Washington, D.C.
(January 12, 2007)
-- Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns 58 local
stations in 36 markets, is threatening to prevent cable
operators from carrying their standard and
High-Definition TV channels.
By law, a cable operator must get permission from the local station to carry its feed. However, Sinclair is demanding that cable operators pay compensation for the right to carry the SD and HD feeds.
Late last night, a Time Warner spokeswoman said it expects to reach agreement to carry the Sinclair feeds in a handful of markets, including Ohio and central New York.
But in many markets, cable operators are refusing to pay so Sinclair last week blocked 22 stations from airing on cable systems in 13 states. Consequently, nearly one million viewers were unable to watch last weekend's NFL playoff games and primetime network programming in SD or HD.
By law, a cable operator must get permission from the local station to carry its feed. However, Sinclair is demanding that cable operators pay compensation for the right to carry the SD and HD feeds.
Late last night, a Time Warner spokeswoman said it expects to reach agreement to carry the Sinclair feeds in a handful of markets, including Ohio and central New York.
But in many markets, cable operators are refusing to pay so Sinclair last week blocked 22 stations from airing on cable systems in 13 states. Consequently, nearly one million viewers were unable to watch last weekend's NFL playoff games and primetime network programming in SD or HD.