LIU: ADMINISTRATION FAILS TO STAND UP FOR NEW YORKERS, PULLS A NO-SHOW AT IMPORTANT TWC-CBS HEARING
New York City Comptroller John C. Liu issued the following statement in response to yesterday's City Council oversight hearing on the Time Warner Cable blackout of CBS programming and Showtime:
"While I applaud the Council for holding this hearing, I am disappointed that once again Mayor Bloomberg has passed over an opportunity to fight for the people of New York City, who are the victims of the cable blackout. Although both Time Warner Cable and CBS sent representatives to respond to questions from the Council members, the Bloomberg Administration was a no-show.
"The Mayoral agency responsible for enforcing TWC's franchise with the City opted not to attend and instead submitted a statement that was read at the hearing. I am certain that the Council had many questions about the franchise agreement and the City's options for responding to the blackout, but there was no one to ask.
"Next week, the Franchise and Concession Review Committee will meet. My representative will attend the meeting and, I assure you, we will insist that FCRC take up the issue of whether or not TWC has violated its franchise agreement."
Background
Liu to Time Warner: End the Blackout Immediately
http://comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2013_releases/pr13-08-145.shtm
Liu to Time Warner and CBS: Don't Let Another Blackout Happen
http://comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2013_releases/pr13-08-144.shtm
Liu to Time Warner: No More Saber Rattling
http://comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2013_releases/pr13-07-141.shtm
Liu to TWC/CBS: Take the Threat off the Table
http://comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2013_releases/pr13-07-140.shtm
Liu to TWC/CBS: Come Together Now
http://comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2013_releases/pr13-07-135.shtm
Video release of Comptroller Liu's invitation to CBS and Time Warner Cable:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX1FYSssXPA&feature=youtu.be