• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, January 19, 2010

Cablevision and Comcast have renewed an agreement that allows them to combine local cable inventory in the New York market. The two operators can offer advertisers reach in a combined 3.5 million homes.

The five-year deal continues the New York Interconnect, established in 1993. Cablevision's Rainbow sales arm manages the business. Comcast Spotlight is the local sales arm of that MSO, which is its partner.

Advertisers can buy traditional spots during the local breaks on 60 cable networks, but also space on Web sites run by Cablevision and Comcast. Plus, they can buy real estate for longer-form content about a product that might run five minutes.

Interactive advertising opportunities have been available for several months.

The Interconnect offers advertisers some targeting capabilities, such as an opportunity to air spots in specific geographic zones. Demographic targeting is available simply by buying spots on cable networks with a particular audience appeal.

The Interconnect has a dedicated sales force, but local sales teams for Cablevision and Comcast can also offer advertiser reach across the 3.5 million homes.