Must carry, will carry?

Multichannel News and Broadcasting & Cable both note that more than 80 cable networks have signed an "open letter to Congress" opposing an FCC rule change that would allow something called "multicast must-carry." This change would extend ther current cable TV must-carry provisions to force cable companies (Multi-Service Operators, or MSOs) who carry a network station (e.g., NBC) to also carry a raft of sister cable networks (e.g., MSNBC, Bravo, Sc-Fi, USA, all owned by NBC-Universal parent GE). "Notably absent" from this cable alliance "were cable nets including ESPN, Bravo, USA, Nickelodeon, Sci Fi, TV Land, and others, owned by either Disney, Viacom, NBC Universal or Fox, all of whom also own TV stations seeking multicast carriage."