The mourning is probably over for those feeling sorry for the Dolans not getting an ok this week to take the company private.
The new news is that Cablevision will raise its rates by an average of 4.7 percent, and that means the Dolans, and other company stockholders, will be winning where it really counts--in the bank account.
After three years of increases that were below the rate of inflation, Cablevision has broken that barrier again and will reap millions from the hikes. The higher increase suggests that competition for cable tv services from Verizon and DIRECTV isn't seen as overly price sensitive, at least right now. Cablevision won't be increasing the cost of the "Triple Play" for new tv, internet and phone customers--which reflects how competitive the phone and internet markets are.
If it makes anyone feel better, there are other significant cable tv increases around the country. Here's a report on Comcast, another huge cable company:
http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcastrates101607.htm
--Noel Rubinton