Sinclair Broadcast (SBGI) 10-K 1 Mar 19 2018 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 25, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	912,752
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 2,453.1
Class A Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		65,721,967
Class B Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		25,670,684

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 1,060,330	$ 681,326
Restricted cash, current		0	313,110
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,379 and $2,590, respectively		598,597	566,464
Current portion of program contract costs		64,247	71,387
Income taxes receivable		0	28,150
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		60,732	54,310
Total current assets		1,783,906	1,714,747
Program contract costs, less current portion		11,217	3,202
Property and equipment, net		683,134	738,298
Restricted cash, less current portion		0	1,504
Goodwill		2,123,902	2,124,033
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		158,222	159,371
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		1,626,880	1,801,670
Other assets		184,831	241,645
Total assets	[1]	6,572,092	6,784,470
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		413,227	370,403
Deferred spectrum auction proceeds		0	84,341
Income taxes payable		23,314	2,503
Current portion of notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing		42,564	161,049
Current portion of program contracts payable		93,480	108,053
Total current liabilities		572,585	726,349
Notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing, less current portion		3,849,891	3,887,601
Program contracts payable, less current portion		50,060	41,909
Deferred tax liabilities		413,253	515,236
Other long-term liabilities		85,983	79,009
Total liabilities	[1]	4,971,772	5,250,104
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 11)
Shareholders' Equity:
Additional paid-in capital		1,121,054	1,320,298
Retained earnings		517,620	248,845
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(784)	(1,423)
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group shareholders’ equity		1,638,836	1,568,738
Noncontrolling interests		(38,516)	(34,372)
Total equity		1,600,320	1,534,366
Total liabilities and equity		6,572,092	6,784,470
Total assets of variable interest entities		127,600	130,600
Total liabilities of variable interest entities		22,300	27,000
Class A Common Stock
Shareholders' Equity:
Common Stock		689	761
Class B Common Stock
Shareholders' Equity:
Common Stock		$ 257	$ 257
[1]	Our consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 include total assets of variable interest entities (VIEs) of $127.6 million and $130.6 million , respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. Our consolidated total liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 include total liabilities of the VIEs of $22.3 million and $27.0 million , respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to us. See Note 12. Variable Interest Entities

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,379 and $2,590, respectively	$ 2,379	$ 2,590
Class A Common Stock
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued (in shares)	68,897,723	76,071,145
Common Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	68,897,723	76,071,145
Class B Common Stock
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	140,000,000	140,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued (in shares)	25,670,684	25,670,684
Common Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	25,670,684	25,670,684

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
REVENUES:
Media revenues	[1]	$ 2,918,727	$ 2,566,936		$ 2,520,676
Non-media revenues		136,354	69,279		101,834
Total revenues		3,055,081	2,636,215		2,622,510
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Media production expenses		1,191,016	1,064,144		955,604
Media selling, general and administrative expenses		629,919	533,537		501,589
Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments		100,899	115,523		127,880
Non-media expenses		122,491	75,199		84,733
Depreciation of property and equipment		105,240	97,103	[2]	98,529	[2]
Corporate general and administrative expenses		111,070	113,253		73,556
Amortization of definite-lived intangible and other assets		174,848	178,822	[2]	183,795	[2]
Gain on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment		(40,063)	(278,872)		(6,029)
Total operating expenses		2,395,420	1,898,709		2,019,657
Operating income		659,661	737,506		602,853
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs		(291,976)	(212,315)		(211,143)
Loss from extinguishment of debt		0	(1,404)	[2]	(23,699)	[2]
(Loss) income from equity method investments		(60,831)	(14,307)		906
Other income, net		3,369	9,264		3,973
Total other expense		(349,438)	(218,762)		(229,963)
Income before income taxes		310,223	518,744		372,890
INCOME TAX BENEFIT (PROVISION)		35,775	75,360		(122,128)
NET INCOME		345,998	594,104	[2]	250,762	[2]
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests		(4,757)	(18,091)		(5,461)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP		$ 341,241	$ 576,013		$ 245,301
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)		$ 3.38	$ 5.77		$ 2.62
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)		$ 3.35	$ 5.72		$ 2.60
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)		100,913	99,844		93,567
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)		101,718	100,789		94,433
[1]	See Revenue Recognition within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
[2]	See Recent Accounting Pronouncements within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 345,998	$ 594,104	[1]	$ 250,762	[1]
Adjustments to post-retirement obligations, net of taxes	639	(616)		27
Comprehensive income	346,637	593,488		250,789
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,757)	(18,091)		(5,461)
Comprehensive income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$ 341,880	$ 575,397		$ 245,328
[1]	See Recent Accounting Pronouncements within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUI

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (DEFICIT) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total		Class A Common Stock	Class B Common Stock	Common StockClass A Common Stock	Common StockClass B Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	(Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting standard	$ 2,264						$ 431	$ 1,833
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015					68,792,483	25,928,357
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2015	499,678				$ 688	$ 259	962,726	(437,029)	$ (834)	$ (26,132)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Dividends declared and paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	(65,909)							(65,909)
Class B Common Stock converted into Class A Common Stock (in shares)					257,673	(257,673)
Class B Common Stock converted into Class A Common Stock	0				$ 2	$ (2)
Repurchase of Class A Common Stock (in shares)					(4,892,461)
Repurchases of Class A Common Stock	(136,283)				$ (48)		(136,235)
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans (in shares)					400,512
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans	16,773				$ 4		16,769
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(10,722)									(10,722)
Issuance of subsidiary stock awards	1,346									1,346
Other comprehensive income	27								27
Net income	250,762	[1]						245,301		5,461
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016					64,558,207	25,670,684
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2016	557,936				$ 646	$ 257	843,691	(255,804)	(807)	(30,047)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs (in shares)					12,000,000
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	487,883				$ 120		487,763
Dividends declared and paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	(71,364)							(71,364)
Repurchase of Class A Common Stock (in shares)					(997,300)
Repurchases of Class A Common Stock	(30,287)				$ (10)		(30,277)
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans (in shares)					510,238
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans	19,126				$ 5		19,121
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(22,416)									(22,416)
Other comprehensive income	(616)								(616)
Net income	594,104	[1]						576,013		18,091
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017			76,071,145	25,670,684	76,071,145	25,670,684
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2017	1,534,366				$ 761	$ 257	1,320,298	248,845	(1,423)	(34,372)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting standard	2,100							2,100
Dividends declared and paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	(74,566)							(74,566)
Repurchase of Class A Common Stock (in shares)					(7,761,529)
Repurchases of Class A Common Stock	(220,889)				$ (78)		(220,811)
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans (in shares)					588,107
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans	21,573				$ 6		21,567
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(8,901)									(8,901)
Other comprehensive income	639								639
Net income	345,998							341,241		4,757
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018			68,897,723	25,670,684	68,897,723	25,670,684
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 1,600,320				$ 689	$ 257	$ 1,121,054	$ 517,620	$ (784)	$ (38,516)
[1]	See Recent Accounting Pronouncements within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQ_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	1 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Dividends declared per share (USD per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.18
Dividends paid per share (USD per share)								$ 0.74	$ 0.72
Class A Common Stock
Dividends declared per share (USD per share)								0.74	0.72	$ 0.71
Dividends paid per share (USD per share)								0.74	0.72	0.71
Class B Common Stock
Dividends declared per share (USD per share)								0.74	0.72	0.71
Dividends paid per share (USD per share)								$ 0.74	$ 0.72	$ 0.71

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income		$ 345,998	$ 594,104	[1]	$ 250,762	[1]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation of property and equipment		105,240	97,103	[1]	98,529	[1]
Amortization of definite-lived intangible and other assets		174,848	178,822	[1]	183,795	[1]
Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments		100,899	115,523	[1]	127,880	[1]
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0	1,404	[1]	23,699	[1]
Stock-based compensation		26,516	15,886	[1]	16,939	[1]
Deferred tax (benefit) provision		(102,621)	(159,462)	[1]	6,118	[1]
Gain on asset dispositions, net of impairment		(19,325)	(278,608)	[1]	(6,029)	[1]
Loss (income) from equity method investments		60,831	14,307	[1]	(906)	[1]
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Increase in accounts receivable		(36,680)	(41,908)	[1]	(71,718)	[1]
Net change in net income taxes payable/receivable		48,703	(43,374)	[1]	18,814	[1]
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets		(9,905)	(9,409)	[1]	(969)	[1]
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities		23,666	34,857	[1]	60,086	[1]
Payments on program contracts payable		(107,983)	(111,470)	[1]	(111,506)	[1]
Other, net		37,231	23,638	[1]	16,096	[1]
Net cash flows from operating activities		647,418	431,413	[1]	611,590	[1]
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(105,061)	(83,812)	[1]	(94,465)	[1]
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		0	(271,273)	[1]	(425,657)	[1]
Spectrum auction proceeds		0	310,802	[1]	0	[1]
Proceeds from the sale of assets		1,616	195,209	[1]	17,202	[1]
Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts		0	(5,682)	[1]	(40,206)	[1]
Investments in equity investees		(35,805)	(55,129)	[1]	(51,247)	[1]
Distributions from equity method investees		22,834	12,178	[1]	6,786	[1]
Loans to affiliates		0	19,500	[1]	(19,500)	[1]
Other, net		(1,795)	(7,209)	[1]	(2,441)	[1]
Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities		(118,211)	114,584	[1]	(609,528)	[1]
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases		4,317	166,797	[1]	1,024,912	[1]
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases		(166,785)	(340,108)	[1]	(674,439)	[1]
Proceeds from the sale of Class A Common Stock		0	487,883	[1]	0	[1]
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock		(220,889)	(30,287)	[1]	(136,283)	[1]
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock		(74,566)	(71,364)	[1]	(65,909)	[1]
Payments for deferred financing costs		(922)	(731)	[1]	(35,505)	[1]
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(8,901)	(22,416)	[1]	(10,464)	[1]
Other, net		2,929	(15)	[1]	2,113	[1]
Net cash flows (used in) from financing activities		(464,817)	189,759	[1]	104,425	[1]
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH		64,390	735,756	[1]	106,487	[1]
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of year	[1]	995,940	260,184		153,697
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of year		$ 1,060,330	$ 995,940	[1]	$ 260,184	[1]
[1]	See Recent Accounting Pronouncements within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMAR

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:Nature of Operations Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is a diversified television broadcasting company with national reach and a strong focus on using our spectrum to bring together content providers, advertisers, and consumers on various platforms. The content, distributed through our broadcast platform, consists of programming provided by third-party networks and syndicators, local news, and other original programming produced by us. We also distribute our original programming, and owned and operated network affiliates, on other third-party platforms. Additionally, we own digital media products that are complementary to our extensive portfolio of television station 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. As of December 31, 2018 , our broadcast distribution platform is a single reportable segment for accounting purposes. It consists primarily of our broadcast television stations, which we own, provide programming and operating services pursuant to agreements commonly referred to as local marketing agreements (LMAs), or provide sales services and other non-programming operating services pursuant to other outsourcing agreements (such as joint sales agreements (JSAs) and shared services agreements (SSAs)) to 191 stations in 89 markets. These stations broadcast 605 channels as of December 31, 2018 . For the purpose of this report, these 191 stations and 605 The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of subsidiaries which we control and variable interest entities (VIEs) for which we are the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interest represents a minority owner’s proportionate share of the equity in certain of our consolidated entities. All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in entities over which we have significant influence but not control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Income from equity method investments represents our proportionate share of net income generated by equity method investees. We consolidate VIEs when we are the primary beneficiary. We are the the primary beneficiary of a VIE when we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE. See Note 12. Variable Interest Entities The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance on revenue recognition for revenue from contracts with customers, Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (ASC 606). This guidance requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers and replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance when it became effective. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Since Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09 was issued, several additional ASUs have been issued and incorporated within ASC 606 to clarify various elements of the guidance. We adopted this guidance retrospectively during the first quarter of 2018. The impact of the adoption did not have a material impact on our station advertising or distribution revenue. Under the new standard, certain barter revenue and expense related to syndicated programming is no longer recognized. See Revenue Recognition below for more information on the adoption. In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The new guidance requires entities to measure equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that resulted in consolidation of the investee) at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2018. The impact of the adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements. Upon adoption of this guidance, we recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings of $2.1 million within our consolidated statement of equity. See Note 6. Other Assets for more information on our equity investments. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to accounting for leases, which requires the assets and liabilities that arise from leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. Currently, only capital leases are recorded on the balance sheet. This update will require the lessee to recognize a lease liability equal to the present value of the lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term for all leases longer than 12 months. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election, by class of underlying asset, not to recognize lease assets and liabilities and recognize the lease expense for such leases, generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The new standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We adopted the optional transition method as well as the package of practical expedients on January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard is expected to result in an increase of total assets and total liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets of less than 5% . We do not expect a material impact on our consolidated statements of operations. In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments. The new standard includes eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice as to how cash receipts and cash payments are represented in the statement of cash flows. In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. This new guidance requires that the statement of cash flows explain changes during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. We adopted this guidance retrospectively during the first quarter of 2018. The following table presents the effects of adoption on our consolidated financial statements for the comparative periods presented (in thousands): For the years ended December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 As Reported Adjustment (a) As Adjusted As Reported Adjustment (b) As Adjusted Net cash flows from operating activities $ 431,104 $ 309 $ 431,413 $ 591,766 $ 19,824 $ 611,590 Net cash flow from (used in) investing activities (198,025 ) 312,609 114,584 (606,003 ) (3,525 ) (609,528 ) Net cash flow from financing activities 188,263 1,496 189,759 124,249 (19,824 ) 104,425 (a) Adjustment primarily relates to restricted cash received as discussed under Broadcast Incentive Auction under 2018 Dispositions within Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets . (b) Adjustment primarily relates to the $19.8 million prepayment penalty related to the redemption of our 6.375 Senior Unsecured Notes in August 2016. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance which clarifies the definition of a business with additional guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The new standard should be applied prospectively and is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2018. The impact of the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software, with the capitalized implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement. The new standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements. Management regularly reviews accounts receivable and determines an appropriate estimate for the allowance for doubtful accounts based upon the impact of economic conditions on the merchant’s ability to pay, past collection experience, and such other factors which, in management’s judgment, deserve current recognition. In turn, a provision is charged against earnings in order to maintain the appropriate allowance level. A rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 is as follows (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ 2,590 $ 2,124 $ 4,495 Charged to expense 5,814 2,837 1,974 Net write-offs (6,025 ) (2,371 ) (4,345 ) Balance at end of period $ 2,379 $ 2,590 $ 2,124 We have agreements with distributors for the rights to television programming over contract periods, which generally run from one to seven years . Contract payments are made in installments over terms that are generally equal to or shorter than the contract period. Pursuant to accounting guidance for the broadcasting industry, an asset and a liability for the rights acquired and obligations incurred under a license agreement are reported on the balance sheet where the cost of each program is known or reasonably determinable, the program material has been accepted by the licensee in accordance with the conditions of the license agreement, and the program is available for its first showing or telecast. The portion of program contracts which becomes payable within one year is reflected as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The rights to this programming are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated net realizable value. With the exception of one and two -year contracts, amortization of program contract costs is computed using an accelerated method. Program contract costs are amortized on a straight-line basis for one and two -year contracts. Program contract costs estimated by management to be amortized in the succeeding year are classified as current assets. Payments of program contract liabilities are typically made on a scheduled basis and are not affected by adjustments for amortization or estimated net realizable value. We evaluate our goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently, if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may exist. Our goodwill has been allocated to, and is tested for impairment at, the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or a component of an operating segment to the extent that the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by segment management. Components of an operating segment with similar economic characteristics are aggregated when testing goodwill for impairment. In the performance of our annual assessment of goodwill for impairment we have the option to qualitatively assess whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit has been impaired. As part of this qualitative assessment we weigh the relative impact of factors that are specific to the reporting units as well as industry, regulatory, and macroeconomic factors that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of the assets. We also consider the significance of the excess fair value over carrying value in prior quantitative assessments. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit is impaired, or if we elect not to perform the optional qualitative assessment, we will determine the fair value of the reporting unit and compare it to the net book value of the reporting unit. If the fair value is less than the net book value we will record an impairment to goodwill for the amount of the difference. We estimate the fair value of our reporting units utilizing a combination of a market based approach, which considers earnings and cash flow multiples of comparable businesses and recent market transactions, as well as an income approach involving the performance of a discounted cash flow analysis. Our discounted cash flow model is based on our judgment of future market conditions based on our internal forecast of future performance, as well as discount rates that are based on a number of factors including market interest rates, a weighted average cost of capital analysis, and includes adjustments for market risk and company specific risk. Our indefinite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of our broadcast licenses and a trade name. For our annual impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets we have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that these assets are impaired. As part of this qualitative assessment we weigh the relative impact of factors that are specific to the indefinite-lived intangible assets as well as industry, regulatory, and macroeconomic factors that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of the assets. We also consider the significance of the excess fair value over carrying value in prior quantitative assessments. When evaluating our broadcast licenses for impairment, the qualitative assessment is done at the market level because the broadcast licenses within the market are complementary and together enhance the single broadcast license of each station. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that one of our broadcast licenses is impaired, we will perform a quantitative assessment by comparing the aggregate fair value of the broadcast licenses in the market to the respective carrying values. We estimate the fair values of our broadcast licenses using the Greenfield method, which is an income approach. This method involves a discounted cash flow model that incorporates several variables, including, but not limited to, market revenues and long term growth projections, estimated market share for the typical participant without a network affiliation, and estimated profit margins based on market size and station type. The model also assumes outlays for capital expenditures, future terminal values, an effective tax rate assumption and a discount rate based on a number of factors including market interest rates, a weighted average cost of capital analysis based on the target capital structure for a television station, and includes adjustments for market risk and company specific risk. If the carrying amount of the broadcast licenses exceeds the fair value, then an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying value of the broadcast licenses exceeds the fair value. We periodically evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment and continue to evaluate them as events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable. We evaluate the recoverability of long-lived assets by measuring the carrying amount of the assets against the estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with them. At the time that such evaluations indicate that the future undiscounted cash flows of certain long-lived assets are not sufficient to recover the carrying value of such assets, the assets are tested for impairment by comparing their estimated fair value to the carrying value. We typically estimate fair value using discounted cash flow models and appraisals. See Note 5. Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets and Other Intangible Assets for more information. When factors indicate that there may be a decrease in value of an equity method investment, we assess whether a loss in value has occurred. If that loss is deemed to be other than temporary, an impairment loss is recorded accordingly. For any equity method investments that indicate a potential impairment, we estimate the fair values of those investments using discounted cash flow models, unrelated third-party valuations, or industry comparables, based on the various facts available to us. See Note 6. Other Assets for more information. We recorded an impairment charge of $59.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 Accrued liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands): 2018 2017 Compensation and employee benefits $ 99,884 $ 87,003 Interest 42,450 42,794 Deferred revenue 83,270 49,522 Programming related obligations 79,685 89,728 Accounts payable and other accruals relating to operating expenses 107,938 101,356 Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 413,227 $ 370,403 We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. We provide a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if we determine that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating our ability to realize net deferred tax assets, we consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, including our past operating results, tax planning strategies and forecasts of future taxable income. In considering these sources of taxable income, we must make certain judgments that are based on the plans and estimates used to manage our underlying businesses on a long-term basis. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , a valuation allowance has been provided for deferred tax assets related to a substantial amount of our available state net operating loss carryforwards based on past operating results, expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary book/tax basis differences, alternative tax strategies and projected future taxable income. Future changes in operating and/or taxable income or other changes in facts and circumstances could significantly impact the ability to realize our deferred tax assets which could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Management periodically performs a comprehensive review of our tax positions and we record a liability for unrecognized tax benefits when such tax positions do not meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold. Significant judgment is required in determining whether a tax position meets the “more-likely-than-not” threshold, and it is based on a variety of facts and circumstances, including interpretation of the relevant federal and state income tax codes, regulations, case law and other authoritative pronouncements. Based on this analysis, the status of ongoing audits and the expiration of applicable statute of limitations, liabilities are adjusted as necessary. The resolution of audits is unpredictable and could result in tax liabilities that are significantly higher or lower than for what we have provided. See Note 10. Income Taxes , for further discussion of accrued unrecognized tax benefits. The Company recognized the estimated income tax effects of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act in the 2017 financial statements in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which provides SEC staff guidance for the application of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, in the reporting period in which the Tax Act was enacted. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has completed its accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the Tax Act. The Company has recognized a benefit of $4.3 million During the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , we had the following cash transactions (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Income taxes paid $ 16,928 $ 128,168 $ 108,347 Income tax refunds $ 413 $ 1,508 $ 12,193 Interest paid $ 284,691 $ 203,800 $ 191,117 Non-cash investing activities included property and equipment purchases of $10.6 million , $9.5 million , and $5.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 606 using the retrospective adoption method. The following table presents the effects of adoption on our consolidated financial statements for the comparative periods presented (in thousands): For the years ended December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 As Reported Adoption of ASC 606 As Adjusted As Reported Adoption of ASC 606 As Adjusted Revenues realized from station barter arrangements (a) $ 120,963 $ (97,903 ) $ 23,060 $ 135,566 $ (114,439 ) $ 21,127 Expenses realized from barter arrangements (b) $ 98,973 $ (97,903 ) $ 1,070 $ 116,954 $ (114,439 ) $ 2,515 Operating income $ 737,506 $ — $ 737,506 $ 602,853 $ — $ 602,853 Net income $ 576,013 $ — $ 576,013 $ 245,301 $ — $ 245,301 Basic EPS $ 5.77 $ — $ 5.77 $ 2.62 $ — $ 2.62 Diluted EPS $ 5.72 $ — $ 5.72 $ 2.60 $ — $ 2.60 (a) The remaining balance in the "as adjusted" column relates to trade revenue, which was unaffected by the adoption and has been reclassified to media revenue. (b) The remaining balance in the "as adjusted" column relates to trade expense, which was unaffected by the adoption and has been reclassified to media production expense. The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by type and segment (in thousands): For the year ended December 31, 2018 Broadcast Other Total Advertising revenue $ 1,484,188 $ 75,539 $ 1,559,727 Distribution revenue 1,185,800 112,827 1,298,627 Other media and non-media revenues 44,675 152,052 196,727 Total revenues $ 2,714,663 $ 340,418 $ 3,055,081 For the year ended December 31, 2017 Broadcast Other Total Advertising revenue $ 1,314,999 $ 54,402 $ 1,369,401 Distribution revenue 1,032,838 107,012 1,139,850 Other media and non-media revenues 45,804 81,160 126,964 Total revenues $ 2,393,641 $ 242,574 $ 2,636,215 For the year ended December 31, 2016 Broadcast Other Total Advertising revenue $ 1,480,157 $ 28,176 $ 1,508,333 Distribution revenue 890,554 65,382 955,936 Other media and non-media revenues 46,274 111,967 158,241 Total revenues $ 2,416,985 $ 205,525 $ 2,622,510 Advertising Revenue. We generate advertising revenue primarily from the sale of advertising spots/impressions on our broadcast television and digital platforms. Advertising revenue is recognized in the period in which the advertising spots/impressions are delivered. In arrangements where we provide audience ratings guarantees, to the extent that there is a ratings shortfall, we will defer a proportionate amount of revenue until the ratings shortfall is settled through the delivery of additional advertising. The term of our advertising arrangements is generally less than one year and the timing between when an advertisement is aired and when payment is due is not significant. In certain circumstances, we require customers to pay in advance; payments received in advance of satisfying our performance obligations are reflected as deferred revenue. Distribution Revenue. We generate distribution revenue through fees received from MVPDs, vMVPDs, and OTT providers for the right to distribute our broadcast channels and cable networks on their distribution platforms. Distribution arrangements are generally governed by multi-year contracts and the underlying fees are based upon a contractual monthly rate per subscriber. These arrangements represent licenses of intellectual property; revenue is recognized as the signal is provided to our customers (as usage occurs) which corresponds with the satisfaction of our performance obligation. Revenue is calculated based upon the contractual rate multiplied by an estimated number of subscribers. Our customers will remit payments based upon actual subscribers a short time after the conclusion of a month, which generally does not exceed 90 days. Historical adjustments to subscriber estimates have not been material. Practical Expedients and Exemptions. We expense sales commissions when incurred because the period of benefit for these costs is one year or less. These costs are recorded within media selling, general and administrative expenses. In accordance with ASC 606, we do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) distribution arrangements which are accounted for as a sales/usage based royalty. Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations. Our contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, we allocate revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price, which is generally based on the prices charged to customers. Deferred Revenues. We record deferred revenues when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance, including amounts which are refundable. Deferred revenues were $83.3 million , $49.5 million , and $31.7 million as of December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively. The increase in deferred revenues was primarily driven by amounts received or due in advance of satisfying our performance obligations, offset by $38.8 million and $22.3 million of revenues recognized that were included in the deferred revenues balance as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 Promotional advertising expenses are recorded in the period when incurred and are included in media production and other non-media expenses. Total advertising expenses, net of advertising co-op credits, were $19.2 million , $20.6 million , and $18.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 Financial instruments, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , consisted of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and notes payable. The carrying amounts approximate fair value for each of these financial instruments, except for the notes payable. See Note 16. Fair Value Measurements We maintain a supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) which we inherited upon the acquisition of certain stations. As of December 31, 2018 , the estimated projected benefit obligation was $19.2 million , of which $1.6 million is included in accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet and $17.6 million is included in other long-term liabilities. At December 31, 2018 , the projected benefit obligation was measured using a 4.11% discount rate compared to a discount rate of 3.46% for the year ended December 31, 2017 . During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , we made $1.7 million and $1.8 million in benefit payments and recognized $1.3 million of actuarial gains and $1.0 million of actuarial losses through other comprehensive income, respectively. For both years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , we recognized $0.8 million of periodic pension expense, reported in other expense in the consolidated statements of operations. We also maintain other post-retirement plans provided to certain employees. The plans are voluntary programs that primarily allow participants to defer eligible compensation and they may also qualify to receive a discretionary match on their deferral. As of December 31, 2018, the assets and liabilities included on our consolidated balance sheet related to deferred compensation plans were $26.0 million and $24.1 million

