CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORP
DEF 14A, 1997-05-19
CABLE & OTHER PAY TELEVISION SERVICES
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<PAGE>
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
                  Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
            the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.    )
 
    Filed by the Registrant /X/
    Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
 
    Check the appropriate box:
    / /  Preliminary Proxy Statement
    / /  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
         14a-6(e)(2))
    /X/  Definitive Proxy Statement
    / /  Definitive Additional Materials
    / /  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section240.14a-11(c) or
         Section240.14a-12
 
                              CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
/X/  No fee required.
/ /  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
     and 0-11.
     (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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     (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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/ /  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ /  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
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     previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
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<PAGE>
                        CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORPORATION
 
                    Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
                            to be held June 11, 1997
 
To the Stockholders:
 
    The annual meeting of the stockholders of Cablevision Systems Corporation
will be held at the Company's executive offices, One Media Crossways, Woodbury,
New York 11797, on Wednesday, June 11, 1997 at ten o'clock in the morning for
the following purposes:
 
    1.  To elect fifteen (15) directors, each to serve for a term of one year
       and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and
       qualified;
 
    2.  To authorize and approve the 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan;
 
    3.  To ratify and approve the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as
       independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal year 1997; and
 
    4.  To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting,
       or any adjournment thereof.
 
    Pursuant to the By-Laws, the Board of Directors has fixed the time and date
for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the
meeting as of the close of business on May 12, 1997. Accordingly, only holders
of record of issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company on such date and
at such time will be entitled to vote at the meeting, notwithstanding any
transfer of any stock on the books of the Company thereafter.
 
                                         By order of the Board of Directors,
                                          CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORPORATION
                                          Robert S. Lemle
                                          EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
                                          GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
 
Woodbury, New York
May 19, 1997
 
    If you do not expect to be present at the meeting and wish your stock to be
voted, please date, sign and mail the accompanying form of proxy as promptly as
possible in the enclosed stamped envelope.
<PAGE>
                        CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORPORATION
 
                               EXECUTIVE OFFICES
 
                              ONE MEDIA CROSSWAYS
 
                            WOODBURY, NEW YORK 11797
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
 
                            SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
 
    The accompanying proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of
Directors of Cablevision Systems Corporation (the "Company") for use at the
annual meeting of its stockholders to be held at the Company's executive
offices, on June 11, 1997 at ten o'clock in the morning and at any and all
adjournments thereof.
 
    The shares represented by the proxy will be voted at the annual meeting and
will be voted as specified on the proxy with respect to the election of
directors and with respect to Proposals (2) and (3) or, if no direction is
indicated, will be voted in favor of the election as directors of the nominees
listed below and in favor of Proposals (2) and (3). The person giving the proxy
has the power to revoke it at any time before it is voted at the annual meeting
by written notice to the Secretary of the Company, or upon request if such
person is present at the annual meeting.
 
    The cost of solicitation will be borne by the Company. The Company may use
the services of its directors, officers and other regular employees to solicit
proxies personally or by telephone, and may request brokers, fiduciaries,
custodians and nominees to send proxies, proxy statements and other material to
their principals at the expense of the Company. This proxy statement and the
accompanying proxy are being sent to the stockholders of the Company on or about
May 19, 1997. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Company's fiscal
year ended December 31, 1996 is enclosed herewith.
 
                                 VOTING RIGHTS
 
    Pursuant to the By-Laws, the Board of Directors has fixed the time and date
for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the
meeting as of the close of business on May 12, 1997. Accordingly, only holders
of record of Common Stock of the Company on such date and at such time will be
entitled to vote at the meeting, notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on
the books of the Company thereafter. On March 31, 1997, the Company had
outstanding 13,587,151 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share,
each of which entitled the holder to one vote, and 11,254,709 shares of Class B
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, each of which entitled the holder to ten
votes.
 
    Charles F. Dolan, the Chairman of the Company, and trusts for the benefit of
members of his family, together beneficially own shares of capital stock of the
Company having the power to elect as directors the eleven persons nominated by
the Board of Directors for election by holders of Class B Common Stock, which
directors would constitute a majority of the Board of Directors, and to
authorize and approve Proposals (2) and (3).
 
    In accordance with the Company's confidential voting policy, all
stockholders proxies, ballots and voting materials will be confidentially
inspected and tabulated by independent inspectors of election and will not be
disclosed to the Company except under certain limited circumstances.
 
                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
    The Board of Directors of the Company met, or acted by written consent in
lieu of meeting, eighteen times in 1996 and presently consists of 15 members, 8
of whom are officers of the Company or its subsidiaries.
 
BOARD COMMITTEES
 
    The Board of Directors has an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee and a
Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors does not have a nominating
committee.
<PAGE>
    The Executive Committee consists of Messrs. Tatta, Bell, Lustgarten, Lemle
and James Dolan. The Executive Committee is authorized to exercise, between
meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers thereof except as limited by
Delaware law and except for certain specified exceptions including authorization
of contracts with officers or directors, significant acquisitions, investments
or guarantees, entering new businesses, the approval of operating budgets or the
issuance of capital stock. The Executive Committee met, or acted by written
consent in lieu of meeting, three times in 1996.
 
    The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors consists of Messrs. Hochman
and Oristano. The functions of the Audit Committee are to review and report to
the Board of Directors with respect to selection and the terms of engagement of
the Company's independent public accountants, and to maintain communications
among the Board of Directors, such independent public accountants and the
Company's internal accounting staff with respect to accounting and audit
procedures, the implementation of recommendations by such independent public
accountants, the adequacy of the Company's internal audit controls and related
matters. The Audit Committee met two times in 1996.
 
    The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Oristano, Hochman and Tatta.
The functions of the Compensation Committee are (i) to represent the Board in
discharging its responsibilities with respect to the Company's employee stock
plan and, in doing so, to administer such plans with regard to, among other
things, the determination of eligibility of employees, the granting of stock,
SARs and/or options, and the termination of such plans and (ii) to determine the
appropriate levels of compensation, including salaries, bonuses, stock and
option rights and retirement benefits for members of the Company's senior
management, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. A subcommittee of
the Compensation Committee consisting of Messrs. Oristano and Hochman, has
exclusive authority and responsibility for, and with respect to, any grants or
awards under the Company's employee stock plans to any executive officer of the
Company, and to the Company's other most senior employees. The Compensation
Committee met, or acted by written consent in lieu of meeting, five times in
1996.
 
    Each member of the Board of Directors participated in not less than 75% of
the aggregate number of meetings or consents in lieu of meeting of the Board of
Directors and of each Board committee of which he or she was a member, during
1996.
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
    Directors who are not employees are paid a fee of $20,000 per year for
services rendered in that capacity, a fee of $1,000 for each meeting attended in
person and a fee of $500 for each meeting participated in by telephone. Members
of the Audit Committee and members of the Compensation Committee who are not
officers of the Company are paid a fee of $1,000 for each meeting attended in
person and a fee of $500 for each meeting participated in by telephone.
Non-employee members of the Board of Directors who serve on the Cablevision
Employee Benefit Plans Investment Committee receive a fee of $1,000 for each
meeting attended in person and a fee of $500 for each meeting participated in by
telephone.
 
    John Tatta, a non-employee director, has a consulting agreement with the
Company expiring in 1998 which provides for an annual consulting fee of
$485,000, reimbursement of certain expenses and the continuation of certain life
insurance and supplemental pension benefits provided to him when he was an
employee. Pursuant to this consulting agreement, under which Mr. Tatta assists
senior management of the Company in strategic planning and performs special
projects relating to the Company's business, Mr. Tatta is to provide not more
than 50 percent of his professional time to the Company.
 
                           (1) ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
    With respect to the election of directors, the Certificate of Incorporation
of the Company provides that holders of Class A Common Stock, voting as a
separate class, are entitled to elect 25% of the total number of directors
constituting the whole Board and, if such 25% is not a whole number, then the
holders
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
of Class A Common Stock are entitled to elect the nearest higher whole number of
directors that is at least 25% of the total number of directors. Holders of
Class B Common Stock, voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect the
remaining directors. Under the Company's By-Laws, the Board of Directors is to
consist of at least three members, the exact number to be fixed by the Board.
The Board has set the number of Directors to be elected at the annual meeting at
fifteen directors, four of whom are to be elected by the holders of Class A
Common Stock and eleven of whom are to be elected by the holders of Class B
Common Stock, to hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and
until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified. The four
Class A Directors of the Company are elected by the favorable vote of a
plurality of the shares of Class A Common Stock present in person or represented
by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of Directors. The
eleven Class B Directors of the Company are elected by the favorable vote of a
plurality of the shares of Class B Common Stock present in person or represented
by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of Directors.
 
    All proxies received by the Board of Directors from holders of Class A
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock will be voted for the election of the
respective directors hereinafter shown as the nominees of each such respective
class of Common Stock, if no direction to the contrary is given. In the event
that any nominee is unable or declines to serve, the proxy solicited herewith
may be voted for the election of another person in his or her stead. The Board
of Directors knows of no reason to anticipate that this will occur. Abstentions
from voting and broker non-votes (that is, shares held for customers of a broker
but not voted because of a lack of instructions from the broker's customers)
will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors.
 
    The following table sets forth information at April 1, 1997 as to the
nominees for election as directors of the Company.
 
            NOMINEES FOR ELECTION BY HOLDERS OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION                  DIRECTOR
                                                                          AND POSITION(S) WITH                CONTINUOUSLY
NAME OF NOMINEE                                     AGE                       THE COMPANY                         SINCE
- ----------------------------------------------      ---      ----------------------------------------------  ---------------
<S>                                             <C>          <C>                                             <C>
Charles D. Ferris.............................          63   Director; Member, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris,
                                                             Glovsky & Popeo, P.C., Attorneys                        1985
Richard H. Hochman (1)(2).....................          51   Director; Managing Partner of Regent Capital
                                                             Partners, L.P.                                          1986
Victor Oristano (1)(2)........................          80   Director; Chairman of Alda Limited Partners             1985
Vincent Tese..................................          54   Director; Director of The Bear Stearns
                                                             Companies, Inc.                                         1996
</TABLE>
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
            NOMINEES FOR ELECTION BY HOLDERS OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION                  DIRECTOR
                                                                          AND POSITION(S) WITH                CONTINUOUSLY
NAME OF NOMINEE                                     AGE                       THE COMPANY                         SINCE
- ----------------------------------------------      ---      ----------------------------------------------  ---------------
<S>                                             <C>          <C>                                             <C>
Charles F. Dolan..............................          70   Chairman and Director                                   1985
James L. Dolan (3)............................          41   Chief Executive Officer and Director                    1991
William J. Bell (3)...........................          57   Vice Chairman and Director                              1985
Marc A. Lustgarten (3)........................          50   Vice Chairman and Director                              1985
Robert P. May.................................          47   Chief Operating Officer and Director                    1996
Robert S. Lemle (3)...........................          44   Executive Vice President, General Counsel,
                                                             Secretary and Director                                  1988
Sheila A. Mahony..............................          55   Senior Vice President and Director                      1988
Patrick F. Dolan..............................          45   Director and Vice President of News                     1991
John Tatta (2)(3).............................          76   Chairman of the Executive Committee and
                                                             Director                                                1985
Francis F. Randolph, Jr.......................          69   Director                                                1985
Daniel T. Sweeney.............................          67   Director                                                1985
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Member of the Audit Committee.
 
