Cablevision (NYSE: CVC) will have to deliver HD feeds to AT&T (NYSE: T) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) of its regional sports networks, according to a new appeals court ruling.
The Second Circuit Court of Appeals panel Wednesday lifted a temporary stay it granted Nov. 23, after denying the cable company's request to review an FCC order that it supply the HD feed to U-verse and FiOS by Nov. 25.
Cablevision said it would explore its options after the ruling and said it had "raised serious concerns regarding the manipulation of federal law by Verizon and AT&T."
"In a highly competitive market like New York, consumers are best served when video providers are allowed to compete, not just on price, but on product differentiation," the MSO said in a statement. "Today's decision only serves to discourage companies from investing in unique offerings, which in the end hurts both competition and consumers."
The FCC in its decision called Cablevision's refusal to share the HD feed "unfair," and that it was "significantly hindering AT&T [and Verizon] from providing a competing video service."
For more:
- see this MCN article
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