This report includes or incorporates forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  We have based theseWhen we use any of the words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements on our currentstatements. Although management believes that the expectations and projections about future events.  Thesereflected in such forward-looking statements are subjectbased upon present expectations and reasonable assumptions, our actual results could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Further, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time, unless required by law. The following are some of the risks and uncertainties, although not all risks and assumptions about us, including, among other things, the following risks:uncertainties, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those presented in our forward-looking statements:

 

We are a diversified television broadcastingmedia company with national reach withand a strong focus on providing high-quality content on our local television stations, regional sports networks, and digital platforms.  The content, distributed through our broadcast platform and third-party platforms, consists of programming provided by third-party networks and syndicators, local news, our own networks,college and professional sports, and other original programming produced by us.  We also distribute our original programming, and owned and operated networks, on other third-party platforms.  Additionally, we own digital and internet media products that are complementary to our extensive portfolio of television station and RSN related digital properties. We focus on offering marketing solutions to advertisers through our television and digital platforms and digital agency services. Outside of our media related businesses, we operate technical services companies focused on supply and maintenance of broadcast transmission systems as well as research and development for the advancement of broadcast technology, and we manage other non-media related investments.

Our broadcastlocal news and marketing services segment provides free over-the-air programming to television viewing audiences in the communities we serve through our local television stations.  The programming that we provide on our primary channels consists of network provided programs, locally-produced news, local sporting events, programming from program service arrangements, syndicated entertainment programs, and internally originated programming provided by our other media subsidiaries.programming. We provide live, local sporting events on many of our stations by acquiring the local television broadcast rights for these events. Additionally, we purchase and barter for popular syndicated programming from third party television producers. 

We are one of the nation's largest producerproducers of local news. We produce approximately 2,2002,550 hours of news per week at 112129 stations in 76 markets,81 markets. During 2019, our stations were awarded with 386 journalism awards, including three stations which produce news pursuant to a local news sharing arrangement for competitive stations in that market.  We have 20 stations which have local news sharing arrangements with a competitive station in that market that produces the news aired on our station. 

 

Our primary source oflocal news and marketing services segment derives revenue isprimarily from the sale of commercialadvertising inventory on our television stations and fees received from MVPDs for the right to distribute our advertising customers.channels on their distribution platforms. We also earn revenues by selling digital advertisements on third-party platforms and providing digital content to non-linear devices via websites, mobile, and social media advertisements. Our objective is to meet the needs of our advertising customers by delivering significant audiences in key demographics.  Our strategy is to achieve this objective by providing quality local news programming, popular network, syndicated and live sports programs, and other original content to our viewing audience.  We attract most of our national television advertisers through national marketing representation firms which have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Atlanta.Dallas. Our local television advertisers are primarily attracted through the use of a local sales force at each of our television stations, which is comprised of approximately 700 sales account executivesmarketing consultants and 100 local sales managers company-wide.

Our operating results are subject to cyclical fluctuations from political advertising.  Political spending has been significantly higher in the even-number years due to the cyclicality of political elections.  In addition, every four years, political spending is typically elevated further due to the advertising related to the presidential election.  Because of the political election cyclicality, there has been a significant difference in our operating results when comparing even-numbered years’ performance to the odd numbered years’ performance.  Additionally, our operating results are impacted by the number and importance of individual political races and issues discussed on a national level as well as those within the local communities we serve.  We believe political advertising will continue to be a strongan important advertising category in our industry. With increased spending by Political Action Committees (PACs), including so-called Super PACs, andadvertising levels may increase further as political-activism, around social, political, economic and environmental causes, continues to draw attention political advertising levels mayand Political Action Committees (PACs), including so-called Super PACs, continue to increase further.spending.

Owned Networks and Content

We also own and operate various networks carried on distribution platforms owned by us or others: Tennis Channel (Tennis), a cable network acquired in March 2016, which includes coverage of the top 100 tournaments and original professional sport and tennis lifestyle shows; COMET,others including: Comet, our science fiction multicast network which debuted in October 2015; and ASN, our regional sports network.

