Disputes between cable companies and TV networks have followed the same blueprint for decades: The two sides negotiate privately, then argue about their divergent demands publicly—then, as contractual deadlines approach, reach an agreement that leads to larger bills for cable subscribers. At the end of next year, however, sources say that Comcast’s contract with TNT comes up for renewal, which is sure to be one of the more spectacularly bitter carriage battles in recent memory, and for all the obvious reasons—Comcast just swooped in to snatch the NBA rights away from TNT, while the latter’s parentco is suing the league and waging a P.R. campaign that portrays it as avaricious.