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee.
 
(3) Member of the Executive Committee.
 
                DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
 
    The following table sets forth the directors and executive officers of the
Company as of April 1, 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                   AGE                                      POSITION
- ---------------------------------      ---      ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>          <C>
Charles F. Dolan.................          70   Chairman and Director
James L. Dolan...................          41   Chief Executive Officer and Director
William J. Bell..................          57   Vice Chairman and Director
Marc A. Lustgarten...............          50   Vice Chairman and Director
Robert P. May....................          47   Chief Operating Officer and Director
Robert S. Lemle..................          44   Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and Director
Margaret Albergo.................          43   Senior Vice President, Planning and Performance
Joseph W. Cece...................          44   Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning
Thomas C. Dolan..................          44   Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Sheila A. Mahony.................          55   Senior Vice President and Director
Barry J. O'Leary.................          53   Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
Andrew B. Rosengard..............          39   Senior Vice President and Controller
Patrick F. Dolan.................          45   Vice President of News and Director
John Tatta.......................          76   Chairman of the Executive Committee and Director
Charles D. Ferris................          63   Director
Richard H. Hochman...............          51   Director
Victor Oristano..................          80   Director
Francis F. Randolph, Jr. ........          69   Director
Daniel T. Sweeney................          67   Director
Vincent Tese.....................          54   Director
</TABLE>
 
    All directors hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders of the
Company next following their election and until their successors are elected and
qualified. All executive officers are elected to serve until the meeting of the
Board of Directors following the next annual meeting of stockholders and until
their successors have been elected and qualified.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
    Information with respect to the business experience and affiliations of the
directors and executive officers of the Company is set forth below.
 
    Charles F. Dolan--Chairman and Director of the Company since 1985. Chief
Executive Officer of the Company from 1985 to October 1995. Founded and acted as
the General Partner of the Company's predecessor from 1973 until 1985.
Established Manhattan Cable Television in 1961 and Home Box Office in 1971.
Charles F. Dolan is the father of James L. Dolan, Patrick F. Dolan and Thomas C.
Dolan.
 
    James L. Dolan--Chief Executive Officer of the Company since October 1995
and Director of the Company since 1991. Chief Executive Officer of Rainbow
Programming Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, from September 1992 to
October 1995. Vice President of the Company from 1987 to September 1992.
Director of Advertising Sales from 1985 to September 1992. Manager of
Advertising Sales from 1983 to 1985. James L. Dolan is the son of Charles F.
Dolan and the brother of Patrick F. Dolan and Thomas C. Dolan.
 
    William J. Bell--Vice Chairman and Director of the Company since 1985.
Joined the Company's predecessor in 1979. Mr. Bell is a member of the Board of
Governors of the American Stock Exchange.
 
    Marc A. Lustgarten--Director of the Company since 1985. Vice Chairman of the
Company since 1989. Executive Vice President of the Company from 1985 to 1989.
 
    Robert P. May--Chief Operating Officer and Director of the Company since
October 1996. President of Towne Holdings, Inc. from March 1996 to August 1996.
Senior Vice President and member of the Board of Directors of Intelligent
Electronics from 1993 to 1995. Senior Vice President of Federal Express
Corporation from 1987 through 1993.
 
    Robert S. Lemle--Director of the Company since 1988. Executive Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary since February 1994. Senior Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company from 1986 to February
1994 and Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company from 1985
to 1986.
 
    Margaret Albergo--Senior Vice President, Planning and Performance of the
Company since October 1996. Senior Vice President, Operations of Rainbow
Programming Holdings, Inc. from August 1995 to October 1996. Vice President,
Corporate Development of Rainbow Programming Holdings, Inc. from 1993 until
August 1995. Director of Operations and Administration of News 12 Long Island
from 1991 to 1993.
 
    Joseph W. Cece--Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning of the Company
since February 1996. President and Chief Operating Officer of Cablevision
Lightpath, Inc. from January 1994 to February 1996. Vice President, New Business
of the Company from September 1993 to January 1994. President and Publisher of
T.V. Guide from October 1988 to August 1993.
 
    Thomas C. Dolan--Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the
Company since February 1996. Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the
Company from July 1994 to February 1996. General Manager of the Company's East
End Long Island cable system from November 1991 through July 1994. Thomas C.
Dolan is the son of Charles F. Dolan and the brother of Patrick F. Dolan and
James L. Dolan.
 
    Sheila A. Mahony--Director of the Company since 1988. Senior Vice President
of the Company since June 1995. Vice President of Government Relations and
Public Affairs of the Company and its predecessor from 1980 to June 1995.
 
    Barry J. O'Leary--Senior Vice President, Finance of the Company since 1986.
Vice President of the Company from 1985 to 1986 and Treasurer of the Company
since December 1985. Prior to joining the Company's predecessor in 1984, Mr.
O'Leary spent sixteen years with Toronto-Dominion Bank. From 1980 to 1984 he was
Vice President of its USA Division.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
    Andrew B. Rosengard--Senior Vice President and Controller of the Company
since February 1996. Senior Vice President, Finance for Rainbow Programming
Holdings, Inc. from 1990 to February 1996. Vice President, Finance and
Administration of Rainbow Programming Holdings, Inc. from 1988 to 1990. Prior to
joining Rainbow Programming Holdings, Inc. in 1986, Mr. Rosengard was director
of planning, business development and research of CBS Broadcasting Group, CBS,
Inc.
 
    Patrick F. Dolan--Director of the Company since August 1991. Vice President
of News since September 1995. News Director of News 12 Long Island, a subsidiary
of the company, from December 1991 to September 1995. Producer of Special
Projects of News 12 Long Island from January 1990 to December 1991 and Special
Projects Director of News 12 Long Island from May 1989 to January 1990. Patrick
F. Dolan is the son of Charles F. Dolan and the brother of James L. Dolan and
Thomas C. Dolan.
 
    John Tatta--Director of the Company since 1985. Chairman of the Executive
Committee of the Company and consultant to the Company since January 1992.
President of the Company from 1985 through December 1991. Chief Operating
Officer of the Company from 1985 to 1989.
 
    Charles D. Ferris--Director of the Company since 1985. Member of the law
firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. since 1981. Chairman
of the FCC from October 1977 until April 1981.
 
    Richard H. Hochman--Director of the Company since 1986. Managing Partner of
Regent Capital Partners, L.P. since April 1995. Managing Director of PaineWebber
Incorporated from 1990 to April 1995.
 
    Victor Oristano--Director of the Company since 1985. Chairman of Alda
Limited Partners, a holding company which has built and operated cable
television systems in Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and England
since 1966. Mr. Oristano is also a member of the Board of Directors of People's
Choice TV, Corp.
 
    Francis F. Randolph, Jr.--Director of the Company since 1985. Vice Chairman
of the Company from 1985 to 1994.
 
    Daniel T. Sweeney--Director of the Company since 1985. Senior Vice President
of the Company from 1985 through June 1995.
 