Our internally developed content, in addition to our local news, includes Ring of Honor ("ROH")(ROH), our professional wrestling promotion, and Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson ("Full Measure")(Full Measure), our national Sunday morning investigative and political analysis program, launched in October 2015.and America This Week with Eric Bolling.

Digital and Internet

Technical Services

We own subsidiaries which are dedicated to providing broadcast related technical services to the broadcast industry, including: Acrodyne Technical Services, a provider of service and support for broadcast transmitters throughout the world; Dielectric, a designer and manufacturer of broadcast systems including all components from transmitter output to antenna; and ONE Media, a technology innovator at the forefront of developing industry standards and related technologies for Next Generation Broadcast Platforms (Next Gen)NEXTGEN TV, a broadcast standard encompassing itsa flexible and enhanced vision for broadcasting. In April 2016, we launchedbroadcasting; and ONE Media 3.0, a wholly-owned subsidiary whose purpose will beis to develop business opportunities, products, and serviceservices associated with ATSC 3.0 "Next Generation"the NEXTGEN TV broadcast transmission standard and TV platform. We have also partnered with Saankhya Labs to develop NEXTGEN TV technologies to be used in consumer devices, and formed a joint venture with SK Telecom focused on cloud infrastructure for broadcasting, ultra-low latency OTT broadcasting, and targeted advertising.

We own various non-media related investments through our subsidiary Keyser Capital which is an originator, underwriter, and manager of our investments across multiple asset classes including private equity, mezzanine financing, and real estate investments. Some of the largest investments include: Triangle Sign and Service (Triangle), a sign designer and fabricator; Alarm Funding Associates (Alarm Funding),Jefferson Park, a regional security alarm operator and bulk acquisition company; Bay Creek South (Bay Creek), a land developer for a planned resort community in Cape Charles, VA; and Jefferson Place, a mixed usemixed-use land development project in Frederick, MD.MD; investments in sustainability initiatives; and a portfolio of apartment complexes.

In 2019, the local news and marketing services and sports segments had three customers, AT&T, Charter Communications, and Comcast, that individually exceeded 10% of consolidated revenue. Any disruption in our relationship with AT&T, Charter Communications, or Comcast could have a Maryland corporation formed in 1986.  Our principal offices are located at 10706 Beaver Dam Road, Hunt Valley, Maryland 21030.  Our telephone number is (410) 568-1500material adverse effect on the local news and marketing segment, the sports segment, and our website address is www.sbgi.net.  The information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not partresults of this annual report on Form 10-K and is not incorporated herein by reference.operation.

Television advertising prices are primarily based on ratings information measured and distributed by Nielsen.Nielsen and Comscore. Except for its Household viewing in Set Meter Markets, Nielsen is currently not accredited by the Media Rating Council (MRC), an independent organization that monitors rating services, which revoked Nielsen’s accreditation in the 154 markets in which Nielsen measures ratings exclusively by its diary methodology.services. As of December 31, 2016, approximately 422019, Sinclair’s footprint includes 12 markets measured by Code Reader methodology and 47 markets measured by RPD+ methodology, which uses Set Top Box data. Neither of our 81 marketsthese methodologies are diary only markets.  We have entered into a contract with comScore (formerly Rentrak),currently accredited by the Media Rating Council. Comscore is an alternative rating service provider that uses set-top box television measurements to provide us additional measurement information to the ratings services that Nielsen provides for all 173most of our stationsstations. Comscore's local television ratings service is also not accredited by the MRC.

Our RSNs intend to continue to invest in producing popular sports programming, and measure audience engagement and needs to determine what our 81 markets.sports fans value most and to continue to work to deliver premier sports content in the markets in which we operate.

Our local news initiatives are an important part of our strategy. We have entered into local news sharing arrangements in which we receive news in 2010 markets from other in-market broadcasters and provide news in 3 markets to other in-market broadcasters. We believe that, in the markets where we have news share arrangements, such arrangements generally provide both higher viewer ratings and revenues for the station receiving the news and generate a profit for the news share provider. Generally, both parties and the local community are beneficiaries of these arrangements.

In addition to our traditional local news stories, we have utilized our national reach and placementphysical presence in the nation's capital to provide our local viewers with broader national news stories which are relevant to our local viewers.