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS O

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS	ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS: During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , we acquired certain businesses for an aggregate purchase price of $689.4 million plus working capital of $3.4 million . The following summarizes the material acquisition activity during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 : 2017 Acquisitions Bonten. On September 1, 2017, we acquired the stock of Bonten Media Group Holdings, Inc. (Bonten) and Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation (Cunningham) acquired the membership interest of Esteem Broadcasting LLC for an aggregate purchase price of $240.0 million plus a working capital adjustment, excluding cash acquired, of $2.2 million accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting. As a result of the transaction, we added 14 television stations in 8 markets: Tri-Cities, TN/VA; Greensville/New Bern/Washington, NC; Chico/Redding, CA; Abilene/Sweetwater, TX; Missoula, MT; Butte/Bozeman, MT; San Angelo, TX; and Eureka, CA. Cunningham assumed the joint sales agreements under which we will provide services to 4 additional stations. The transaction was funded with cash on hand. The acquisition will expand our regional presence in several states where we already operate and help us bring improvements to small market stations. The following table summarizes the allocated fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities (in thousands): Accounts receivable $ 14,536 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 699 Program contract costs 988 Property and equipment 27,295 Definite-lived intangible assets 161,936 Indefinite-lived intangible assets 425 Other assets 3,609 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (8,846 ) Program contracts payable (988 ) Deferred tax liability (66,158 ) Other long term liabilities (12,265 ) Fair value of identifiable, net assets acquired 121,231 Goodwill 120,921 Total purchase price, net of cash acquired $ 242,152 The final purchase price allocation presented above is based upon management’s estimate of the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities using valuation techniques including income, cost, and market approaches. The fair value estimates are based on, but not limited to, expected future revenue and cash flows, expected future growth rates, and estimated discount rates. During the year ended December 31, 2018 , we made certain measurement period adjustments to the initial Bonten purchase price allocation resulting in reclassifications between certain non-current assets and liabilities, including an increase to goodwill of $1.5 million . The definite-lived intangible assets of $161.9 million is comprised of network affiliations of $53.3 million and customer relationships of $108.6 million . These intangible assets will be amortized over a weighted average useful life of 15 and 14 years for network affiliations and customer relationships, respectively. Acquired property and equipment will be depreciated on a straight-line basis over the respective estimated remaining useful lives. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired and represents the future economic benefits expected to arise from other intangible assets acquired that do not qualify for separate recognition, including assembled workforce and noncontractual relationships, as well as expected future synergies. We expect that goodwill deductible for tax purposes will be approximately $5.6 million . Other 2017 Acquisitions. During 2017, we acquired certain media assets for an aggregate purchase price of $27.4 million , less working capital of $2.7 million . The transactions were funded with cash on hand. 2016 Acquisitions Tennis Channel. In March 2016, we acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Tennis Channel, a cable network which includes coverage of the top 100 tennis tournaments and original professional sport and tennis lifestyle shows, for $350.0 million plus a working capital adjustment, excluding cash acquired, of $4.1 million accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting. This was funded through cash on hand and a draw on the Bank Credit Agreement. The acquisition provides an expansion of our network business and increases value based on the synergies we can achieve. Tennis Channel is reported within Other within Note 15. Segment Data . The following table summarizes the allocated fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities of Tennis Channel (in thousands): Accounts receivable $ 17,629 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 6,518 Property and equipment 5,964 Definite-lived intangible assets 272,686 Indefinite-lived intangible assets 23,400 Other assets 619 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (7,414 ) Capital leases (115 ) Deferred tax liability (16,991 ) Other long term liabilities (1,669 ) Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired 300,627 Goodwill 53,427 Total purchase price, net of cash acquired $ 354,054 The purchase price allocation presented above is based upon management’s estimate of the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities using valuation techniques including income, cost, and market approaches. The fair value estimates are based on, but not limited to, expected future revenue and cash flows, expected future growth rates, and estimated discount rates. The definite-lived intangible assets of $ 272.7 million related primarily to customer relationships, which represent existing advertiser relationships and contractual relationships with multi-channel video programming distributors (MVPDs), and will be amortized over a weighted average useful life of 15 years. Acquired property and equipment will be depreciated on a straight-line basis over the respective estimated remaining useful lives. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired and represents the future economic benefits expected to arise from other intangible assets acquired that do not qualify for separate recognition, as well as expected future synergies. Goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes. Other 2016 Acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we acquired certain television station related assets for an aggregate purchase price of $72.0 million less working capital of $0.1 million . We also exchanged certain broadcast assets which had a carrying value of $23.8 million with another broadcaster for no cash consideration, and recognized a gain on the derecognition of those broadcast assets of $4.4 million , respectively. Financial Results of Acquisitions The following tables summarize the results of the net media revenues and operating income (loss) included in the financial statements of the Company beginning on the acquisition date of each acquisition as listed below (in thousands): Revenues 2018 2017 2016 Bonten $ 100,971 $ 30,907 $ — Tennis Channel 143,047 132,584 84,040 Other acquisitions in: 2017 17,979 11,108 — 2016 81,003 66,698 49,186 Total net media revenues $ 343,000 $ 241,297 $ 133,226 Operating Income (Loss) 2018 2017 2016 Bonten $ 21,479 $ 7,448 $ — Tennis Channel 14,887 19,420 (1,990 ) Other acquisitions in: 2017 (2,035 ) (89 ) — 2016 25,523 18,392 18,311 Total operating income $ 59,854 $ 45,171 $ 16,321 In connection with the 2017 and 2016 acquisitions, for the years ended December 31, 2017 , and 2016 , we incurred $1.1 million and $1.4 million , respectively, of costs primarily related to legal, regulatory, and other professional services, which we expensed as incurred and classified as corporate general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Pro Forma Information The following table sets forth unaudited pro forma results of operations, assuming that Bonten and Tennis Channel along with transactions necessary to finance the acquisition, occurred at the beginning of the year preceding the year of acquisition. The pro forma results exclude the acquisitions presented under Other 2017 Acquisitions and Other 2016 Acquisitions above, as they are not material both individually and in the aggregate (in thousands, except per data share): Unaudited 2017 2016 Total revenues $ 2,692,890 $ 2,720,735 Net Income $ 597,054 $ 252,902 Net Income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 578,963 $ 247,441 Basic earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 5.80 $ 2.64 Diluted earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 5.74 $ 2.62 This pro forma financial information is based on historical results of operations, adjusted for the allocation of the purchase price and other acquisition accounting adjustments, and is not indicative of what our results would have been had we operated Bonten for the period presented because the pro forma results do not reflect expected synergies. The pro forma adjustments reflect depreciation expense and amortization of intangible assets related to the fair value adjustments of the assets acquired and any adjustments to interest expense to reflect the debt financing of the transactions. Depreciation and amortization expense are higher than amounts recorded in the historical financial statements of acquiree due to the fair value adjustments recorded for long-lived tangible and intangible assets in purchase accounting. Termination of Material Definitive Agreement. In August 2018, we received a termination notice from Tribune Media Company (Tribune), terminating the Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into on May 8, 2017, between the Company and Tribune (Merger Agreement), which provided for the acquisition by the Company of all of the outstanding shares of Tribune Class A common stock and Tribune Class B common stock (Merger). See Litigation and other legal matters under Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies for further discussion on our pending litigation related to the Tribune acquisition. As part of the termination, we withdrew with prejudice our Federal Communication Commission (FCC) application to acquire Tribune and terminated all of the divestiture agreements entered into in anticipation of the Merger, as discussed in Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale below. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we incurred $99.8 million and $20.5 million, respectively, of costs in connection with this acquisition. These amounts included $21.3 million in 2018 and $20.5 million in 2017 primarily related to legal and other professional services, which we expensed as incurred and classified as corporate general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statements of operations; and $78.5 million in 2018 in ticking fees and the write-off of previously capitalized debt issuance costs associated with the Tribune acquisition which was subsequently terminated, which are recorded as interest expense on our consolidated statements of operations. 2018 Dispositions Broadcast Incentive Auction. Congress authorized the FCC to conduct so-called “incentive auctions” to auction and re-purpose broadcast television spectrum for mobile broadband use. Pursuant to the auction, television broadcasters submitted bids to receive compensation for relinquishing all or a portion of its rights in the television spectrum of their full-service and Class A stations. Low power stations were not eligible to participate in the auction and are not protected and therefore may be displaced or forced to go off the air as a result of the post-auction repacking process. We received total proceeds of $310.8 million from the auction which was classified as restricted cash in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , we recognized a gain of $83.3 million and $225.3 million , respectively, which was included within (gain) loss on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment within our consolidated statements of operations. These gains relate to the auction proceeds associated with three markets where the underlying spectrum was vacated during the first quarter of 2018 and fourth quarter of 2017. The results of the auction are not expected to produce any material change in operations of the Company as there is no change in on air operations. In the repacking process associated with the auction, the FCC has reassigned some stations to new post-auction channels. We do not expect reassignment to new channels to have a material impact on our coverage. We have received notification from the FCC that 100 of our stations have been assigned to new channels. Legislation has provided the FCC with a $2.75 billion fund to reimburse reasonable costs incurred by stations that are reassigned to new channels in the repack. We expect that the reimbursements from the fund will cover the majority of our expenses related to the repack. During 2018, capital expenditures paid related to the spectrum repack were $31.1 million . During 2018, we recorded a $5.8 million gain related to reimbursements for the spectrum repack, which are recorded within gain on asset dispositions and other, net of impairments on the consolidated financial statements. 2017 Dispositions Alarm Funding Sale. In March 2017, we sold Alarm Funding Associates LLC (Alarm) for $200.0 million less working capital and transaction costs of $5.0 million . We recognized a gain on the sale of Alarm of $53.0 million of which $12.3 million

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS: In June 1996, our Board of Directors adopted, upon approval of the shareholders by proxy, the 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). The purpose of the LTIP is to reward key individuals for making major contributions to our success and the success of our subsidiaries and to attract and retain the services of qualified and capable employees. Under the LTIP, we have issued restricted stock awards (RSAs), stock grants to our non-employee directors, stock-settled appreciation rights (SARs), and stock options. A total of 14,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock are reserved for awards under this plan. As of December 31, 2018 , 5,780,061 shares were available for future grants. Additionally, we have the following arrangements that involve stock-based compensation: employer matching contributions (the Match) for participants in our 401(k) plan, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), and subsidiary stock awards. Stock-based compensation expense has no effect on our consolidated cash flows. For the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , we recorded stock-based compensation of $26.5 million , $18.5 million , and $16.9 million , respectively. Below is a summary of the key terms and methods of valuation of our stock-based compensation awards: RSAs. RSAs issued in 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 have certain restrictions that lapse over two years at 50% and 50% , respectively. As the restrictions lapse, the Class A Common Stock may be freely traded on the open market. Unvested RSAs are entitled to dividends, and therefore, are included in weighted shares outstanding, resulting in a dilutive effect on basic and diluted earnings per share. The fair value assumes the closing value of the stock on the measurement date. The following is a summary of changes in unvested restricted stock: RSAs Weighted-Average Unvested shares at December 31, 2017 152,180 $ 33.04 2018 Activity: Granted 237,593 34.95 Vested (101,385 ) 32.66 Forfeited (8,073 ) 35.36 Unvested shares at December 31, 2018 280,315 $ 34.73 For the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , we recorded compensation expense of $5.2 million , $3.2 million , and $2.8 million , respectively. The majority of the unrecognized compensation expense of $4.5 million as of December 31, 2018 will be recognized in 2019. Stock Grants to Non-Employee Directors. In addition to directors fees paid, on the date of each annual meetings of shareholders, each non-employee director receives a grant of unrestricted shares of Class A Common Stock. We issued 20,000 shares in 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 . We recorded expense of $0.6 million , $0.7 million , and $0.6 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively, which was based on the average share price of the stock on the date of grant. Additionally, these shares are included in the total shares outstanding, which results in a dilutive effect on our basic and diluted earnings per share. Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs). These awards entitle holders to the appreciation in our Class A Common Stock over the base value of each SAR over the term of the award. The SARs have a 10 -year term and vest immediately. The base value of each SAR is equal to the closing price of our Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. For the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , we recorded compensation expense of $3.2 million , $6.6 million , and $4.0 million , respectively. The following is a summary of the 2018 activity: SARs Weighted- Outstanding SARs at December 31, 2017 2,610,000 $ 22.65 2018 Activity: Granted 450,000 33.80 Outstanding SARs at December 31, 2018 3,060,000 $ 24.29 The aggregate intrinsic value of the 3,060,000 outstanding as of December 31, 2018 was $16.6 million and the outstanding SARs have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 5.87 years as of December 31, 2018 . During 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , outstanding SARs increased the weighted average shares outstanding for purposes of determining dilutive earnings per share. Options. As of December 31, 2018 , there were options outstanding to purchase 375,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. These options are fully vested and have a weighted average exercise price of $31.08 and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 7 years . As of December 31, 2018 , there was no aggregate intrinsic value for the options outstanding. There was no grant, exercise, or forfeiture activity during the year ended December 31, 2018 . We recognized compensation expense of $0.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 . There was no expense recognized during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 . Valuation of SARS and Options. Our SARs and stock options were valued using the Black-Scholes pricing model utilizing the following assumptions: 2018 2017 2016 Risk-free interest rate 2.6 % 2.1 % 1.2% - 1.9% Expected years to exercise 5 years 5 years 5 years Expected volatility 36.2 % 37.0 % 37.5% - 42.1% Annual dividend yield 2.1% - 2.2% 2.0 % 2.1 % The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve, in effect at the time of grant, for U.S. Treasury STRIPS that approximate the expected life of the award. The expected volatility is based on our historical stock prices over a period equal to the expected life of the award. The annual dividend yield is based on the annual dividend per share divided by the share price on the grant date. During 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , outstanding SARs and options increased the weighted average shares outstanding for purposes of determining dilutive earnings per share. 401(k) Match. The Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust (the 401(k) Plan) is available as a benefit for our eligible employees. Contributions made to the 401(k) Plan include an employee elected salary reduction amount with a match calculation (The Match). The Match and any additional discretionary contributions may be made using our Class A Common Stock, if the Board of Directors so chooses. Typically, we make the Match using our Class A Common Stock. The value of the Match is based on the level of elective deferrals into the 401(k) Plan. The amount of shares of our Class A Common Stock used to make the Match is determined using the closing price on or about March 1st of each year for the previous calendar year’s Match. For the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , we recorded $16.4 million , $7.3 million , and $6.9 million , respectively, of stock-based compensation expense related to the Match. A total of 7,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock are reserved for matches under the plan. As of December 31, 2018 , 4,029,061 shares were available for future grants. ESPP. The ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase Class A Common Stock at 85% of the lesser of the fair value of the common stock as of the first day of the quarter and as of the last day of that quarter, subject to certain limits as defined in the ESPP. The stock-based compensation expense recorded related to the ESPP for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 was $1.2 million , $1.0 million , $0.9 million , respectively. A total of 3,200,000 shares of Class A Common Stock are reserved for awards under the plan. As of December 31, 2018 , 681,640 shares were available for future purchases. Subsidiary Stock Awards . From time to time, we grant subsidiary stock awards to employees. The subsidiary stock is typically in the form of a membership interest in a consolidated limited liability company, not traded on a public exchange and valued based on the estimated fair value of the subsidiary. Fair value is typically estimated using discounted cash flow models and/or appraisals. These stock awards vest immediately. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , we recorded no compensation expense related to these awards. For the year ended December 31, 2016 , we recorded compensation expense of $1.3 million

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT	PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT: Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is generally computed under the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: Buildings and improvements 10 - 30 years Station equipment 5 - 10 years Office furniture and equipment 5 - 10 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of 10 - 30 years or lease term Automotive equipment 3 - 5 years Property and equipment under capital leases Lease term Acquired property and equipment as discussed in Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets , is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the respective estimated remaining useful lives. Property and equipment consisted of the following as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands): 2018 2017 Land and improvements $ 76,501 $ 77,487 Real estate held for development and sale 34,645 87,056 Buildings and improvements 278,649 260,470 Station equipment 744,294 779,779 Office furniture and equipment 107,536 109,632 Leasehold improvements 24,115 25,120 Automotive equipment 62,663 63,513 Capital leased assets 53,401 53,005 Construction in progress 71,461 30,575 1,453,265 1,486,637 Less: accumulated depreciation (770,131 ) (748,339 ) $ 683,134 $ 738,298 Capital leased assets are related to building, tower, and equipment leases. Depreciation related to capital leases is included in depreciation expense in the consolidated statements of operations. We recorded capital lease depreciation expense of $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $4.2 million for both the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED INTA

GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS: Goodwill, which arises from the purchase price exceeding the assigned value of the net assets of an acquired business, represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible elements being acquired. Goodwill totaled $2,123.9 million and $2,124.0 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The change in the carrying amount of goodwill was as follows (in thousands): Broadcast Other Consolidated Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 1,933,831 $ 56,915 $ 1,990,746 Acquisitions (a) 119,426 13,966 133,392 Measurement period adjustments related to prior year acquisitions 153 154 307 Disposition of assets (a) — (412 ) (412 ) Balance at December 31, 2017 (b) 2,053,410 70,623 2,124,033 Measurement period adjustments related to prior year acquisitions 1,369 (1,500 ) (131 ) Balance at December 31, 2018 (b) $ 2,054,779 $ 69,123 $ 2,123,902 (a) See Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets for discussion of acquisitions and divestitures made during 2017 . (b) Approximately $0.8 million of goodwill relates to consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 . For our annual goodwill impairment tests in 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , we concluded that it was more-likely-than-not that goodwill was not impaired for the reporting units in which we performed a qualitative assessment. The qualitative factors reviewed during our annual assessments indicated stable or improving margins and favorable or stable forecasted economic conditions including stable discount rates and comparable or improving business multiples. Additionally, the results of prior quantitative assessments supported significant excess fair value over carrying value of our reporting units. We did not have any indicators of impairment in any interim period in 2018 , 2017 , or 2016 , and therefore did not perform interim impairment tests for goodwill during those periods. Our accumulated goodwill impairment as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $413.6 million . As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , the carrying amount of our indefinite-lived intangible assets was as follows (in thousands): Broadcast Other Consolidated Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 132,906 $ 23,400 $ 156,306 Acquisitions (a) 425 4,051 4,476 Disposition of assets (a) (1,411 ) — (1,411 ) Balance at December 31, 2017 (b) 131,920 27,451 159,371 Disposition of assets (a) (1,149 ) — (1,149 ) Balance at December 31, 2018 (b) (c) $ 130,771 $ 27,451 $ 158,222 (a) See Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets for discussion of acquisitions and divestitures made during 2018 and 2017 . (b) Approximately $14.3 million of indefinite-lived intangible assets relate to consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 . (c) Our indefinite-lived intangible assets in Broadcast relates to broadcast licenses and our indefinite-lived intangible assets in Other relates to trade names. We did not have any indicators of impairment for our indefinite-lived intangible assets in any interim period in 2018 or 2017 , and therefore did not perform interim impairment tests during those periods. We performed our annual impairment tests for indefinite-lived intangibles in 2018 and 2017 and as a result of our qualitative assessments, we recorded no impairment. In 2016, as a result of our qualitative and quantitative assessments, we recorded no impairment. The following table shows the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of definite-lived intangibles (in thousands): As of December 31, 2018 Gross Carrying Value Accumulated Amortization Net Amortized intangible assets: Network affiliation (a) $ 1,451,600 $ (604,470 ) $ 847,130 Customer Relationships (a) 1,113,134 (340,805 ) 772,329 Other (a) 33,417 (25,996 ) 7,421 Total $ 2,598,151 $ (971,271 ) $ 1,626,880 As of December 31, 2017 Gross Carrying Value Accumulated Amortization Net Amortized intangible assets: Network affiliation (a) $ 1,451,663 $ (514,575 ) $ 937,088 Customer Relationships (a) 1,229,006 (373,966 ) 855,040 Other (a) 45,955 (36,413 ) 9,542 Total $ 2,726,624 $ (924,954 ) $ 1,801,670 (a) Changes between the gross carrying value from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018 , relate to certain fully amortized intangible assets which were retired in 2018. Definite-lived intangible assets and other assets subject to amortization are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives which generally range from 5 to 25 years . The total weighted average useful life of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets subject to amortization acquired as a result of the acquisitions discussed in Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets is 14 years . The amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible and other assets for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 was $174.8 million , $178.8 million , and $183.8 million , respectively. We analyze specific definite-lived intangibles for impairment when events occur that may impact their value in accordance with the respective accounting guidance for long-lived assets. There were no impairment charges recorded for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 . The following table shows the estimated amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible assets for the next five years (in thousands): For the year ended December 31, 2019 $ 173,508 For the year ended December 31, 2020 172,945 For the year ended December 31, 2021 171,902 For the year ended December 31, 2022 168,135 For the year ended December 31, 2023 159,236 Thereafter 781,154 $ 1,626,880

OTHER ASSETS

OTHER ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
OTHER ASSETS	OTHER ASSETS: Other assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 consisted of the following (in thousands): 2018 2017 Equity method investments $ 72,371 $ 123,923 Other equity investments 44,625 45,222 Post-retirement plan assets 28,081 22,659 Other 39,754 49,841 Total other assets $ 184,831 $ 241,645 Equity Method Investments We have a portfolio of investments in entities that are primarily focused on the development of real estate, sustainability initiatives, and other non-media businesses. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 none of our investments were individually significant. Summarized Financial Information. As described under Principles of Consolidation within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies , we record our proportionate share of net income generated by equity method investees in (loss) income from equity method investments within our consolidated statements of operations. The summarized results of operations and financial position of the investments accounted for under the equity method are as follows (in thousands): For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Revenues, net $ 145,253 $ 115,054 $ 82,524 Operating (loss) income $ (58,359 ) $ (17,470 ) $ 7,804 Net loss $ (81,596 ) $ (41,926 ) $ (2,285 ) As of December 31, 2018 2017 Current assets $ 27,961 $ 31,602 Noncurrent assets $ 710,831 $ 777,619 Current liabilities $ 52,527 $ 27,864 Noncurrent liabilities $ 543,604 $ 550,260 Other Equity Investments As discussed in Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies , we adopted ASU 2016-01 during the first quarter of 2018. This standard requires the measurement of our investments, excluding equity method investments, at fair value or, in situations where fair value is not readily determinable, we have the option to value investments at cost plus observable changes in value less impairment. We had $24.5 million of investments accounted for utilizing the measurement alternative as of December 31, 2018 . For the year ended December 31, 2018 , we recorded a $10.0 million impairment related to one investment accounted for utilizing the measurement alternative, which is reflected in other income, net in our consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , our unfunded commitments related to certain equity investments totaled $28.9 million and $10.7 million , respectively. Post-retirement Plan Assets Post-retirement plan assets primarily consist of the cash surrender value of life insurance policies and mutual funds. See Post-retirement Benefits within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BA

