ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced approval of 10-year cable television franchise agreements between two affiliated companies, Empire Video Services Corporation and North Penn Video, and the Town of Horseheads in Chemung County, a Southern Tier community of about 20,000 people.

“The availability of state-of-the-art telecommunication services is critically important for rural communities,” said Commission Chair Audrey Zibelman. “Approving these franchise agreements promotes consumer choice and provides new service offerings in the Town while enhancing competition in the telecommunication marketplace.”

The Commission has taken active steps recently to improve and strengthen consumer access to improved telecommunication services. In January, the Commission approved the merger of Time Warner Cable and Charter Communications that is dramatically improving broadband service for millions of New Yorkers and leading to more than $1 billion in direct investments and consumer benefits, while doubling broadband speeds for more than two million customers by 2018.

And in June the Commission approved the sale of Cablevision Systems Corp. to Altice N.V., a multinational cable television provider, in a deal that provides $243 million in benefits to New York consumers to upgrade the broadband infrastructure, create a new low-income broadband program, build out its network in unserved areas, and provide some $40 million of additional benefits.

In addition to taking large, landmark steps, the Commission is focused on smaller, localized actions, such as today’s announcement. On April 21, 2016, Empire Video Services of Prattsburgh, Steuben County, along with its sister company, North Penn Video, filed petitions seeking approval for a cable television franchise awarded by the Town of Horseheads, now approved.

Earlier this year, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the $500 million New NY Broadband initiative that will to deliver access to high-speed Internet to every New Yorker by the end of 2018. The initiative is a public-private partnership that will bring “last-mile” broadband services to New Yorkers and significantly expand connectivity in the most remote regions of the State. The broadband initiative is consistent with the State’s desire to increase competition and access.

The Commission’s confirmation of the cable franchise in Horseheads authorizes construction of facilities to be used for cable television service, broadband internet service, and the provision of broadcast programming. The cable lines will be generally installed on existing utility poles located in existing rights-of-way within the Town of Horseheads. The municipality is also served by Time Warner.

The fiber optic services by the companies include security, internet and phone services at greatly increased speeds and savings to town’s residents. The separate agreements were necessary in order to provide the maximum amount of video services and channels. Additional expansion of services in other communities by Empire Video is being planned. The Commission is currently reviewing cable franchise petitions for the Village of Penn Yan, Yates County, and the Village of Dansville, Livingston County.

Today’s decision may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Numbers 16-V-0232 and 16-V-0233 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.