Cablevision, Wiz Announce Retail Cable Modem Program Offering Instant Home Access To Cablevision's Optimum Online High-Speed Internet Service

WIZ Launches Retail Cable Modem Program at Six Long Island Locations

BETHPAGE, NY, November 22, 1999 -- THE WIZ consumer electronics store, a division of Cablevision Systems Corporation (ASE:CVC) and the tri-state area's largest electronics retailer, announced the Long Island launch of one of the nation's first, complete retail cable modem programs. This new service is now available at THE WIZ's Bay Shore, Carle Place, Huntington, Massapequa, Tanger Mall and Valley Stream locations on Long Island, as well as its Norwalk and Milford, Connecticut locations.

This program will enable consumers living in Cablevision service areas offering high-speed Internet access to walk into THE WIZ and immediately activate an Optimum Online account and purchase a cable modem which they can install themselves at home on their PCs or Macintosh computers. Upon completion of the rollout, the program will be available at all THE WIZ locations on Long Island and in Connecticut.

THE WIZ is offering 3Com (Nasdaq:COMS) DOCSIS-certified (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications) modems. DOCSIS, a new cable industry standard, enables customers to use this modem in any DOCSIS-compliant cable system throughout the country.

"With one visit to THE WIZ, Cablevision's customers can purchase everything they need to get onto the Internet's fast lane - from high-speed Web access to a cable modem and computer equipment," said Pat Falese, senior vice president of retail business for Cablevision. "This program brings the benefits of the new DOCSIS standards directly to consumers - Internet access at their convenience for a lower monthly fee."

Bill Marginson, president and CEO of THE WIZ added, "With our connection to Cablevision and our reputation for delivering cutting-edge technology to our customers, we are breaking new ground by being the first retailer to place Internet access through a cable modem directly into the hands of consumers." He continued, "The Internet has become an integral part of people's daily lives, and this program offers customers immediate, convenient and very affordable online access."

Self Installation Means Customer Convenience and Savings

Optimum Online's monthly rate is $39.95, with a bundled service discount of $10 for households taking Cablevision's cable TV (Family level and above) or Optimum Telephone service. Providing unlimited, always-on access, without the need or expense of a second phone line, Optimum Online offers unrivaled value in today's high-speed Internet market. Additionally, customers taking advantage of this new program between now and December 31st will benefit from THE WIZ's special $200 instant rebate on the purchase of the $299 3Com cable modem CMX in conjunction with a two-year service contract.

The Optimum Online Starter Kit, available exclusively at THE WIZ, includes an installation video guide, step-by-step printed directions and a CD-ROM to walk the consumer through the installation of the modem and Optimum Online service. Staff at THE WIZ will be available to assist customers in determining their individual system requirements and hardware needs.

Cablevision will continue to offer complete installation services to customers who choose not to take advantage of the self-installation savings. Cablevision technicians will also be available to install additional cable outlets for the computer.

A complete guide to the cable modem offer is available at www.optimumonline.com.

Optimum Online Offering Pioneering Speed and Reach

Optimum Online allows users to go online at speeds up to 100 times faster than conventional dial-up modems. In addition, the absence of a second phone line fee and unlimited, always-on access delivers to consumers value far superior to other broadband Internet service providers. Besides gaining high-speed access to surf the Web, Optimum Online customers can access proprietary local and regional news outlets, sports, community bulletin boards, weather, neighborhood school news, as well as a broad range of global and national news.

State-of-the-Art Broadband Network

Cablevision continues to invest billions of dollars to build a state-of-the-art telecommunications network to deliver the extraordinary capabilities of broadband. One of the great advantages of cable's broadband technology is that a single household can simultaneously enjoy a full range of telecommunications and entertainment services. Cablevision is aggressively rebuilding its tri-state area systems to deliver these advanced services to all of its customers. Owned and operated by Cablevision, THE WIZ is the tri-state area's premier retailer of audio and video technology, music, movies, cellular service and home office equipment, operating in 40 locations with more than 30,000 products and services. The stores command 25% of the consumer electronics market in the tri-state region. Its extensive product line includes high-quality brands such as SONY, 3Com, Panasonic, RCA, Mitsubishi, Fuji, AIWA and Compaq.

Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading media, entertainment and telecommunications companies. The company's cable television operations serve more than 3.4 million customers located primarily in the New York, Boston and Cleveland metropolitan areas. Cablevision's commercial telephone service, Lightpath, delivered via the company's fiber-optic network, provides superior, facilities-based local and long distance service to business customers, while the company's Optimum Telephone and Optimum-branded high-speed Internet services meet the telecommunications needs of residential customers. Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Cablevision, manages entertainment, news and sports programming businesses. Rainbow Media's assets include ownership interests in: American Movie Classics; Bravo; Madison Square Garden, L.P.; Radio City Entertainment; and FOX Sports Net. The Company also owns and operates The Clearview Cinema Group, which features 290 motion picture theatre screens in the New York metropolitan area.

For Internet Users: Information about Cablevision Systems Corporation, as well as background on its executives and other materials are available on the World Wide Web at www.cablevision.com. Information about the retail cable modem offering is available at www.optimumonline.com.

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