Residents need access to local TV news

To the editor,

With little notice, thousands of Bronx residents have been disenfranchised by a fight between Altice and Charter. Other than a brief note in Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz’s current newsletter, there has been little mention of Optimum customers’ loss of access to Spectrum News NY1. 

The recommendation that Altice/Optimum customers who wish to access Charter/Spectrum News NY1 should simply change providers is unrealistic. Residents of most multi-family buildings, whether rental, co-op or condo, don’t have the ability to simply select an alternative service provider. Their cable services are provided under building-wide contracts that inhibit residents’ ability to change providers.

The result of the Charter-Altice fight is the denial of access to award-winning programming that has been recognized not only for its investigative journalism covering local issues, but also for its local coverage of the consequences of broader national events.  At this time of deepening conflicts, when the sources of reliable information are increasingly hard to find, we must fight the loss of access to this local treasure.

Our elected officials must recognize their constituents have been disenfranchised, and they must do everything within their power to restore our access to this vital resource.

Diane Brook Brown