What do I need to do to access News12.com?

If you have an Optimum Online, Road Runner or Comcast broadband modem, and you are in the News 12 coverage area, you will have free access to the site without doing anything further.

If you are a Cablevision, Time Warner or Comcast customer, but you are accessing the web from a different Internet service provider, or from outside the News 12 coverage area, you will need to supply your cable account number. (Optimum Online customers may also use their Optonline.net e-mail addresses.)

If you are not a Cablevision, Time Warner or Comcast customer, you can pay for access to News 12 with a credit card.

Whichever option you use, the process is secure.

Why did News 12 make News12.com a subscription-only Web site?

News 12 provides coverage of local news to cable customers throughout Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut, The Bronx, Brooklyn and New Jersey. This is a unique service that is available exclusively to cable customers.

School closings and other emergency or public-service information remains available to everyone.

Will I have to pay to use News12.com?

The service is free for Cablevision, Time Warner or Comcast customers, or if you receive News 12 as part of your basic cable television package.

You can still use News12.com on a monthly subscription basis at a nominal cost if you live outside the News 12 viewing area, are not a cable customer, or do not receive News 12 on your basic cable.

Will I have to supply my account information every time I use News 12.com?

No. News 12 will set a cookie on your computer (make sure your cookies are enabled), which will remember your access information and all your user preferences.

What if I want to check News12.com from the office or another computer?

Again, all you have to do is supply your account number (or, if you have one, your Optonline.net e-mail address). It is only necessary to do this once for each computer you use.

I registered for News 12 Breaking News alerts or Sound Off! bulletin board prior to the change to subscription service. Do I need to register again?

No. Once you obtain access to the News12.com, it will remember all your preferences and settings. Then every time you come back to News 12 from that computer, you will automatically get access to the site.

How can I contact News 12 if I have problems registering?

You can email us at customerservice@news12.com, or call us toll free at: 1-866-394-7236.

Go to News12.com.