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING	NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING: Notes payable, capital leases, and commercial bank financing (including capital leases to affiliates) consisted of the following as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands): 2018 2017 Bank credit agreement: Term Loan A-1, due April 9, 2018 $ — $ 117,370 Term Loan A-2, due July 31, 2021 95,892 113,327 Term Loan B, due January 3, 2024 1,342,600 1,356,300 Senior unsecured notes: 5.375% Notes, due April 1, 2021 600,000 600,000 6.125% Notes, due October 1, 2022 500,000 500,000 5.625% Notes, due August 1, 2024 550,000 550,000 5.875% Notes, due March 15, 2026 350,000 350,000 5.125% Notes, due February 15, 2027 400,000 400,000 Debt of variable interest entities 25,281 29,614 Debt of non-media subsidiaries 19,577 25,238 Capital leases 29,562 31,696 Capital leases - affiliate 12,524 14,152 Total outstanding principal 3,925,436 4,087,697 Less: Deferred financing costs and discount (32,981 ) (39,047 ) Less: Current portion (40,634 ) (159,382 ) Less: Capital leases - affiliate, current portion (1,930 ) (1,667 ) Net carrying value of long-term debt $ 3,849,891 $ 3,887,601 Indebtedness under the Bank Credit Agreement, notes payable, and capital leases as of December 31, 2018 matures as follows (in thousands): Notes and Bank Agreement Capital Leases Capital Leases - Affiliate Total 2019 $ 38,065 $ 5,110 $ 2,978 $ 46,153 2020 36,631 4,847 3,093 44,571 2021 682,363 4,861 3,046 690,270 2022 521,871 4,744 2,441 529,056 2023 14,663 4,819 2,319 21,801 2024 and thereafter 2,589,757 18,754 2,290 2,610,801 Total minimum payments 3,883,350 43,135 16,167 3,942,652 Less: Deferred financing costs and discount (32,981 ) — — (32,981 ) Less: Amount representing future interest — (13,573 ) (3,643 ) (17,216 ) Net carrying value of debt $ 3,850,369 $ 29,562 $ 12,524 $ 3,892,455 Interest expense on the consolidated statements of operations was $292.0 million , $212.3 million , and $211.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively. Interest expense included $7.5 million , $7.7 million , and $10.8 million in amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively, and $78.5 million in ticking fees and the write-off of previously capitalized debt issuance costs associated with the Tribune acquisition which was subsequently terminated, for the year ended December 31, 2018 . The stated and weighted average effective interest rates on the above obligations are as follows: Weighted Average Effective Rate Stated Rate 2018 2017 Bank credit agreement: Term Loan A-2 (a) LIBOR plus 2.25% 4.12% 3.30% Term Loan B LIBOR plus 2.25% 4.34% 3.32% Revolver (b) LIBOR plus 2.00% —% —% Senior unsecured notes: 5.375% Notes 5.38% 5.58% 5.58% 6.125% Notes 6.13% 6.31% 6.31% 5.625% Notes 5.63% 5.83% 5.83% 5.875% Notes 5.88% 6.09% 6.09% 5.125% Notes 5.13% 5.33% 5.33% (a) LIBOR plus 2.0% if our first lien indebtedness ratio is less than 1.5 x. (b) As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , we had a $485.2 million revolving credit facility (Revolver). We incur a commitment fee on undrawn capacity of 0.25% or 0.50% if our first lien indebtedness ratio is less than or greater than 3.0 x, respectively. There were no outstanding borrowings and $0.7 million and $0.8 million letters of credit under the revolver as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. There were no borrowings under the revolver during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 . We capitalized $0.9 million , $0.5 million , and $2.0 million as deferred financing costs during the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively. Deferred financing costs and original issuance discounts are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of an associated debt liability, except for deferred financing costs related to our Revolver which are presented within other assets in our consolidated balance sheets . Senior Unsecured Notes Upon issuance, all of our senior unsecured notes were redeemable up to 35% . We may redeem 100% of the notes upon the date set forth in the indenture of each note. The price at which we may redeem the notes is set forth in the indenture of each note. Also, if we sell certain of our assets or experience specific kinds of changes of control, the holders of our notes may require us to repurchase some or all of the outstanding notes. Bank Credit Agreement We have a syndicated credit facility which includes both revolving credit and issued term loans (Bank Credit Agreement). During the year ended December 31, 2017 , the Bank Credit Agreement was amended to provide additional operational flexibility. On January 3, 2017, we entered into an amendment to extend the maturity date of the Term Loan B from April 9, 2020 and July 31, 2021 to January 3, 2024. In connection with this extension we added additional operating flexibility, including a reduction in certain pricing terms related to Term Loan B and the Revolver and revisions to certain covenant ratio requirements. We incurred approximately $11.6 million of financing costs in connection with the amendment, of which $3.4 million related to an original issuance discount, $7.7 million was expensed, $0.5 million was capitalized as a deferred financing cost, and $1.4 million of unamortized deferred financing cost was written off as loss on extinguishment of debt. Our Bank Credit Agreement, as well as indentures governing our outstanding notes, contains covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability and our subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness with certain exceptions; pay dividends; incur liens, engage in mergers or consolidations; make acquisitions, investments or disposals; and engage in activities with affiliates. In addition, under the Bank Credit Agreement, we are required to maintain a ratio of First Lien Indebtedness. See Note 9. Common Stock for further details. As of December 31, 2018 , we were in compliance with all financial ratios and covenants. Our Bank Credit Agreement also contains certain cross-default provisions with certain material third-party licensees, defined as any party that owns the license assets of one or more television stations for which we provided services pursuant to LMAs and/ or other outsourcing agreements and those stations provide 20% or more of our aggregate broadcast cash flows. A default by a material third-party licensee under our agreements with such parties, including a default caused by insolvency, would cause an event of default under our Bank Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2018 , there were no material third party licensees as defined in our Bank Credit Agreement. Substantially all of our stock in our wholly-owned subsidiaries has been pledged as security for the Bank Credit Agreement. Debt of variable interest entities and guarantees of third-party debt We jointly, severally, unconditionally, and irrevocably guarantee $76.5 million and $74.0 million of debt of certain third parties as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, of which $24.4 million and $29.3 million , net of deferred financing costs, related to consolidated VIEs is included on our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. These guarantees primarily relate to the debt of Cunningham as discussed under Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation within Note 13. Related Person Transactions . The credit agreements and term loans of these VIEs each bear interest of LIBOR plus 2.50% . The weighted average effective interest rate for the debt of variable interest entities for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was 4.87% and 3.59% , respectively. We have determined that as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, it is not probable that we would have to perform under any of these guarantees. Debt of non-media subsidiaries Debt of our consolidated subsidiaries related to our non-media private equity investments and real estate ventures is non-recourse to us. Interest was paid on this debt at a fixed 3.88% during 2018 . The weighted average effective interest rate for the debt of other non-media subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was 3.94% and 4.31% , respectively. Capital leases Our capital leases with non-affiliates related primarily to broadcast towers. All of our tower leases will expire within the next 14 years and it is expected that these leases will be renewed or replaced within the normal course of business. For more information related to our affiliate capital leases, see Note 13. Related Person Transactions

PROGRAM CONTRACTS

PROGRAM CONTRACTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
PROGRAM CONTRACTS:
PROGRAM CONTRACTS	PROGRAM CONTRACTS: Future payments required under program contracts as of December 31, 2018 were as follows (in thousands): 2019 $ 93,480 2020 17,245 2021 14,434 2022 11,458 2023 6,923 Total 143,540 Less: Current portion (93,480 ) Long-term portion of program contracts payable $ 50,060 Each future period’s film liability includes contractual amounts owed, but what is contractually owed does not necessarily reflect what we are expected to pay during that period. While we are contractually bound to make the payments reflected in the table during the indicated periods, industry protocol typically enables us to make film payments on a three -month lag. Included in the current portion amount are payments due in arrears of $23.6 million . In addition, we have entered into non-cancelable commitments for future program rights aggregating to $70.8 million as of December 31, 2018

COMMON STOCK

COMMON STOCK	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
COMMON STOCK	COMMON STOCK: Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes per share, except for votes relating to “going private” and certain other transactions. Substantially all of the Class B Common Stock is held by David D. Smith, Frederick G. Smith, J. Duncan Smith and Robert E. Smith who entered into a stockholders’ agreement pursuant to which they have agreed to vote for each other as candidates for election to our board of directors until December 31, 2025. The Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock vote together as a single class, except as otherwise may be required by Maryland law, on all matters presented for a vote. Holders of Class B Common Stock may at any time convert their shares into the same number of shares of Class A Common Stock. During 2018 and 2017 , no Class B Common Stock shares were converted into Class A Common Stock shares. Our Bank Credit Agreement and some of our subordinated debt instruments have restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. Under our Bank Credit Agreement, in certain circumstances, we may make unrestricted cash payments as long as our first lien indebtedness ratio does not exceed 3.75 to 1.00. Once our first lien indebtedness ratio exceeds 3.75 to 1.00, we have the ability to make up to $200.0 million in unrestricted annual cash payments including but not limited to dividends, of which $50.0 million may carry over to the next year, as long as we are in compliance with our first lien indebtedness ratio under the Bank Credit Agreement of 4.25 to 1.00. In addition, we have an aggregate basket of up to $250.0 million , as long as we are in compliance with our first lien indebtedness ratio of 4.25 to 1.00, and an aggregate basket of $50.0 million , as long as no Event of Default has occurred. Under the indentures governing the 6.125% Notes, 5.875% Notes, 5.375% Notes, 5.125% Notes, and 5.625% Notes, we are restricted from paying dividends on our common stock unless certain specified conditions are satisfied, including that: • no event of default then exists under each indenture or certain other specified agreements relating to our indebtedness; and • after taking into account the dividends payment, we are within certain restricted payment requirements contained in each indenture. On March 15, 2017, we completed a public offering of 12.0 million shares of Class A common stock that was priced at $42.00 per share. The net proceeds of $487.9 million are intended to be used to fund future potential acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. During 2018 and 2017 , our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend in the months of February, May, August, and November which were paid in March, June, September, and December, respectively. The quarterly dividend per share was increased from $0.18 to $0.20 in November 2018. Total dividend payments for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $0.74 and $0.72 per share, respectively. In February 2019, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share. Future dividends on our common shares, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on several factors including our results of operations, cash requirements and surplus, financial condition, covenant restrictions, and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant. The Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock holders have the same rights related to dividends. On September 6, 2016 the Board of Directors approved a $150.0 million share repurchase program. On August 9, 2018, the Board of Directors approved an additional $1.0 billion share repurchase authorization. There is no expiration date and currently, management has no plans to terminate this program. For the year ended December 31, 2018 , we have repurchased approximately 7.8 million shares of Class A Common Stock for $220.9 million . As of December 31, 2018 , the total remaining repurchase authorization was $868.0 million . From January 1, 2019 through March 1, 2019, we repurchased an additional 3.5 million shares of Class A Common Stock for $105.0 million . As of March 1, 2019, the total remaining repurchase authorization was $763.1 million

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES: The provision (benefit) for income taxes consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Current provision for income taxes: Federal $ 58,785 $ 77,477 $ 113,737 State 8,061 6,625 2,273 66,846 84,102 116,010 Deferred (benefit) provision for income taxes: Federal (68,802 ) (196,468 ) 8,555 State (33,819 ) 37,006 (2,437 ) (102,621 ) (159,462 ) 6,118 (Benefit) provision for income taxes $ (35,775 ) $ (75,360 ) $ 122,128 The following is a reconciliation of federal income taxes at the applicable statutory rate to the recorded provision: 2018 2017 2016 Federal statutory rate 21.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % Adjustments: Federal tax credits (a) (19.9 )% (2.2 )% (0.4 )% State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit (b) (9.0 )% 5.0 % 0.2 % Non-deductible items (c) (4.9 )% 1.5 % 1.0 % Effect of consolidated VIEs (d) 1.6 % 1.0 % 1.2 % Federal tax reform (e) (1.4 )% (54.3 )% — % Domestic production activities deduction — % (1.7 )% (3.4 )% Other 0.9 % 0.6 % (0.3 )% Effective income tax rate (11.7 )% (15.1 )% 33.3 % (a) During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , we recorded a benefit of $58.2 million and $8.3 million , respectively, related to investments in sustainability initiatives whose activities qualify for federal income tax credits through 2021. (b) Included in state income taxes are deferred income tax effects related to certain acquisitions, intercompany mergers and/or impact of changes in apportionment. (c) Our 2018 income tax provision includes a $17.7 million permanent benefit recognized from an IRS tax ruling on the treatment of the gain from the sale of certain broadcast spectrum in connection with the Broadcast Incentive Auction, as discussed in Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets . (d) Certain of our consolidated VIEs incur expenses that are not attributable to non-controlling interests because we absorb certain related losses of the VIEs. These expenses are not tax-deductible by us, and since these VIEs are treated as pass-through entities for income tax purposes, deferred income tax benefits are not recognized. (e) Our 2018 and 2017 income tax provisions include a non-recurring benefit of $4.3 million and $272.1 million , respectively, to reflect the effect of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Reform) enacted on December 22, 2017. Temporary differences between the financial reporting carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities give rise to deferred taxes. Total deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows (in thousands): 2018 2017 Deferred Tax Assets: Net operating losses: Federal $ 28,630 $ 34,861 State 74,339 75,754 Goodwill and intangible assets 12,587 14,389 Other 47,361 33,462 162,917 158,466 Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (65,887 ) (62,865 ) Total deferred tax assets $ 97,030 $ 95,601 Deferred Tax Liabilities: Goodwill and intangible assets $ (427,339 ) $ (514,776 ) Property & equipment, net (80,461 ) (80,630 ) Other (2,483 ) (15,431 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (510,283 ) (610,837 ) Net deferred tax liabilities $ (413,253 ) $ (515,236 ) At December 31, 2018, the Company had approximately $136.3 million and $1.5 billion of gross federal and state net operating losses, respectively. Those losses will expire during various years from 2019 to 2038, and some of them are subject to annual limitations under the Internal Revenue Code Section 382 and similar state provisions. As discussed in Income taxes under Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies , we establish valuation allowances in accordance with the guidance related to accounting for income taxes. As of December 31, 2018, a valuation allowance has been provided for deferred tax assets related to a substantial portion of our available state net operating loss carryforwards based on past operating results, expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary book/tax basis differences, alternative tax strategies and projected future taxable income. Although realization is not assured for the remaining deferred tax assets, we believe it is more likely than not that they will be realized in the future. During the year ended December 31, 2018 , we increased our valuation allowance by $3.0 million to $65.9 million . The increase in valuation allowance was primarily due to uncertainty in the realizability of a state deferred tax asset generated by a subsidiary in 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2017 , we increased our valuation allowance by $11.1 million to $62.9 million . The increase in valuation allowance was primarily due to the impact of Tax Reform on the federal tax effect on certain state net operating loss carryforwards, for which a full valuation allowance was provided. The following table summarizes the activity related to our accrued unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Balance at January 1, $ 7,237 $ 4,739 $ 3,257 Additions related to prior year tax positions 120 2,019 420 Additions related to current year tax positions 1,600 610 2,053 Reductions related to prior year tax positions (453 ) — — Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities (436 ) (131 ) — Reductions related to expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (1,493 ) — (991 ) Balance at December 31, $ 6,575 $ 7,237 $ 4,739

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: Litigation We are a party to lawsuits, claims, and regulatory matters from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Actions currently pending are in various stages and no material judgments or decisions have been rendered by hearing boards or courts in connection with such actions. Except as noted below, we do not believe the outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on the Company's financial statements. On December 21, 2017, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture proposing a $13.4 million fine for alleged violations of the FCC's sponsorship identification rules by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. Based on a review of the current facts and circumstances, management has provided for what is believed to be a reasonable estimate of the loss exposure for this matter. We have responded to dispute the Commission's findings and the proposed fine; however, we cannot predict the outcome of any potential FCC action related to this matter. We do not believe that the ultimate outcome of this matter will have a material effect on the Company's financial statements. On November 6, 2018, the Company agreed to enter into a proposed consent decree with the Department of Justice (DOJ). This consent decree resolves the Department of Justice’s investigation into the sharing of pacing information among certain stations in some local markets. The DOJ filed the consent decree and related documents in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on November 13, 2018. The consent decree is not an admission of any wrongdoing by the Company, and does not subject Sinclair to any monetary damages or penalties. The Company believes that even if the pacing information was shared as alleged, it would not have impacted any pricing of advertisements or the competitive nature of the market. The consent decree requires the Company to adopt certain antitrust compliance measures, including the appointment of an Antitrust Compliance Officer, consistent with what the Department of Justice has required in previous consent decrees in other industries. The consent decree also requires the Company stations not to exchange pacing and certain other information with other stations in their local markets, which the Company’s management has already instructed them not to do. The Company is aware of twenty-two putative class action lawsuits filed in United States District Court against the Company. Most of these lawsuits were also brought against other broadcasters and other defendants, including, in certain cases, unidentified “John Doe” defendants. The lawsuits allege that the defendants conspired to fix prices for commercials to be aired on broadcast television stations throughout the United States, in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act, and, in one case, state consumer protection and tort laws. The lawsuits seek damages, attorneys’ fees, costs and interest, as well as injunctions against adopting practices or plans that would restrain competition in the ways the plaintiffs have alleged. The lawsuits followed published reports of a DOJ investigation last year into the exchange of pacing data within the industry. The Company believes the class action lawsuits are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against all such claims. On July 19, 2018, the FCC released a Hearing Designation Order (HDO) to commence a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) with respect to the Company’s proposed acquisition of Tribune. The HDO directed the FCC's Media Bureau to hold in abeyance all other pending applications and amendments thereto related to the proposed Merger with Tribune until the issues that are the subject of the HDO have been resolved with finality. The HDO asked the ALJ to determine (i) whether Sinclair was the real party in interest to the sale of WGN-TV, KDAF(TV), and KIAH(TV), (ii) if so, whether the Company engaged in misrepresentation and/or lack of candor in its applications with the FCC and (iii) whether consummation of the overall transaction would be in the public interest and compliance with the FCC’s ownership rules. The Company maintains that the overall transaction and the proposed divestitures complied with the FCC’s rules, and strongly rejects any allegation of misrepresentation or lack of candor. The Merger Agreement was terminated by Tribune on August 9, 2018, on which date the Company subsequently filed a letter with the FCC to withdraw the merger applications and have them dismissed with prejudice and filed with the ALJ a Notice of Withdrawal of Applications and Motion to Terminate Hearing (Motion). On August 10, 2018, the FCC's Enforcement Bureau filed a responsive pleading with the ALJ stating that it did not oppose dismissal of the merger applications and concurrent termination of the hearing proceeding. Action on the Motion remains pending. We cannot predict how the ALJ will act on the Motion or the timing for completion or the outcome of the ALJ hearing. While review of the issues raised by the HDO remains pending, the Company's ability to acquire additional TV stations may be impacted. On August 9, 2018, Tribune filed a complaint (the "Tribune Complaint") in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against the Company, which action is captioned Tribune Media Company v. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc, Case No. 2018-0593-JTL. The Tribune Complaint alleges that the Company breached the Merger Agreement by, among other things, failing to use its reasonable best efforts to secure regulatory approval of the Merger, and that such breach resulted in the failure of the Merger to obtain regulatory approval and close. The Tribune Complaint seeks declaratory relief, money damages in an amount to be determined at trial (but which the Tribune Complaint suggests could be in excess $1 billion ), and attorney's fees and costs. On August 29, 2018, the Company filed its Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and Verified Counterclaim to the Verified Complaint. In its counterclaim, the Company alleges that Tribune breached the Merger Agreement and seeks declaratory relief, money damages in an amount to be determined at trial, and attorneys ' fees and costs. Sinclair believes that the allegations in the Tribune Complaint are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against such allegations. On August 9, 2018, Edward Komito, a putative Company shareholder, filed a class action complaint (the “Initial Complaint”) in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the "District of Maryland") against the Company, Christopher Ripley and Lucy Rutishauser, which action is now captioned In re Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Securities Ligitation, case No. 1:18-CV-02445-CCB (the "Securities Action"). The Initial Complaint in the Securities Action alleges that defendants violated the federal securities laws by issuing false or misleading disclosures concerning the Merger prior to the termination thereof. The Initial Complaint seeks declaratory relief, money damages in an amount to be determined at trial, and attorney’s fees and costs. On December 10, 2018, the District of Maryland appointed lead plaintiff's counsel in the Securities Action. Pursuant to a scheduling order entered by the court on December 20, 2018, as amended, lead counsel in the Securities Action will file an amended complaint on or before March 1, 2019. The Company believes that the allegations in the Komito Complaint are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against the allegations. In addition, beginning in late July 2018, Sinclair received letters from two putative Company shareholders requesting that the board of directors of the Company investigate whether any of the Company’s officers and directors committed nonexculpated breaches of fiduciary duties in connection with, or gross mismanagement with respect to: (i) seeking regulatory approval of the Tribune Merger and (ii) the HDO, and the allegations contained therein. A committee consisting of independent members of the board of directors has been formed to respond to these demands (the Special Litigation Committee). The members of the Special Litigation Committee are Martin R. Leader, Larry E. McCanna, and the Honorable Benson Everett Legg. On November 29, 2018, putative Company shareholder Fire and Police Retiree Health Care Fund, San Antonio filed a shareholder derivative complaint in the District of Maryland against the members of the Company’s board of directors, Mr. Ripley, and the Company (as a nominal defendant), which action is captioned Fire and Police Retiree Health Care Fund, San Antonio v. Smith, et al., Case No. 1:18-cv-03670-RDB (the “San Antonio Action”). On December 26, 2018, putative Company shareholder Teamsters Local 677 Health Services & Insurance Plan filed a shareholder derivative complaint in the Circuit Court of Maryland for Baltimore County (the “Circuit Court”) against the members of the Company’s board of directors, Mr. Ripley, and the Company (as a nominal defendant), which action is captioned Teamsters Local 677 Health Services & Insurance Plan v. Friedman, et al., Case No. 03-C-18-12119 (the “Teamsters Action”). A defendant in the Teamsters Action removed the Teamsters action to the District of Maryland, and the plaintiff in that case has moved to remand the case back to the Circuit Court. That motion is fully briefed and awaiting decision. On December 21, 2018, putative Company shareholder Norfolk County Retirement System filed a shareholder derivative complaint in the District of Maryland against the members of the Company’s board of directors, Mr. Ripley, and the Company (as a nominal defendant), which action is captioned Norfolk County Retirement System v. Smith, et al., Case No. 1:18-cv-03952-RDB (the “Norfolk Action,” and together with the San Antonio Action and the Teamsters Action, the “Derivative Actions”). The plaintiffs in each of the Derivative Actions allege breaches of fiduciary duties by the defendants in connection with (i) seeking regulatory approval of the Tribune Merger and (ii) the HDO, and the allegations contained therein. The plaintiffs in the Derivative Actions seek declaratory relief, money damages to be awarded to the Company in an amount to be determined at trial, corporate governance reforms, equitable or injunctive relief, and attorney’s fees and costs. Additionally, the plaintiffs in the Teamsters and Norfolk Actions allege that the defendants were unjustly enriched, in the form of their compensation as directors and/or officers of the Company, in light of the alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, and seek restitution to be awarded to the Company. These allegations are the subject matter of the review being conducted by the Special Litigation Committee, as noted above. Operating Leases We have entered into operating leases for certain property and equipment under terms ranging from less than one year to 25 years . The rent expense under these leases, as well as certain leases under month-to-month arrangements, for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 was approximately $34.5 million , $28.7 million , and $26.0 million , respectively. Future minimum payments under the leases are as follows (in thousands): 2019 $ 32,108 2020 31,287 2021 29,547 2022 26,702 2023 24,325 2024 and thereafter 157,816 $ 301,785 Changes in the Rules of Television Ownership, Local Marketing Agreements, Joint Sales Agreements, Retransmission Consent Negotiations, and National Ownership Cap Certain of our stations have entered into what have commonly been referred to as local marketing agreements or LMAs. One typical type of LMA is a programming agreement between two separately owned television stations serving the same market, whereby the licensee of one station programs substantial portions of the broadcast day and sells advertising time during such programming segments on the other licensee’s station subject to the latter licensee’s ultimate editorial and other controls. We believe these arrangements allow us to reduce our operating expenses and enhance profitability. In 1999, the FCC established a new local television ownership rule that made certain LMAs attributable. The FCC adopted policies to grandfather LMAs that were entered into prior to November 5, 1996, and permitted the applicable stations to continue operations pursuant to the LMAs until the conclusion of the FCC’s 2004 biennial review. The FCC stated it would conduct a case-by-case review of grandfathered LMAs and assess the appropriateness of extending the grandfathering periods. The FCC did not initiate any review of grandfathered LMAs in 2004 or as part of its subsequent quadrennial reviews. We do not know when, or if, the FCC will conduct any such review of grandfathered LMAs. Currently, all LMAs are grandfathered under the local television ownership rule because they were entered into prior to November 5, 1996. If the FCC were to eliminate the grandfathering of these LMAs, we would have to terminate or modify these LMAs. 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. With these changes, a television broadcast station is prohibited from negotiating retransmission consent jointly with another television station in the same market unless the “stations are directly or indirectly under common de jure control permitted under the regulations of the Commission.” During a 2015 retransmission consent negotiation, a MVPD filed a complaint with the FCC accusing us of violating this rule. Although we reached agreement with the MVPD, the FCC initiated an investigation. In order to resolve the investigation and all other pending matters before the FCC's Media Bureau (including the grant of all outstanding renewals and dismissal or cancellation of all outstanding adversarial pleadings or forfeitures before the Media Bureau), the Company, on July 29, 2016, without any admission of liability, entered into a consent decree with the FCC pursuant to which the Company paid a settlement and agreed to be subject to ongoing compliance monitoring by the FCC for a period of 36 months . 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 seeks 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 Chairman at the time 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. In August 2016, the FCC completed both its 2010 and 2014 quadrennial reviews of its media ownership rules and issued an order (Ownership Order) which left most of the existing multiple ownership rules intact, but amended the rules to provide for the attribution of JSAs where two television stations are located in the same market, and a party with an attributable interest in one station sells more than 15% of the advertising time per week of the other station. JSAs existing as of March 31, 2014, were grandfathered until October 1, 2025, at which point they would have to be terminated, amended or otherwise come into compliance with the JSA attribution rule. On November 20, 2017, the FCC released an Ownership Order on Reconsideration that, among other things, eliminated the JSA attribution rule. The rule changes adopted in the Ownership Order on Reconsideration became effective on February 7, 2018. Petitions for Review of the Ownership Order on Reconsideration, including the elimination of the JSA attribution rule, are currently pending in a consolidated proceeding before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding. If we are required to terminate or modify our LMAs or JSAs, our business could be adversely affected in several ways, including loss of revenues, increased costs, losses on investments, and termination penalties. On September 6, 2016, the FCC released the UHF Discount Order, eliminating the UHF discount. The UHF discount allowed television station owners to discount the coverage of UHF stations when calculating compliance with the FCC’s national ownership cap, which prohibits a single entity from owning television stations that reach, in total, more than 39% of all the television households in the nation. All but 34 of the stations we currently own and operate, or to which we provide programming services are UHF. On April 20, 2017, the FCC acted on a Petition for Reconsideration of the UHF Discount Order and adopted the UHF Discount Order on Reconsideration which reinstated the UHF discount, which became effective June 15, 2017 and is currently in effect. A Petition for Review of the UHF Discount Order on Reconsideration was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on May 12, 2017. The court dismissed the Petition for Review on July 25, 2018. On December 18, 2017, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to examine the national audience reach cap, including the UHF discount. We cannot predict the outcome of the rulemaking proceeding. With the application of the UHF discount counting all our present stations we reach approximately 25% of U.S. households. Changes to the national ownership cap could limit our ability to make television station acquisitions.