    Vincent Tese--Director of the Company since July 1996. Director of The Bear
Stearns Companies, Inc. since December 1994. Chairman of Wireless Cable
International, Inc. since July 1995. Chairman of Cross Country Wireless from
December 1994 to July 1995. Mr. Tese served as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of the New York State Urban Development Corporation from 1985 to 1987,
and as Director of Economic Development for New York State from 1987 to December
1994. Mr. Tese also serves on the Board of Directors of Quintel Entertainment,
Inc., Custodial Trust Company and Bowne & Co., Inc.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
    The following table sets forth (i) the number and percent of shares of Class
A and Class B Common Stock owned of record and beneficially as of March 31, 1997
by each director and each executive officer of the Company named in the summary
compensation table below and (ii) the name, address and the number and percent
of shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock owned of record and beneficially
by persons beneficially owning more than five (5%) percent of any class.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              COMBINED VOTING
                                                                                       CLASS A & CLASS B         POWER OF
                                                CLASS A               CLASS B                                CLASS A & CLASS B
                                              COMMON STOCK          COMMON STOCK          COMMON STOCK         COMMON STOCK
                                              BENEFICIALLY          BENEFICIALLY          BENEFICIALLY         BENEFICIALLY
NAME AND ADDRESS                                OWNED(1)           OWNED (1) (2)          OWNED (1)(2)         OWNED (1)(2)
- ----------------------------------------  --------------------  --------------------  --------------------  -------------------
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Charles F. Dolan(3)(4)..................    331,618       2.4%  6,234,281      55.4%  6,565,899      26.4%           49.7%
  One Media Crossways
  Woodbury, NY 11797
The Capital Group Companies, Inc.(5)....  2,008,970      14.8%     --         --      2,008,970       8.1%            1.6%
  Capital Research and Management
  Company(5)
  Capital Guardian Trust Company(5)
  333 South Hope Street
  Los Angeles, CA 90071
The Equitable Companies, Incorporated
  (6)...................................  2,392,383      17.6%     --         --      2,392,383       9.6%            1.9%
  787 Seventh Avenue
  New York, NY 10019
Gabelli Funds, Inc.(7)..................  3,779,329      28.7%     --         --      3,779,329      15.2%            3.0%
GAMCO Investors, Inc.(7)
  One Corporate Center
  Rye, NY 10580
John Tatta(8)...........................     20,000      *         --         --         20,000      *               *
William J. Bell(9)(10)..................    116,349      *         --         --        116,349      *               *
Francis F. Randolph, Jr.(11)............     58,500      *         --         --         58,500      *               *
Robert S. Lemle (9) (10)................     93,957      *         --         --         93,957      *               *
Marc Lustgarten (9) (10)................    122,063      *         --         --        122,063      *               *
Sheila A. Mahony (10)...................     21,337      *         --         --         21,337      *               *
Robert P. May...........................        200      *         --         --            200      *               *
Daniel T. Sweeney (10)..................     31,351      *         --         --         31,351      *               *
Charles D. Ferris (12)..................      9,000      *         --         --          9,000      *               *
Richard H. Hochman (12).................     10,094      *         --         --         10,094      *               *
Victor Oristano (12)(13)................      9,000      *         --         --          9,000      *               *
James L. Dolan (10)(14)(22)(23).........     14,688      *        745,241       6.6%    759,927       3.0%            5.9%
Patrick F. Dolan (10)(15)(20)(24).......      4,100      *        817,410       7.3%    821,510       3.3%            6.5%
Thomas C. Dolan (10)(16)(21)(25)(26)....      4,017      *        663,686       5.9%    667,703       2.7%            5.3%
Vincent Tese(12)........................      2,500      *         --         --          2,500      *               *
All executive officers and directors as
  a group (20 persons)(3)(4)(8)(9)(10)
  (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(20)(21)(22)
  (23)(24)(25)(26)......................    902,287       6.4%  8,460,618      75.2%  9,362,905      37.1%           67.6%
Paul J. Dolan(17)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)...      1,700      *      1,894,063      16.8%  1,895,752       7.6%           15.0%
  100 Corporate Place Suite 150
  Chardon, OH 44024
Kathleen M. Dolan(17)(23)...............      1,000      *        716,741       6.4%    717,741       2.9%            5.7%
  One Media Crossways
  Woodbury, NY 11797
Mary S. Dolan(18)(20)...................      2,500      *        597,401       5.3%    599,901       2.4%            4.7%
  300 So. Riverside Plaza
  Suite 1480
  Chicago, IL 60606
Deborah A. Dolan(18)(24)................      1,000      *        816,741       7.3%    817,741       3.3%            6.5%
  One Media Crossways
  Woodbury, NY 11797
</TABLE>
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              COMBINED VOTING
                                                                                       CLASS A & CLASS B         POWER OF
                                                CLASS A               CLASS B                                CLASS A & CLASS B
                                              COMMON STOCK          COMMON STOCK          COMMON STOCK         COMMON STOCK
                                              BENEFICIALLY          BENEFICIALLY          BENEFICIALLY         BENEFICIALLY
NAME AND ADDRESS                                OWNED(1)           OWNED (1) (2)          OWNED (1)(2)         OWNED (1)(2)
- ----------------------------------------  --------------------  --------------------  --------------------  -------------------
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Matthew J. Dolan(19)(21)................      1,500      *        597,401       5.3%    598,901       2.4%            4.7%
  231 Main Street
  Court House Annex
  Chardon, OH 44024
Marianne E. Weber(19)(25)(26)...........      1,000      *        654,855       5.8%    655,855       2.6%            5.2%
  One Media Crossways
  Woodbury, NY 11797
John MacPherson(27).....................     43,000      *      1,883,074      16.7%  1,936,074       7.8%           14.9%
  21 Old Town Lane
  Halesite, NY 10019
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 
(1) Beneficial ownership of a security consists of sole or shared voting power
    (including the power to vote or direct the vote) and/or sole or shared
    investment power (including the power to dispose or direct the disposition)
    with respect to the security through any contract, arrangement,
    understanding, relationship or otherwise. Unless indicated, beneficial
    ownership disclosed consists of sole voting and investment power. Beneficial
    ownership of Class A Common Stock is exclusive of the shares of Class A
    Common Stock that are issuable upon conversion of shares of Class B Common
    Stock.
 
(2) Class B Common Stock is convertible into Class A Common Stock at the option
    of the holder on a share for share basis. The holder of one share of Class A
    Common Stock is entitled to one vote at a meeting of stockholders of the
    Company, and the holder of one share of Class B Common Stock is entitled to
    ten votes at a meeting of stockholders of the Company except in the election
    of directors.
 
(3) Includes 247,475 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by the Dolan Family
    Foundation, a New York not-for-profit corporation, the sole members of which
    are Charles Dolan and his wife, Helen A. Dolan. Neither Mr. Dolan nor Mrs.
    Dolan has an economic interest in such shares, but Mr. Dolan and his wife
    share the ultimate power to vote and dispose of such shares. Under certain
    rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, so long as Mr. Dolan and
    his wife retain such powers, each of Mr. Dolan and his wife is deemed to
    have beneficial ownership thereof. Also includes 5,000 shares of Class A
    Common Stock owned directly by Mrs. Dolan. The number of shares held as
    indicated includes 67,838 shares resulting from the assumed conversion of
    183,000 shares of 8.5% Series I Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock
    ("Series I Preferred Stock") (0.37070 shares of common stock for each share
    of Series I Preferred Stock).
 
(4) Does not include an aggregate 4,981,928 shares of Class B Common Stock held
    by trusts for the benefit of Dolan family interests (the "Dolan Family
    Trusts"). The Dolan Family Trusts also own an aggregate of 94,026 shares of
    Series C Preferred Stock which, commencing on December 30, 1997, may be
    converted by the Company into shares of Class B Common Stock, in lieu of
    redeeming such shares for cash. Mr. Dolan disclaims beneficial ownership of
    the shares owned by the Dolan Family Trusts, in that he has neither voting
    nor investment power with respect to such shares.
 
(5) The Company has been informed that certain operating subsidiaries of The
    Capital Group Companies, Inc., exercised investment discretion over various
    institutional accounts which held as of December 31, 1996, 2,008,970 shares
    of Class A common stock. Capital Guardian Trust Company, a bank, and one of
    such operating companies, exercised investment discretion over 751,210 of
    such shares. Capital Research and Management Company, a registered
    investment adviser has investment discretion with respect to 1,184,660 of
    such shares. The number of shares held as indicated includes 549,370 shares
    resulting from the assumed conversion of 1,482,000 shares of Series I
    Preferred Stock (0.37070 shares of common stock for each share of Series I
    Preferred Stock).
 
(6) The Company has been informed that certain operating subsidiaries of The
    Equitable Companies Incorporated exercise sole investment discretion over
    various institutional accounts which own 2,392,383 shares of Class A Common
    Stock, and that such operating subsidiaries exercise sole voting power with
    respect to 1,980,433 of such shares and sole dispositive power with respect
    to all of such shares. The number of shares held as indicated includes
    938,083 shares resulting from the assumed conversion of 2,530,572 shares of
    Series I Preferred Stock (0.37070 shares of common stock for each share of
    Series I Preferred Stock).
 
(7) The Company has been informed that certain operating subsidiaries of Gabelli
    Funds, Inc., ("GFI") beneficially held, or exercise investment discretion
    over various institutional accounts which beneficially held as of March 7,
    1997, an aggregate of 3,779,329 shares of Class A Common Stock, including
    approximately 24,745 shares of Class A Common Stock that may be obtained
    upon conversion of shares of Series I Preferred Stock held by such entities
    on such date. The Company has been informed that GAMCO Investors, Inc., an
    investment advisor registered under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 and
    a wholly-owned subsidiary of GFI, held sole dispositive power over 2,951,450
    of such shares and sole voting power over 2,809,350 of such shares.
 
(8) Does not include 40,000 shares of Class A Common Stock held by the Tatta
    Family Group. The Tatta Family Group is a New York limited partnership, the
    general partners of which are six trusts for the benefit of Tatta family
    interests (the co-trustees of each of which are Stephen A. Carb, Esq. and
    either Deborah T. DeCabia or Lisa T. Crowley, each a daughter of John Tatta
    who
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
    has been a director since 1985 and was the President of the Company from
    1985 until 1991), and the limited partners of which are trusts for the
    benefit of Mr. Tatta and Tatta family interests (the trustee of each of
    which is Stephen A. Carb, Esq.). Mr. Tatta, who, as of April 1, 1995, was
    the holder of 20,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, disclaims beneficial
    ownership of the stock beneficially owned by trusts for the benefit of his
    family, in that he has neither voting nor investment power with respect to
    such shares.
 
(9) Includes shares owned by children of the individuals listed, which shares
    represent less than 1% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock.
 
(10) Includes shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options
    granted pursuant to the Company's First Amended and Restated 1996 Employee
    Stock Plan or its predecessor plans which on April 1, 1997 were unexercised
    but were exercisable within a period of 60 days from that date. These
    amounts include the following number of shares for the following
    individuals: Mr. James Dolan 13,688; Mr. Bell 116,050; Mr. Lemle 93,733; Mr.
    Lustgarten 121,050; Ms. Mahony 21,191; Mr. Sweeney 14,800; Mr. Patrick Dolan
    2,200 and Mr. Thomas Dolan 3,017; all executive officers and directors as a
    group 422,264. Certain of these options held by Messrs. Bell, Lustgarten and
    Lemle may be exercised only when the Fair Market Value (as defined) of a
    share of Class A Common Stock exceeds $67.80. These Options (which are
    included in the aggregate option amounts set forth above in this footnote
    (10)) are as follows: Mr. Bell 75,000, Mr. Lustgarten 80,000 and Mr. Lemle
    60,000. Certain of these options held by Ms. Mahony, Mr. Patrick Dolan, Mr.
    Thomas Dolan, and other executive officers, may be exercised only when the
    Fair Market Value (as defined) of a share of Class A Common Stock exceeds
    $59.375. These options (which are included in the aggregate option amounts
    set forth above in this footnote (10)) are as follows: Ms. Mahony 2,500; Mr.
    Patrick Dolan 1,562; Mr. Thomas Dolan 1,375; all executive officers and
    directors as a group 16,373.
 
(11) Includes 500 shares of Class A Common Stock held by The Utopia Fund and 500
    shares of Class A Common Stock held by The Sarah Tod Fund. The Utopia Fund
    and The Sarah Tod Fund are both private charitable trusts of which Mr.
    Randolph is the sole trustee. Mr. Randolph disclaims beneficial ownership of
    the shares of Class A Common Stock held by The Utopia Fund and The Sarah Tod
    Fund in that neither Mr. Randolph nor any member of his immediate family has
    a vested interest in the income or corpus of such trusts.
 
