Sinclair Broadcast Group owns and operates a vast network of local TV stations across the United States. As the largest local broadcaster, it reaches over 40% of U.S. households through affiliations with major networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, The CW, and MyNetworkTV.

Sinclair Overview

Sinclair Broadcast Group, founded in 1971, is a telecommunications powerhouse headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland. It directly owns or operates around 185-294 television stations (figures vary by source due to sidecar arrangements via affiliates like Cunningham Broadcasting) in 89 markets, from major cities like Washington, D.C., to smaller areas like Ottumwa, Iowa. These include outright ownership and local marketing agreements (LMAs), allowing Sinclair to control programming on partner stations.

The company also runs four digital multicast networks—Comet, Charge!, The Nest, and TBD—on subchannels, delivering niche content like sci-fi movies and action programming.

Major Network Affiliations

Sinclair dominates in local news and primetime with these key affiliations:

  • Fox : Largest affiliation, including stations like WKEF (Dayton, OH) and KGAN (Cedar Rapids, IA).
  • ABC : Affiliates such as WXLV-TV (Greensboro, NC) and WSET (Lynchburg, VA).
  • CBS, NBC, The CW, MyNetworkTV : Examples include WRGB (Schenectady, NY, CBS/NBC), WLFL (Raleigh, NC, CW), and WRDC (Raleigh, MyNetworkTV).

Affiliation| Example Stations| Markets Covered
---|---|---
Fox| KFXA (IA), WKEF (OH)| 100+ stations 1
ABC| WXLV-TV (NC), WBMA (AL)| Dozens nationwide 5
CBS/NBC| WRGB (NY), WWMT (MI)| Key urban/rural mix 8
CW/MyNet| WLFL (NC), WWHO (OH)| Subchannel heavy 5

Notable Stations by Region

Sinclair's footprint spans coast-to-coast. Here's a snapshot from public lists:

  • Northeast : WJLA (DC, ABC), WSTM (Syracuse, NBC), WHAM (Rochester, ABC/CBS).
  • South : WEAR (Pensacola, ABC), WPDE (Myrtle Beach, ABC), WTVC (Chattanooga, ABC).
  • Midwest : WSYX (Columbus, ABC), WKEF (Dayton, ABC/Fox), WWMT (Grand Rapids, CBS).
  • West : KOMO (Seattle, ABC), KATU (Portland, ABC), KBOI (Boise, ABC).

For a full directory, Sinclair's site lists all by state (e.g., sbgi.net/tv- stations).

Controversies and Public Perception

Sinclair has drawn scrutiny for mandating identical "must-run" segments across stations, like 2018 promos decrying "fake news," sparking Black Mirror comparisons on Reddit. Critics argue it pushes conservative viewpoints, limiting local editorial choice, though defenders see it as countering national media bias. Recent deals, like a failed Tribune merger, highlight FCC debates over its market power.

In 2025 discussions, Sinclair's ABC ties raised eyebrows amid network tensions, but it airs shows like Jimmy Kimmel uninterrupted.

TL;DR : Sinclair stations are 185+ local TV outlets (ABC/Fox-heavy) in 89 U.S. markets, known for scale and syndicated content.

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