<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-05-21</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001053112</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORP /NY</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CVC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000933025</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DOLAN-SWEENEY DEBORAH A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>340 CROSSWAYS PARK DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WOODBURY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>11797</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Member of 13(d) Group</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Cablevision NY Group Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-05-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4741</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>19330</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Cablevision NY Group Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>109928</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Spouse</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Cablevision NY Group Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>16000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Trusts</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant of restricted stock units under the 2006 Stock Plan For Non-Employee Directors.  All the units are fully vested on the date of grant and are settled in stock (one share of Class A common stock for each unit) 90 days after the termination of service on the Board of Directors.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes restricted stock units.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Includes restricted shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Securities held directly by Ms Deborah Dolan-Sweeney's spouse, Brian G. Sweeney. Ms. Dolan-Sweeney disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities and this report shall not be deemed to be an admission that she is the beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Securities held in trusts for which Mr. Sweeney serves as co-trustee. Both he and Ms. Dolan-Sweeney disclaim beneficial ownership of these securities and this report shall not be deemed an admission that they are the beneficial owners of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Brian G. Sweeney, attorney-in-fact for Deborah A. Dolan</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-05-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

