Verizon Sued Over False Advertising on Internet Speeds

BETHPAGE, N.Y., Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) has filed a lawsuit in Federal Court seeking an end to a Verizon advertising campaign which makes intentionally false and misleading claims related to Cablevision's high-speed Internet service.

The FCC recently reported that Cablevision is delivering substantially faster Internet speeds than Verizon's ads claim they are.  In fact, Cablevision's average download speeds are in excess of 90 percent of advertised broadband speeds during peak hours of use, and are above 100 percent of advertised speeds on a 24-hour basis.  Despite being fully aware of these facts, Verizon has refused to stop running its ads.

Despite extensive communication between Cablevision and Verizon, and Verizon's knowledge that the advertising is false, the phone company has continued its campaign on television, radio, print, in direct mail and on its website.  The complaint contends that in doing so, Verizon is knowingly misleading consumers.

Cablevision has filed the lawsuit seeking immediate relief in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Just last Thursday, December 1, the advertising industry's self-policing body, the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, said Verizon should stop claiming its FiOS TV service has the best picture quality because the claim isn't supported by the evidence.

About Cablevision

Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading media and telecommunications companies. In addition to delivering its Optimum-branded cable, Internet, and voice offerings throughout the New York area, the company owns and operates cable systems serving homes in four Western states.  Cablevision's local media properties include News 12 Networks, MSG Varsity and Newsday Media Group.  Cablevision also owns and operates Clearview Cinemas.  Additional information about Cablevision is available on the Web at www.cablevision.com.

SOURCE Cablevision Systems Corporation