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities	VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES: Certain of our stations provide services to other station owners within the same respective market through agreements, such as LMAs, where we provide programming, sales, operational, and administrative services, and JSAs and SSAs, where we provide non-programming, sales, operational, and administrative services. In certain cases, we have also entered into purchase agreements or options to purchase the license related assets of the licensee. We typically own the majority of the non-license assets of the stations, and in some cases where the licensee acquired the license assets concurrent with our acquisition of the non-license assets of the station, we have provided guarantees to the bank for the licensee’s acquisition financing. The terms of the agreements vary, but generally have initial terms of over five years with several optional renewal terms. Based on the terms of the agreements and the significance of our investment in the stations, we are the primary beneficiary when, subject to the ultimate control of the licensees, we have the power to direct the activities which significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE through the services we provide and we absorb losses and returns that would be considered significant to the VIEs. The fees paid between us and the licensees pursuant to these arrangements are eliminated in consolidation. Several of these VIEs are owned by a related party, Cunningham. The carrying amounts and classification of the assets and liabilities of the VIEs mentioned above which have been included in our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows (in thousands): 2018 2017 ASSETS Current assets: Accounts receivable $ 28,276 $ 19,566 Other current assets 6,773 8,937 Total current asset 35,049 28,503 Program contract costs, less current portion 2,058 822 Property and equipment, net 5,346 6,215 Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets 15,064 15,064 Definite-lived intangible assets, net 67,680 74,442 Other assets 2,374 5,601 Total assets $ 127,571 $ 130,647 LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Other current liabilities $ 18,298 $ 23,564 Notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing, less current portion 19,278 23,217 Program contracts payable, less current portion 8,474 11,213 Other long term liabilities 650 650 Total liabilities $ 46,700 $ 58,644 The amounts above represent the consolidated assets and liabilities of the VIEs described above, for which we are the primary beneficiary, and have been aggregated as they all relate to our broadcast business. The total capital lease liabilities, net of capital lease assets, which are excluded from the above, were $4.5 million , for both years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 . Total liabilities associated with certain outsourcing agreements and purchase options with certain VIEs, which are excluded from above, were $124.5 million and $116.5 million as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, as these amounts are eliminated in consolidation. The assets of each of these consolidated VIEs can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIE. As of December 31, 2018 , all of the liabilities are non-recourse to us except for the debt of certain VIEs. See Debt of variable interest entities and guarantees of third-party debt under Note 7. Notes Payable and Commercial Bank Financing for further discussion. The risk and reward characteristics of the VIEs are similar. Other VIEs We have several investments in entities which are considered VIEs. However, we do not participate in the management of these entities, including the day-to-day operating decisions or other decisions which would allow us to control the entity, and therefore, we are not considered the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. The carrying amounts of our investments in these VIEs for which we are not the primary beneficiary as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $71.3 million and $115.7 million , respectively, and are included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 6. Other Assets for more information related to our equity investments. Our maximum exposure is equal to the carrying value of our investments. The income and loss related to equity method investments and other equity investments are recorded in (loss) income from equity method investments and other income, net, respectively, in our consolidated statements of operations. We recorded losses of $45.1 million and $5.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and income of $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS	RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS: Transactions with our controlling shareholders David, Frederick, J. Duncan and Robert Smith (collectively, the controlling shareholders) are brothers and hold substantially all of the Class B Common Stock and some of our Class A Common Stock. We engaged in the following transactions with them and/or entities in which they have substantial interests: Leases. Certain assets used by us and our operating subsidiaries are leased from entities owned by the controlling shareholders. Lease payments made to these entities were $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $5.1 million for both the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 . Capital leases payable related to the aforementioned relationships were $12.5 million , net of $3.6 million interest, and $14.2 million , net of $4.9 million interest, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The capital leases mature in periods through 2029. For further information on capital leases to affiliates, see Note 7. Notes Payable and Commercial Bank Financing . Charter Aircraft. We lease aircraft owned by certain controlling shareholders. For all leases, we incurred expenses of $1.7 million , $1.9 million , and $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively. Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation Cunningham owns a portfolio of television stations, including: WNUV-TV Baltimore, Maryland; WRGT-TV Dayton, Ohio; WVAH-TV Charleston, West Virginia; WMYA-TV Anderson, South Carolina; WTTE-TV Columbus, Ohio; WDBB-TV Birmingham, Alabama; WBSF-TV Flint, Michigan; WGTU-TV/WGTQ-TV Traverse City/Cadillac, Michigan; WEMT-TV Tri-Cities, Tennessee; WYDO-TV Greenville, North Carolina; KBVU-TV/KCVU-TV Eureka/Chico-Redding, California; WPFO-TV Portland, Maine; and KRNV-DT/KENV-DT Reno, Nevada/Salt Lake City, Utah (collectively, the Cunningham Stations). Certain of our stations provide services to these Cunningham Stations pursuant to LMAs or JSAs and SSAs. See Note 12. Variable Interest Entities , for further discussion of the scope of services provided under these types of arrangements. As of December 31, 2018 , we have jointly, severally, unconditionally, and irrevocably guaranteed $50.3 million of Cunningham debt, of which $10.0 million , net of $0.7 million deferred financing costs, relates to the Cunningham VIEs that we consolidate, as discussed further below. The voting stock of the Cunningham Stations was owned by the estate of Carolyn C. Smith, the mother of our controlling shareholders, until January 2018, when the voting stock was purchased by an unrelated party after receiving FCC approval. All of the non-voting stock is owned by trusts for the benefit of the children of our controlling shareholders. We consolidate certain subsidiaries of Cunningham with which we have variable interests through various arrangements related to the Cunningham Stations, as discussed further below. The services provided to WNUV-TV, WMYA-TV, WTTE-TV, WRGT-TV and WVAH-TV are governed by a master agreement which has a current term that expires on July 1, 2023 and there are two additional 5 -year renewal terms remaining with final expiration on July 1, 2033 . We also executed purchase agreements to acquire the license related assets of these stations from Cunningham, which grant us the right to acquire, and grant Cunningham the right to require us to acquire, subject to applicable FCC rules and regulations, 100% of the capital stock or the assets of these individual subsidiaries of Cunningham. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement we are obligated to pay Cunningham an annual fee for the television stations equal to the greater of (i) 3% of each station’s annual net broadcast revenue or (ii) $5.0 million . The aggregate purchase price of these television stations increases by 6% annually. A portion of the fee is required to be applied to the purchase price to the extent of the 6% increase. The cumulative prepayments made under these purchase agreements were $47.4 million and $44.0 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The remaining aggregate purchase price of these stations, net of prepayments, as of both December 31, 2018 and 2017 was approximately $53.6 million . Additionally, we provide services to WDBB-TV pursuant to an LMA, which expires April 22, 2025 , and a purchase option to acquire for $0.2 million . We paid Cunningham, under these agreements, $10.0 million , $9.1 million , and $8.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively. The agreements with KBVU-TV/KCVU-TV, KRNV-DT/KENV-DT, WBSF-TV, WEMT-TV, WGTU-TV/WGTQ-TV, WPFO-TV, and WYDO-TV expire between December 2020 and August 2025, and certain stations have renewal provisions for successive eight year periods. Cunningham assumed the joint sales agreement under which we provide services to WEMT-TV, WYDO-TV, and KBVU-TV/KCVU-TV in September 2017 with the acquisition of the membership interest of Esteem Broadcasting LLC in connection with our acquisition of Bonten Media Group, as discussed in Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets . As we consolidate the licensees as VIEs, the amounts we earn or pay under the arrangements are eliminated in consolidation and the gross revenues of the stations are reported on our consolidated statement of operations. Our consolidated revenues include $171.0 million , $124.8 million , and $114.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively, related to the Cunningham Stations. In December 2017, Cunningham repaid, in its entirety, a January 2016 promissory note to borrow $19.5 million from us which was included within notes receivable from affiliates on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016. Interest income from the note receivable was $1.0 million for both years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. In April 2016, we entered into an agreement with Cunningham to provide master control equipment and provide master control services to a station in Johnstown, PA with which Cunningham has an LMA that expires in April 2019. Under the agreement, Cunningham paid us an initial fee of $0.7 million and pays us $0.2 million annually for master control services plus the cost to maintain and repair the equipment. In August 2016, we entered into an agreement, expiring in October 2021, with Cunningham to provide a news share service with the Johnstown, PA station beginning in October 2016 for an annual fee of $1.0 million . Atlantic Automotive Corporation We sell advertising time to Atlantic Automotive Corporation (Atlantic Automotive), a holding company that owns automobile dealerships and an automobile leasing company. David D. Smith, our Executive Chairman, has a controlling interest in, and is a member of the Board of Directors of, Atlantic Automotive. We received payments for advertising totaling $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 . Leased property by real estate ventures Certain of our real estate ventures have entered into leases with entities owned by members of the Smith Family. Total rent received under these leases was $0.7 million , $0.6 million , and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively. Other transactions with equity method investees In 2018, 120 Sports Holding, LLC (120 Sports), an equity method investee, entered into a convertible promissory note to borrow $3.75 million from us, maturing on July 30, 2021. The note bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.0%

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	EARNINGS PER SHARE: The following table reconciles income (numerator) and shares (denominator) used in our computations of earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Income (Numerator) Net income $ 345,998 $ 594,104 $ 250,762 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (4,757 ) (18,091 ) (5,461 ) Numerator for diluted earnings available to common shareholders $ 341,241 $ 576,013 $ 245,301 Shares (Denominator) Weighted-average common shares outstanding 100,913 99,844 93,567 Dilutive effect of outstanding stock settled appreciation rights and stock options 805 945 866 Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding 101,718 100,789 94,433 The net earnings per share amounts are the same for Class A and Class B Common Stock because the holders of each class are legally entitled to equal per share distributions whether through dividends or in liquidation. The following table shows the weighted-average stock-settled appreciation rights and outstanding stock options (in thousands) that are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share as the inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive. 2018 2017 2016 Weighted-average stock-settled appreciation rights and outstanding stock options excluded 1,325 450 556

SEGMENT DATA

SEGMENT DATA	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT DATA	SEGMENT DATA: We measure segment performance based on operating income (loss). Our broadcast segment, includes stations in 89 markets located throughout the continental United States. Other primarily consists of owned networks and content, digital and internet solutions, technical services and other non-media investments. All of our businesses included in Other are located within the United States. Corporate costs primarily include our costs to operate as a public company and to operate our corporate headquarters location. Other and Corporate are not reportable segments but are included for reconciliation purposes. We had approximately $155.8 million and $159.8 million of intercompany loans between broadcast, other and corporate as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. We had $15.3 million , $18.5 million , and $24.4 million in intercompany interest expense related to intercompany loans between broadcast, other, and corporate for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. All other intercompany transactions are immaterial. Financial information for our reportable segment is included in the following tables for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 (in thousands): For the year ended December 31, 2018 Broadcast Other Corporate Consolidated Revenue $ 2,714,663 $ 340,418 $ — $ 3,055,081 Depreciation of property and equipment 97,703 7,461 76 105,240 Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets 153,720 21,128 — 174,848 Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments 100,899 — — 100,899 General and administrative overhead expenses 100,241 913 9,916 111,070 (Gain) loss on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment (99,977 ) (d) 60,032 (c) (118 ) (40,063 ) Operating income (loss) 751,341 (d) (81,805 ) (c) (9,875 ) 659,661 Interest expense 5,734 803 285,439 291,976 Loss from equity method investments — (60,831 ) — (60,831 ) Goodwill 2,054,779 69,123 — 2,123,902 Assets 4,797,420 720,704 1,053,968 6,572,092 Capital expenditures 94,812 5,155 5,094 105,061 For the year ended December 31, 2017 Broadcast Other Corporate Consolidated Revenue (a) $ 2,393,641 $ 242,574 $ — $ 2,636,215 Depreciation of property and equipment 88,751 7,368 984 97,103 Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets 155,640 23,182 — 178,822 Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments 115,523 — — 115,523 General and administrative overhead expenses 101,680 1,009 10,564 113,253 (Gain) loss on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment (225,770 ) (53,102 ) (b) — (278,872 ) Operating income (loss) 724,110 24,943 (b) (11,547 ) 737,506 Interest expense 5,285 1,835 205,195 212,315 Loss from equity method investments — (14,307 ) — (14,307 ) Goodwill 2,053,410 70,623 — 2,124,033 Assets 5,267,986 769,919 746,565 6,784,470 Capital expenditures 63,163 5,546 15,103 83,812 For the year ended December 31, 2016 Broadcast Other Corporate Consolidated Revenue (a) $ 2,416,985 $ 205,525 $ — $ 2,622,510 Depreciation of property and equipment 91,573 5,772 1,184 98,529 Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets 155,479 28,316 — 183,795 Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments 127,880 — — 127,880 General and administrative overhead expenses 67,035 2,459 4,062 73,556 (Gain) loss on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment (4,647 ) (1,427 ) 45 (6,029 ) Operating income (loss) 639,422 (31,258 ) (5,311 ) 602,853 Interest expense 5,641 6,371 199,131 211,143 Income from equity method investments — 906 — 906 (a) Revenue has been adjusted for the adoption of ASC 606. See Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (b) Includes a gain on the sale of Alarm of $53.0 million , of which $12.3 million was attributable to noncontrolling interests. (c) Includes a $59.6 million impairment to the carrying value of a consolidated real estate venture. See Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies . (d) Includes a gain of $83.3 million related to the auction proceeds. See Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS: Accounting guidance provides for valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). A fair value hierarchy using three broad levels prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The following is a brief description of those three levels: • Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. • Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. • Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions. The following table sets forth the face value and fair value of our notes and debentures as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands): 2018 2017 Face Value (a) Fair Value Face Value (a) Fair Value Level 2: 6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022 $ 500,000 $ 503,750 $ 500,000 $ 515,535 5.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 350,000 326,375 350,000 363,475 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 550,000 515,625 550,000 568,205 5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 600,000 598,500 600,000 610,440 5.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 400,000 353,000 400,000 396,088 Term Loan A-1 (b) — — 117,370 117,370 Term Loan A-2 95,892 92,057 113,327 113,327 Term Loan B 1,342,600 1,275,470 1,356,300 1,357,995 Debt of variable interest entities 25,281 25,281 29,614 29,614 Debt of non-media subsidiaries 19,577 19,577 25,238 25,238 (a) Amounts are carried on our consolidated balance sheets net of debt discount and deferred financing costs, which are excluded in the above table, of $33.0 million and $39.0 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. (b)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIA

