Derek Chang's statement about adding new HD channels should not be ignored (even if he is a short-timer).
The contracts seem to be for a couple of years at a time (although this may change with the technology racing the way it is). We have to remember that many of the channels (national and local) come as part of a bundle so there surely isn't a negotiation for each and every channel.
Negotiating for existing channels where agreements have expired is important but it doesn't do a whole lot to support the filling in of missing channels. One could make a case that maintenance is an entirely separate issue from acquisition. Of course if the desire is to make the new channels part of old agreements, that complicates things immensely.
