DirecTV, Sinclair Retrans Battle Smolders

Stations in 47 markets face blackouts on Feb. 28

By Mike Farrell, Multichannel News -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/19/2013 4:49:37 PM

Sinclair Broadcast Group and DirecTV are girding for a retransmission consent battle in 47 markets across the country, with the station group informing its viewers that they could lose access to their favorite shows if a deal is not reached by the end of the month.

About 87 Sinclair stations in 47 markets like Baltimore, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City are up for renewal on Feb. 28. The stations include affiliates of all four major broadcast networks -- ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, and have been informing viewers that they no longer expect their stations to be carried by DirecTV after their current agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 28. On its station websites, Sinclair tells DirecTV subscribers they can still view their programming if they switch to Dish Network or the local cable or telco video operator.

DirecTV in a statement accused Sinclair of trying to scare customers.

Click here to read the full story at Multichannel News.