Our local news coverage is complemented with airing Full Measure. Additionally,supported by our national news desk and Capitol Hill bureaubureau. These teams focus on providing context and perspective to important stories in the daily news teams produce daily unique stories unavailable from other sources and focused on government accountability storytelling thatcycle. This content provides a significant point of difference with a focus on accountability reporting for our stations. Available on-air and online, the bureau not only expands our news presence, but gives our local station viewers an opportunity to hear the views of their members of Congress through programs such as "Connect to Congress," our weekly on-air and digital feature which provides an electronic video pathway for lawmakers to speak to their constituents. Our weekly investigative news program, Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson, reinforces our mission to provide our fearless storytelling on significant topics of public importance.

We also provide our viewers with "Town Halls," which brings together our viewers to discuss major local and national topics. During 2016In 2018 we began producing "Your Voice Your Future Opioid Town Hall" and in 2019 we produced "Town Halls" covering both25 Town Halls on the opioids crisis. Sinclair is in its 8th year of producing award winning Town Halls, Roundtables and Debates. Our "Your Voice Your Future" series produced 90 distinctive productions in 2019 educating and empowering our viewers with topics of local and national elections, includingimportance. Guests from all sides of the political spectrum offered insight on topics covering opioids, education, school vaccinations, child abuse, crime & violence, health care, the nationally recognized “Seattle is Dying”, several local debates, immigration, firearms, drugs,and City in Crisis from our flagship station in Baltimore. In total we have produced close to 700 one-hour long productions, often with a studio audience, and always with audience participation. We continue Sinclair’s dedication in 2020 with over 150 Town Hall productions scheduled.

Through our free, ad-supported streaming app STIRR, we offer access to 100 channels with some of the Black Lives Matter Movement,most popular being local news programs. In January 2020, STIRR added the original channel "2020 LIVE" to further expand the platform's election coverage. We also own NewsOn, a single app to watch live, local news on mobile and law enforcementOTT devices.

Tennis has certain telecast rights to the U.S. Open; Wimbledon; Roland Garros (French Open); Australian Open; ATP World Tour Masters 1000, 500, and 250 events; WTA Premier, International, and Finals; Laver Cup; Hopman Cup; ATP and WTA Pro Circuit; and College and Junior events and exhibitions. Our stations also broadcast programming and other content provided by Tennis and we expectprovide access to produce over 100 hours of such coverage.certain events through our premium OTT offering, Tennis Channel Plus. Tennis also includes Tennis.com, the most visited online tennis platform in the world. Tennis' complementary offerings allows us to provide greater and more in depth tennis content to consumers on TV, internet, and print.

We continue to expand our digital distribution platforms through initiatives such as our new video management system, which simplifies and automates our broadcast-to-digital streaming workflow and allows for dynamic replacement of broadcast ads with digital ads targeted to each individual viewer.viewer and allows us to ingest and redistribute content across our platform so that we can break news first.  By using a single ad-serving system across all of our web sites, mobile apps, and other digital assets, we are able to streamline our sales workflow, optimize yield, and deliver comprehensive sales opportunities across our digital footprint. Additionally, we are deploying over-the-topdirect-to-consumer (DTC) and OTT initiatives, (OTT), such as the NewsOn app,STIRR, as well as our own content applications.

The ownership, operation, and sale of television stations are subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC, which acts under the authority granted by the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Communications Act).  Among other things, the FCC assigns frequency bands for broadcasting; determines the particular frequencies, locations, and operating power of stations; issues, renews, revokes, and modifies station licenses; regulates equipment used by stations; adopts and implements regulations and policies that directly or indirectly affect the ownership, operation, and employment practices of stations; and has the power to impose penalties for violations of its rules and regulations of the Communications Act.

The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Communications Act and specific FCC regulations and policies.  Reference should be made to the Communications Act, FCC rules, and the public notices and rulings of the FCC for further information concerning the nature and extent of federal regulation of broadcast stations.

Television stations operate pursuant to broadcasting licenses that are granted by the FCC for maximum terms of eight years and are subject to renewal upon application to the FCC.  During certain periods when renewal applications are pending, petitions to deny license renewals can be filed by interested parties, including members of the public.

