About 24 hours after their impasse led to a blackout in 79 markets, DISH and Sinclair announced they have reached a retrans consent agreement in principle.

It will form the basis of a long-term agreement, with restoration of Sinclair broadcast signals to DISH subscribers already underway.

DISH asked the FCC to stay action on its retrans complaint as the deal is being finalized. The proposed deal came after FCC chairman Tom Wheeler directed the Media Bureau to convene an emergency meeting with DISH and Sinclair.

“On behalf of more than 5 million consumers nationwide, I am pleased DISH and Sinclair have agreed to end one of the largest blackouts in history and extend their negotiations.  The FCC will remain vigilant while the negotiations continue,” Wheeler said.

The Daily

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Wednesday–April 8

USF’s Administration Problem

For the last few years, certain communications practitioners have been quite animated over the need to fix the FCC’s Universal Service Fund (USF), focusing solely on the contributions side of the equation

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