New York-based Cablevision buying Bresnan cable

Cablevision said this morning it will pay $1.37 billion for midsized cable television provider Bresnan Communications, a move that will help the New York cable company expand into western states.

Bresnan serves the Havre market and has cable systems in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming and Utah with more than 300,000 basic subscribers. It's owned by Providence Equity Partners.

Founder and cable pioneer Bill Bresnan died last year.

The deal follows an auction that involved bids from some of the nation's largest cable companies.

Other bidders reportedly included Charter Communications Inc.; Ascent Medi...