I don't think they should. I'm simply commenting on the argument that stations should be thankful for MVPDs because without them, they wouldn't have as many viewers. Without MVPDs, ESPN, Fox News, etc would have ZERO viewers.
Personally, I have no problem with MVPDs telling locals "thanks, but no thanks", if that's what they want to do. They should not be forced by law to carry any station, unless it's for free. I don't think Sinclair (for example) should get the same price for Sioux City, Iowa as they do for Washington DC. In my ideal world, the locals get paid a fixed fee per subscriber determined by a 3rd party arbitrator based on ratings. The more people watch, the more expensive.
And doesn't ABC (owners of ESPN) own some local stations? So yes, they DO have the right to access consumer airwaves. If they don't own any channels, they are free to purchase them.