Although historically renewal of a license, including those of the Company, is granted in the vast majority of cases, even when petitions to deny are filed, there can be no assurance that the license of any station will be renewed or, if renewed, that the renewal terms will be for the maximum term permitted.

All of our stations' most recent license renewal applications have been granted for the maximum term permitted. The next television license renewal application cycle will begin on June 1, 2020. On November 26, 2018, the American Cable Association (ACA) filed an informal request with the FCC seeking to require the early filing of renewal applications for the licenses of four of our stations, and an individual filed a similar informal request on July 22, 2019. We filed an opposition to ACA’s informal request on December 10, 2018 and an opposition to the individual’s informal request on August 1, 2019. These matters remain pending, and we cannot predict whether or when the FCC will take action on these informal requests.

The FCC generally applies its ownership limits to “attributable” interests held by an individual, corporation, partnership or other association.  In the case of corporations holding, or through subsidiaries controlling, broadcast licenses, the interests of officers, directors and those who, directly or indirectly, have the right to vote 5% or more of the corporation’s stock (or 20% or more of such stock in the case of insurance companies, investment companies and bank trust departments that are passive investors) are generally attributable.  In addition, pursuant to what is known as the equity-debt-plus rule, a major programming supplier or same-market media entity will be an attributable owner of a station if the supplier or same-market media entity holds debt or equity, or both, in the station that is greater than 33% of the value of the station’s total debt plus equity.  Further, the Communications Act generally prohibits foreign parties from having more than a 20% interest (voting or equity) in a broadcast licensee or more than a 25% interest in the parent of that licensee.licensee without receiving prior FCC approval to exceed these limits. Following a Declaratory Ruling in 2013 in which the Commission indicated that it was open to considering proposals for foreign investment in broadcast licenses that exceed the 25% benchmark on a case by case basis, on September 29, 2016, the FCC adopted a Report and Order which among other things, (i) simplified the foreign ownership approval process for broadcast licensees seeking to exceed the 25% benchmark and (ii) modified the methodology a licensee may use to determine compliance with the foreign ownership rules.

Sinclair and its subsidiaries are domestic corporations, and the members of the Smith family (who, as of December 31, 2016,2019, together hold approximately 77.3%76.8% of the common voting rights of Sinclair) are all United States citizens.  Our amended and restated Articles of Incorporation (the Amended Certificate) contain limitations on alien ownership and control that are substantially similar to those contained in the Communications Act.  Pursuant to the Amended Certificate, we have the right to repurchase alien-owned shares at their fair market value to the extent necessary, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, to comply with the alien ownership restrictions.

Additional ownership rules as currently in effect are as follows:

Certain of our stations have entered into agreements with other stations in the same market, through which we provide programming and operating services pursuant to time brokerage or local marketing agreements (LMAs) or provide sales services and other non-programming operating services pursuant to outsourcing agreements, such as joint sales agreements (JSAs) and shared services agreements (SSAs).  LMAs and JSAs are attributable where a licensee holds an attributable interest in a television station and (i) programs more than 15% of the weekly broadcast hours and/or (ii) sells more than 15% of the weekly advertising time on another television station in the same market.

The Satellite Home Viewer Act (SHVA), as extended by The Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of 1999 (SHVIA), the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act (SHVERA), the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA) and the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR) among other things, (i) allows satellite carriers to provide local television signals by satellite within a station market, and requires them to carry all local signals that asserted carriage rights in any market where they carry any local signals, (ii) requires all television stations to elect to exercise certain “must-carry” or “retransmission consent” rights in connection with their carriage by satellite carriers, and (iii) authorizes satellite delivery of distant network signals, significantly viewed signals and local low-power television station signals into local markets under defined circumstances. In adopting fiscal year 2020 appropriations legislation, Congress allowed STELAR to sunset on December 31, 2019 but made permanent STELAR’s (1) requirements that broadcasters and MVPDs negotiate retransmission content in good faith and (2) distant signal satellite license provisions for RVs, truckers, tailgaters and short markets. To qualify for the permanent license, satellite operators must deliver local-into-local service in all currently “unserved” markets by the appropriations bill’s May 31, 2020 deadline.

