Cablevision Systems Corp. says that its Internet and phone service

Long Island Business News, Nov 20, 2006 by David Reich-Hale

Cablevision Systems Corp. said Friday its television pricing for 2007 will rise by 1.1 percent, while the price of its Optimum Online Internet service and Optimum Voice phone service won't change at all.

The Bethpage-based company said this marked the fourth- consecutive year that Internet and phone charges have not increased.

Cablevision said its ability to add more customers helped keep prices at the same level.

"Cablevision is successful in a competitive market because our Internet access is faster, our phone service performs better and delivers much more value to the customer and our television product is far superior to satellite or telephone company TV," Patricia Gottesman, Cablevision's executive vice president of product management and marketing, said in a statement.

The company also boasted in the release that the miniscule television increase came despite a bulkier channel lineup, which now includes SportsNet New York, which carries New York Mets games. The company also added BBC World News.

Cablevision (NYSE: CVC) shares closed Friday at $27.84.