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Common Counicl leadership asks AG to help in MSG Network dispute; potential revenue loss for city

Buffalo Common Council president Richard Fontana in Council chambers
WBFO News file photo
Buffalo Common Council president Richard Fontana in Council chambers

The newly elected leadership of the Buffalo Common Council says the dispute between the MSG Network and Time Warner Cable could mean a "significant" lose of revenues for the city. 

The leadership is calling on the New York State Attorney General's office to intervene in the impasse. 

The two sides failed to reach a deal that has stripped Buffalo Sabres hockey games from the local cable viewing. 

Common Council president Richard  Fontana, Majority leader Demone Smith and lawmaker  Bonnie Russell sent a letter Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. 

Lawmakers say they believe the dispute has the potential to cause significant fiscal harm to the City and its taxpayers.

The city receives five percent of Time Warner's gross revenue based on the number of city subscribers.

"Pursuant to a franchise agreement overseen by the NYS Public Service Commission, the City receives five percent of TWC’s gross revenue dependent upon the number of City of Buffalo subscribers to its service.In the past this agreement has contributed approximately 2.5 million dollars per year in revenue to the City. If the number of City subscribers to TWC decreases, the City will lose a significant amount of funds, consequently impacting the City’s finances and budget."