Television broadcasters are required to make triennial elections to exercise either certain “must-carry” or “retransmission consent” rights in connection with their carriage by cable systems in each broadcaster’s local market.   By electing to exercise must-carry rights, a broadcaster demands carriage and receives a specific channel on cable systems within its DMA. Must carry rights are not absolute and are dependent on a number of factors which may or may not be present in a particular case.  Alternatively, if a broadcaster chooses to exercise retransmission consent rights, it can prohibit cable systems from carrying its signal or grant the appropriate cable system the authority to retransmit the broadcast signal for a fee or other consideration.  We have elected to exercise our retransmission consent rights with respect to all of our stations. In February 2015, the FCC issued an order implementing certain statutorily required changes to its rules governing the duty to negotiate retransmission consent agreements in good faith. Under these rules, unless the stations are directly or indirectly under common de jure control as permitted under the regulations of the Commission, a station may not delegate authority to negotiate or approve a retransmission consent agreement to a station located in the same market or to a third party that negotiates together with another television station in the same market, nor may stations in the same market facilitate or agree to facilitate coordinated negotiation of retransmission consent terms for their stations in that market, including through the sharing of information.

Further, in September 2015, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in response to a Congressional directive in STELAR to examine the “totality of the circumstances test” for good-faith negotiations of retransmission consent. The proposed rulemaking sought comment on new factors and evidence to consider in its evaluation of claims of bad faith negotiation, including service interruptions prior to a “marquee sports or entertainment event,” restrictions on online access to broadcast programming during negotiation impasses, broadcasters’ ability to offer bundles of broadcast signals with other broadcast stations or cable networks, and broadcasters’ ability to invoke the FCC’s exclusivity rules during service interruptions. On July 14, 2016, the FCC's Chairmanthen-Chairman Wheeler announced that the FCC would not, at that time, proceed to adopt additional rules governing good faith negotiations of retransmission consent. No formal action has yet been taken on this Proposed Rulemaking, and we cannot predict if the full Commission will agree to terminate the Rulemaking without action.

The FCC’s syndicated exclusivity rules allow local broadcast television stations to demand that cable operators black out syndicated non-network programming carried on “distant signals” (i.e., signals of broadcast stations, including so-called “superstations,” which serve areas substantially removed from the cable systems’ local community).  The FCC’s network non-duplication rules allow local broadcast, network affiliated stations to require that cable operators black out duplicate network programming carried on distant signals.  Both rules are subject to various exceptions and limitations.  In a number of markets in which we own or program stations affiliated with a network, a station that is affiliated with the same network in a nearby market is carried on cable systems in our markets.  Such significantly viewed signals are not subject to black out pursuant to the FCC’s network non-duplication rules.  The carriage of two network stations on the same cable system could result in a decline of viewership, adversely affecting the revenues of our owned or programmed stations.  In March 2014, the FCC issued a Report Andand Order Andand Further Notice Ofof Proposed Rulemaking, requesting comments on whether it has authority to, and should, eliminate or modify its network non-duplication and/or syndicated exclusivity rules.  This proceeding is pending and we cannot predict when or how the FCC will resolve that rulemaking.

Congress and the FCC have under consideration, and in the future may consider and adopt, new laws, regulations, and policies regarding a wide variety of matters that could affect, directly or indirectly, the operation, ownership, and profitability of our broadcast stations, result in the loss of audience share and advertising revenues for our broadcast stations, and affect our ability to acquire additional broadcast stations or finance such acquisitions.

Other matters that could affect our broadcast properties include technological innovations and developments generally affecting competition in the mass communications industry, such as direct to consumer offerings, direct television broadcast satellite service, Class A television service, the continued establishment of wireless cable systems and low power television stations, digital television technologies, the internet and mobility, and portability of our broadcast signal to hand-held devices.

