TRENTON – Senator Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement in response to Comcast’s plan to move the YES Network’s programming of the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Nets to a more costly and less accessible viewing tier:
“This programming switch would punish fans of the Yankees and Nets who access their games on the Comcast system by making viewing more expensive and less accessible. Moving the YES package to a so-called ‘ultimate tier’ would impose a costly burden on loyal, middle-class fans in a region of passionate supporters.
“I urge Comcast to refrain from this hasty change, keep YES in the ‘basic’ package and negotiate in good faith to resolve this dispute. It should be settled without a loss of coverage or more costs to consumers. Comcast should strive to reach an agreement that ensures equal and affordable access before the first pitch is thrown at Yankee Stadium on Opening Day.”