N.Y. PBS Law § 219

§ 219. Franchise requirement. 1. Notwithstanding any other law, no\ncable television system, whether or not it is deemed to occupy or use a\npublic thoroughfare, may commence operations or expand the area it\nserves unless it has been franchised by each municipality in which it\nproposes to provide or extend service.\n 2. A municipality shall have the power to require a franchise of any\ncable television system providing service within the municipality,\nnotwithstanding that said cable television system does not occupy, use\nor in any way traverse a public street. The provision of any municipal\ncharter or other law authorizing a municipality to require and grant\nfranchises is hereby enlarged and expanded, to the extent necessary, to\nauthorize such franchises.\n 3. Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent franchise\nrequirements in excess of those prescribed by the commission, unless\nsuch requirement is inconsistent with this article, any regulation,\npolicy or procedure of the commission, or federal law.\n