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Sinclair Television Group, Inc. (STG), a wholly-owned subsidiary and the television operating subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (SBG), is the primary obligor under the Bank Credit Agreement, the 5.375% Notes, the 5.625% Notes, 6.125% Notes, 5.875% Notes, 5.125% Notes, and until they were redeemed, the 6.375% Notes. Our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as of December 31, 2018 , were obligations or securities of SBG and not obligations or securities of STG. SBG is a guarantor under the Bank Credit Agreement, the 5.375% Notes, 5.625% Notes, 6.125% Notes, 5.875% Notes, 5.125% Notes, and until they were redeemed, the 6.375% Notes. As of December 31, 2018 , our consolidated total debt of $3,892.5 million included $3,843.5 million of debt related to STG and its subsidiaries of which SBG guaranteed $3,831.0 million . SBG, KDSM, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBG, and STG’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (guarantor subsidiaries), have fully and unconditionally guaranteed, subject to certain customary automatic release provisions, all of STG’s obligations. Those guarantees are joint and several. There are certain contractual restrictions on the ability of SBG, STG or KDSM, LLC to obtain funds from their subsidiaries in the form of dividends or loans. The following condensed consolidating financial statements present the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, and consolidated statements of cash flows of SBG, STG, KDSM, LLC and the guarantor subsidiaries, the direct and indirect non-guarantor subsidiaries of SBG and the eliminations necessary to arrive at our information on a consolidated basis. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2018 (In thousands) Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair Television Group, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Sinclair Consolidated Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 961,963 $ 19,648 $ 78,719 $ — $ 1,060,330 Accounts and other receivables — — 530,543 68,054 — 598,597 Other current assets 3,235 5,548 103,111 37,157 (24,072 ) 124,979 Total current assets 3,235 967,511 653,302 183,930 (24,072 ) 1,783,906 Property and equipment, net 754 31,773 593,755 70,223 (13,371 ) 683,134 Investment in consolidated subsidiaries 1,604,234 3,654,263 4,179 — (5,262,676 ) — Other long-term assets 31,002 851,170 119,187 165,064 (970,375 ) 196,048 Goodwill — — 2,120,035 3,867 — 2,123,902 Indefinite-lived intangible assets — — 143,924 14,298 — 158,222 Definite-lived intangible assets — — 1,608,748 70,409 (52,277 ) 1,626,880 Total assets $ 1,639,225 $ 5,504,717 $ 5,243,130 $ 507,791 $ (6,322,771 ) $ 6,572,092 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 100 $ 78,814 $ 273,444 $ 85,875 $ (25,006 ) $ 413,227 Current portion of long-term debt — 31,135 4,100 7,842 (513 ) 42,564 Other current liabilities — — 107,051 9,743 — 116,794 Total current liabilities 100 109,949 384,595 103,460 (25,519 ) 572,585 Long-term debt — 3,775,489 36,551 381,913 (344,062 ) 3,849,891 Other liabilities 289 40,132 1,169,184 173,197 (833,506 ) 549,296 Total liabilities 389 3,925,570 1,590,330 658,570 (1,203,087 ) 4,971,772 Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity 1,638,836 1,579,147 3,652,800 (107,825 ) (5,124,122 ) 1,638,836 Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries — — — (42,954 ) 4,438 (38,516 ) Total liabilities and equity $ 1,639,225 $ 5,504,717 $ 5,243,130 $ 507,791 $ (6,322,771 ) $ 6,572,092 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 (In thousands) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 645,830 $ 12,273 $ 23,223 $ — $ 681,326 Restricted Cash — — 311,110 2,000 — 313,110 Accounts and other receivables — — 530,273 36,191 — 566,464 Other current assets 3,034 5,758 145,637 9,687 (10,269 ) 153,847 Total current assets 3,034 651,588 999,293 71,101 (10,269 ) 1,714,747 Property and equipment, net 829 31,111 586,950 132,010 (12,602 ) 738,298 Investment in consolidated subsidiaries 1,537,337 4,116,241 4,179 — (5,657,757 ) — Other long-term assets 31,757 770,312 104,363 208,367 (868,448 ) 246,351 Goodwill — — 2,120,166 3,867 — 2,124,033 Indefinite-lived intangible assets — — 145,073 14,298 — 159,371 Definite-lived intangible assets — — 1,781,045 77,944 (57,319 ) 1,801,670 Total assets $ 1,572,957 $ 5,569,252 $ 5,741,069 $ 507,587 $ (6,606,395 ) $ 6,784,470 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 1,100 $ 84,326 $ 261,266 $ 36,029 $ (12,318 ) $ 370,403 Current portion of long-term debt — 148,505 3,445 9,645 (546 ) 161,049 Other current liabilities — — 180,616 14,281 — 194,897 Total current liabilities 1,100 232,831 445,327 59,955 (12,864 ) 726,349 Long-term debt — 3,799,987 39,730 381,127 (333,243 ) 3,887,601 Other liabilities 3,119 38,282 1,141,266 187,569 (734,082 ) 636,154 Total liabilities 4,219 4,071,100 1,626,323 628,651 (1,080,189 ) 5,250,104 Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity 1,568,738 1,498,152 4,114,746 (82,051 ) (5,530,847 ) 1,568,738 Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries — — — (39,013 ) 4,641 (34,372 ) Total liabilities and equity $ 1,572,957 $ 5,569,252 $ 5,741,069 $ 507,587 $ (6,606,395 ) $ 6,784,470 FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 (In thousands) Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair Television Group, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Sinclair Consolidated Net revenue (a) $ — $ — $ 2,507,183 $ 209,914 $ (80,882 ) $ 2,636,215 Media production expenses — — 1,013,035 124,044 (72,935 ) 1,064,144 Selling, general and administrative 9,204 102,930 522,039 14,800 (2,183 ) 646,790 Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses 984 6,250 131,880 51,461 (2,800 ) 187,775 Total operating expenses 10,188 109,180 1,666,954 190,305 (77,918 ) 1,898,709 Operating (loss) income (10,188 ) (109,180 ) 840,229 19,609 (2,964 ) 737,506 Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries 579,954 793,620 (16 ) — (1,373,558 ) — Interest expense (88 ) (205,107 ) (4,586 ) (21,643 ) 19,109 (212,315 ) Other income (expense) 1,678 5,077 (5,790 ) (7,412 ) — (6,447 ) Total other income (expense) 581,544 593,590 (10,392 ) (29,055 ) (1,354,449 ) (218,762 ) Income tax benefit (provision) 4,657 100,473 (30,171 ) 401 — 75,360 Net income (loss) 576,013 584,883 799,666 (9,045 ) (1,357,413 ) 594,104 Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests — — — (17,738 ) (353 ) (18,091 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 576,013 $ 584,883 $ 799,666 $ (26,783 ) $ (1,357,766 ) $ 576,013 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 593,488 $ 584,267 $ 799,666 $ (9,045 ) $ (1,374,888 ) $ 593,488 (a) See Revenue Recognition within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for a discussion of the adoption of the new accounting principles for revenue recognition. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 (In thousands) Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair Television Group, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Sinclair Consolidated Net revenue (a) $ — $ — $ 2,476,669 $ 254,031 $ (108,190 ) $ 2,622,510 Media production expenses — — 920,715 135,511 (100,622 ) 955,604 Selling, general and administrative 4,062 70,503 489,882 10,804 (106 ) 575,145 Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses 1,064 7,331 360,550 121,986 (2,023 ) 488,908 Total operating expenses 5,126 77,834 1,771,147 268,301 (102,751 ) 2,019,657 Operating (loss) income (5,126 ) (77,834 ) 705,522 (14,270 ) (5,439 ) 602,853 Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries 244,580 463,598 220 — (708,398 ) — Interest expense (238 ) (198,893 ) (4,481 ) (32,521 ) 24,990 (211,143 ) Other income (expense) 3,613 (22,867 ) 715 (281 ) — (18,820 ) Total other income (expense) 247,955 241,838 (3,546 ) (32,802 ) (683,408 ) (229,963 ) Income tax benefit (provision) 2,472 99,148 (231,504 ) 7,756 — (122,128 ) Net income (loss) 245,301 263,152 470,472 (39,316 ) (688,847 ) 250,762 Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests — — — (4,937 ) (524 ) (5,461 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 245,301 $ 263,152 $ 470,472 $ (44,253 ) $ (689,371 ) $ 245,301 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 250,789 $ 263,179 $ 470,472 $ (39,316 ) $ (694,335 ) $ 250,789 (a) See Revenue Recognition within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 (In thousands) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES $ (8,542 ) $ (252,615 ) $ 936,385 $ (40,533 ) $ 12,723 647,418 CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Acquisition of property and equipment (1 ) (6,592 ) (98,201 ) (3,914 ) 3,647 (105,061 ) Proceeds from sale of assets — — 1,616 — — 1,616 Investments in equity investees (2,587 ) (1,975 ) (27,960 ) (3,283 ) — (35,805 ) Distributions from equity method investees 4,728 — — 18,106 — 22,834 Other, net 1,670 (12,091 ) 8,626 — — (1,795 ) Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities 3,810 (20,658 ) (115,919 ) 10,909 3,647 (118,211 ) CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases — — — 4,317 — 4,317 Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases — (148,505 ) (3,554 ) (15,120 ) 394 (166,785 ) Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock (74,566 ) — — — — (74,566 ) Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock (220,889 ) — — — — (220,889 ) Payments for deferred financing cost — — — (922 ) — (922 ) Distributions to noncontrolling interests — — — (8,901 ) — (8,901 ) Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables 297,256 737,911 (1,117,417 ) 100,440 (18,190 ) — Other, net 2,931 — (3,230 ) 1,802 1,426 2,929 Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities 4,732 589,406 (1,124,201 ) 81,616 (16,370 ) (464,817 ) NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — 316,133 (303,735 ) 51,992 — 64,390 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period — 645,830 323,383 26,727 — 995,940 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ — $ 961,963 $ 19,648 $ 78,719 $ — $ 1,060,330 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 (a) (In thousands) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES $ (8,659 ) $ (180,966 ) $ 600,070 $ 12,424 $ 8,544 $ 431,413 CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Acquisition of property and equipment (130 ) (14,973 ) (68,475 ) (2,930 ) 2,696 (83,812 ) Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired — (8,308 ) (262,965 ) — — (271,273 ) Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts — — — (5,682 ) — (5,682 ) Proceeds from sale of assets — — 568 194,641 — 195,209 Investments in equity investees (946 ) (720 ) (20,701 ) (32,762 ) — (55,129 ) Distributions from equity method investees 5,857 — — 6,321 — 12,178 Spectrum auction proceeds — — 310,802 — — 310,802 Other, net 740 11,551 — — — 12,291 Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities 5,521 (12,450 ) (40,771 ) 159,588 2,696 114,584 CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases — 159,669 — 7,128 — 166,797 Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases (1,858 ) (213,919 ) (3,381 ) (121,270 ) 320 (340,108 ) Proceeds from sale of Class A Common Stock 487,883 — — — — 487,883 Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock (71,364 ) — — — — (71,364 ) Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock (30,287 ) — — — — (30,287 ) Payments for deferred financing costs — (425 ) — (306 ) — (731 ) Distributions to noncontrolling interests — — — (22,416 ) — (22,416 ) Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables (381,344 ) 660,911 (242,402 ) (25,605 ) (11,560 ) — Other, net 108 713 (1,008 ) 172 — (15 ) Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities 3,138 606,949 (246,791 ) (162,297 ) (11,240 ) 189,759 NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — 413,533 312,508 9,715 — 735,756 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period — 232,297 10,875 17,012 — 260,184 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTD CASH, end of period $ — $ 645,830 $ 323,383 $ 26,727 $ — $ 995,940 (a) See Recent Accounting Pronouncements within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for a discussion of the adoption of new accounting principles related to the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 (a) (In thousands) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES $ (11,784 ) $ (130,406 ) $ 721,991 $ 7,914 $ 23,875 $ 611,590 CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Acquisition of property and equipment — (8,006 ) (82,450 ) (5,009 ) 1,000 (94,465 ) Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired — — (415,282 ) (10,375 ) — (425,657 ) Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts — — — (40,206 ) — (40,206 ) Proceeds from sale of assets — — 8,069 9,133 — 17,202 Investments in equity investees (2,945 ) (15,620 ) (27 ) (32,655 ) — (51,247 ) Other, net 1,714 (25,120 ) 3,179 5,072 — (15,155 ) Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities (1,231 ) (48,746 ) (486,511 ) (74,040 ) 1,000 (609,528 ) CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases — 995,000 — 29,912 — 1,024,912 Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases (1,651 ) (650,422 ) (3,007 ) (19,612 ) 253 (674,439 ) Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock (65,909 ) — — — — (65,909 ) Repurchases of outstanding Class A Common Stock (136,283 ) — — — — (136,283 ) Payments for deferred financing costs — (35,254 ) — (251 ) — (35,505 ) Distributions to noncontrolling interests — — — (10,464 ) — (10,464 ) Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables 218,054 (17,778 ) (224,551 ) 49,403 (25,128 ) — Other, net (1,196 ) 407 2,718 184 — 2,113 Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities 13,015 291,953 (224,840 ) 49,172 (24,875 ) 104,425 NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — 112,801 10,640 (16,954 ) — 106,487 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period — 119,496 235 33,966 — 153,697 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ — $ 232,297 $ 10,875 $ 17,012 $ — $ 260,184 (a) See Recent Accounting Pronouncements within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)	QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED): (In thousands, except per share data) For the Quarter Ended 3/31/2018 6/30/2018 9/30/2018 12/31/2018 Total revenues, net $ 665,352 $ 730,143 $ 766,261 $ 893,325 Operating income $ 107,314 $ 131,583 $ 157,810 $ 262,954 Net income $ 43,994 $ 29,310 $ 65,000 $ 207,694 Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 43,123 $ 28,042 $ 63,875 $ 206,201 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.42 $ 0.27 $ 0.63 $ 2.12 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.42 $ 0.27 $ 0.62 $ 2.10 For the Quarter Ended 3/31/2017 6/30/2017 9/30/2017 12/31/2017 (a) Total revenues, net (b) $ 626,936 $ 652,235 $ 644,532 $ 712,512 Operating income $ 157,629 $ 118,849 $ 103,447 $ 357,581 Net income $ 70,703 $ 46,035 $ 32,566 $ 444,800 Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 57,202 $ 44,645 $ 30,637 $ 443,529 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.62 $ 0.43 $ 0.30 $ 4.36 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.61 $ 0.43 $ 0.30 $ 4.32 (a) During the three months ended December 31, 2017, we recognized a gain of $225.3 million for vacating spectrum in certain markets as discussed in Broadcast Incentive Auction under Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets ; and a non-recurring benefit of $272.1 million to reflect the estimated effect of the Tax Reform as discussed in Note 10. Income Taxes . (b) See Revenue Recognition within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_2

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	Nature of Operations Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is a diversified television broadcasting company with national reach and a strong focus on using our spectrum to bring together content providers, advertisers, and consumers on various platforms. The content, distributed through our broadcast platform, consists of programming provided by third-party networks and syndicators, local news, and other original programming produced by us. We also distribute our original programming, and owned and operated network affiliates, on other third-party platforms. Additionally, we own digital media products that are complementary to our extensive portfolio of television station 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. As of December 31, 2018 , our broadcast distribution platform is a single reportable segment for accounting purposes. It consists primarily of our broadcast television stations, which we own, provide programming and operating services pursuant to agreements commonly referred to as local marketing agreements (LMAs), or provide sales services and other non-programming operating services pursuant to other outsourcing agreements (such as joint sales agreements (JSAs) and shared services agreements (SSAs)) to 191 stations in 89 markets. These stations broadcast 605 channels as of December 31, 2018 . For the purpose of this report, these 191 stations and 605
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation
Variable Interest Entities	Other VIEs VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES: Certain of our stations provide services to other station owners within the same respective market through agreements, such as LMAs, where we provide programming, sales, operational, and administrative services, and JSAs and SSAs, where we provide non-programming, sales, operational, and administrative services. In certain cases, we have also entered into purchase agreements or options to purchase the license related assets of the licensee. We typically own the majority of the non-license assets of the stations, and in some cases where the licensee acquired the license assets concurrent with our acquisition of the non-license assets of the station, we have provided guarantees to the bank for the licensee’s acquisition financing. The terms of the agreements vary, but generally have initial terms of over five years
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance on revenue recognition for revenue from contracts with customers, Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (ASC 606). This guidance requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers and replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance when it became effective. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Since Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09 was issued, several additional ASUs have been issued and incorporated within ASC 606 to clarify various elements of the guidance. We adopted this guidance retrospectively during the first quarter of 2018. The impact of the adoption did not have a material impact on our station advertising or distribution revenue. Under the new standard, certain barter revenue and expense related to syndicated programming is no longer recognized. See Revenue Recognition below for more information on the adoption. In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The new guidance requires entities to measure equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that resulted in consolidation of the investee) at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2018. The impact of the adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements. Upon adoption of this guidance, we recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings of $2.1 million within our consolidated statement of equity. See Note 6. Other Assets for more information on our equity investments. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to accounting for leases, which requires the assets and liabilities that arise from leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. Currently, only capital leases are recorded on the balance sheet. This update will require the lessee to recognize a lease liability equal to the present value of the lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term for all leases longer than 12 months. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election, by class of underlying asset, not to recognize lease assets and liabilities and recognize the lease expense for such leases, generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The new standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We adopted the optional transition method as well as the package of practical expedients on January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard is expected to result in an increase of total assets and total liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets of less than 5% . We do not expect a material impact on our consolidated statements of operations. In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments. The new standard includes eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice as to how cash receipts and cash payments are represented in the statement of cash flows. In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. This new guidance requires that the statement of cash flows explain changes during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. We adopted this guidance retrospectively during the first quarter of 2018. The following table presents the effects of adoption on our consolidated financial statements for the comparative periods presented (in thousands): For the years ended December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 As Reported Adjustment (a) As Adjusted As Reported Adjustment (b) As Adjusted Net cash flows from operating activities $ 431,104 $ 309 $ 431,413 $ 591,766 $ 19,824 $ 611,590 Net cash flow from (used in) investing activities (198,025 ) 312,609 114,584 (606,003 ) (3,525 ) (609,528 ) Net cash flow from financing activities 188,263 1,496 189,759 124,249 (19,824 ) 104,425 (a) Adjustment primarily relates to restricted cash received as discussed under Broadcast Incentive Auction under 2018 Dispositions within Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets . (b) Adjustment primarily relates to the $19.8 million prepayment penalty related to the redemption of our 6.375 Senior Unsecured Notes in August 2016. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance which clarifies the definition of a business with additional guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The new standard should be applied prospectively and is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2018. The impact of the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software, with the capitalized implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement. The new standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable
Programming	Programming We have agreements with distributors for the rights to television programming over contract periods, which generally run from one to seven years . Contract payments are made in installments over terms that are generally equal to or shorter than the contract period. Pursuant to accounting guidance for the broadcasting industry, an asset and a liability for the rights acquired and obligations incurred under a license agreement are reported on the balance sheet where the cost of each program is known or reasonably determinable, the program material has been accepted by the licensee in accordance with the conditions of the license agreement, and the program is available for its first showing or telecast. The portion of program contracts which becomes payable within one year is reflected as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The rights to this programming are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated net realizable value. With the exception of one and two -year contracts, amortization of program contract costs is computed using an accelerated method. Program contract costs are amortized on a straight-line basis for one and two -year contracts. Program contract costs estimated by management to be amortized in the succeeding year are classified as current assets. Payments of program contract liabilities are typically made on a scheduled basis and are not affected by adjustments for amortization or estimated net realizable value.
Impairment of Goodwill, Intangibles and Other Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Goodwill, Intangibles, and Other Assets We evaluate our goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently, if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may exist. Our goodwill has been allocated to, and is tested for impairment at, the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or a component of an operating segment to the extent that the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by segment management. Components of an operating segment with similar economic characteristics are aggregated when testing goodwill for impairment. In the performance of our annual assessment of goodwill for impairment we have the option to qualitatively assess whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit has been impaired. As part of this qualitative assessment we weigh the relative impact of factors that are specific to the reporting units as well as industry, regulatory, and macroeconomic factors that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of the assets. We also consider the significance of the excess fair value over carrying value in prior quantitative assessments. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit is impaired, or if we elect not to perform the optional qualitative assessment, we will determine the fair value of the reporting unit and compare it to the net book value of the reporting unit. If the fair value is less than the net book value we will record an impairment to goodwill for the amount of the difference. We estimate the fair value of our reporting units utilizing a combination of a market based approach, which considers earnings and cash flow multiples of comparable businesses and recent market transactions, as well as an income approach involving the performance of a discounted cash flow analysis. Our discounted cash flow model is based on our judgment of future market conditions based on our internal forecast of future performance, as well as discount rates that are based on a number of factors including market interest rates, a weighted average cost of capital analysis, and includes adjustments for market risk and company specific risk. Our indefinite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of our broadcast licenses and a trade name. For our annual impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets we have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that these assets are impaired. As part of this qualitative assessment we weigh the relative impact of factors that are specific to the indefinite-lived intangible assets as well as industry, regulatory, and macroeconomic factors that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of the assets. We also consider the significance of the excess fair value over carrying value in prior quantitative assessments. When evaluating our broadcast licenses for impairment, the qualitative assessment is done at the market level because the broadcast licenses within the market are complementary and together enhance the single broadcast license of each station. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that one of our broadcast licenses is impaired, we will perform a quantitative assessment by comparing the aggregate fair value of the broadcast licenses in the market to the respective carrying values. We estimate the fair values of our broadcast licenses using the Greenfield method, which is an income approach. This method involves a discounted cash flow model that incorporates several variables, including, but not limited to, market revenues and long term growth projections, estimated market share for the typical participant without a network affiliation, and estimated profit margins based on market size and station type. The model also assumes outlays for capital expenditures, future terminal values, an effective tax rate assumption and a discount rate based on a number of factors including market interest rates, a weighted average cost of capital analysis based on the target capital structure for a television station, and includes adjustments for market risk and company specific risk. If the carrying amount of the broadcast licenses exceeds the fair value, then an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying value of the broadcast licenses exceeds the fair value. We periodically evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment and continue to evaluate them as events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable. We evaluate the recoverability of long-lived assets by measuring the carrying amount of the assets against the estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with them. At the time that such evaluations indicate that the future undiscounted cash flows of certain long-lived assets are not sufficient to recover the carrying value of such assets, the assets are tested for impairment by comparing their estimated fair value to the carrying value. We typically estimate fair value using discounted cash flow models and appraisals. See Note 5. Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets and Other Intangible Assets for more information.
Accrued Liabilities	We expense these activities when incurred and recognize deferred revenue when earned.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. We provide a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if we determine that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating our ability to realize net deferred tax assets, we consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, including our past operating results, tax planning strategies and forecasts of future taxable income. In considering these sources of taxable income, we must make certain judgments that are based on the plans and estimates used to manage our underlying businesses on a long-term basis. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , a valuation allowance has been provided for deferred tax assets related to a substantial amount of our available state net operating loss carryforwards based on past operating results, expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary book/tax basis differences, alternative tax strategies and projected future taxable income. Future changes in operating and/or taxable income or other changes in facts and circumstances could significantly impact the ability to realize our deferred tax assets which could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Management periodically performs a comprehensive review of our tax positions and we record a liability for unrecognized tax benefits when such tax positions do not meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold. Significant judgment is required in determining whether a tax position meets the “more-likely-than-not” threshold, and it is based on a variety of facts and circumstances, including interpretation of the relevant federal and state income tax codes, regulations, case law and other authoritative pronouncements. Based on this analysis, the status of ongoing audits and the expiration of applicable statute of limitations, liabilities are adjusted as necessary. The resolution of audits is unpredictable and could result in tax liabilities that are significantly higher or lower than for what we have provided. See Note 10. Income Taxes , for further discussion of accrued unrecognized tax benefits. The Company recognized the estimated income tax effects of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act in the 2017 financial statements in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which provides SEC staff guidance for the application of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, in the reporting period in which the Tax Act was enacted. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has completed its accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the Tax Act. The Company has recognized a benefit of $4.3 million from adjustments to the provisional amounts recorded at December 31, 2017 related to the revaluation of deferred balances resulting from the reduction of the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. This adjustment has been recorded as a component of income tax expense from continuing operations
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 606 using the retrospective adoption method. The following table presents the effects of adoption on our consolidated financial statements for the comparative periods presented (in thousands): For the years ended December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 As Reported Adoption of ASC 606 As Adjusted As Reported Adoption of ASC 606 As Adjusted Revenues realized from station barter arrangements (a) $ 120,963 $ (97,903 ) $ 23,060 $ 135,566 $ (114,439 ) $ 21,127 Expenses realized from barter arrangements (b) $ 98,973 $ (97,903 ) $ 1,070 $ 116,954 $ (114,439 ) $ 2,515 Operating income $ 737,506 $ — $ 737,506 $ 602,853 $ — $ 602,853 Net income $ 576,013 $ — $ 576,013 $ 245,301 $ — $ 245,301 Basic EPS $ 5.77 $ — $ 5.77 $ 2.62 $ — $ 2.62 Diluted EPS $ 5.72 $ — $ 5.72 $ 2.60 $ — $ 2.60 (a) The remaining balance in the "as adjusted" column relates to trade revenue, which was unaffected by the adoption and has been reclassified to media revenue. (b) The remaining balance in the "as adjusted" column relates to trade expense, which was unaffected by the adoption and has been reclassified to media production expense. The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by type and segment (in thousands): For the year ended December 31, 2018 Broadcast Other Total Advertising revenue $ 1,484,188 $ 75,539 $ 1,559,727 Distribution revenue 1,185,800 112,827 1,298,627 Other media and non-media revenues 44,675 152,052 196,727 Total revenues $ 2,714,663 $ 340,418 $ 3,055,081 For the year ended December 31, 2017 Broadcast Other Total Advertising revenue $ 1,314,999 $ 54,402 $ 1,369,401 Distribution revenue 1,032,838 107,012 1,139,850 Other media and non-media revenues 45,804 81,160 126,964 Total revenues $ 2,393,641 $ 242,574 $ 2,636,215 For the year ended December 31, 2016 Broadcast Other Total Advertising revenue $ 1,480,157 $ 28,176 $ 1,508,333 Distribution revenue 890,554 65,382 955,936 Other media and non-media revenues 46,274 111,967 158,241 Total revenues $ 2,416,985 $ 205,525 $ 2,622,510 Advertising Revenue. We generate advertising revenue primarily from the sale of advertising spots/impressions on our broadcast television and digital platforms. Advertising revenue is recognized in the period in which the advertising spots/impressions are delivered. In arrangements where we provide audience ratings guarantees, to the extent that there is a ratings shortfall, we will defer a proportionate amount of revenue until the ratings shortfall is settled through the delivery of additional advertising. The term of our advertising arrangements is generally less than one year and the timing between when an advertisement is aired and when payment is due is not significant. In certain circumstances, we require customers to pay in advance; payments received in advance of satisfying our performance obligations are reflected as deferred revenue. Distribution Revenue. We generate distribution revenue through fees received from MVPDs, vMVPDs, and OTT providers for the right to distribute our broadcast channels and cable networks on their distribution platforms. Distribution arrangements are generally governed by multi-year contracts and the underlying fees are based upon a contractual monthly rate per subscriber. These arrangements represent licenses of intellectual property; revenue is recognized as the signal is provided to our customers (as usage occurs) which corresponds with the satisfaction of our performance obligation. Revenue is calculated based upon the contractual rate multiplied by an estimated number of subscribers. Our customers will remit payments based upon actual subscribers a short time after the conclusion of a month, which generally does not exceed 90 days. Historical adjustments to subscriber estimates have not been material. Practical Expedients and Exemptions. We expense sales commissions when incurred because the period of benefit for these costs is one year or less. These costs are recorded within media selling, general and administrative expenses. In accordance with ASC 606, we do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) distribution arrangements which are accounted for as a sales/usage based royalty. Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations. Our contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, we allocate revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price, which is generally based on the prices charged to customers. Deferred Revenues.
Advertising Expenses	Advertising Expenses
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments Financial instruments, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017
Post-retirement Benefits	Post-retirement Benefits
Reclassifications	Reclassifications
Fair Value Measurements	Accounting guidance provides for valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). A fair value hierarchy using three broad levels prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The following is a brief description of those three levels: • Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. • Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. • Level 3:

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_3

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of new accounting pronouncements and changes in accounting principles	The following table presents the effects of adoption on our consolidated financial statements for the comparative periods presented (in thousands): For the years ended December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 As Reported Adjustment (a) As Adjusted As Reported Adjustment (b) As Adjusted Net cash flows from operating activities $ 431,104 $ 309 $ 431,413 $ 591,766 $ 19,824 $ 611,590 Net cash flow from (used in) investing activities (198,025 ) 312,609 114,584 (606,003 ) (3,525 ) (609,528 ) Net cash flow from financing activities 188,263 1,496 189,759 124,249 (19,824 ) 104,425 (a) Adjustment primarily relates to restricted cash received as discussed under Broadcast Incentive Auction under 2018 Dispositions within Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets . (b) Adjustment primarily relates to the $19.8 million prepayment penalty related to the redemption of our 6.375 For the years ended December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 As Reported Adoption of ASC 606 As Adjusted As Reported Adoption of ASC 606 As Adjusted Revenues realized from station barter arrangements (a) $ 120,963 $ (97,903 ) $ 23,060 $ 135,566 $ (114,439 ) $ 21,127 Expenses realized from barter arrangements (b) $ 98,973 $ (97,903 ) $ 1,070 $ 116,954 $ (114,439 ) $ 2,515 Operating income $ 737,506 $ — $ 737,506 $ 602,853 $ — $ 602,853 Net income $ 576,013 $ — $ 576,013 $ 245,301 $ — $ 245,301 Basic EPS $ 5.77 $ — $ 5.77 $ 2.62 $ — $ 2.62 Diluted EPS $ 5.72 $ — $ 5.72 $ 2.60 $ — $ 2.60 (a) The remaining balance in the "as adjusted" column relates to trade revenue, which was unaffected by the adoption and has been reclassified to media revenue. (b)
Schedule of rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts	A rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 is as follows (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ 2,590 $ 2,124 $ 4,495 Charged to expense 5,814 2,837 1,974 Net write-offs (6,025 ) (2,371 ) (4,345 ) Balance at end of period $ 2,379 $ 2,590 $ 2,124
Schedule of accrued liabilities	Accrued liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands): 2018 2017 Compensation and employee benefits $ 99,884 $ 87,003 Interest 42,450 42,794 Deferred revenue 83,270 49,522 Programming related obligations 79,685 89,728 Accounts payable and other accruals relating to operating expenses 107,938 101,356 Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 413,227 $ 370,403
Schedule of cash transactions	During the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , we had the following cash transactions (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Income taxes paid $ 16,928 $ 128,168 $ 108,347 Income tax refunds $ 413 $ 1,508 $ 12,193 Interest paid $ 284,691 $ 203,800 $ 191,117
Disaggregation of revenue	The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by type and segment (in thousands): For the year ended December 31, 2018 Broadcast Other Total Advertising revenue $ 1,484,188 $ 75,539 $ 1,559,727 Distribution revenue 1,185,800 112,827 1,298,627 Other media and non-media revenues 44,675 152,052 196,727 Total revenues $ 2,714,663 $ 340,418 $ 3,055,081 For the year ended December 31, 2017 Broadcast Other Total Advertising revenue $ 1,314,999 $ 54,402 $ 1,369,401 Distribution revenue 1,032,838 107,012 1,139,850 Other media and non-media revenues 45,804 81,160 126,964 Total revenues $ 2,393,641 $ 242,574 $ 2,636,215 For the year ended December 31, 2016 Broadcast Other Total Advertising revenue $ 1,480,157 $ 28,176 $ 1,508,333 Distribution revenue 890,554 65,382 955,936 Other media and non-media revenues 46,274 111,967 158,241 Total revenues $ 2,416,985 $ 205,525 $ 2,622,510

