get results." In a statement, Time Warner said additional terms of the agreement would not be disclosed. A spokesman for Cablevision did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment. Going into Monday's game, the Mets were 17-15, good for fourth place in the National League East. Copyright 2005 Newsday Inc.
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