(12) Includes shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options
    granted pursuant to the Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee
    Directors, which on April 1, were unexercised but were exercisable within a
    period of 60 days from that date. These amounts include the following number
    of shares for the following individuals: Mr. Ferris 8,000; Mr. Hochman
    8,000; Mr. Oristano 8,000; Mr. Tese 2,500.
 
(13) The shares listed are owned by Alda Investment Company, a Florida
    partnership consisting of members of the Oristano family.
 
(14) Includes 28,500 shares of Class B Common Stock owned by trusts for minor
    children as to which James L. Dolan disclaims beneficial ownership. Also
    includes 716,741 shares of Class B Common Stock held by two family trusts of
    which James L. Dolan is a contingent beneficiary and a co-trustee, as to
    which James L. Dolan disclaims beneficial ownership, which shares are also
    described in footnotes (22) and (23).
 
(15) Includes 9,500 shares of Class B Common Stock owned by trust for a minor
    child as to which Patrick F. Dolan disclaims beneficial ownership. Also
    includes 807,910 shares of Class B Common Stock held by two family trusts of
    which Patrick Dolan is a contingent beneficiary and a co-trustee, as to
    which Patrick F. Dolan disclaims beneficial ownership, which shares are also
    described in footnotes (20) and (24).
 
(16) Includes 663,686 shares of Class B Common Stock held by three family trusts
    of which Thomas C. Dolan is a contingent beneficiary and a co-trustee, as to
    which Thomas C. Dolan disclaims beneficial ownership, which shares are also
    described in footnotes (21) (25) and (26).
 
(17) Includes 303,116 shares of Class B Common Stock held by the DC Kathleen
    Trust, the co-trustees of which are Kathleen Dolan and Paul Dolan.
 
(18) Includes 303,116 shares of Class B Common Stock held by the DC Deborah
    Trust, the co-trustees of which are Deborah Dolan and Mary Dolan.
 
(19) Includes 294,285 shares of Class B Common Stock held by the DC Marianne
    Trust, the co-trustees of which are Marianne E. Weber and Matthew Dolan.
 
(20) Includes 294,285 shares of Class B Common Stock held by the DC Patrick
    Trust, the co-trustees of which are Patrick Dolan and Mary Dolan.
 
(21) Includes 303,116 shares of Class B Common Stock held by the DC Thomas
    Trust, the co-trustees of which are Thomas Dolan and Matthew Dolan.
 
(22) Includes 303,116 shares of Class B Common Stock held by the DC James Trust,
    the co-trustees of which are James Dolan and Paul Dolan.
 
(23) Includes 413,625 shares of Class B Common Stock held by the Dolan
    Descendants Trust, the co-trustees of which are James Dolan, Kathleen Dolan
    and Paul Dolan.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
(24) Includes 513,625 shares of Class B Common Stock held by the Dolan Progeny
    Trust, the co-trustees of which are Patrick Dolan, Deborah Dolan and Paul
    Dolan.
 
(25) Includes 307,625 shares of Class B Common Stock held by the Dolan
    Grandchildren Trust, the co-trustees of which are Thomas Dolan, Marianne E.
    Weber and Paul Dolan.
 
(26) Includes 52,945 shares of Class B Common Stock held by the Dolan Spouse
    Trust, the co-trustees of which are Thomas Dolan, Marianne E. Weber and Paul
    Dolan.
 
(27) Includes an aggregate of 1,883,074 shares of Class B Common Stock held by
    various trusts for the benefit of family members of Charles F. Dolan's
    family for which Mr. MacPherson serves as Trustee and, in such capacity,
    exercises sole voting power and dispositive power with respect to such
    shares. Such trusts also own an aggregate of 38,724 shares of Series C
    Preferred Stock.
 
                         ------------------------------
 
    The Dolan family interests (other than Charles Dolan) have agreed with the
Company that in the case of any sale or disposition by Dolan family interests
(other than Charles Dolan) of shares of Class B Common Stock to a holder other
than Charles Dolan or Dolan family interests, the Class B Common Stock will be
converted on the basis of one share of Class A Common Stock for each share of
Class B Common Stock.
 
    Charles Dolan and trusts for the benefit of members of his family, by virtue
of their ownership of Class B common stock, are able collectively to control
stockholder decisions on matters in which holders of Class A and Class B common
stock vote together as a class, and to elect 75% of the Company's Board of
Directors.
 
    REGISTRATION RIGHTS.  The Company has granted to each of Charles Dolan,
certain Dolan family interests and the Dolan Family Foundation the right to
require the Company to register, at any time prior to the death of both Mr.
Dolan and his wife, the shares of Class A Common Stock held by them provided
that the shares requested to be registered shall have an aggregate market value
of at least $3,000,000. There is no limitation on the number or frequency of the
registrations that such parties can demand pursuant to the preceding sentence.
After the death of both Mr. Dolan and his wife, such parties will be permitted
one additional registration. In addition, the Company has granted such parties
"piggyback" rights pursuant to which they may require the Company to register
their holdings of Class A Common Stock on any registration statement under the
Act with respect to an offering by the Company or any security holder thereof
(other than a registration statement on Form S-8, S-4, S-15 or any successor
form thereto).
 
    The Company has granted Mr. Tatta and certain Tatta family interests the
right to require the Company, on any date, with the consent of Charles Dolan,
his widow or the representative of the estate of Mr. Dolan or his wife, to
register the shares of Class A Common Stock held by them provided that the
shares requested to be registered have an aggregate market value of at least
$3,000,000. After the death of both Charles Dolan and his wife, such parties
will be permitted to demand only one registration. Such parties have also been
granted piggyback registration rights identical to those described above,
provided that in certain instances they receive written consent of Mr. Dolan,
his widow or the representative of the estate of Mr. Dolan or his wife.
 
    Pursuant to an Agreement of Sale and Assignment, dated as of February 14,
1989 among the A. Jerrold Perenchio Living Trust (the "Perenchio Trust"), the
Company, Mr. Tatta and certain Tatta family interests, the Perenchio Trust was
assigned registration rights with respect to the 270,000 shares of Class A
Common Stock purchased under such agreement. In connection with an option
granted to Mr. Randolph to acquire 840,000 shares of Class A Common Stock
pursuant to the Company's 1986 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan, the Company
granted to Mr. Randolph a limited right to require the Company to register such
shares. Pursuant to these agreements, in 1990 the Company filed a registration
statement on Form S-3 with respect to these shares and has agreed to use its
best efforts to keep such registration statement continuously effective until
such time as all the shares covered thereby have been publicly sold.
 
    The demand and piggyback registration rights described above are subject to
certain limitations which are intended to prevent undue interference with the
Company's ability to distribute securities.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
                             CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
 
    Charles Dolan and certain other principal officers of the Company and
various affiliates of the Company are subject to certain conflicts of interest.
These conflicts include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
    BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.  Charles Dolan may from time to time be presented
with business opportunities which would be suitable for the Company and
affiliates of the Company in which Mr. Dolan and his family have varying
interests. Mr. Dolan has agreed that he will own and operate cable television
systems only through the Company, except for cable television systems owned and
operated under franchises held by Mr. Dolan or affiliates of Mr. Dolan as of
January 27, 1986, any expansions of such systems within the same county or an
adjacent county, and systems which the Company elects not to acquire under its
right of first refusal. Except for any such expansions, Mr. Dolan will offer to
the Company the opportunity to acquire or invest in any cable television system
or franchise therefor or interest therein that is offered or available to him or
his family interests. If a majority of the members of the Board of Directors,
who are not employees of the Company or any of its affiliates (the "Independent
Directors") rejects such offer, Mr. Dolan or such family interests may acquire
or invest in such cable television system or franchise therefor or interest
therein individually or with others on terms no more favorable to Mr. Dolan than
those offered to the Company. Mr. Dolan's interests in companies other than the
Company, may conflict with his interest in the Company.
 
    Except for the limitations on the ownership and operation of cable
television systems as described above, Mr. Dolan is not subject to any
contractual limitations with respect to his other business activities and may
engage in programming and other businesses related to cable television. A
significant portion of Mr. Dolan's time may be spent, from time to time, in the
management of such affiliates. Mr. Dolan will devote as much of his time to the
business of the Company as is reasonably required to fulfill the duties of his
office. During 1996, substantially all of Mr. Dolan's professional time was
devoted to the business of the Company.
 
    In the event that Charles Dolan or any Dolan family interest decides to
offer (other than to any Dolan family interest or an entity affiliated with Mr.
Dolan) for sale for his, her or its account any of his, her or its ownership
interest in any cable television system or franchise therefor, he, she or it
will (subject to the rights of third parties existing at such time) offer such
interest to the Company. Mr. Dolan or such Dolan family interest may elect to
require that, if the Company accepts such offer, up to one-half of the
consideration for such interest would consist of shares of Class B Common Stock,
which shares will be valued at the prevailing market price of the Class A Common
Stock and the remainder would consist of shares of Class A Common Stock and/or
cash. If a majority of the Independent Directors rejects such offer, Mr. Dolan
or such Dolan family interest may sell such interest to third parties on terms
no more favorable to such third parties than those offered to the Company.
 
    As described under "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation" below, Atlantic Publishing holds an interest in a company that
publishes a weekly cable television guide that is sold to the Company's
subscribers.
 
                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
REPORT OF COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company is
comprised of Richard Hochman, Victor Oristano and John Tatta. Mr. Tatta, the
Chairman of the Company's Executive Committee and former President of the
Company, is not currently an employee of the Company but is a consultant to the
Company (see "Board of Directors--Compensation of Directors", above). Messrs.
Hochman and Oristano are not employees of the Company. The role of the
Compensation Committee involves overseeing and directing the development of
executive compensation policies and programs which are consistent
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
with, explicitly linked to, and supportive of the strategic objectives of
growing the Company's businesses and maximizing shareholder value. The
Committee's specific responsibilities include determining the appropriate levels
of compensation for members of the Company's senior management, including
salaries, bonuses, stock and option rights, performance awards and employee
benefits. The Senior Officer Compensation Subcommittee of the Compensation
Committee, consisting of Messrs. Hochman and Oristano, has exclusive authority
and responsibility for, and with respect to, any grants or awards under the
Company's stock plans and Long-Term Incentive Plan to any executive officer of
the Company and to the Company's other most senior employees. The Company
believes that a strong link should exist between executive compensation and
management's ability to maximize shareholder value. This belief is adhered to by
developing both short-term and long-term incentive compensation programs that
provide competitive compensation and reflect Company performance.
 