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS_2

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of allocated fair value of acquired assets and liabilities assumed	The following table summarizes the allocated fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities (in thousands): Accounts receivable $ 14,536 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 699 Program contract costs 988 Property and equipment 27,295 Definite-lived intangible assets 161,936 Indefinite-lived intangible assets 425 Other assets 3,609 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (8,846 ) Program contracts payable (988 ) Deferred tax liability (66,158 ) Other long term liabilities (12,265 ) Fair value of identifiable, net assets acquired 121,231 Goodwill 120,921 Total purchase price, net of cash acquired $ 242,152 Accounts receivable $ 17,629 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 6,518 Property and equipment 5,964 Definite-lived intangible assets 272,686 Indefinite-lived intangible assets 23,400 Other assets 619 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (7,414 ) Capital leases (115 ) Deferred tax liability (16,991 ) Other long term liabilities (1,669 ) Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired 300,627 Goodwill 53,427 Total purchase price, net of cash acquired $ 354,054
Schedule of acquired operations included in the financial statements	Financial Results of Acquisitions The following tables summarize the results of the net media revenues and operating income (loss) included in the financial statements of the Company beginning on the acquisition date of each acquisition as listed below (in thousands): Revenues 2018 2017 2016 Bonten $ 100,971 $ 30,907 $ — Tennis Channel 143,047 132,584 84,040 Other acquisitions in: 2017 17,979 11,108 — 2016 81,003 66,698 49,186 Total net media revenues $ 343,000 $ 241,297 $ 133,226 Operating Income (Loss) 2018 2017 2016 Bonten $ 21,479 $ 7,448 $ — Tennis Channel 14,887 19,420 (1,990 ) Other acquisitions in: 2017 (2,035 ) (89 ) — 2016 25,523 18,392 18,311 Total operating income $ 59,854 $ 45,171 $ 16,321
Schedule of unaudited pro forma results of operations	The following table sets forth unaudited pro forma results of operations, assuming that Bonten and Tennis Channel along with transactions necessary to finance the acquisition, occurred at the beginning of the year preceding the year of acquisition. The pro forma results exclude the acquisitions presented under Other 2017 Acquisitions and Other 2016 Acquisitions above, as they are not material both individually and in the aggregate (in thousands, except per data share): Unaudited 2017 2016 Total revenues $ 2,692,890 $ 2,720,735 Net Income $ 597,054 $ 252,902 Net Income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 578,963 $ 247,441 Basic earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 5.80 $ 2.64 Diluted earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 5.74 $ 2.62

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of changes in unvested restricted stock	The following is a summary of changes in unvested restricted stock: RSAs Weighted-Average Unvested shares at December 31, 2017 152,180 $ 33.04 2018 Activity: Granted 237,593 34.95 Vested (101,385 ) 32.66 Forfeited (8,073 ) 35.36 Unvested shares at December 31, 2018 280,315 $ 34.73
Summary of SARS Activity	The following is a summary of the 2018 activity: SARs Weighted- Outstanding SARs at December 31, 2017 2,610,000 $ 22.65 2018 Activity: Granted 450,000 33.80 Outstanding SARs at December 31, 2018 3,060,000 $ 24.29
Schedule of assumptions used to estimate the value of stock options under ESPP	Our SARs and stock options were valued using the Black-Scholes pricing model utilizing the following assumptions: 2018 2017 2016 Risk-free interest rate 2.6 % 2.1 % 1.2% - 1.9% Expected years to exercise 5 years 5 years 5 years Expected volatility 36.2 % 37.0 % 37.5% - 42.1% Annual dividend yield 2.1% - 2.2% 2.0 % 2.1 %

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of estimated useful lives	Depreciation is generally computed under the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: Buildings and improvements 10 - 30 years Station equipment 5 - 10 years Office furniture and equipment 5 - 10 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of 10 - 30 years or lease term Automotive equipment 3 - 5 years Property and equipment under capital leases Lease term
Schedule of property and equipment stated at cost less accumulated depreciation	Property and equipment consisted of the following as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands): 2018 2017 Land and improvements $ 76,501 $ 77,487 Real estate held for development and sale 34,645 87,056 Buildings and improvements 278,649 260,470 Station equipment 744,294 779,779 Office furniture and equipment 107,536 109,632 Leasehold improvements 24,115 25,120 Automotive equipment 62,663 63,513 Capital leased assets 53,401 53,005 Construction in progress 71,461 30,575 1,453,265 1,486,637 Less: accumulated depreciation (770,131 ) (748,339 ) $ 683,134 $ 738,298

GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED IN_2

GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The change in the carrying amount of goodwill was as follows (in thousands): Broadcast Other Consolidated Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 1,933,831 $ 56,915 $ 1,990,746 Acquisitions (a) 119,426 13,966 133,392 Measurement period adjustments related to prior year acquisitions 153 154 307 Disposition of assets (a) — (412 ) (412 ) Balance at December 31, 2017 (b) 2,053,410 70,623 2,124,033 Measurement period adjustments related to prior year acquisitions 1,369 (1,500 ) (131 ) Balance at December 31, 2018 (b) $ 2,054,779 $ 69,123 $ 2,123,902 (a) See Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets for discussion of acquisitions and divestitures made during 2017 . (b) Approximately $0.8 million of goodwill relates to consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2018 and 2017
Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , the carrying amount of our indefinite-lived intangible assets was as follows (in thousands): Broadcast Other Consolidated Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 132,906 $ 23,400 $ 156,306 Acquisitions (a) 425 4,051 4,476 Disposition of assets (a) (1,411 ) — (1,411 ) Balance at December 31, 2017 (b) 131,920 27,451 159,371 Disposition of assets (a) (1,149 ) — (1,149 ) Balance at December 31, 2018 (b) (c) $ 130,771 $ 27,451 $ 158,222 (a) See Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets for discussion of acquisitions and divestitures made during 2018 and 2017 . (b) Approximately $14.3 million of indefinite-lived intangible assets relate to consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 . (c)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Amortization	The following table shows the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of definite-lived intangibles (in thousands): As of December 31, 2018 Gross Carrying Value Accumulated Amortization Net Amortized intangible assets: Network affiliation (a) $ 1,451,600 $ (604,470 ) $ 847,130 Customer Relationships (a) 1,113,134 (340,805 ) 772,329 Other (a) 33,417 (25,996 ) 7,421 Total $ 2,598,151 $ (971,271 ) $ 1,626,880 As of December 31, 2017 Gross Carrying Value Accumulated Amortization Net Amortized intangible assets: Network affiliation (a) $ 1,451,663 $ (514,575 ) $ 937,088 Customer Relationships (a) 1,229,006 (373,966 ) 855,040 Other (a) 45,955 (36,413 ) 9,542 Total $ 2,726,624 $ (924,954 ) $ 1,801,670 (a) Changes between the gross carrying value from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018
Schedule of estimated amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible assets	The following table shows the estimated amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible assets for the next five years (in thousands): For the year ended December 31, 2019 $ 173,508 For the year ended December 31, 2020 172,945 For the year ended December 31, 2021 171,902 For the year ended December 31, 2022 168,135 For the year ended December 31, 2023 159,236 Thereafter 781,154 $ 1,626,880

OTHER ASSETS (Tables)

OTHER ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of other assets	Other assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 consisted of the following (in thousands): 2018 2017 Equity method investments $ 72,371 $ 123,923 Other equity investments 44,625 45,222 Post-retirement plan assets 28,081 22,659 Other 39,754 49,841 Total other assets $ 184,831 $ 241,645
Equity Method Investments	As described under Principles of Consolidation within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies , we record our proportionate share of net income generated by equity method investees in (loss) income from equity method investments within our consolidated statements of operations. The summarized results of operations and financial position of the investments accounted for under the equity method are as follows (in thousands): For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Revenues, net $ 145,253 $ 115,054 $ 82,524 Operating (loss) income $ (58,359 ) $ (17,470 ) $ 7,804 Net loss $ (81,596 ) $ (41,926 ) $ (2,285 ) As of December 31, 2018 2017 Current assets $ 27,961 $ 31,602 Noncurrent assets $ 710,831 $ 777,619 Current liabilities $ 52,527 $ 27,864 Noncurrent liabilities $ 543,604 $ 550,260

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL _2

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of notes payable, capital leases and the Bank Credit Agreement	Notes payable, capital leases, and commercial bank financing (including capital leases to affiliates) consisted of the following as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands): 2018 2017 Bank credit agreement: Term Loan A-1, due April 9, 2018 $ — $ 117,370 Term Loan A-2, due July 31, 2021 95,892 113,327 Term Loan B, due January 3, 2024 1,342,600 1,356,300 Senior unsecured notes: 5.375% Notes, due April 1, 2021 600,000 600,000 6.125% Notes, due October 1, 2022 500,000 500,000 5.625% Notes, due August 1, 2024 550,000 550,000 5.875% Notes, due March 15, 2026 350,000 350,000 5.125% Notes, due February 15, 2027 400,000 400,000 Debt of variable interest entities 25,281 29,614 Debt of non-media subsidiaries 19,577 25,238 Capital leases 29,562 31,696 Capital leases - affiliate 12,524 14,152 Total outstanding principal 3,925,436 4,087,697 Less: Deferred financing costs and discount (32,981 ) (39,047 ) Less: Current portion (40,634 ) (159,382 ) Less: Capital leases - affiliate, current portion (1,930 ) (1,667 ) Net carrying value of long-term debt $ 3,849,891 $ 3,887,601
Schedule of maturity of indebtedness under the notes payable, capital leases and the Bank Credit Agreement	Indebtedness under the Bank Credit Agreement, notes payable, and capital leases as of December 31, 2018 matures as follows (in thousands): Notes and Bank Agreement Capital Leases Capital Leases - Affiliate Total 2019 $ 38,065 $ 5,110 $ 2,978 $ 46,153 2020 36,631 4,847 3,093 44,571 2021 682,363 4,861 3,046 690,270 2022 521,871 4,744 2,441 529,056 2023 14,663 4,819 2,319 21,801 2024 and thereafter 2,589,757 18,754 2,290 2,610,801 Total minimum payments 3,883,350 43,135 16,167 3,942,652 Less: Deferred financing costs and discount (32,981 ) — — (32,981 ) Less: Amount representing future interest — (13,573 ) (3,643 ) (17,216 ) Net carrying value of debt $ 3,850,369 $ 29,562 $ 12,524 $ 3,892,455
Schedule of debt	The stated and weighted average effective interest rates on the above obligations are as follows: Weighted Average Effective Rate Stated Rate 2018 2017 Bank credit agreement: Term Loan A-2 (a) LIBOR plus 2.25% 4.12% 3.30% Term Loan B LIBOR plus 2.25% 4.34% 3.32% Revolver (b) LIBOR plus 2.00% —% —% Senior unsecured notes: 5.375% Notes 5.38% 5.58% 5.58% 6.125% Notes 6.13% 6.31% 6.31% 5.625% Notes 5.63% 5.83% 5.83% 5.875% Notes 5.88% 6.09% 6.09% 5.125% Notes 5.13% 5.33% 5.33% (a) LIBOR plus 2.0% if our first lien indebtedness ratio is less than 1.5 x. (b) As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , we had a $485.2 million revolving credit facility (Revolver). We incur a commitment fee on undrawn capacity of 0.25% or 0.50% if our first lien indebtedness ratio is less than or greater than 3.0 x, respectively. There were no outstanding borrowings and $0.7 million and $0.8 million letters of credit under the revolver as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. There were no borrowings under the revolver during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

PROGRAM CONTRACTS (Tables)

PROGRAM CONTRACTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
PROGRAM CONTRACTS:
Schedule of future payments required under program contracts	Future payments required under program contracts as of December 31, 2018 were as follows (in thousands): 2019 $ 93,480 2020 17,245 2021 14,434 2022 11,458 2023 6,923 Total 143,540 Less: Current portion (93,480 ) Long-term portion of program contracts payable $ 50,060

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of provision (benefit) for income taxes	The provision (benefit) for income taxes consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Current provision for income taxes: Federal $ 58,785 $ 77,477 $ 113,737 State 8,061 6,625 2,273 66,846 84,102 116,010 Deferred (benefit) provision for income taxes: Federal (68,802 ) (196,468 ) 8,555 State (33,819 ) 37,006 (2,437 ) (102,621 ) (159,462 ) 6,118 (Benefit) provision for income taxes $ (35,775 ) $ (75,360 ) $ 122,128
Schedule of reconciliation of federal income taxes at the applicable statutory rate to the recorded provision from continuing operations	The following is a reconciliation of federal income taxes at the applicable statutory rate to the recorded provision: 2018 2017 2016 Federal statutory rate 21.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % Adjustments: Federal tax credits (a) (19.9 )% (2.2 )% (0.4 )% State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit (b) (9.0 )% 5.0 % 0.2 % Non-deductible items (c) (4.9 )% 1.5 % 1.0 % Effect of consolidated VIEs (d) 1.6 % 1.0 % 1.2 % Federal tax reform (e) (1.4 )% (54.3 )% — % Domestic production activities deduction — % (1.7 )% (3.4 )% Other 0.9 % 0.6 % (0.3 )% Effective income tax rate (11.7 )% (15.1 )% 33.3 % (a) During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , we recorded a benefit of $58.2 million and $8.3 million , respectively, related to investments in sustainability initiatives whose activities qualify for federal income tax credits through 2021. (b) Included in state income taxes are deferred income tax effects related to certain acquisitions, intercompany mergers and/or impact of changes in apportionment. (c) Our 2018 income tax provision includes a $17.7 million permanent benefit recognized from an IRS tax ruling on the treatment of the gain from the sale of certain broadcast spectrum in connection with the Broadcast Incentive Auction, as discussed in Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets . (d) Certain of our consolidated VIEs incur expenses that are not attributable to non-controlling interests because we absorb certain related losses of the VIEs. These expenses are not tax-deductible by us, and since these VIEs are treated as pass-through entities for income tax purposes, deferred income tax benefits are not recognized. (e) Our 2018 and 2017 income tax provisions include a non-recurring benefit of $4.3 million and $272.1 million
Schedule of total deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities	Total deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows (in thousands): 2018 2017 Deferred Tax Assets: Net operating losses: Federal $ 28,630 $ 34,861 State 74,339 75,754 Goodwill and intangible assets 12,587 14,389 Other 47,361 33,462 162,917 158,466 Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (65,887 ) (62,865 ) Total deferred tax assets $ 97,030 $ 95,601 Deferred Tax Liabilities: Goodwill and intangible assets $ (427,339 ) $ (514,776 ) Property & equipment, net (80,461 ) (80,630 ) Other (2,483 ) (15,431 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (510,283 ) (610,837 ) Net deferred tax liabilities $ (413,253 ) $ (515,236 )
Schedule of activity related to accrued unrecognized tax benefits	The following table summarizes the activity related to our accrued unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Balance at January 1, $ 7,237 $ 4,739 $ 3,257 Additions related to prior year tax positions 120 2,019 420 Additions related to current year tax positions 1,600 610 2,053 Reductions related to prior year tax positions (453 ) — — Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities (436 ) (131 ) — Reductions related to expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (1,493 ) — (991 ) Balance at December 31, $ 6,575 $ 7,237 $ 4,739

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of future minimum payments under the leases	Future minimum payments under the leases are as follows (in thousands): 2019 $ 32,108 2020 31,287 2021 29,547 2022 26,702 2023 24,325 2024 and thereafter 157,816 $ 301,785

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Tab

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities	he carrying amounts and classification of the assets and liabilities of the VIEs mentioned above which have been included in our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows (in thousands): 2018 2017 ASSETS Current assets: Accounts receivable $ 28,276 $ 19,566 Other current assets 6,773 8,937 Total current asset 35,049 28,503 Program contract costs, less current portion 2,058 822 Property and equipment, net 5,346 6,215 Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets 15,064 15,064 Definite-lived intangible assets, net 67,680 74,442 Other assets 2,374 5,601 Total assets $ 127,571 $ 130,647 LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Other current liabilities $ 18,298 $ 23,564 Notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing, less current portion 19,278 23,217 Program contracts payable, less current portion 8,474 11,213 Other long term liabilities 650 650 Total liabilities $ 46,700 $ 58,644

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of reconciliation of income (numerator) and shares (denominator) used in computation of diluted earnings per share	The following table reconciles income (numerator) and shares (denominator) used in our computations of earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Income (Numerator) Net income $ 345,998 $ 594,104 $ 250,762 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (4,757 ) (18,091 ) (5,461 ) Numerator for diluted earnings available to common shareholders $ 341,241 $ 576,013 $ 245,301 Shares (Denominator) Weighted-average common shares outstanding 100,913 99,844 93,567 Dilutive effect of outstanding stock settled appreciation rights and stock options 805 945 866 Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding 101,718 100,789 94,433
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	The following table shows the weighted-average stock-settled appreciation rights and outstanding stock options (in thousands) that are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share as the inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive. 2018 2017 2016 Weighted-average stock-settled appreciation rights and outstanding stock options excluded 1,325 450 556

SEGMENT DATA (Tables)

