Exhibit
8.1
IRS Circular 230 Disclosure: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform
you that (i) the advice in this opinion is limited to the U.S. federal income tax issues that are
discussed below; (ii) additional issues may exist that could affect the U.S. federal income tax
treatment of the transactions that are the subject of this opinion and this opinion does not
consider or provide a conclusion with respect to any such additional issues and (iii) with respect
to any significant U.S. federal income tax issues that are outside the limited scope of this
opinion, this opinion was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose
of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code.
[Date]
Cablevision Systems Corporation,
1111 Stewart Avenue,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as U.S. tax counsel to Cablevision Systems Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(“Cablevision”), in connection with the CSC Holdings Liquidation and the Distribution as described
in the ruling request filed with the Internal Revenue Service by Cablevision, dated [ ] (the
“Ruling Request”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed
to them in the Ruling Request.
In rendering our opinion, we have examined and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of
the facts set forth in the Ruling Request and such other documents
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as we have deemed necessary or appropriate. In addition, we have relied upon the officer’s
certificate to us from Cablevision and the representation letter to us from Charles F. Dolan. In
connection with this opinion, we have assumed that the CSC Holdings Liquidation and the
Distribution will be consummated in the manner described in the Ruling Request, and have made the
assumptions described in the Annex attached hereto. Further, we have relied upon the ruling from
the Internal Revenue Service to Cablevision, dated [ ], as to matters covered by such ruling.
In rendering our opinion, we have considered the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, pertinent
judicial authorities, interpretive rulings of the Internal Revenue Service, and such other
authorities as we have deemed appropriate under the circumstances. All such authorities are
subject to change, and any of such changes could apply retroactively.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that under current law,
(1) Cablevision will not recognize gain or loss upon the Distribution under Section 361(c) of
the Code; and
(2) Shareholders of Cablevision will not recognize gain or loss upon the Distribution under
Section 355(a) of the Code, and no amount will be included in such shareholders’ income, except in
respect of cash received in lieu of fractional shares of Controlled.
Our opinion is expressly conditioned upon the assumptions and statements of reliance set forth
above. We express no other opinion as to the tax consequences (including any applicable state,
local or foreign tax consequences) of the transactions referred to herein or in the Ruling Request.
Very truly yours,
