What to Know
- The city has announced a settlement that prevents floating digital billboards in New York City waters
- Under an agreement, Ballyhoo Media must pay a $100K fine if its Times Square-style LED billboards are seen on any East or Hudson River barge
- The city sued Ballyhoo Media in March, claiming the floating billboards created a "public nuisance" and broke zoning laws
The city has announced a settlement that prevents floating digital billboards in New York City waters.
Under the terms of the agreement announced Tuesday, Ballyhoo Media must pay a $100,000 fine if its Times Square-style LED billboards are seen on any East River or Hudson River barges.
The city sued Ballyhoo Media in March, claiming the floating billboards created a "public nuisance" and broke zoning laws.
The agreement comes after the state enacted a law in August that banned floating digital billboards in its navigable waters.
“Thanks to the federal court order today, floating digital billboards are sunk in New York," said State Senator Brad Hoylman. "I’m glad that Ballyhoo is no longer permitted to operate its floating digital billboards in New York’s waterways. The federal court order today reinforces our new state law that says floating digital billboards are unsafe and ruin the peaceful enjoyment of the riverfront. New Yorkers don’t want a floating version of Times Square in the Hudson, East River or anywhere else."
Ballyhoo released a statement saying it had complied with all local, state and federal laws and has a legal right to safely operate in New York waters, but decided to stop fighting the city and state and focus on pursuing opportunities elsewhere.