SEGMENT DATA (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of segment financial information	Financial information for our reportable segment is included in the following tables for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 (in thousands): For the year ended December 31, 2018 Broadcast Other Corporate Consolidated Revenue $ 2,714,663 $ 340,418 $ — $ 3,055,081 Depreciation of property and equipment 97,703 7,461 76 105,240 Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets 153,720 21,128 — 174,848 Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments 100,899 — — 100,899 General and administrative overhead expenses 100,241 913 9,916 111,070 (Gain) loss on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment (99,977 ) (d) 60,032 (c) (118 ) (40,063 ) Operating income (loss) 751,341 (d) (81,805 ) (c) (9,875 ) 659,661 Interest expense 5,734 803 285,439 291,976 Loss from equity method investments — (60,831 ) — (60,831 ) Goodwill 2,054,779 69,123 — 2,123,902 Assets 4,797,420 720,704 1,053,968 6,572,092 Capital expenditures 94,812 5,155 5,094 105,061 For the year ended December 31, 2017 Broadcast Other Corporate Consolidated Revenue (a) $ 2,393,641 $ 242,574 $ — $ 2,636,215 Depreciation of property and equipment 88,751 7,368 984 97,103 Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets 155,640 23,182 — 178,822 Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments 115,523 — — 115,523 General and administrative overhead expenses 101,680 1,009 10,564 113,253 (Gain) loss on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment (225,770 ) (53,102 ) (b) — (278,872 ) Operating income (loss) 724,110 24,943 (b) (11,547 ) 737,506 Interest expense 5,285 1,835 205,195 212,315 Loss from equity method investments — (14,307 ) — (14,307 ) Goodwill 2,053,410 70,623 — 2,124,033 Assets 5,267,986 769,919 746,565 6,784,470 Capital expenditures 63,163 5,546 15,103 83,812 For the year ended December 31, 2016 Broadcast Other Corporate Consolidated Revenue (a) $ 2,416,985 $ 205,525 $ — $ 2,622,510 Depreciation of property and equipment 91,573 5,772 1,184 98,529 Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets 155,479 28,316 — 183,795 Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments 127,880 — — 127,880 General and administrative overhead expenses 67,035 2,459 4,062 73,556 (Gain) loss on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment (4,647 ) (1,427 ) 45 (6,029 ) Operating income (loss) 639,422 (31,258 ) (5,311 ) 602,853 Interest expense 5,641 6,371 199,131 211,143 Income from equity method investments — 906 — 906 (a) Revenue has been adjusted for the adoption of ASC 606. See Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (b) Includes a gain on the sale of Alarm of $53.0 million , of which $12.3 million was attributable to noncontrolling interests. (c) Includes a $59.6 million impairment to the carrying value of a consolidated real estate venture. See Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies . (d) Includes a gain of $83.3 million related to the auction proceeds. See Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of carrying value and fair value of notes and debentures	The following table sets forth the face value and fair value of our notes and debentures as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands): 2018 2017 Face Value (a) Fair Value Face Value (a) Fair Value Level 2: 6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022 $ 500,000 $ 503,750 $ 500,000 $ 515,535 5.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 350,000 326,375 350,000 363,475 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 550,000 515,625 550,000 568,205 5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 600,000 598,500 600,000 610,440 5.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 400,000 353,000 400,000 396,088 Term Loan A-1 (b) — — 117,370 117,370 Term Loan A-2 95,892 92,057 113,327 113,327 Term Loan B 1,342,600 1,275,470 1,356,300 1,357,995 Debt of variable interest entities 25,281 25,281 29,614 29,614 Debt of non-media subsidiaries 19,577 19,577 25,238 25,238 (a) Amounts are carried on our consolidated balance sheets net of debt discount and deferred financing costs, which are excluded in the above table, of $33.0 million and $39.0 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. (b)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANC_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of condensed consolidating balance sheet	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2018 (In thousands) Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair Television Group, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Sinclair Consolidated Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 961,963 $ 19,648 $ 78,719 $ — $ 1,060,330 Accounts and other receivables — — 530,543 68,054 — 598,597 Other current assets 3,235 5,548 103,111 37,157 (24,072 ) 124,979 Total current assets 3,235 967,511 653,302 183,930 (24,072 ) 1,783,906 Property and equipment, net 754 31,773 593,755 70,223 (13,371 ) 683,134 Investment in consolidated subsidiaries 1,604,234 3,654,263 4,179 — (5,262,676 ) — Other long-term assets 31,002 851,170 119,187 165,064 (970,375 ) 196,048 Goodwill — — 2,120,035 3,867 — 2,123,902 Indefinite-lived intangible assets — — 143,924 14,298 — 158,222 Definite-lived intangible assets — — 1,608,748 70,409 (52,277 ) 1,626,880 Total assets $ 1,639,225 $ 5,504,717 $ 5,243,130 $ 507,791 $ (6,322,771 ) $ 6,572,092 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 100 $ 78,814 $ 273,444 $ 85,875 $ (25,006 ) $ 413,227 Current portion of long-term debt — 31,135 4,100 7,842 (513 ) 42,564 Other current liabilities — — 107,051 9,743 — 116,794 Total current liabilities 100 109,949 384,595 103,460 (25,519 ) 572,585 Long-term debt — 3,775,489 36,551 381,913 (344,062 ) 3,849,891 Other liabilities 289 40,132 1,169,184 173,197 (833,506 ) 549,296 Total liabilities 389 3,925,570 1,590,330 658,570 (1,203,087 ) 4,971,772 Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity 1,638,836 1,579,147 3,652,800 (107,825 ) (5,124,122 ) 1,638,836 Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries — — — (42,954 ) 4,438 (38,516 ) Total liabilities and equity $ 1,639,225 $ 5,504,717 $ 5,243,130 $ 507,791 $ (6,322,771 ) $ 6,572,092 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 (In thousands) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 645,830 $ 12,273 $ 23,223 $ — $ 681,326 Restricted Cash — — 311,110 2,000 — 313,110 Accounts and other receivables — — 530,273 36,191 — 566,464 Other current assets 3,034 5,758 145,637 9,687 (10,269 ) 153,847 Total current assets 3,034 651,588 999,293 71,101 (10,269 ) 1,714,747 Property and equipment, net 829 31,111 586,950 132,010 (12,602 ) 738,298 Investment in consolidated subsidiaries 1,537,337 4,116,241 4,179 — (5,657,757 ) — Other long-term assets 31,757 770,312 104,363 208,367 (868,448 ) 246,351 Goodwill — — 2,120,166 3,867 — 2,124,033 Indefinite-lived intangible assets — — 145,073 14,298 — 159,371 Definite-lived intangible assets — — 1,781,045 77,944 (57,319 ) 1,801,670 Total assets $ 1,572,957 $ 5,569,252 $ 5,741,069 $ 507,587 $ (6,606,395 ) $ 6,784,470 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 1,100 $ 84,326 $ 261,266 $ 36,029 $ (12,318 ) $ 370,403 Current portion of long-term debt — 148,505 3,445 9,645 (546 ) 161,049 Other current liabilities — — 180,616 14,281 — 194,897 Total current liabilities 1,100 232,831 445,327 59,955 (12,864 ) 726,349 Long-term debt — 3,799,987 39,730 381,127 (333,243 ) 3,887,601 Other liabilities 3,119 38,282 1,141,266 187,569 (734,082 ) 636,154 Total liabilities 4,219 4,071,100 1,626,323 628,651 (1,080,189 ) 5,250,104 Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity 1,568,738 1,498,152 4,114,746 (82,051 ) (5,530,847 ) 1,568,738 Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries — — — (39,013 ) 4,641 (34,372 ) Total liabilities and equity $ 1,572,957 $ 5,569,252 $ 5,741,069 $ 507,587 $ (6,606,395 ) $ 6,784,470
Schedule of condensed consolidating statement of operations and comprehensive income	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 (In thousands) Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair Television Group, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Sinclair Consolidated Net revenue (a) $ — $ — $ 2,507,183 $ 209,914 $ (80,882 ) $ 2,636,215 Media production expenses — — 1,013,035 124,044 (72,935 ) 1,064,144 Selling, general and administrative 9,204 102,930 522,039 14,800 (2,183 ) 646,790 Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses 984 6,250 131,880 51,461 (2,800 ) 187,775 Total operating expenses 10,188 109,180 1,666,954 190,305 (77,918 ) 1,898,709 Operating (loss) income (10,188 ) (109,180 ) 840,229 19,609 (2,964 ) 737,506 Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries 579,954 793,620 (16 ) — (1,373,558 ) — Interest expense (88 ) (205,107 ) (4,586 ) (21,643 ) 19,109 (212,315 ) Other income (expense) 1,678 5,077 (5,790 ) (7,412 ) — (6,447 ) Total other income (expense) 581,544 593,590 (10,392 ) (29,055 ) (1,354,449 ) (218,762 ) Income tax benefit (provision) 4,657 100,473 (30,171 ) 401 — 75,360 Net income (loss) 576,013 584,883 799,666 (9,045 ) (1,357,413 ) 594,104 Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests — — — (17,738 ) (353 ) (18,091 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 576,013 $ 584,883 $ 799,666 $ (26,783 ) $ (1,357,766 ) $ 576,013 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 593,488 $ 584,267 $ 799,666 $ (9,045 ) $ (1,374,888 ) $ 593,488 (a) See Revenue Recognition within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for a discussion of the adoption of the new accounting principles for revenue recognition. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 (In thousands) Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair Television Group, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Sinclair Consolidated Net revenue (a) $ — $ — $ 2,476,669 $ 254,031 $ (108,190 ) $ 2,622,510 Media production expenses — — 920,715 135,511 (100,622 ) 955,604 Selling, general and administrative 4,062 70,503 489,882 10,804 (106 ) 575,145 Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses 1,064 7,331 360,550 121,986 (2,023 ) 488,908 Total operating expenses 5,126 77,834 1,771,147 268,301 (102,751 ) 2,019,657 Operating (loss) income (5,126 ) (77,834 ) 705,522 (14,270 ) (5,439 ) 602,853 Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries 244,580 463,598 220 — (708,398 ) — Interest expense (238 ) (198,893 ) (4,481 ) (32,521 ) 24,990 (211,143 ) Other income (expense) 3,613 (22,867 ) 715 (281 ) — (18,820 ) Total other income (expense) 247,955 241,838 (3,546 ) (32,802 ) (683,408 ) (229,963 ) Income tax benefit (provision) 2,472 99,148 (231,504 ) 7,756 — (122,128 ) Net income (loss) 245,301 263,152 470,472 (39,316 ) (688,847 ) 250,762 Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests — — — (4,937 ) (524 ) (5,461 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 245,301 $ 263,152 $ 470,472 $ (44,253 ) $ (689,371 ) $ 245,301 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 250,789 $ 263,179 $ 470,472 $ (39,316 ) $ (694,335 ) $ 250,789
Schedule of condensed consolidating statement of cash flows	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 (In thousands) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES $ (8,542 ) $ (252,615 ) $ 936,385 $ (40,533 ) $ 12,723 647,418 CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Acquisition of property and equipment (1 ) (6,592 ) (98,201 ) (3,914 ) 3,647 (105,061 ) Proceeds from sale of assets — — 1,616 — — 1,616 Investments in equity investees (2,587 ) (1,975 ) (27,960 ) (3,283 ) — (35,805 ) Distributions from equity method investees 4,728 — — 18,106 — 22,834 Other, net 1,670 (12,091 ) 8,626 — — (1,795 ) Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities 3,810 (20,658 ) (115,919 ) 10,909 3,647 (118,211 ) CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases — — — 4,317 — 4,317 Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases — (148,505 ) (3,554 ) (15,120 ) 394 (166,785 ) Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock (74,566 ) — — — — (74,566 ) Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock (220,889 ) — — — — (220,889 ) Payments for deferred financing cost — — — (922 ) — (922 ) Distributions to noncontrolling interests — — — (8,901 ) — (8,901 ) Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables 297,256 737,911 (1,117,417 ) 100,440 (18,190 ) — Other, net 2,931 — (3,230 ) 1,802 1,426 2,929 Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities 4,732 589,406 (1,124,201 ) 81,616 (16,370 ) (464,817 ) NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — 316,133 (303,735 ) 51,992 — 64,390 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period — 645,830 323,383 26,727 — 995,940 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ — $ 961,963 $ 19,648 $ 78,719 $ — $ 1,060,330 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 (a) (In thousands) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES $ (8,659 ) $ (180,966 ) $ 600,070 $ 12,424 $ 8,544 $ 431,413 CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Acquisition of property and equipment (130 ) (14,973 ) (68,475 ) (2,930 ) 2,696 (83,812 ) Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired — (8,308 ) (262,965 ) — — (271,273 ) Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts — — — (5,682 ) — (5,682 ) Proceeds from sale of assets — — 568 194,641 — 195,209 Investments in equity investees (946 ) (720 ) (20,701 ) (32,762 ) — (55,129 ) Distributions from equity method investees 5,857 — — 6,321 — 12,178 Spectrum auction proceeds — — 310,802 — — 310,802 Other, net 740 11,551 — — — 12,291 Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities 5,521 (12,450 ) (40,771 ) 159,588 2,696 114,584 CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases — 159,669 — 7,128 — 166,797 Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases (1,858 ) (213,919 ) (3,381 ) (121,270 ) 320 (340,108 ) Proceeds from sale of Class A Common Stock 487,883 — — — — 487,883 Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock (71,364 ) — — — — (71,364 ) Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock (30,287 ) — — — — (30,287 ) Payments for deferred financing costs — (425 ) — (306 ) — (731 ) Distributions to noncontrolling interests — — — (22,416 ) — (22,416 ) Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables (381,344 ) 660,911 (242,402 ) (25,605 ) (11,560 ) — Other, net 108 713 (1,008 ) 172 — (15 ) Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities 3,138 606,949 (246,791 ) (162,297 ) (11,240 ) 189,759 NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — 413,533 312,508 9,715 — 735,756 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period — 232,297 10,875 17,012 — 260,184 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTD CASH, end of period $ — $ 645,830 $ 323,383 $ 26,727 $ — $ 995,940 (a) See Recent Accounting Pronouncements within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for a discussion of the adoption of new accounting principles related to the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 (a) (In thousands) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES $ (11,784 ) $ (130,406 ) $ 721,991 $ 7,914 $ 23,875 $ 611,590 CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Acquisition of property and equipment — (8,006 ) (82,450 ) (5,009 ) 1,000 (94,465 ) Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired — — (415,282 ) (10,375 ) — (425,657 ) Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts — — — (40,206 ) — (40,206 ) Proceeds from sale of assets — — 8,069 9,133 — 17,202 Investments in equity investees (2,945 ) (15,620 ) (27 ) (32,655 ) — (51,247 ) Other, net 1,714 (25,120 ) 3,179 5,072 — (15,155 ) Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities (1,231 ) (48,746 ) (486,511 ) (74,040 ) 1,000 (609,528 ) CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases — 995,000 — 29,912 — 1,024,912 Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases (1,651 ) (650,422 ) (3,007 ) (19,612 ) 253 (674,439 ) Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock (65,909 ) — — — — (65,909 ) Repurchases of outstanding Class A Common Stock (136,283 ) — — — — (136,283 ) Payments for deferred financing costs — (35,254 ) — (251 ) — (35,505 ) Distributions to noncontrolling interests — — — (10,464 ) — (10,464 ) Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables 218,054 (17,778 ) (224,551 ) 49,403 (25,128 ) — Other, net (1,196 ) 407 2,718 184 — 2,113 Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities 13,015 291,953 (224,840 ) 49,172 (24,875 ) 104,425 NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — 112,801 10,640 (16,954 ) — 106,487 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period — 119,496 235 33,966 — 153,697 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ — $ 232,297 $ 10,875 $ 17,012 $ — $ 260,184 (a) See Recent Accounting Pronouncements within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATI_2

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of the quarterly financial information (unaudited)	QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED): (In thousands, except per share data) For the Quarter Ended 3/31/2018 6/30/2018 9/30/2018 12/31/2018 Total revenues, net $ 665,352 $ 730,143 $ 766,261 $ 893,325 Operating income $ 107,314 $ 131,583 $ 157,810 $ 262,954 Net income $ 43,994 $ 29,310 $ 65,000 $ 207,694 Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 43,123 $ 28,042 $ 63,875 $ 206,201 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.42 $ 0.27 $ 0.63 $ 2.12 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.42 $ 0.27 $ 0.62 $ 2.10 For the Quarter Ended 3/31/2017 6/30/2017 9/30/2017 12/31/2017 (a) Total revenues, net (b) $ 626,936 $ 652,235 $ 644,532 $ 712,512 Operating income $ 157,629 $ 118,849 $ 103,447 $ 357,581 Net income $ 70,703 $ 46,035 $ 32,566 $ 444,800 Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 57,202 $ 44,645 $ 30,637 $ 443,529 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.62 $ 0.43 $ 0.30 $ 4.36 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.61 $ 0.43 $ 0.30 $ 4.32

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_4

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Nature of Operations (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018channelstationmarket
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of television stations owned | station	191
Number of markets | market	89
Number of channels | channel	605

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_5

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting standard			$ 2,100					$ 2,264
Net cash flows from operating activities		$ 647,418	431,413	[1]	$ 611,590	[1]
Net cash flow from (used in) investing activities		(118,211)	114,584	[1]	(609,528)	[1]
Net cash flow from financing activities		$ (464,817)	189,759	[1]	104,425	[1]
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting standard			2,100
As Reported
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net cash flows from operating activities			431,104		591,766
Net cash flow from (used in) investing activities			(198,025)		(606,003)
Net cash flow from financing activities			188,263		124,249
Adjustment (a) | Accounting Standards Update 2016-15
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net cash flows from operating activities			309		19,824
Net cash flow from (used in) investing activities			312,609		(3,525)
Net cash flow from financing activities			$ 1,496		$ (19,824)
6.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 | Senior Notes
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Prepayment penalty	$ 19,800
Interest rate (as a percent)	637.50%
Subsequent Event | Scenario, Forecast | Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Percent increase in right-of-use lease assets (less than)							5.00%
Percent increase in lease liabilities (less than)							5.00%
[1]	See Recent Accounting Pronouncements within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_6

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts
Balance at beginning of period	$ 2,590	$ 2,124	$ 4,495
Charged to expense	5,814	2,837	1,974
Net write-offs	(6,025)	(2,371)	(4,345)
Balance at end of period	$ 2,379	$ 2,590	$ 2,124

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_7

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Programming (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Minimum
Programming
Contract period	1 year
Maximum
Programming
Contract period	7 years
Programming Contracts with One Year Period
Programming
Period of program contracts amortized on straight-line basis	1 year
Programming Contracts with Two Year Periods
Programming
Period of program contracts amortized on straight-line basis	2 years

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_8

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Impairment of Goodwill, Intangibles, and Other Assets (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Consolidated Real Estate Development Project
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges	$ 59.6

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_9

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Compensation and employee benefits	$ 99,884	$ 87,003
Interest	42,450	42,794
Deferred revenue	83,270	49,522	$ 31,700
Programming related obligations	79,685	89,728
Accounts payable and other accruals relating to operating expenses	107,938	101,356
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 413,227	$ 370,403

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUM_10

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Federal tax reform	$ 272.1	$ 4.3	$ 272.1

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUM_11

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Supplemental Information - Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Income taxes paid	$ 16,928	$ 128,168	$ 108,347
Income tax refunds	413	1,508	12,193
Interest paid	284,691	203,800	191,117
Non- cash transactions
Non-cash transaction property and equipment	$ 10,600	$ 9,500	$ 5,900

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUM_12

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Revenue Recognition, Effects of Adoption (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues, net	$ 893,325	$ 766,261	$ 730,143	$ 665,352	$ 712,512	$ 644,532	$ 652,235	$ 626,936	$ 3,055,081	$ 2,636,215	$ 2,622,510
Media production expenses									1,191,016	1,064,144	955,604
Operating income (loss)	262,954	157,810	131,583	107,314	357,581	103,447	118,849	157,629	659,661	737,506	602,853
Net income	$ 206,201	$ 63,875	$ 28,042	$ 43,123	$ 443,529	$ 30,637	$ 44,645	$ 57,202	$ 341,241	$ 576,013	$ 245,301
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.12	$ 0.63	$ 0.27	$ 0.42	$ 4.36	$ 0.30	$ 0.43	$ 0.62	$ 3.38	$ 5.77	$ 2.62
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.10	$ 0.62	$ 0.27	$ 0.42	$ 4.32	$ 0.30	$ 0.43	$ 0.61	$ 3.35	$ 5.72	$ 2.60
As Reported
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)										$ 737,506	$ 602,853
Net income										$ 576,013	$ 245,301
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)										$ 5.77	$ 2.62
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)										$ 5.72	$ 2.60
Adjustment (a) | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)										$ 0	$ 0
Net income										$ 0	$ 0
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)										$ 0	$ 0
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)										$ 0	$ 0
Station Barter Arrangements
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues, net										$ 23,060	$ 21,127
Media production expenses										1,070	2,515
Station Barter Arrangements | As Reported
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues, net										120,963	135,566
Media production expenses										98,973	116,954
Station Barter Arrangements | Adjustment (a) | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues, net										(97,903)	(114,439)
Media production expenses										$ (97,903)	$ (114,439)

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUM_13

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Revenue Recognition, Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 893,325	$ 766,261	$ 730,143	$ 665,352	$ 712,512	$ 644,532	$ 652,235	$ 626,936	$ 3,055,081	$ 2,636,215	$ 2,622,510
Broadcast
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									2,714,663	2,393,641	2,416,985
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									340,418	242,574	205,525
Advertising revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									1,559,727	1,369,401	1,508,333
Advertising revenue | Broadcast
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									1,484,188	1,314,999	1,480,157
Advertising revenue | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									75,539	54,402	28,176
Distribution revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									1,298,627	1,139,850	955,936
Distribution revenue | Broadcast
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									1,185,800	1,032,838	890,554
Distribution revenue | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									112,827	107,012	65,382
Other media and non-media revenues
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									196,727	126,964	158,241
Other media and non-media revenues | Broadcast
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									44,675	45,804	46,274
Other media and non-media revenues | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									$ 152,052	$ 81,160	$ 111,967

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUM_14

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Revenue Recognition, Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Advertising arrangement contract terms	The term of our advertising arrangements is generally less than one year and the timing between when an advertisement is aired and when payment is due is not significant.
Deferred revenue	$ 83,270	$ 49,522	$ 31,700
Deferred revenue, revenue recognized	$ 38,800	$ 22,300

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUM_15

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Advertising Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Total advertising expenses	$ 19.2	$ 20.6	$ 18.5

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUM_16

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Post-retirement Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Post-retirement Benefits
Post-retirement plan assets	$ 28,081	$ 22,659
Fisher SERP | Fisher
Post-retirement Benefits
Estimated projected benefit obligation	$ 19,200
Discount rate for projected benefit obligation (as a percent)	4.11%	3.46%
Benefit payments	$ 1,700	$ 1,800
Actuarial gain	1,300	(1,000)
Periodic pension expense	800	$ 800
Fisher SERP | Fisher | Accrued expenses
Post-retirement Benefits
Estimated projected benefit obligation	1,600
Fisher SERP | Fisher | Other long-term liabilities
Post-retirement Benefits
Estimated projected benefit obligation	17,600
Other Post-Retirement Plans
Post-retirement Benefits
Post-retirement plan assets	26,000
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	$ 24,100

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS_3

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 01, 2017USD ($)stationmarket	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2017USD ($)station	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)stationmarket	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018market
Acquisitions
Cash paid									$ 689,400
Working capital adjustment									$ 3,400
Number of television stations owned | station						191
Number of markets | market						89
Increase to goodwill						$ (131)	$ 307
Amortization period, weighted average useful life						14 years
Acquisition costs related to legal and other professioanl services							1,100	$ 1,400
Broadcast incentive auction proceeds							310,800
Deferred spectrum auction proceeds						$ 40,063	278,872	6,029
Number of stations assigned new channels | station			100
Total legislation funds to reimburse stations			$ 2,750,000
Total capital expenditure						31,100
Gain (loss) recognized on sale					$ 225,300	5,800
Bonten
Acquisitions
Cash paid	$ 240,000
Working capital adjustment	$ 2,200
Number of television stations owned | station	14
Number of markets | market	8
Number of stations to which sales services were provided | station	4
Increase to goodwill						1,500
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 161,900
Goodwill, expected tax deductible amount	5,600
Other Acquisitions
Acquisitions
Cash paid							27,400
Working capital adjustment							2,700
Tennis Channel
Acquisitions
Cash paid				$ 350,000
Working capital adjustment				4,100
Other Acquisitions In 2016
Acquisitions
Cash paid								72,000
Working capital adjustment								100
Tribune Media Company
Acquisitions
Acquisition costs related to legal and other professioanl services						99,800
Spectrum Auction
Acquisitions
Number of markets | market										3
Deferred spectrum auction proceeds						83,300	225,300
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | Disposals in 2016
Acquisitions
Value of consideration given, non-cash								23,800
Gain on sale of broadcast assets								$ 4,400
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | Alarm Funding Associates
Acquisitions
Sales agreement price		$ 200,000
Working capital and transaction costs from sale		5,000
Gain recognized on sale of broadcast assets		53,000					53,000
Gain (loss) on disposal, attributable to non-controlling interest		$ 12,300					$ 12,300
Network affiliations | Bonten
Acquisitions
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 53,300
Amortization period, weighted average useful life	15 years
Customer relationships | Bonten
Acquisitions
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 108,600
Amortization period, weighted average useful life	14 years
Customer relationships | Tennis Channel
Acquisitions
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired				$ 272,700
Amortization period, weighted average useful life				15 years
General and Administrative Expense | Tribune Media Company
Acquisitions
Acquisition costs related to legal and other professioanl services						21,300
Interest Expense | Tribune Media Company
Acquisitions
Acquisition costs related to legal and other professioanl services						$ 78,500

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS_4

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS - Fair Value of Acquired Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 01, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016
Acquisitions
Goodwill	$ 2,123,902	$ 2,124,033		$ 1,990,746
Bonten
Acquisitions
Accounts receivable			$ 14,536
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			699
Program contract costs			988
Property and equipment			27,295
Definite-lived intangible assets			161,936
Indefinite-lived intangible assets			425
Other assets			3,609
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			(8,846)
Program contracts payable			(988)
Deferred tax liability			(66,158)
Other long term liabilities			(12,265)
Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired			121,231
Goodwill			120,921
Total			$ 242,152
Tennis Channel
Acquisitions
Accounts receivable					$ 17,629
Prepaid expenses and other current assets					6,518
Property and equipment					5,964
Definite-lived intangible assets					272,686
Indefinite-lived intangible assets					23,400
Other assets					619
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities					(7,414)
Capital leases					(115)
Deferred tax liability					(16,991)
Other long term liabilities					(1,669)
Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired					300,627
Goodwill					53,427
Total					$ 354,054

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS_5

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS - Acquired Operations Included in the Financial Statements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Acquisitions
Media revenues	[1]									$ 2,918,727	$ 2,566,936	$ 2,520,676
Operating income (loss)		$ 262,954	$ 157,810	$ 131,583	$ 107,314	$ 357,581	$ 103,447	$ 118,849	$ 157,629	659,661	737,506	602,853
Bonten
Acquisitions
Media revenues										100,971	30,907	0
Operating income (loss)										21,479	7,448	0
Tennis Channel
Acquisitions
Media revenues										143,047	132,584	84,040
Operating income (loss)										14,887	19,420	(1,990)
Other Acquisitions In 2017
Acquisitions
Media revenues										17,979	11,108	0
Operating income (loss)										(2,035)	(89)	0
Other Acquisitions In 2016
Acquisitions
Media revenues										81,003	66,698	49,186
Operating income (loss)										25,523	18,392	18,311
Total Acquisitions
Acquisitions
Media revenues										343,000	241,297	133,226
Operating income (loss)										$ 59,854	$ 45,171	$ 16,321
[1]	See Revenue Recognition within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS_6

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS - Pro Forma Results (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Pro Forma Information
Total revenues	$ 2,692,890	$ 2,720,735
Net Income	597,054	252,902
Net Income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$ 578,963	$ 247,441
Basic earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group (in dollars per share)	$ 5.80	$ 2.64
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group (in dollars per share)	$ 5.74	$ 2.62

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN_2

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS:
Options outstanding (in shares)	375,000
Weighted average exercise price of options (in dollars per share)	$ 31.08
Weighted average remaining contractual life of options	7 years
Stock Based Compensation Plans
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS:
Compensation expense	$ 26,500,000	$ 18,500,000	$ 16,900,000
ESPP
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS:
Number of shares reserved for award (in shares)	3,200,000
Compensation expense	$ 1,200,000	1,000,000	900,000
Number of shares available for future grant (in shares)	681,640
ESPP | Maximum
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS:
Percentage of the fair market value of common stock as of the first day of the quarter or on last day of the quarter	85.00%
RSAs
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS:
Compensation expense	$ 5,200,000	3,200,000	2,800,000
Unrecognized compensation expense	$ 4,500,000
Unrestricted shares granted (in shares)	237,593
Stock Grants | Non Employee Director
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS:
Compensation expense	$ 600,000	$ 700,000	$ 600,000
Unrestricted shares granted (in shares)	20,000	20,000	20,000
SARs
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS:
Compensation expense	$ 3,200,000	$ 6,600,000	$ 4,000,000
SARs term	10 years
SAR's outstanding (in shares)	3,060,000	2,610,000
SAR's outstanding intrinsic value	$ 16,600,000
SAR's remaining contractual life	5 years 10 months 13 days
Stock Options
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS:
Compensation expense	$ 0	$ 400,000
401 (K) Plan
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS:
Compensation expense relating to match	$ 16,400,000	7,300,000	6,900,000
Number of shares reserved for matches (in shares)	7,000,000
Number of shares available for future grants (in shares)	4,029,061
Subsidiary Stock Awards
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS:
Compensation expense	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,300,000
Class A Common Stock | LTIP
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS:
Number of shares reserved for award (in shares)	14,000,000
Number of shares (including forfeited shares) available for future grants	5,780,061
Award Date, 2018 | RSAs | LTIP
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS:
Vesting period	2 years
Percentage of restriction to be lapsed in year one from grant date	50.00%
Percentage of restriction to be lapsed in year two from grant date	50.00%
Award Date, 2017 | RSAs | LTIP
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS:
Vesting period	2 years
Percentage of restriction to be lapsed in year one from grant date	50.00%
Percentage of restriction to be lapsed in year two from grant date	50.00%
Award Date, 2016 | RSAs | LTIP
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS:
Vesting period	2 years
Percentage of restriction to be lapsed in year one from grant date	50.00%
Percentage of restriction to be lapsed in year two from grant date	50.00%

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN_3

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS - Changes in Unvested Restricted Stock (Details) - RSAs	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018$ / sharesshares
RSAs
Unvested shares at the beginning of the period (in shares) | shares	152,180
Granted (in shares) | shares	237,593
Vested (in shares) | shares	(101,385)
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(8,073)
Unvested shares at the end of the period (in shares) | shares	280,315
Weighted-Average Price
Unvested shares at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 33.04
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	34.95
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	32.66
Forfeited (in dollars per shares) | $ / shares	35.36
Unvested shares at the end of the period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 34.73

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN_4

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS - Summary of SAR Activity (Details) - SARs	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018$ / sharesshares
Stock Grants and SARs
Outstanding at the beginning of the year (in shares) | shares	2,610,000
Granted (in shares) | shares	450,000
Outstanding at the end of the year (in shares) | shares	3,060,000
Weighted-Average Price
Outstanding at the beginning of the year (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 22.65
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	33.80
Outstanding at the end of the year (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 24.29

