Verizon Files Program Access Complaint Against Cablevision

Verizon has filed a program access complaint with the Federal Communications Commission against Cablevision, saying that the cable operator should be compelled to sell high-definition, digital programming from its Madison Square Garden Network to the telco and its FiOS multichannel video service. Verizon says the company has "intentionally and unlawfully" refused to make that unique programming available. The unique programming it is focused on includes the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabers. Verizon says that Cablevision has told analysts that its own carriage of the programming in HD is a competitive advantage.