Sinclair makes deal with Verizon

[Gregg Lengling]

Baltimore-based Sinclair Broadcast Group has reached a multi-year affiliation with Verizon Services Corp., to provide cable service for Sinclair owned and operated television stations in the Baltimore and Tampa Fla., markets.

 

 

 
 
Sinclair's two Baltimore stations, WBFF Fox 45 and WNUV WB 54, are among those affected.

Baltimore and Tampa will also serve as the first Sinclair markets to use Verizon's FIOS-TV service. The service will compete with cable and satellite providers of television programming.

According to Verizon's Web site, FIOS will provide a 100 percent fiber optic network with an on-demand library, HDTV channels, DVR, premium and international channels, much like Comcast's digital cable service.

Sinclair hopes to enter into similar agreements for its other stations as FIOS-TV expands its footprint into other Sinclair markets, Sinclair General Counsel Barry Ferber said in a statement.

Sinclair's television group stretches to roughly 22 percent of U.S. television households and includes ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, WB and UPN affiliates.

[gparris]

Thanks for the update.

So if I understand this correctly, not only Directv and Comcast Cable have agreements that include carriage of both HD and analogue locals, but now Verizon FIOS, too.
Add Dishnetwork to that, I am sure, when they start adding HD locals to remain competitive with Directv.
Do not, however, add Time Warner Cable to that, as they think they are the only game in town (for now).
Until Verizon FIOS or SBC (now named AT&T) and the satellite companies start breathing down their necks, TWC will not give in.
Its sad for us Milwaukeeland HD subs, as TWC seems to forget that we want ALL  of our HD cable locals via cable, not antenna, as that is why we subscribe to cable to begin with! :mad: