Cablevision Offers Packages Aimed at Cord-Cutters

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 [e-mail]

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