SBG Announces Retrans Agreement with DIRECTV

[Gregg Lengling]

SBG Announces Retrans Agreement with DIRECTV

BALTIMORE (April 11, 2005) - Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) announced today that it has entered into an extension of its retransmission consent agreement with DIRECTV, Inc.

Under the terms of the agreement, which extends the May 2000 agreement, DIRECTV will continue to carry the analog signals of stations which Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services in those
markets where DIRECTV provides local-into-local service. In addition, Sinclair's stations will participate in DIRECTV's launch of local-into-local high definition digital service as DIRECTV rolls out this initiative to the Sinclair markets. Sinclair will continue to be compensated by
DIRECTV for the retransmission of Sinclair's stations under the agreement.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies, currently owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 62 television stations in 39 markets. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 24% of U.S. television households and includes ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, WB, and UPN affiliates.
###

[gparris]

So it can happen...Directv compensates  Sinclair stations to get analogue, too, as well as future HD transmissions (when they go HD LiL)?
Maybe TWC do the same to remain on the same level of service so it can say it provides ALL of the local HD channels, instead of most...just thinking here!

[picopir8]

In other markets SBG owns ABC,CBS,NBC,and FOX.  Its worth D* to pay to get those channels.  Just think of all the sports coverage and top rated television shows that appear on those channels.  I dont think the same could be said for UPN and WB.  While it would be nice to have those channels in HD, Im not prepared to pay money for them like I would be for the other locals.  I still hope TWC picks them up but makes them ala cart or is able to place commercials on those channels to offset the cost.

Im just surprised that SBG is still trying to make money on both ends.  Due to the high cable penetration, one would think that the SBG holdout is causing them to loose market share as more people go HD.