With their current contract set to expire on February 5, which would have an effect upon 3 million Comcast (CMCSA) subscribers, Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBGI) agreed to extend it retransmission agreement to March 1. Some large markets like Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Nashville, Tampa and Mobile would be part of the equation if things aren't worked out.
While Sinclair couldn't have made Comcast put their in-market stations, they still could have made them cease the HD signal or any of the other out-of-market signals.
Sinclair has been combative with several partners this year, although they have signed a retransmission agreement with Time Warner Cable (TWX) recently.
The battle with Mediacom Communications (MCCC) has gotten down-and-dirty as Mediacom is trying to go outside the free market to get the results they want; something I believe shouldn't even be entertained by the politicians and FCC, as I've talked about here before.
I side with the principle that Sinclair says in that government has no right to order private parties to enter into an agreement which they can't reach privately. From January 1, 700,000 subscribers have been affected by the Sinclair blackout.
As far as Comcast goes, they will probably reach an agreement with Sinclaire before the month is over. It would be surprising if they didn't.
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