The YES Network is saying no to Cablevision’s new iPad app.
YES, the regional sports network for the New York Yankees and the New Jersey Nets, became the first programmer to publicly protest its inclusion in the app, which allows Cablevision’s 3 million customers to watch some 300 channels on their iPads at home.
“Cablevision does not have the right to offer the YES Network in the manner it is doing so on the iPad, and it has been notified as such,” a YES Network spokesman said.
YES is protesting its presence on the app as it would appear to compete with separate rights sold by MLB, one of the few sports leagues to pioneer digital subscriptions to its games.
Cablevision, led by CEO James Dolan, said its contracts allow it to deliver in-home access to programming.
One source said Discovery Communications, owner of Discovery and Animal Planet, had been given “consideration” for its inclusion in the app, although it’s unclear whether others have been paid.