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
 
    The four fundamental principles to which the Committee and the Subcommittee
adhere in discharging their responsibilities are as follows: First, the majority
of the annual and long-term compensation for the Company's senior executive
officers should be at risk, with actual compensation levels correlating with the
Company's actual performance in certain key areas determined by the Committee.
Second, over time, incentive compensation of the Company's senior executive
officers should focus more heavily on long-term rather than short-term
accomplishments and results. Third, equity-based compensation and equity
ownership requirements should be used on an increasing basis so as to provide
executive officers with clear and direct links to the shareholders' interests.
Fourth, the overall executive compensation program should be competitive,
equitable and structured so as to ensure the Company's ability to attract,
retain, motivate and reward the talented executives who are essential to the
Company's continuing success. Total compensation, rather than individual
compensation elements, is the focus of the Company's intent to provide
competitive compensation opportunities.
 
    The Committee meets with an outside compensation consultant at least
annually to evaluate how well the Company's executive compensation program
adheres to this philosophy and to evaluate the level and mix of salary, annual
bonuses and long-term incentives. The Company's independent compensation
consultant has confirmed that compensation paid in 1996 to the named officers is
consistent with the Company's compensation philosophy and objectives.
 
COMPENSATION ELEMENTS
 
    The Company's compensation program for executives consists of the following
three principal elements, each of which is vitally important in meeting the
Company's need to attract, retain, motivate and reward highly-qualified
executives.
 
BASE SALARIES
 
    Base salaries for executives are set at levels which are intended to reflect
the median level of competitive practices for companies (including but not
limited to, the companies included in the Peer Group Index contained in the
Stock Price Performance Graph) that are of comparable size and complexity and
would be considered competitors of the Company in attracting and retaining
quality executives. The actual salaries of the named officers are reviewed and
approved by the Compensation Committee and are adjusted based on its assessment
of each executive's experience and performance. The employment agreements for
Messrs. Charles Dolan, Bell, Lustgarten and Lemle set minimum compensation
levels for such officers.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
ANNUAL INCENTIVES
 
    Annual incentive awards are made to selected executives pursuant to the
Management Performance Incentive Plan (MPIP) on the basis of either or both
Company or business unit objectives, as well as individual performance. The
Committee reviews and approves all performance measures and goals established
under the MPIP and reviews and approves all annual incentive payments to
executives.
 
    In 1996, the bonuses payable to the Company's executive officers were based
primarily on quantitative performances objectives and adjusted within a narrow
band to reflect the Committee's subjective assessment of each individual's
performance in areas not susceptible of quantitative evaluation. The
quantitative factors were increases in revenues, cash flows, and customer
satisfaction. The weighting of these factors varied based upon the executive's
position and area of responsibility. Actual bonuses were paid below target
levels, reflecting performance with respect to quantitative objectives below
targeted levels.
 
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
 
    The Company has historically used a combination of stock options, restricted
stock and stock appreciation rights to provide competitive long-term incentive
opportunities to executives, while joining the interests of executives with the
interests of shareholders by facilitating the ownership of stock. No such awards
were made to the Company's named executive officers in 1996, however, stock
options, restricted stock and stock appreciation rights will continue to be
granted under the 1996 First Amended and Restated Employee Stock Plan.
 
    To enable the Company to also make long-term awards that emphasize the
achievement of superior results with respect to non-stock price performance
objectives, shareholders are being asked to approve the 1997 Long-Term Incentive
Plan (LTIP) which was adopted by the Senior Officer Compensation Subcommittee
and the Board of Directors earlier this year. Under the LTIP, the Company will
make contingent cash performance awards to selected executives to be earned on
the basis of long-term (3 to 5 years) performance relative to pre-established
goals. Among the performance measures that the Subcommittee may use to govern
the earnout of contingent performance awards are earnings per share, total
return to shareholders, return on investment, operating income or net income,
costs, results relative to budget, cash flow, cash flow margin, and growth in
the Company's market value.
 
CEO COMPENSATION
 
    Decisions regarding the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, James
L. Dolan, are the responsibility of the Senior Officer Compensation
Subcommittee. James L. Dolan's base salary for 1996 was $550,000, which included
an increase of 52% reflecting the completion of Mr. Dolan's first complete year
in the position of Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Dolan's salary was not increased
for 1997. Mr. Dolan was awarded a bonus for 1996 of $225,000, which was below
his target bonus level reflecting the Company's lower than anticipated
performance for the year relative to its quantitative performance objectives.
 
DEDUCTIBILITY OF CERTAIN EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits to $1 million the amount
that may be deducted by a publicly held corporation for compensation paid to
each of its named executives in a taxable year, unless the compensation in
excess of $1 million is "qualified performance-based compensation". The
compensation of the Company's named executives does not currently exceed the $1
million limit. While the Committee will not necessarily limit executive
compensation in the future to the deductible amount, the Committee and the
Company have determined that the Company's should generally cause its short-term
and long-term compensation plans to qualify for the exemption from the deduction
limitations of Section 162(m)
 
    Members of the Compensation Committee
 
    Richard Hochman          Victor Oristano          John Tatta
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
    The following table shows, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994, the cash compensation paid by the Company, and a summary of
certain other compensation paid or accrued for such years, to James L. Dolan and
to each of the Company's four other most highly compensated executive officers
who were serving as executive officers at the end of 1996 (the "named executive
officers") for service in all capacities with the Company.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           LONG TERM COMPENSATION
                                                  ANNUAL COMPENSATION
                                                                                   AWARDS
                                                                          RESTRICTED
NAME AND PRINCIPAL                                                           STOCK        OPTIONS/       ALL OTHER
POSITION                                 YEAR     SALARY($)  BONUS($)      AWARDS($)      SARS (#)    COMPENSATION($)(1)
<S>                                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>              <C>          <C>
Charles F. Dolan.....................       1996    525,000    225,000             0              0        150,934
Chairman and Director                       1995    516,667    390,000             0              0        150,796
                                            1994    600,000    375,000             0              0        150,861
 
James L. Dolan.......................       1996    555,206    225,000             0              0         43,188
Chief Executive                             1995    360,000    275,000             0              0          5,425
Officer and Director
 
William J. Bell......................       1996    500,000    330,000             0              0        100,239
Vice Chairman and                           1995    500,000    390,000             0              0         94,092
Director                                    1994    450,000    360,000             0        192,000        100,197
 
Marc A. Lustgarten...................       1996    525,000    330,000             0              0         58,635
Vice Chairman and                           1995    500,000    390,000             0              0         52,866
Director                                    1994    450,000    360,000             0        202,000         54,183
 
Robert S. Lemle......................       1996    475,000    315,000             0              0         49,999
Executive Vice President                    1995    425,000    372,000             0          7,600         43,271
General Counsel, Secretary and              1994    330,000    290,000             0        152,000         44,094
Director
</TABLE>
 
(1) For 1996, represents the sum of (i) for each individual, $2,250 contributed
    by the Company on behalf of such individual under the Company's Money
    Purchase Pension Plan (the "Pension Plan"), (ii) for each individual,
    $25,500 credited to such individual (other than Mr. James Dolan) on the
    books of the Company pursuant to the defined contribution portion of the
    Company's Supplemental Benefit Plan (the "Supplemental Plan"), (iii) for
    each individual, $2,250 contributed by the Company on behalf of such
    individual as a basic company contribution under the Company's 401(k) Plan,
    (iv) for each individual, the following amounts contributed by the Company
    on behalf of such individual as a matching contribution under the Company's
    401(k) Plan: Mr. Charles Dolan $1,073; Mr. James Dolan $983; Mr. Bell $854;
    Mr. Lustgarten $1,073 and Mr. Lemle $875 and (v) for each individual, the
    following amounts paid as a premium on individual life insurance policies
    purchased by the Company for the executive officer to replace coverage under
    the integrated policy previously provided by the Company: Mr. Charles Dolan
    $119,861; Mr. James Dolan $37,705; Mr. Bell $69,385; Mr. Lustgarten $27,563
    and Mr. Lemle $19,125.
 
FISCAL YEAR END OPTION/SAR VALUE TABLE
 
    The following table shows certain information with respect to the named
executive officers concerning stock options and SARs held as of December 31,
1996.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
            AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
                       FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      NUMBER OF SECURITIES
                                                     UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED        VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                        OPTIONS/SARS AT           IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS/
                                                          12/31/96 (#)             SARS AT 12/31/96($)
                             SHARES
                           ACQUIRED ON    VALUE
NAME                       EXERCISE(#)  REALIZED($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE  EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE
<S>                        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
Charles F. Dolan.........           0           0           0             0             0              0
James L. Dolan...........           0           0      27,375         9,125             0              0
William J. Bell..........      75,000(1) 2,821,875    269,600(2)      10,500      291,488              0
Marc A. Lustgarten.......      82,500(1) 3,104,062    279,600(3)      10,500      291,488              0
Robert S. Lemle..........      56,250(1) 2,116,406    221,216(4)      10,532      269,263              0
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Exercise of SARs granted under the Company's Amended and Restated Employee
    Stock Plan.
 
(2) Includes an aggregate of 150,000 options and SARs that may be exercised only
    when the Fair Market Value (as defined) of a share of Class A Common Stock
    exceeds the exercise price of $56.50 by at least 20 percent.
 
(3) Includes an aggregate of 160,000 options and SARs that may be exercised only
    when the Fair Market Value (as defined) of a share of Class A Common Stock
    exceeds the exercise price of $56.50 by at least 20 percent.
 
(4) Includes an aggregate of 120,000 options and SARs that may be exercised only
    when the Fair Market Value (as defined) of a share of Class A Common Stock
    exceeds the exercise price of $56.50 by at least 20 percent.
 
DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLAN
 
    The Company's, nonqualified Supplemental Benefit Plan provides
actuarially-determined pension benefits, among other types of benefits, for 21
employees of the Company who were previously employed by Cablevision Systems
Services Corporation ("CSSC"). CSSC, which is wholly-owned by Charles Dolan,
provided management services to Cablevision Company (the Company's predecessor)
and to certain affiliates of the Company. The Supplemental Plan is designed to
provide these employees, in combination with certain qualified benefit plans
maintained by the Company and certain qualified retirement plans formerly
maintained by CSSC, with the same retirement benefit formulae they would have
enjoyed had they remained employees of CSSC and continued to participate in the
former CSSC qualified plans. The Supplemental Plan provides that the Company may
set aside assets for the purpose of paying benefits under the Supplemental Plan,
but that any such assets remain subject to the claims of general creditors of
the Company.
 
