US Trends

what tv stations does sinclair own

Sinclair Broadcast Group owns or operates a very large number of local TV stations across the United States, spanning nearly every major network affiliation (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, The CW, MyNetworkTV, plus many independents and subchannels). Rather than a short list, it’s essentially a national chain of local stations.

Below is a “Quick Scoop” style breakdown that matches what you asked for.

What TV stations does Sinclair own?

Sinclair’s portfolio changes over time due to sales and FCC rules, but it consistently controls or operates well over 180 local TV stations in dozens of markets, reaching most U.S. TV households. These include both stations it directly owns and stations it operates through agreements with other license holders.

They have affiliates for:

  • ABC
  • CBS
  • NBC
  • Fox
  • The CW / CW+
  • MyNetworkTV
  • Various independents and smaller networks (e.g., Comet, Charge!, TBD, and other diginets in some markets)

Because the list is long and frequently updated, the most accurate way to see “what TV stations Sinclair owns” is to check a current station-by-owner directory or Sinclair-related station list online.

Major markets and example stations

Here are a few representative examples from different regions, to give you a feel for the footprint (not a complete list):

  • Seattle–Tacoma, WA: KOMO-TV (ABC), KUNS-TV (The CW / Spanish-language programming historically).
  • Portland, OR: KATU (ABC), KUNP (independent).
  • San Antonio, TX: WOAI-TV (NBC, with a CW subchannel), KABB (Fox).
  • El Paso, TX: KDBC-TV (CBS, plus MyNetworkTV on a subchannel), KFOX-TV (Fox).
  • Rochester, NY: WHAM-TV (ABC and The CW on a subchannel), WUHF (Fox).
  • Dayton, OH: WKEF (ABC/Fox/MyNetworkTV on different channels/subchannels), WRGT-TV (another Sinclair-operated outlet).
  • Omaha, NE: KPTM (Fox with subchannels including MyNetworkTV and The CW), KXVO (another Sinclair-associated station).

In many markets, Sinclair runs multiple stations or subchannels, giving it a strong local news and advertising presence.

Station categories and affiliations (high level)

Here’s a simplified breakdown of what kinds of stations Sinclair typically owns or operates.

Type of station Common affiliations Typical role
Big Four network affiliates ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox Main local news and prime-time network programming.
Youth/entertainment networks The CW, MyNetworkTV Scripted shows, syndicated reruns, some local content.
Independent stations Independent or niche networks Local programming, syndicated shows, sports.
Diginet subchannels Various (classic TV, movies, specialty) Extra ad inventory, specialized audiences.

Why it’s hard to print “the full list”

  • The exact lineup of what TV stations Sinclair owns shifts with acquisitions, sales, or changing operating agreements.
  • Some stations are not technically owned but are run through local marketing and similar agreements, which still give Sinclair effective control over programming or operations.
  • A full table would run many pages and would quickly go out of date.

If you need the current station-by-station breakdown, the most reliable approach is:

  1. Go to an updated “stations by owner” directory and filter for Sinclair.
  2. Or search for the latest “List of stations owned or operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group” and view the full table there.

Context and why it’s a trending topic

Sinclair often comes up in forum discussions and news because:

  • Its large footprint means centralized editorial decisions (like “must‑run” commentary segments) can appear across many local newscasts at once.
  • This raises debates about local vs. national control of news content and whether viewers are getting genuinely local, independent news.
  • Opinion pieces and corporate scripts have, in the past, gone viral when edited into montage videos showing many anchors reading the same words.

That’s why questions like “what TV stations does Sinclair own” keep surfacing in political and media discussions, especially during election seasons and major national controversies.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.