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Multiple carriage contracts hang in the balance as September ends

As September draws to a close, more programmers and distributors are facing carriage contract expirations.

NBC Sports Chicago

Regional sports network NBC Sports Chicago (US) inked a temporary deal with AT&T Inc. for continued carriage on DIRECTV, as they continue to negotiate a more definitive agreement, according to an NBC Sports spokeswoman.

Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs are exiting the network to form a joint venture with Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. that will result in a dedicated channel for the club, called Marquee Sports Network. A revamped NBC Sports Chicago debuts Oct. 1.

The NBCUniversal Media LLC-owned network has secured carriage on most of the largest operators in the Chicago market, including parent Comcast Corp., with the exception of DISH Network Corp. The NBC Sports spokeswoman said discussions are ongoing with the satellite operator.

DISH, meanwhile, said it does not comment on ongoing negotiations.

HBO and Cinemax

Virtual provider Sony Corp.'s PlayStation Vue could lose premium networks HBO and Cinemax, as well as NBA TV (US).

According to a published report, PlayStation Vue earlier in September warned its customers they could lose WarnerMedia’s HBO and sister premium service Cinemax, as well as NBA TV, if a deal is not reached by the end of the month.

A spokesman for PlayStation Vue said the company does not comment on its network deals, while WarnerMedia did not respond to calls by press time.

Altitude, other RSNs

Another RSN, Altitude Sports & Entertainment (US), which is home to the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and the NBA's Denver Nuggets, remains dark to three large providers. DISH disconnected Aug. 29, while the channel has been dark to DIRECTV and Comcast subscribers since Sept.1.

The value of monthly licensing has invariably been at the center of carriage disputes, with DISH indicating it is no longer going to support "the broken regional sports TV business model" under which the majority of pay TV customers pay, while few watch.

Altitude did not respond to queries seeking an update. The Avalanche begins its season against the Calgary Flames on Oct. 3.

DISH and its virtual provider Sling TV have not carried 21 RSNs now owned by Sinclair since July 26.

Broadcast stations

Sinclair seems to have made some progress on a brewing battle with AT&T. The broadcast group had warned DIRECTV, U-verse and AT&T Now subscribers in 86 markets that they could lose access to 136 stations, as well as its national cable network Tennis Channel (US), among other properties, on Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. ET.

The content remains available to AT&T's various video customers, and the station group's website at press time contained the following message: "Thank you for being a loyal Sinclair viewer. We continue to work with AT&T to maintain access to our programming."

Sinclair did not return calls, while AT&T declined to comment.