    The defined benefit feature of the Supplemental Plan provides that, upon
attaining normal retirement age (the later of age 65 or the completion of five
years of service), a participant will receive an annual benefit equal to the
lesser of 75% of his or her average compensation (not including bonuses and
overtime) for his or her three most highly compensated years and the maximum
benefit permitted by the Code (the maximum in 1996 is $120,000 for employees who
retire at age 65), reduced by the amount of any benefits paid to such individual
pursuant to the qualified defined benefit plan formerly maintained by CSSC. This
benefit will be reduced proportionately if the participant retires or otherwise
terminates employment before reaching normal retirement age.
 
    The following sets forth the estimated annual benefits payable upon normal
retirement under the defined benefit portion of the Supplemental Plan (reduced
by any retirement benefits paid in connection
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
with the termination of the CSSC Defined Benefit Pension Plan) to the following
persons: Mr. Charles Dolan, $57,000; Mr. Bell, $97,098, Mr. Lustgarten,
$104,663; and Mr. Lemle, $109,817.
 
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
 
    The chart below compares the performance of the Company's Class A Common
Stock with the performance of the American Stock Exchange Market Value Index
(the "Amex Value Index") and a Peer Group Index by measuring the changes in
common stock prices from December 31, 1991 through December 31, 1996. As
required by the SEC, the values shown assume the reinvestment of all dividends.
Because no published index of comparable media companies currently reports
values on a dividends-reinvested basis, the Company has created a Peer Group
Index for purposes of this graph in accordance with the requirements of the SEC.
The Peer Group Index is made up of companies that engage in cable television
operations as a significant element of their business, although not all of the
companies included in the Peer Group Index participate in all of the lines of
business in which the Company is engaged and some of the companies included in
the Peer Group Index also engage in lines of business in which the Company does
not participate. Additionally, the market capitalizations of many of the
companies included in the Peer Group are quite different from that of the
Company. The common stocks of the following companies have been included in the
Peer Group Index: Adelphia Communications Corporation, Comcast Corporation,
Century Communications Corporation, TCA Cable TV, Inc., Tele-Communications,
Inc., The Times Mirror Company and Time Warner Inc. The chart assumes $100 was
invested on December 31, 1991 in each of the Company's Class A Common Stock, the
Amex Value Index and the Peer Group Index and reflects reinvestment of dividends
on a quarterly basis and market capitalization weighting.
 
         FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN FOR CABLEVISION
             SYSTEMS CORPORATION, AMEX VALUE INDEX AND PEER GROUP.
 
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORPORATION  AMEX VALUE INDEX    PEER GROUP
<S>        <C>                              <C>                <C>
1991                                   100                100           100
1992                                   100                101           123
1993                                   194                121           181
1994                                   144                110           138
1995                                   155                139           163
1996                                    88                148           151
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
CSC                 $     100  $     100  $     194  $     144  $     155  $      88
Amex                $     100  $     101  $     121  $     110  $     139  $     148
Peer Group          $     100  $     123  $     181  $     138  $     163  $     151
</TABLE>
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND SEVERANCE AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
 
    Charles Dolan has an employment agreement with the Company expiring in
January 1998 with automatic renewals for successive one-year terms unless
terminated by either party at least three months prior to the end of the then
existing term. The agreement provides for annual compensation of not less than
$400,000 per year to Mr. Dolan. The agreement also provides for payment to Mr.
Dolan's estate in the event of his death during the term of such agreement, of
an amount equal to the greater of one year's base salary or one-half of the
compensation that would have been payable to Mr. Dolan during the remaining term
of such agreement.
 
    Under the applicable award agreements, the vesting of the bonus award
shares, stock options and SARs granted to employees, including Messrs. James
Dolan, Bell, Lustgarten and Lemle, under the Company's Amended and Restated
Employee Stock Plan and its predecessor plans, may be accelerated, in certain
circumstances, upon a "change of control" of the Company. A "change of control"
is defined as the acquisition by any person or group, other than Charles Dolan
or members of his immediate family (or trusts for the benefit of Charles Dolan
or his immediate family) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by
the Company, of (1) the power to direct the management of substantially all of
the cable television systems then owned by the Company in the New York City
metropolitan area, or (2) after any fiscal year of the Company in which the
Company's cable television systems in the New York City metropolitan area
contributed in the aggregate less than a majority of the net revenues of the
Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, the power to direct the management of
the Company or substantially all of its assets. Upon such a change in control,
the bonus award shares, stock options and SARs may be converted into either a
right to receive an amount of cash based upon the highest price per share of
common stock paid in the transaction resulting in the change of control, or into
a corresponding award with equivalent profit potential in the surviving entity,
at the election of the Compensation Committee.
 
    The Company adopted as of May 1, 1994, a severance pay plan pursuant to
which an employee whose employment is involuntary terminated (other than for
cause) or who resigns with the approval of the Company, may receive a benefit in
an amount determined by the Company.
 
    In November 1994, the Company entered into employment agreements with each
of Messrs. Bell, Lustgarten and Lemle. The agreements are each for a three year
term ending December 31, 1997 and may each be extended for additional one-year
periods up until December 31, 2000, unless the Company or the executive notifies
the other of its election not to extend by the preceding October 31. Under their
respective agreements, these executives are to receive annual salaries of not
less then $450,000 in the case of Mr. Bell, $450,000 in the case of Mr.
Lustgarten, and $330,000 in the case of Mr. Lemle. Each agreement also provides
that in the event that the executive leaves the Company involuntarily (other
than for cause), following a change of control (as defined above), or because
such executive's compensation, title or responsibilities are reduced without his
consent, such executive shall be entitled to receive (1) a severance payment of
not less than the salary due for the remainder of the employment agreement or
one year's annual salary (or three times the sum of his annual salary plus his
prior year's annual bonus in the event of a change of control), whatever is
greater, (2) a pro-rated portion of his annual bonus, (3) acceleration of
unvested stock options, conjunctive rights and bonus award shares, (4) three
years payment of life insurance premiums and (5) the right to participate in the
Company's health plan for retired executives.
 
    In February 1996, the Compensation Committee adopted the Cablevision Systems
Corporation Supplemental Life Insurance Premium Payment Plan (the "Supplemental
Life Insurance Premium Payment Plan"). Under the Supplemental Life Insurance
Premium Payment Plan, at all times following a change of control (as detailed
above) the Company would pay on behalf of certain executive officers of the
Company, including Messrs. Charles Dolan, James Dolan, Bell, Lustgarten and
Lemle all premiums on life insurance policies purchased by the Company for such
executive officers, up to the aggregate amount of additional premiums, if any,
necessary to fund fully the face amount of such executive officer's policy as in
effect immediately prior to the change of control.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
 
    Charles Dolan has entered into an agreement pursuant to which he has agreed
to guarantee the Company's obligation to indemnify its officers and directors to
the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition, subject to certain
limitations, Mr. Dolan has agreed to indemnify such officers and directors
against any loss or expense such person may incur in connection with any
transaction involving Mr. Dolan or entities affiliated with Mr. Dolan to the
extent indemnification is not provided by the Company. Any payment required to
be made by Mr. Dolan pursuant to such agreement will be reduced by any proceeds
of insurance or reimbursement under any other form of indemnification
reimbursement available to such officer or director.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
    As disclosed above, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is
comprised of Messrs. Oristano, Tatta and Hochman. (See "Report of Compensation
Committee," above.) Mr. Tatta, the Chairman of the Company's Executive Committee
and the former President of the Company, is currently a consultant to the
Company. Mr. Oristano and Mr. Hochman are not employees of the Company.
 
    The Company has made investments in and advances to certain affiliates of
which Charles Dolan is the managing general partner or in which Mr. Dolan or
Dolan family interests had or have ownership interests.
 
    Cablevision of Boston Limited Partnership, a Massachusetts limited
partnership ("Cablevision Boston"), is engaged in the construction, ownership
and operation of cable television systems in Boston and Brookline,
Massachusetts. On December 15, 1995, the Company acquired the interests in
Cablevision Boston that it did not previously own pursuant to an agreement
entered into by the Company and Cablevision Boston. In connection with the
acquisition, the limited partners (other than the Company) of Cablevision Boston
received 682,454 shares (of which 680,266 shares were issued by December 31,
1995) of the Company's Class A Common Stock and the Company paid approximately
$83 million, (including fees and expenses) primarily with funds borrowed under
the Company's credit agreement, to repay existing Cablevision Boston
indebtedness and to make certain payments to Charles F. Dolan, referred to
below. Upon consummation of the acquisition of Cablevision Boston, all
outstanding subordinated advances made by the Company to Cablevision Boston
became intercompany indebtedness. Mr. Dolan, a former general partner of
Cablevision Boston and the Chairman of the Board of the Company, received 7,357
shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock and approximately $20.8 million in
cash to repay a portion of Cablevision Boston's indebtedness to him in
connection with the acquisition. The Company and its affiliates (other than
Cablevision Boston's former general partners and their affiliates) received
1,041,553 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock (such shares are
reflected as treasury shares at December 31, 1995) and assumed approximately
$42.9 million of intercompany indebtedness referred to above. As part of the
acquisition of Cablevision Boston, the Company entered into an agreement with
Mr. Dolan with respect to his 0.5% general partnership interest in Cablevision
of Brookline Limited Partnership ("Cablevision Brookline"), a partnership
affiliated with Cablevision Boston. The Company acquired the remaining 99.5% of
the partnership interests in Cablevision Brookline in the acquisition of
Cablevision Boston. Under the Agreement, the Company has a right of first
refusal to acquire Mr. Dolan's general partnership interest and a right to
acquire such interest on the earlier to occur of Mr. Dolan's death or January 1,
2002 at the greater of $10,000 or the book value of such interest,. Mr. Dolan's
estate has the right to put the interest to the Company at the same price.
Additionally, in the event of a change of control of the Company or Cablevision
Brookline, Mr. Dolan will have the right to put his general partnership interest
in Cablevision Brookline to the Company at the greater of (i) prices declining
from $3.9 million for the year ended December 15, 1996 to $10,000 for the year
ended December 15, 2002 and (ii) the book value of such interest.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
    Atlantic Publishing holds a minority equity interest in a company that
publishes a cable television guide which is offered to the Company's subscribers
and to unaffiliated cable television operators. As of December 31, 1996, the
Company had advanced an aggregate of approximately $16.7 million to Atlantic
Publishing, reflecting approximately $0.1 million, $1.0 million and $0.6
million, net, paid back during 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The Company
has written off all of its advances to Atlantic Publishing other than $2.4
million. Atlantic Publishing is owned by a trust for certain Dolan family
members; however, the Company has the option to purchase Atlantic Publishing for
an amount equal to the owner's net investment therein plus interest. The current
owner has made only a nominal investment in Atlantic Publishing to date.
 
    In July 1992, the Company acquired (the "CNYC Acquisition") substantially
all of the remaining interests in Cablevision of New York City--Phase I through
Phase V (collectively, "CNYC"), the operator of a cable television system in The
Bronx and parts of Brooklyn, New York City. Prior to the CNYC Acquisition, the
Company had a 15% interest in CNYC and Charles Dolan owned the remaining
interests. Mr. Dolan remains a partner in CNYC with a 1% interest and the right
to certain preferential payments.
 
    Under the agreement between the Company and Mr. Dolan, a new limited
partnership ("CNYC LP") was formed and holds 99% of the partnership interests in
CNYC. The remaining 1% interest in CNYC is owned by the existing corporate
general partner which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company
owns 99% of the partnership interests in CNYC LP and Mr. Dolan retains a 1%
partnership interest in CNYC LP plus certain preferential rights. Mr. Dolan's
preferential rights entitle him to an annual cash payment (the "Annual Payment")
of 14% multiplied by the outstanding balance of his "Minimum Payment". The
Minimum Payment is $40.0 million and is to be paid to Mr. Dolan prior to any
distributions from CNYC LP to partners other than Mr. Dolan. In addition, Mr.
Dolan has the right, exercisable on December 31, 1997, and as of the earlier of
(1) December 31, 2000 and (2) December 31 of the first year after 1997 during
which CNYC achieves an aggregate of 400,000 subscribers, to require the Company
to purchase (Mr. Dolan's "put") his interest in CNYC LP. The Company has the
right to require Mr. Dolan to sell his interest in CNYC LP to the Company (the
Company's "call") during the three-year period commencing one year after the
expiration of Mr. Dolan's second put. In the event of a put, Mr. Dolan will be
entitled to receive from the Company the Minimum Payment, any accrued but unpaid
Annual Payments, a guaranteed return on certain of his investments in CNYC LP
and a Preferred Payment defined as a payment (not exceeding $150.0 million)
equal to 40% of the Appraised Equity Value (as defined in the agreement) of CNYC
LP after making certain deductions including a deduction of a 25% compound
annual return on approximately 85% of the Company's investments with respect to
the construction of Phases III, IV and V of the CNYC cable television system and
100% of certain of the Company's other investments in CNYC, including Mr.
Dolan's Annual Payment. In the event the Company exercises its call, the
purchase price will be computed on the same basis as for a put except that there
will be no payment in respect of the Appraised Equity Value amount.
 
    The Company has the right to make payment of the put or call exercise price
in shares of the Company's Class B Common Stock or, if Mr. Dolan so elects,
Class A Common Stock, except that all Annual Payments must be paid in cash to
the extent permitted under the Company's senior credit agreement. Under the
Company's senior credit agreement, the Company is currently prohibited from
paying the Preferred Payment in cash and, accordingly, without the consent of
the bank lenders, would be required to pay it in shares of the Company's Common
Stock. The Company has agreed to invest in CNYC LP sufficient funds to permit
CNYC LP to make the required Annual Payments to Mr. Dolan and to make certain
equity contributions to CNYC.
 
    On August 23, 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with Northcoast
Operating Co., Inc. ("Northcoast") and certain of its affiliates, to form a
limited liability company (the "LLC") to participate in the auctions conducted
by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") for certain licenses to conduct
a personal communications service ("PCS") business. The Company has contributed
an aggregate of approximately $31 million to the LLC (either directly or through
a loan to Northcoast) and holds a
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
49.9% interest in the LLC and certain preferential distribution rights.
Northcoast is a Delaware corporation controlled by John Dolan. John Dolan is a
nephew of Charles F. Dolan and cousin of James Dolan.
 
    The Company's By-Laws prohibit the making of further investments in or
advances to entities owned or controlled by Charles Dolan without the approval
of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of
the Company or any of its affiliates.
 
    Richard H. Hochman, a director and a nominee for director, was, until April,
1995, a Managing Director of PaineWebber Incorporated. PaineWebber Incorporated
has performed investment banking services for entities affiliated with Charles
Dolan.
 
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS WITH OTHER DIRECTORS
 
    Charles D. Ferris, a director and a nominee for director, is a partner in
the law firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. Mintz,
Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. provides legal services to the
Company and certain of its subsidiaries.
 
    Vincent Tese, a director and a nominee for director, is a director of The
Bear Stearns Companies, Inc. Bear Stearns has performed investment banking
services for the Company.
 
                     (2) AUTHORIZATION AND APPROVAL OF THE
                         1997 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
 
    On April 23, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors adopted, subject to
stockholder approval, the Cablevision Systems Corporation 1997 Long-Term
Incentive Plan (the "Long-Term Incentive Plan"). The text of the Long-Term
Incentive Plan is set forth in Exhibit A hereto, and the following discussion is
qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.
 
    The Long-Term Incentive Plan will be administered by the Compensation
Committee. Awards may be granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan to such
officers and key employees of the Company, or an affiliate of the Company, as
the Compensation Committee may determine, except that Charles F. Dolan shall not
be eligible to receive awards under the plan.
 
    The Compensation Committee may establish one or more conditions which must
be satisfied in order for a participant to be entitled to an award under the
plan. The Long-Term Incentive Plan specifies certain performance criteria that
may, in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, be conditions precedent to
the payment of any award granted under the plan, to the Company's Chief
Executive Officer, any other employee who the Compensation Committee determines
is likely to be among the four other highest compensated officers for the year
in which an award is made or payable, as well as any other employee designated
by the Committee in its discretion. These performance criteria include
satisfaction of one or more of the following over a period or periods selected
by the Committee: (i) earnings per share, (ii) total return to stockholders,
(iii) return on investment, (iv) operating income or net income, (v) costs, (vi)
results relative to budget, (vii) cash flow, (viii) cash flow margin, (ix) cash
flow per subscriber, (x) revenues, (xi) revenues per subscriber, (xii)
subscriber growth, (xiii) results relative to quantitative customer service
standards, (xiv) results relative to quantitative customer satisfaction
standards, (xv) market share, (xvi) a specified increase in the Fair Market
Value of the Company's Class A common stock, or (xvii) a specified increase in
the private market value of the Company.
 
    All awards granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan are payable solely in
cash. In no event may any participant be granted an award at any one time in an
amount exceeding $5,000,000. No awards may be made under the Long-Term Incentive
Plan after December 31, 2006.
 
    The following table provides information with respect to awards made in
March 1997, subject to stockholder approval of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, to
the Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive
officers, all executive officers as a group, all current directors who are
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
not executive officers as a group and all employees excluding all current
officers who are not executive officers as a group. Other awards may be made to
such persons and groups in the future but the amount and timing thereof cannot
be currently determined. Payment of these awards is contingent on the
achievement of certain performance criteria established by the Compensation
Committee.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 AMOUNT OF
NAME                                                        TITLE                  AWARD
- -----------------------------------------------  ----------------------------  -------------
<S>                                              <C>                           <C>
 
Charles F. Dolan...............................  Chairman                       $         0
 
James L. Dolan.................................  Chief Executive Officer        $ 4,000,000
 
Marc Lustgarten................................  Vice Chairman                  $ 2,250,000
 
William J. Bell................................  Vice Chairman                  $ 2,000,000
 
Robert S. Lemle................................  Executive Vice President,
                                                 General Counsel and
                                                 Secretary                      $ 1,650,000
 
Executive Officer Group........................                                 $11,900,000
 
Non-Executive Officer Director Group...........                                 $         0
 
Non-Executive Officer Employee Group...........                                 $ 1,750,000
</TABLE>
 
    The Long-Term Incentive Plan may be amended by the Board of Directors or the
Compensation Committee, as permitted by applicable law.
 
    The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting,
in person or by proxy, by holders of the Class A common stock and the Class B
common stock, voting together as a single class, is required to authorized and
approve the Long-Term Incentive Plan. Abstentions from voting will have the same
effect as voting against the proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on
the outcome of the vote on this proposal.
 
    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR AUTHORIZATION AND APPROVAL OF
THE 1997 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN.
 
                    (3) APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
    The Board of Directors has appointed the firm of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as
independent auditors for the fiscal year 1997. The stockholders are requested to
ratify and approve such appointment.
 
    It is expected that a representative of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP will be
present at the annual meeting of stockholders. The representative will have an
opportunity to make a statement and is expected to be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
 
    The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting,
in person or by proxy, by holders of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B
Common Stock voting together as a single class, is required to ratify and
approve appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick as the Company's auditors for 1997.
Abstentions from voting and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome
of the vote on this proposal.
 
    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR RATIFICATION AND APPROVAL OF
THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP AS THE COMPANY'S AUDITORS FOR 1997.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
                    SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND OTHER MATTERS
 
    Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the Company's 1998
annual meeting of stockholders must be received by the Company at its executive
offices shown on page 1 of this proxy statement on or prior to January 19, 1998
to be eligible for inclusion in the Company's proxy material to be used in
connection with the 1998 meeting.
 
    The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Company's fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996 is enclosed herewith.
 
                                          By order of the Board of Directors,
                                          Robert S. Lemle
                                          EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
                                          GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
 
Woodbury, New York
May 19, 1997
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
 
                        CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORPORATION
 
                         1997 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
 
    1. PURPOSES. The purposes of the Cablevision Systems Corporation 1997
Long-Term Incentive Plan are (a) to advance the interests of the Company and its
shareholders by providing a means to motivate the key employees of the Company
and its Affiliates, upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the continued
success, growth and development of the Company is dependent; (b) to link the
rewards of the key employees of the Company and its Affiliates to the
achievement of specific, critical performance objectives and goals; and (c) to
assist the Company and its Affiliates in maintaining a competitive total
compensation program that serves to attract and retain the most highly qualified
individuals.
 
