FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   NEWS MEDIA CONTACT
February 16, 2000                            Michelle Russo: (202) 418-2358 


FCC acts on reconsideration petition and Issues Notice of Apparent
                 Liability Against CablevisioN

Washington, DC   The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today released a
Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, initiating enforcement action against Cablevision
Systems Corporation for violations of the Commission's must carry rules, specifically those
regarding channel positioning. The FCC concluded that Cablevision has been in violation of the
Communications Act and the FCC rules since February 16, 1999 and is liable for a forfeiture of
$127,500.

In 1998, television station WXTV filed a complaint with the FCC alleging violations of the
channel positioning requirement (Section 614(b)(6) of the Communications Act). WXTV is
broadcast over-the-air on channel 41 in the New York market and invoked must carry rights on
Cablevision's 38 systems in the area, requesting carriage on channel 41. In April 1999, the Cable
Services Bureau issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order finding that Cablevision was not
complying with the channel positioning requirement on 21 of the 38 systems involved. For these
21 systems, the Bureau said it would begin a separate forfeiture proceeding. On the other 17
systems, due to technical and cost considerations, the Bureau allowed Cablevision additional
time to come into compliance (180 days for 16 systems and upon rebuild for one system). 

Cablevision then filed a Petition for Reconsideration of the Bureau's order. The
company's first request was relief from literal compliance for four of its systems (for three of the
systems, there is no channel 41 on the system and thus compliance is not feasible). Second,
Cablevision asked the FCC to reconsider its decision to initiate a forfeiture proceeding. Also,
Cablevision asserted that the Commission should find that the must carry rules violate the
Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment. 

The FCC today also released an Order on Reconsideration granting in part and denying
in part Cablevision's petition. Today's order grants Cablevision's requested relief for four
systems, concludes that the Bureau was correct in initiating a forfeiture proceeding and refrains
from issuing a decision on the merits of the Fifth Amendment argument.

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The forfeiture amount of $127,500 reflects the base forfeiture for violations of the cable
broadcast signal carriage rules ($7,500) multiplied by the 17 systems in violation (21 systems
less 4 that were granted relief). Cablevision has 30 days to pay the full amount of the forfeiture
or file a response showing why the proposed forfeiture should be reduced or rescinded.

Action by the Commission, February 8, 2000, by Notice of Apparent Liability (FCC 00-41).
Chairman Kennard, Commissioners Ness, Furchtgott-Roth, Powell and Tristani.

Action by the Commission, February 10, 2000, by Order on Reconsideration (FCC 00-48).
Chairman Kennard, Commissioners Ness, Powell and Tristani with Commissioner Furchtgott-
Roth concurring and issuing a statement.

                             -FCC-
                                
Cable Services Bureau contact: Ben Golant at (202) 418-7200.