I think the party in the wrong in this dispute is Sinclair, not Mediacom. Sinclair is trying to treat KGAN, KFXA and KDSM like CABLE TV CHANNELS. The expect to be paid for those channels like they were ESPN, USA, or the Disney Channel, even the BTN. However, none of the latter channels are availabe OTA, at least not right now. Whereas, the former are available OTA, and with better signals and pictures since the February digital TV conversions. If you have a TV with built-in digital tuner or a DTV converter box, you can get the Orange Bowl on Fox 28 or Fox 17 with a good digital-ready antenna, as well as the Super Bowl on CBS 2.
Now, my dad decided to switch us from Mediacom to CFU Cable during the first Sinclair-Mediacom dispute. We now get our electical, gas, garbage and cable TV charges all on one bill, and from what I understand, it's a bit cheaper than Mediacom was at the time, plus we have digital cable, which includes the NFL Network, and were able to get the Big Ten Network when it launched two years ago. So, we'll be able to get the Insight Bowl on Dec. 31.
Now, as for the Insight Bowl, Mediacom and the NFL Network might try to work out something for temporarily carrying NFL Network on Mediacom Connections 22. But then it could be contingent on Mediacom opening negotiations to carry NFLN full-time.