MARTY SIGNS CABLE DEAL

BP MARKOWITZ ANNOUNCES 10-YEAR AGREEMENT BETWEEN BRIC ARTS | MEDIA | BKLYN AND TIME WARNER, CABLEVISION

Cable providers to continue broadcasting and funding Brooklyn public access TV 

On August 8, 2011, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz announced a renewed 10-year agreement in principle between BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn--which owns and operates Brooklyn Community Access Television (BCAT)--and Time Warner and Cablevision. The deal will ensure that the BCAT TV Network is available to Brooklyn customers on both cable systems and that the two providers will increase capital and operating funding for BRIC's community media programs, allowing for expanded programming, accessible media facilities and media education training for Brooklyn residents. 

"I am thrilled that this agreement will not only continue to provide Brooklynites with the high quality public access programming for which BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn has become known, but additional funding that will result in even more programming and services," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. "Bravo to BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn, Time Warner and Cablevision for supporting the important role public access programming plays in our communities, and I particularly thank my chief of staff, Carlo Scissura, for his hard work in helping to make this agreement a reality." 

"BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn is pleased that the City of New York is moving forward with new franchise agreements with Cablevision and Time Warner," said Leslie G. Schultz, executive director of BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn. "The renewal of grant agreements in Brooklyn will permit BRIC to expand the vital public access services that we provide to Brooklyn residents and to deepen our engagement with users throughout the borough. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz was essential to our negotiations with the cable companies and we are grateful for his leadership in guiding these discussions and helping to bring them to a successful conclusion for the residents of Brooklyn."   

"Cablevision is proud of our history of providing Brooklyn residents throughout our service area with access to the most advanced cable television, phone and high-speed Internet products, and of our more than 20-year record of support for Brooklyn public access programming," said Lisa Rosenblum, Cablevision's executive vice president of government and public affairs. "We are pleased to have reached an agreement that continues our support of Brooklyn's public access organization and are grateful for Brooklyn Borough President Markowitz's assistance in bringing the parties together to reach agreement."  

BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn

BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn presents contemporary art, performing arts and community media programs that reflect Brooklyn's creativity and diversity. BRIC also provides resources to launch, nurture and showcase artists and media makers. We advance access to and understanding of arts and media by presenting free and low cost programming, and by offering education and other public programs to people of all ages. Learn more at www.bricartsmedia.org .