On December 13, 2018, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to initiate the 2018 Quadrennial Regulatory Review of the FCC’s broadcast spectrum for both ourownership rules, pursuant to the statutory requirement that the FCC review its media ownership rules every four years to determine whether they remain “necessary in the public interest as the result of competition.” The NPRM generally seeks comment on whether the Local Radio Ownership Rule, the Local Television Ownership Rule, and the Dual Network Rule should be retained, modified, or eliminated. With respect to the Local Television Ownership Rule specifically, among other things, the NPRM seeks comment on possible modifications to the rule’s operation, including the relevant product market, the numerical limit, the top-four prohibition; and the implications of multicasting, satellite stations, low power stations and other broadcasters.the next generation standard. In addition, the NPRM examines further several diversity related proposals raised in the last quadrennial review proceeding. The public comment period closed on May 29, 2019, and the rulemaking remains pending.

The preceding summary is not a complete discussion of all provisions of the Communications Act or other congressional acts or of the regulations and policies of the FCC, or in some cases, the DOJ.  For further information, reference should be made to the Communications Act, other congressional acts and regulations, and public notices circulated from time to time by the FCC, or in some cases, the DOJ.  There are additional regulations and policies of the FCC and other federal agencies that govern political broadcasts, advertising, equal employment opportunity, and other matters affecting our business and operations.

Prior to our ownership or operation of our facilities, substances or waste that are, or might be considered, hazardous under applicable environmental laws may have been generated, used, stored, or disposed of at certain of those facilities.  In addition, environmental conditions relating to the soil and groundwater at or under our facilities may be affected by the proximity of nearby properties that have generated, used, stored, or disposed of hazardous substances.  As a result, it is possible that we could become subject to environmental liabilities in the future in connection with these facilities under applicable environmental laws and regulations.  Although we believe that we are in substantial compliance with such environmental requirements and have not in the past been required to incur significant costs in connection therewith, there can be no assurance that our costs to comply with such requirements will not increase in the future or that we will not become subject to new governmental regulations, including those pertaining to potential climate change legislation, that may impose additional restrictions or costs on us.  We presently believe that none of our properties have any condition that is likely to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, or consolidated statements of cash flows.

Our television stations and RSNs compete for audience share and advertising revenue with other television stations and cable networks in their respective DMAs,markets, as well as with other advertising media such as MVPDs, OTT, cable networks, video on-demand, radio, newspapers, magazines, outdoor advertising, transit advertising, telecommunications providers, direct mail, and internet, and other digital media, such as OTT.  Some competitors are part of larger organizations with substantially greater financial, technical and other resources than we have.  Other factors that are material to a television station’s competitive position include signal coverage, local program acceptance, network affiliation or program service, audience characteristics and assigned broadcast frequency.media.

  

Competition in the television broadcasting industry occurs primarily in individual DMAs.  Generally, a television broadcasting station in one DMA does not compete with stations in other DMAs.  Our television stations are located in highly competitive DMAs.  MVPDs can increase competition for a broadcast television station by bringing into its market additional cable network channels.  These narrow cable network channels are typically low rated,Stations and as a result, advertisements are inexpensive to the local advertisers.  In addition, certain of our DMAs are overlapped by over-the-air station from adjacent DMAs and MVPDs of stations from other DMAs, which tends to spread viewership and advertising expenditures over a larger number of television stations.

Our network affiliated stations are largely dependent upon the performance of network provided programs in order to attract viewers.  Non-network time periods are programmed by the station primarily with syndicated programs purchased for cash, cash and barter, or barter-only, as well as through self-produced news, public affairs programs, live local sporting events, paid-programming, and other lifestyle and entertainment programming. We also compete for programming which involves negotiating with national program distributors or syndicators that sell first-run and rerun packages of programming.  Our stations compete for access to those programs against in-market broadcast station competitors for syndicated products and with national cable networks.  Public broadcasting stations generally compete with commercial broadcasters for viewers, but not for advertising dollars.

 

Television advertisingAdvertising rates are based upon factors which include the size of the DMAmarket in which the station operates,and RSN operate; a program’sprogram or team's popularity among the viewers that an advertiser wishes to attract,attract; the number of advertisers competing for the available time,time; the demographic makeup of the DMAmarket served by the station and RSN; the availability of alternative advertising media in the DMA,DMA; the aggressiveness and knowledge of the sales forces in the DMAmarket to call on and understand their client’s need; and development of projects, features, and programs that tie advertiser messages to programming.  We believe that our sales and programming strategies allow us to compete effectively for advertising revenues within the stations' and RSNs' markets.

