Cable Guy Stand You Up? You Could Get Credit

NEW YORK (AP) -- New York City residents could get a credit equal to a full month's bill if their cable guy doesn't show up on time.

It's part of a contract that City Hall has negotiated with Time Warner Cable and Cablevision.

Customers also could request notification when a technician is heading to their home.

Brooklyn consumer Robert Porto tells The New York Times it's "the ultimate revenge for the little guy."

A city negotiator says much of the approval process could be done by the end of the year.

Spokeswoman Harriet Novet said Time Warner Cable was "excited about a lot of the new features" in the lengthy contract.

Spokesman Jim Maiella said Cablevision looks forward to providing service in the Bronx and Brooklyn for "many years to come."