Cablevision will increase its cable television prices by $1.59 a month, or 3.2 percent, the company said. Pricing for its other services to the area, Optimum Online Internet and Optimum Voice digital voice-over-cable, will not increase in 2004. The company said the cable pricing adjustment reflects higher programming costs and increased investments in customer service and network improvements, specifically its system-wide network upgrade. Programming costs paid by Cablevision increased approximately 13 percent this year, the MSO said. The new cable prices will take effect in January or February, depending on location. In certain areas of New York's Hudson Valley, the adjustment will not take effect until June. Cablevision said it expected to complete its upgrade project by the end of this year.