Further, the competition of obtaining distribution is highly competitive. Our stations and RSNs face competition from other television stations and cable networks for the right to be carried by a particular distributor, and for the right to be carried on the service tier that will attract the most subscribers. Once one of our DMAs.stations or RSNs obtains distribution, that network competes for viewers not only with the other channels available through the distributor, but also with over-the-air television, pay-per-view channels and video-on-demand channels, as well as online services, mobile services, radio, print, streaming services, and other sources of media and information, sporting events and entertainment. Important to our success in each area of competition the station and RSN faces are the price the station or RSN charges for its carriage; the quantity, quality and variety of programming offered and the effectiveness of its marketing efforts.

TheOur stations' and RSNs' ability to successfully compete with other television broadcasting industrystations and cable networks for distribution may be hampered because the distributors, through which distribution is sought, may be affiliated with other television stations or cable networks. Those distributors may place their affiliated television station or cable network on a more desirable tier, thereby giving the affiliated television station or cable network a competitive advantage over our stations' or RSNs' own programming.

Our stations and RSNs are continuously faced with technical changes and innovations, competing entertainment and communications media, changes in labor conditions, and governmental restrictions or actions of federal regulatory bodies, including the FCC, any of which could possibly have a material effect on a television station’s operations and profits. 

Moreover, technology advances and regulatory changes affecting programming delivery through fiber optic lines, video compression, and new wireless uses could lower entry barriers for new video channels and encourage the further development of increasingly specialized “niche” programming.  Telephone companies are permitted to provide video distribution services, on a common carrier basis, as “cable systems” or as “open video systems,” each pursuant to different regulatory schemes.  Additionally, over-the-top (OTT)OTT services allowsallow consumers to consume programming on-demand through access to the internet and without a subscription with an MVPD. We continue to compete with the OTT services for viewership.

DTV technology allows usour stations to provide viewers multiple channels of digital television over each of our existing standard digital channels, to provide certain programming in HD television format and to deliver other channels of information in the forms of data and programming to the internet, PCs, smart phones, tablet computers, and mobile and streaming devices.  These additional capabilities may provide us with additional sources of revenue, as well as additional competition.

WeThe financial success of our stations' and RSNs' also compete fordepends in part upon unpredictable and volatile factors beyond our control, such as viewer preferences, the strength of the advertising market, the quality and appeal of the competing programming which involves negotiating with national program distributors or syndicators that sell first-run and rerun packagesthe availability of programming.  Our stations compete for access to those programs against in-market broadcast station competitors for syndicated products and with national cable networks.  Public broadcasting stations generally compete with commercial broadcasters for viewers, but not for advertising dollars.other entertainment activities.

We believe we compete favorably against other television stations and cable networks because of our management skill and experience, our ability historically to generate revenue share greater than our audience share, our network affiliations and program service arrangements, and our local program acceptance.  In addition, we believe that we benefit from the operation of multiple broadcast and network properties, affording us certain non-quantifiable economies of scale and competitive advantages in the purchase of programming.

As of December 31, 2016,2019, we had approximately 8,40011,800 employees, including part-time, temporary employees. Approximately 8001,630 employees are represented by labor unions under certain collective bargaining agreements. We have not experienced any significant labor problems and consider our overall labor relations to be good.

We regularly use our website as a source of company information and it can be accessed at www.sbgi.net. We make available, free of charge through our website, our annual reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after such documents are electronically submitted to the SEC, who also makes these reports available at http://www.sec.gov.  We intend to comply with the requirements of Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding amendments to and waivers under the code of business conduct and ethics applicable to our Chief Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer by providing such information on our website within four days after effecting any amendment to, or granting any waiver under, that code, and we will maintain such information on our website for at least twelve months. In addition, a replay of each of our quarterly earnings conference calls is available on our website until the subsequent quarter’s earnings call.  The information contained on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is not incorporated herein by reference.

You should carefully consider the risks described below before investing in our securities.  Our business is also subject to the risks that affect many other companies such as general economic conditions, geopolitical events, competition, technological obsolescence, and employee relations.  The risks described below, along with risks not currently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial, may impair our business operations and our liquidity in an adverse way.