    2. DEFINITIONS. When used in this Plan, unless the context otherwise
requires:
 
        (a) "Affiliate" shall mean (i) any corporation controlling, controlled
    by, or under common control with the Company or any other Affiliate, (ii)
    any corporation in which the Company owns at least five percent of the
    outstanding shares of all classes of common shares of such corporation,
    (iii) any unincorporated trade or business controlling, controlled by or
    under common control with the Company or any other Affiliate, and (iv) any
    unincorporated trade or business in which the Company owns at least a five
    percent interest in the capital or profits of such trade or business.
 
        (b) "Award" shall mean a cash award which is granted or made under the
    Plan.
 
        (c) "Board of Directors" shall mean the Board of Directors of the
    Company, as constituted at any time.
 
        (d) "Committee" shall mean the Committee of the Board of Directors, as
    described in Section 3.
 
        (e) "Company" shall mean Cablevision Systems Corporation, a Delaware
    corporation.
 
        (f) "Covered Employee" means, at the time of an Award (or at such other
    time as required or permitted by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
    Code), the Company's Chief Executive Officer (or an individual acting in
    such capacity), any employee of the Company or its subsidiaries who, in the
    discretion of the Committee for purposes of determining those employees who
    are "covered employees" under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code,
    is likely to be among the four other highest compensated officers of the
    Company for the year in which an Award is made or payable and any other
    employee of the Company or an Affiliate designated by the Committee in its
    discretion.
 
        (g) "Internal Revenue Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of
    1986, as amended.
 
        (h) "Participant" shall mean an employee of the Company or an Affiliate
    who is granted an Award by the Committee under the Plan.
 
        (i) "Performance Criteria" shall mean a goal or goals established by the
    Committee and measured over a period or periods selected by the Committee,
    such goal(s) to constitute a requirement that must be met prior to the
    payment, of an Award to a Covered Employee, as specified by the Committee.
    Unless the Committee otherwise determines at the time of grant of an Award
    to a Covered Employee, the Performance Criteria with respect to such Award
    shall be related to at least one of the following criteria, which may be
    determined by reference to the performance of the Company or an Affiliate,
    subdivision or other business unit of either, or any combination of the
    foregoing, or based on comparative performance relative to other companies:
    (i) earnings per share, (ii) total return to stockholders, (iii) return on
    investment, (iv) operating income or net income, (v) costs, (vi) results
    relative to budget, (vii) cash flow, (viii) cash flow margin, (ix) cash flow
    per subscriber, (x) revenues, (xi) revenues per subscriber, (xiii)
    subscriber growth, (xii) results relative to quantitative customer service
    standards, (xiv) results relative to quantitative customer satisfaction
    standards, (xv) market share, (xvi) a specified increase in the fair market
    value of the Company's Class A common stock, or (xvii) a specified increase
    in the private market value of the Company.
 
        (j) "Permitted Transferees" shall have the meaning set forth in
    Paragraph 9 hereof.
<PAGE>
        (k) "Plan" shall mean the Cablevision Systems Corporation 1997 Long-Term
    Incentive Plan.
 
    3. ADMINISTRATION. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee (or a
subcommittee thereof), which shall consist of at least two members of the Board
of Directors who shall be appointed by, and shall serve at the pleasure of, the
Board of Directors, and who shall qualify to serve in such capacity by Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
    The Committee shall have full authority, subject to the terms of the Plan,
to select the persons to whom Awards shall be granted or made under the Plan, to
set the date of any such Award and any terms or conditions associated with any
such Award. The Committee also shall have the authority to establish such rules
and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, for the
proper administration of the Plan and to make such determinations and
interpretations under and in connection with the Plan as it deems necessary or
advisable. The Plan, and all such rules, regulations, determinations and
interpretations, shall be binding and conclusive upon the Company, its
stockholders and all employees, and upon their respective legal representatives,
heirs, beneficiaries, successors and assigns and upon all other persons claiming
under or through any of them.
 
    4. PARTICIPANTS. Except as hereinafter provided, all officers and key
employees of the Company or an Affiliate shall be eligible to receive Awards
under the Plan. Charles F. Dolan shall not be eligible to receive Awards under
the Plan. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the making of
one or more Awards at the same or different times to the same employee.
 
    5. AWARDS. In no event shall any Participant be granted an Award at any one
time in an amount exceeding $5,000,000.
 
    (a) TERMS AND CONDITIONS. The form, terms and conditions of each Award shall
be determined by the Committee and shall be set forth in a certificate or
agreement (the "Award Certificate") signed by the Participant and an officer of
the Company. The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, establish one or more
conditions to the entitlement to an Award including, without limitation,
conditions the satisfaction of which are measured by Performance Criteria
applicable to the Participant or the Company, as the Committee may deem
appropriate.
 
    (b) DURATION OF AWARDS. The duration of any Award granted under this Plan
shall be for a period fixed by the Committee but shall, in no event be more than
ten years.
 
    6. PAYMENT OF AWARDS. Except as otherwise provided herein, a Participant may
elect to receive payment of an Award at such rate and times as may be fixed by
the Committee at the time the Award is granted.
 
    A Participant (or the representative of the estate or heirs of a deceased
Participant) may receive all or any part of any remaining unearned Award in full
upon the occurrence of such special circumstances or events as, in the sole
discretion of the Committee, merits special consideration.
 
    Participants shall elect to receive payment of their Awards by the delivery
to any person who has been designated by the Company for the purpose of
receiving the same, of a written notice duly signed by the Participant (or the
representative of the estate or the heirs of a deceased Participant) to such
effect.
 
    7. NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT. Nothing contained herein or in any
Award Certificate shall be construed to confer on any employee any right to
continue in the employ of the Company or any Affiliate or derogate from the
right of the Company and any Affiliate to retire, request the resignation of, or
discharge such employee at any time, with or without cause.
 
    8. WITHHOLDING. If the Company or an Affiliate shall be required to withhold
any amount by reason of any federal, state or local tax laws, rules or
regulations in respect of the payment of an Award to the Participant, the
Company or an Affiliate shall be entitled to deduct or withhold such amounts
from any cash payments to be made to the holder.
 
    9. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS. Unless the Committee shall permit (on such
terms and conditions as it shall establish) an Award to be transferred to a
member of the Participant's immediate family or to a trust or similar vehicle
for the benefit of such immediate family members (collectively, the "Permitted
<PAGE>
Transferees") , no Award shall be assignable or transferable except by will or
the laws of descent and distribution, and except to the extent required by law,
no right or interest of any Participant shall be subject to any lien, obligation
or liability of the Participant.
 
    10. ADMINISTRATION AND AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN. The Board of Directors or the
Committee may discontinue the Plan at any time and from time to time may amend
or revise the terms of the Plan, as permitted by applicable law, except that it
may not revoke or alter, in any manner unfavorable to the recipient of an
outstanding Award under the Plan, any Award made under the Plan, without the
consent of the recipient of that Award.
 
    11. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Plan shall become effective as of January 1, 1997,
and shall be submitted to the stockholders of the Company for their approval. In
the event that the Plan is not approved by stockholders within 12 months of its
adoption by the Board of Directors, the Plan and any Awards granted hereunder on
or after January 1, 1997 shall become null and void, notwithstanding any other
provisions of the Plan to the contrary.
 
    12. FINAL ISSUANCE DATE. No Awards shall be made under this Plan after
December 31, 2006.

<PAGE>
CLASS A PROXY
                        CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORPORATION
 
                      SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
                 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS, JUNE 11, 1997
 
    The undersigned hereby appoints WILLIAM J. BELL, MARC A. LUSTGARTEN, BARRY
J. O'LEARY and ROBERT S. LEMLE and each of them, jointly and severally, proxies
with full power of substitution, to vote all stock of CABLEVISION SYSTEMS
CORPORATION (the "Company") which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the
Company's Annual Meeting to be held at the Company's executive offices, One
Media Crossways, Woodbury, New York 11797, on Wednesday, June 11, 1997, at 10:00
o'clock in the morning, and at any adjournment thereof, hereby ratifying all
that said proxies or their substitutes may do by virtue hereof, and the
undersigned authorizes and instructs said proxies to vote as follows:
 
    Unless otherwise specified in the spaces provided, the undersigned's vote is
to cast FOR the election of the nominees for directors listed in Proposal (1)
and FOR approval of Proposals (2) and (3), all as more fully described in the
accompanying Proxy Statement.
 
    Receipt of the Notice of said annual meeting and of the Proxy Statement and
Annual Report on Form 10-K of CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORPORATION accompanying the
same is hereby acknowledged.
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>
Please mark
 your votes
     as           X
indicated in
this example
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>                                         <C>
 
1. Election of the following nominees as Class A Directors: Charles D. Ferris, Richard  2. Proposal to authorize and approve the
   H. Hockman, Victor Oristano and Vincent Tese                                            1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
  (INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, WRITE THAT NOMINEE'S
   NAME IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.)
  FOR all nominees listed above             WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all          3. Proposal to ratify and approve the
  (except as marked to the contrary below)  nominees listed below                          appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, as
        / /                                 ----------------------------------             auditors for the fiscal year 1997.
 
<CAPTION>
                                            FOR  AGAINST  ABSTAIN
<S>                                         <C>
1. Election of the following nominees as C  / / / / / /
   H. Hockman, Victor Oristano and Vincent
  (INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR
   NAME IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.)
  FOR all nominees listed above             / / / / / /
  (except as marked to the contrary below)
        / /
</TABLE>
 
                                       In their discretion, the proxies are
                                       authorized to vote upon such other
                                       business as may properly come before the
                                       meeting.
 
                                       PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS
                                       PROMPTLY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED
 
SIGNATURE ---------------------------------- DATE ------------------------
YOUR SIGNATURE SHOULD APPEAR THE SAME AS YOUR NAME APPEARS HEREON. IF SIGNING AS
ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR, TRUSTEE OR GUARDIAN, PLEASE INDICATE THE CAPACITY IN WHICH
SIGNING. WHEN SIGNING AS JOINT TENANTS, ALL PARTIES TO THE JOINT TENANCY MUST
SIGN. WHEN THE PROXY IS GIVEN BY A CORPORATION, IT SHOULD BE SIGNED BY AN
AUTHORIZED OFFICER AND THE CORPORATE SEAL AFFIXED.


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