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN_5

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS - Inputs to Model the Value of Options Granted (Details) - Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) And Employee Stock Option	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assumptions used in valuation
Risk-free interest rate, minimum (as a percent)			1.20%
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	2.60%	2.10%
Risk-free interest rate, maximum (as a percent)			1.90%
Expected years to exercise	5 years	5 years	5 years
Expected volatility, minimum (as a percent)			37.50%
Expected volatility (as a percent)	36.20%	37.00%
Expected volatility, maximum (as a percent)			42.10%
Annual dividend yield (as a percent)		2.00%	2.10%
Minimum
Assumptions used in valuation
Annual dividend yield (as a percent)	2.10%
Maximum
Assumptions used in valuation
Annual dividend yield (as a percent)	2.20%

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	$ 1,453,265	$ 1,486,637
Less: accumulated depreciation	(770,131)	(748,339)
Total property and equipment, net	683,134	738,298
Capital lease depreciation expense	3,100	4,200	$ 4,200
Land and improvements
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	76,501	77,487
Real estate held for development and sale
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	34,645	87,056
Buildings and improvements
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	$ 278,649	260,470
Buildings and improvements | Minimum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Buildings and improvements | Maximum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	30 years
Station equipment
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	$ 744,294	779,779
Station equipment | Minimum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Station equipment | Maximum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Office furniture and equipment
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	$ 107,536	109,632
Office furniture and equipment | Minimum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Office furniture and equipment | Maximum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Leasehold improvements
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	$ 24,115	25,120
Leasehold improvements | Minimum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Leasehold improvements | Maximum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	30 years
Automotive equipment
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	$ 62,663	63,513
Automotive equipment | Minimum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Automotive equipment | Maximum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Capital leased assets
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	$ 53,401	53,005
Construction in progress
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	$ 71,461	$ 30,575

GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED IN_3

GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Change in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill related to continuing operations
Goodwill, net	$ 2,124,033	$ 1,990,746
Acquisitions		133,392
Measurement period adjustments related to prior year acquisitions	(131)	307
Disposition of assets		(412)
Goodwill, net	2,123,902	2,124,033
VIEs which are not primary beneficiary
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill related to continuing operations
Goodwill, net	800
Goodwill, net	800	800
Broadcast
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill related to continuing operations
Goodwill, net	2,053,410	1,933,831
Acquisitions		119,426
Measurement period adjustments related to prior year acquisitions	1,369	153
Disposition of assets		0
Goodwill, net	2,054,779	2,053,410
Other
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill related to continuing operations
Goodwill, net	70,623	56,915
Acquisitions		13,966
Measurement period adjustments related to prior year acquisitions	(1,500)	154
Disposition of assets		(412)
Goodwill, net	$ 69,123	$ 70,623

GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED IN_4

GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Amortized intangible assets:
Goodwill	$ 2,123,902,000	$ 2,124,033,000		$ 1,990,746,000
Accumulated goodwill impairment	413,600,000	413,600,000
Goodwill impairment	$ 0	0		0
Amortization period, weighted average useful life	14 years
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets	$ 174,848,000	178,822,000	[1]	$ 183,795,000	[1]
Minimum
Amortized intangible assets:
Amortization period	5 years
Maximum
Amortized intangible assets:
Amortization period	25 years
Broadcast licenses
Amortized intangible assets:
Impairment charge	$ 0	$ 0
[1]	See Recent Accounting Pronouncements within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED IN_5

GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Broadcast Licenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Carrying amount of our broadcast licenses
Beginning balance	$ 159,371	$ 156,306
Acquisitions		4,476
Disposition of assets	(1,149)	(1,411)
Ending balance	158,222	159,371
Consolidated VIEs
Carrying amount of our broadcast licenses
Ending balance	14,300
Broadcast
Carrying amount of our broadcast licenses
Beginning balance	131,920	132,906
Acquisitions		425
Disposition of assets	(1,149)	(1,411)
Ending balance	130,771	131,920
Other
Carrying amount of our broadcast licenses
Beginning balance	27,451	23,400
Acquisitions		4,051
Disposition of assets	0	0
Ending balance	$ 27,451	$ 27,451

GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED IN_6

GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Definite Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 2,598,151	$ 2,726,624
Accumulated Amortization	(971,271)	(924,954)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,626,880	1,801,670
Estimated amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible assets
For the year ended December 31, 2019	173,508
For the year ended December 31, 2020	172,945
For the year ended December 31, 2021	171,902
For the year ended December 31, 2022	168,135
For the year ended December 31, 2023	159,236
Thereafter	781,154
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,626,880	1,801,670
Network affiliations
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	1,451,600	1,451,663
Accumulated Amortization	(604,470)	(514,575)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	847,130	937,088
Estimated amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	847,130	937,088
Customer relationships
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	1,113,134	1,229,006
Accumulated Amortization	(340,805)	(373,966)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	772,329	855,040
Estimated amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	772,329	855,040
Other intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	33,417	45,955
Accumulated Amortization	(25,996)	(36,413)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	7,421	9,542
Estimated amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$ 7,421	$ 9,542

OTHER ASSETS - Schedule of Othe

OTHER ASSETS - Schedule of Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Equity method investments	$ 72,371	$ 123,923
Other equity investments	44,625	45,222
Post-retirement plan assets	28,081	22,659
Other	39,754	49,841
Total other assets	$ 184,831	$ 241,645

OTHER ASSETS - Summarized Finan

OTHER ASSETS - Summarized Financial Information, Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues, net	$ 145,253	$ 115,054	$ 82,524
Operating (loss) income	(58,359)	(17,470)	7,804
Net loss	(81,596)	(41,926)	$ (2,285)
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]
Current assets	27,961	31,602
Noncurrent assets	710,831	777,619
Current liabilities	52,527	27,864
Noncurrent liabilities	$ 543,604	$ 550,260

OTHER ASSETS - Narrative (Detai

OTHER ASSETS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Equity investments without readily determinable fair value	$ 24.5
Impairment to carrying amount	10
Unfunded commitments related to private equity investment funds	$ 28.9	$ 10.7

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL _3

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING - Schedule of Notes Payable, Capital Leases and Commercial Bank Financing (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital leases	$ 29,562	$ 31,696
Total outstanding principal	3,925,436	4,087,697
Less: Deferred financing costs and discount	(32,981)	(39,047)
Less: Current portion	(40,634)	(159,382)
Long-term debt	3,849,891	3,887,601
Debt of variable interest entities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding debt amount	25,281	29,614
Debt of other non-media related subsidiaries
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding debt amount	19,577	25,238
Term Loan | Term Loan A-1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding debt amount	0	117,370
Term Loan | Term Loan A-2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding debt amount	95,892	113,327
Term Loan | Term Loan B
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding debt amount	$ 1,342,600	$ 1,356,300
Senior Notes | 5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.38%	5.375%
Outstanding debt amount	$ 600,000	$ 600,000
Senior Notes | 6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.13%	6.125%
Outstanding debt amount	$ 500,000	$ 500,000
Senior Notes | 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.63%
Outstanding debt amount	$ 550,000	$ 550,000
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.88%	5.875%
Outstanding debt amount	$ 350,000	$ 350,000
Senior Notes | 5.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.13%	5.125%
Outstanding debt amount	$ 400,000	$ 400,000
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percent redeemable	35.00%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percent redeemable	100.00%
Affiliated Entity
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital leases	$ 12,524	14,152
Less: Capital leases - affiliate, current portion	$ (1,930)	$ (1,667)

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL _4

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING - Schedule of Indebtedness Maturity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2,019	$ 46,153
2,020	44,571
2,021	690,270
2,022	529,056
2,023	21,801
2023 and thereafter	2,610,801
Net carrying value of debt	3,942,652
Less: Deferred financing costs and discount	(32,981)	$ (39,047)
Less: Amount representing interest	(17,216)
Net carrying value of debt	3,892,455
Capital Leases
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2,019	5,110
2,020	4,847
2,021	4,861
2,022	4,744
2,023	4,819
2023 and thereafter	18,754
Net carrying value of debt	43,135
Less: Amount representing interest	(13,573)
Net carrying value of debt	29,562
Notes and Bank Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2,019	38,065
2,020	36,631
2,021	682,363
2,022	521,871
2,023	14,663
2023 and thereafter	2,589,757
Net carrying value of debt	3,883,350
Less: Deferred financing costs and discount	(32,981)
Net carrying value of debt	3,850,369
Affiliated Entity | Capital Leases
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2,019	2,978
2,020	3,093
2,021	3,046
2,022	2,441
2,023	2,319
2023 and thereafter	2,290
Net carrying value of debt	16,167
Less: Amount representing interest	(3,643)
Net carrying value of debt	$ 12,524

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL _5

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING - Additional Debt Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ 291,976	$ 212,315	$ 211,143
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts	7,500	7,700	10,800
Ticking fees		1,100	1,400
Bank Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred financing costs related to amendment	900	$ 500	$ 2,000
Tribune Media Company
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ticking fees	99,800
Interest Expense | Tribune Media Company
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ticking fees	$ 78,500

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL _6

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING - Stated and Weighted Average Effective Interest Rates (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Term Loan | Term Loan A-2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average effective interest rate (as a percent)	4.12%	3.30%
Term Loan | Term Loan A-2 | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unrestricted cash first lien indebtedness ratio	1.5
Term Loan | Term Loan A-2 | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	2.25%
Term Loan | Term Loan A-2 | LIBOR | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	2.00%
Term Loan | Term Loan B
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average effective interest rate (as a percent)	4.34%	3.32%
Term Loan | Term Loan B | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	2.25%
Senior Notes | 5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.38%	5.375%
Weighted average effective interest rate (as a percent)	5.58%	5.58%
Senior Notes | 6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.13%	6.125%
Weighted average effective interest rate (as a percent)	6.31%	6.31%
Senior Notes | 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.63%
Weighted average effective interest rate (as a percent)	5.83%	5.83%
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.88%	5.875%
Weighted average effective interest rate (as a percent)	6.09%	6.09%
Senior Notes | 5.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.13%	5.125%
Weighted average effective interest rate (as a percent)	5.33%	5.33%
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average effective interest rate (as a percent)	0.00%	0.00%
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 485,200,000
Aggregate borrowings outstanding	$ 0
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of credit | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Undrawn commitments fees (as a percent)	0.25%
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of credit | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unrestricted cash first lien indebtedness ratio	3
Undrawn commitments fees (as a percent)	0.50%
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of credit | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	2.00%
Letter of Credit | Line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate borrowings outstanding	$ 700,000	$ 800,000

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL _7

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING - Bank Credit Agreement Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 03, 2017	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016	[1]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, net			$ 32,981	$ 39,047
Loss on extinguishment of debt			$ 0	$ 1,404	[1]	$ 23,699
Threshold percentage of aggregate broadcast cash flows used for defining material third-party licensees			20.00%
Bank Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, net	$ 11,600
Unamortized debt discount	3,400
Amortization of financing costs	7,700
Debt issuance costs	$ 500
Loss on extinguishment of debt		$ 1,400
[1]	See Recent Accounting Pronouncements within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL _8

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING - Senior Unsecured Notes, Debt of Variable Interest Entities and Other Non-Media Subsidiaries (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations	$ 3,892.5
Debt of variable interest entities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average effective interest rate (as a percent)	4.87%	3.59%
Debt of other non-media related subsidiaries
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average effective interest rate (as a percent)	3.94%	4.31%
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)	3.88%
LIBOR | Debt of variable interest entities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	2.50%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percent redeemable	35.00%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percent redeemable	100.00%
Guarantee Obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unconditional and irrevocably guaranteed debt	$ 76.5	$ 74
Consolidated VIEs, aggregated
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations	$ 24.4	$ 29.3

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL _9

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING - Capital Leases (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Tower leases
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital leases, term	14 years

PROGRAM CONTRACTS (Details)

PROGRAM CONTRACTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Future payments required under program contracts
2,019	$ 93,480
2,020	17,245
2,021	14,434
2,022	11,458
2,023	6,923
Total	143,540
Less: Current portion	(93,480)	$ (108,053)
Long-term portion of program contracts payable	$ 50,060	$ 41,909
Lag period for film payments	3 months
Program contract payments due in arrears	$ 23,600
Non-cancelable commitments for future program rights	$ 70,800

COMMON STOCK (Details)

COMMON STOCK (Details)	Mar. 15, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Feb. 28, 2019$ / shares	Nov. 30, 2018$ / shares	Aug. 31, 2018$ / shares	Nov. 30, 2017$ / shares	Aug. 31, 2017$ / shares	May 31, 2017$ / shares	Nov. 30, 2016$ / shares	Aug. 31, 2016$ / shares	Mar. 01, 2019USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)vote$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2017$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016$ / shares	Aug. 09, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 06, 2016USD ($)
Common Stock
Quarterly dividend declared (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 0.20	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.18
Dividends paid per share (USD per share) | $ / shares											$ 0.74	$ 0.72
Share repurchase program, authorized amount															$ 150,000,000
Additional authorized repurchase amount														$ 1,000,000,000
Subsequent Event
Common Stock
Quarterly dividend declared (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.20
Number of shares repurchased (in shares) | shares										3,500,000
Value of shares repurchased, gross										$ 105,000,000
Total remaining authorization amount										$ 763,100,000
Class A Common Stock
Common Stock
Number of votes holders of common stock are entitled for each share held | vote											1
Quarterly dividend declared (in dollars per share) | $ / shares											$ 0.74	0.72	$ 0.71
Dividends paid per share (USD per share) | $ / shares											$ 0.74	0.72	0.71
Number of shares repurchased (in shares) | shares											7,800,000
Value of shares repurchased, gross											$ 220,900,000
Total remaining authorization amount											$ 868,000,000
Class B Common Stock
Common Stock
Number of votes holders of common stock are entitled for each share held | vote											10
Number of Class B shares converted into Class A Common stock (in shares) | shares											0
Quarterly dividend declared (in dollars per share) | $ / shares											$ 0.74	0.72	0.71
Dividends paid per share (USD per share) | $ / shares											$ 0.74	$ 0.72	$ 0.71
Senior Notes | 6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022
Common Stock
Interest rate (as a percent)											6.13%	6.125%
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Common Stock
Interest rate (as a percent)											5.88%	5.875%
Senior Notes | 5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Common Stock
Interest rate (as a percent)											5.38%	5.375%
Senior Notes | 5.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027
Common Stock
Interest rate (as a percent)											5.13%	5.125%
Senior Notes | 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes. due 2024
Common Stock
Interest rate (as a percent)												5.625%
Bank Credit Agreement | First Lien Indebtedness Ratio, 3.75 | Maximum
Common Stock
Unrestricted cash first lien indebtedness ratio											3.75
Bank Credit Agreement | First Lien Indebtedness Ratio, 3.75-4.25
Common Stock
Unrestricted cash first lien indebtedness ratio											4.25
Amount of unrestricted annual cash payments (up to)											$ 200,000,000
Amount of unrestricted annual cash payments to be carry over to next year											50,000,000
Additional aggregate basket (up to)											250,000,000
Aggregate basket as long as no Event											$ 50,000,000
Public Offering | Class A Common Stock
Common Stock
Number of shares issued in public offering (in shares) | shares	12,000,000
Price per share in public offering (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 42
Net proceeds from public offering	$ 487,900,000

INCOME TAXES - Schedule of Prov

INCOME TAXES - Schedule of Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current provision for income taxes:
Federal	$ 58,785	$ 77,477	$ 113,737
State	8,061	6,625	2,273
Current income tax expense (benefit)	66,846	84,102	116,010
Deferred (benefit) provision for income taxes:
Federal	(68,802)	(196,468)	8,555
State	(33,819)	37,006	(2,437)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(102,621)	(159,462)	6,118
Provision for income taxes	$ (35,775)	$ (75,360)	$ 122,128

INCOME TAXES - Federal Tax Rate

INCOME TAXES - Federal Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reconciliation of federal income taxes at the applicable statutory rate to the recorded provision from continuing operations
Federal statutory rate (as a percent)		21.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Percent [Abstract]
Federal tax reform (as a percent)		(19.90%)	(2.20%)	(0.40%)
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit (as a percent)		(9.00%)	5.00%	0.20%
Non-deductible items (as a percent)		(4.90%)	1.50%	1.00%
Effect of consolidated VIEs (as a percent)		1.60%	1.00%	1.20%
Federal tax reform (as a percent)		(1.40%)	(54.30%)	0.00%
Domestic production activities deduction (as a percent)		0.00%	(1.70%)	(3.40%)
Other (as a percent)		0.90%	0.60%	(0.30%)
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)		(11.70%)	(15.10%)	33.30%
Benefit from investment tax credits		$ 58.2	$ 8.3
Benefit from gain on sale of certain broadcast spectrum		17.7
Federal tax reform	$ 272.1	$ 4.3	$ 272.1

INCOME TAXES - Deferred Taxes T

INCOME TAXES - Deferred Taxes Temporary Difference (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Net operating losses:
Federal	$ 28,630	$ 34,861
State	74,339	75,754
Goodwill and intangible assets	12,587	14,389
Other	47,361	33,462
Deferred tax assets, gross	162,917	158,466
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	(65,887)	(62,865)
Total deferred tax assets	97,030	95,601
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Goodwill and intangible assets	(427,339)	(514,776)
Property & equipment, net	(80,461)	(80,630)
Other	(2,483)	(15,431)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(510,283)	(610,837)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (413,253)	$ (515,236)

INCOME TAXES - Narrative (Detai

INCOME TAXES - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance	$ 3,000	$ 11,100
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	65,887	$ 62,865
Federal
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Gross net operating losses	136,300
State
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Gross net operating losses	$ 1,500,000

INCOME TAXES - Unrecognized Tax

INCOME TAXES - Unrecognized Tax Benefit Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 7,237	$ 4,739	$ 3,257
Additions related to prior year tax positions	120	2,019	420
Additions related to current year tax positions	1,600	610	2,053
Reductions related to prior year tax positions	(453)	0	0
Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities	(436)	(131)	0
Reductions related to expiration of the applicable statute of limitations	(1,493)	0	(991)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 6,575	$ 7,237	$ 4,739

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES -

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Litigation (Details) $ in Millions	Aug. 09, 2018USD ($)	Aug. 07, 2018lawsuit	Dec. 21, 2017USD ($)
Unfavorable Regulatory Action
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Money damages sought			$ 13.4
Various Cases Alleging Violation Of Sherman Antitrust Act
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of new claims | lawsuit		22
Breach Of Merger Agreement
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Money damages sought	$ 1,000

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES_2

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating Leases
Rent expense from continuing operations under leases	$ 34,500	$ 28,700	$ 26,000
Future minimum payments under the leases
2,019	32,108
2,020	31,287
2,021	29,547
2,022	26,702
2,023	24,325
2024 and thereafter	157,816
Total	$ 301,785
Minimum
Operating Leases
Operating leases term	1 year
Maximum
Operating Leases
Operating leases term	25 years

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES_3

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Changes in the Rules on Television Ownership (Details) - station	Jul. 29, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 06, 2016
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency period for ongoing compliance monitoring	36 months
FCC nation ownership cap, % of domestic households reached			39.00%
Number of television stations owned		191
LMA
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of separately owned television stations having programming agreement		2
Number of stations that programs substantial portions of the broadcast day and sells advertising time to programming segments		1
FCC Consent Decree Settlement
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of television stations owned			34
Loss contingency, % of domestic households reached, UHR discount applied			25.00%

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Sc

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Schedule of Variable Interest Entities Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
CURRENT ASSETS:
Accounts receivable		$ 598,597	$ 566,464
Other current assets		60,732	54,310
Total current assets		1,783,906	1,714,747
Program contract costs, less current portion		11,217	3,202
Property and equipment, net		683,134	738,298
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		1,626,880	1,801,670
Other assets		184,831	241,645
Total assets	[1]	6,572,092	6,784,470
Current liabilities:
Other current liabilities		116,794	194,897
Long-term liabilities
Notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing, less current portion		3,849,891	3,887,601
Program contracts payable, less current portion		50,060	41,909
Other long-term liabilities		85,983	79,009
Total liabilities	[1]	4,971,772	5,250,104
Consolidated VIEs, aggregated
CURRENT ASSETS:
Accounts receivable		28,276	19,566
Other current assets		6,773	8,937
Total current assets		35,049	28,503
Program contract costs, less current portion		2,058	822
Property and equipment, net		5,346	6,215
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets		15,064	15,064
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		67,680	74,442
Other assets		2,374	5,601
Total assets		127,571	130,647
Current liabilities:
Other current liabilities		18,298	23,564
Long-term liabilities
Notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing, less current portion		19,278	23,217
Program contracts payable, less current portion		8,474	11,213
Other long-term liabilities		650	650
Total liabilities		$ 46,700	$ 58,644
[1]	Our consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 include total assets of variable interest entities (VIEs) of $127.6 million and $130.6 million , respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. Our consolidated total liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 include total liabilities of the VIEs of $22.3 million and $27.0 million , respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to us. See Note 12. Variable Interest Entities

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Na

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Variable Interest Entities
Total capital leased assets excluded from VIE consolidation	$ 29,562	$ 31,696
Consolidated VIEs, aggregated | Minimum
Variable Interest Entities
Outsourcing agreement initial term	5 years
Consolidated VIEs | Eliminations
Variable Interest Entities
Liabilities associated with the certain outsourcing agreements and purchase options	$ 124,500	116,500
Consolidated VIEs | Cunningham | Eliminations
Variable Interest Entities
Total capital leased assets excluded from VIE consolidation	4,500	4,500
VIEs which are not primary beneficiary
Variable Interest Entities
Carrying amount of investments in VIEs	71,300	115,700
Gain (loss) on equity investments	$ (45,100)	$ (5,300)	$ 2,500

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - T

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - Transactions With Our Controlling Shareholders (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Related person transactions
Capital lease payable, interest	$ (17,216)
Leased assets or facilities | Entities owned by the controlling shareholders
Related person transactions
Amount paid	5,000	$ 5,100	$ 5,100
Capital Leases | Entities owned by the controlling shareholders
Related person transactions
Capital leases payable, net of interest	12,500	14,200
Capital lease payable, interest	(3,600)	(4,900)
Charter Aircraft | Controlling shareholders
Related person transactions
Aircraft expense	$ 1,700	$ 1,900	$ 1,400

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - C

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)renewal	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Related person transactions
Revenue			$ 893,325	$ 766,261	$ 730,143	$ 665,352	$ 712,512	$ 644,532	$ 652,235	$ 626,936	$ 3,055,081	$ 2,636,215	$ 2,622,510
LMA | Cunningham
Related person transactions
Payments to related party											10,000	9,100	8,900
Barrington Broadcasting Company, LLC | Cunningham
Related person transactions
Revenue											$ 171,000	124,800	114,900
Cunningham | Cunningham License Related Assets
Related person transactions
Agreement renewal period											8 years
Cunningham | Affiliated Entity
Related person transactions
Percentage of the total capital stock held in the related party, none of which have voting rights			100.00%								100.00%
Remaining purchase price			$ 53,600								$ 53,600
Purchase options broadcast stations			$ 200								$ 200
Equipment purchase agreement, consideration amount		$ 700
Equipment purchase agreement, annual service consideration		$ 200
Share service agreement, annual service consideration	$ 1,000
Cunningham | LMA | Affiliated Entity
Related person transactions
Number of additional renewal terms | renewal											2
Agreement renewal period											5 years
Cunningham | Minimum | LMA | Affiliated Entity
Related person transactions
Percentage of net broadcast revenue used to determine annual LMA fees required to be paid			3.00%								3.00%
Amount used to determine annual LMA fees required to be paid			$ 5,000								$ 5,000
Annual increase in aggregate purchase price (as a percent)			6.00%								6.00%
Guarantee Obligations
Related person transactions
Unconditional and irrevocably guaranteed debt			$ 76,500				74,000				$ 76,500	74,000
Guarantee Obligations | Cunningham | Affiliated Entity
Related person transactions
Unconditional and irrevocably guaranteed debt			50,300								50,300
Deferred financing costs			700								700
Consolidated VIEs | Cunningham | Affiliated Entity
Related person transactions
Long-term debt			10,000								10,000
Eliminations
Related person transactions
Revenue											(93,620)	(80,882)	$ (108,190)
Eliminations | Cunningham | Consolidated VIEs
Related person transactions
Liabilities treated as prepayment of purchase price			$ 47,400				$ 44,000				$ 47,400	$ 44,000

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - A

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - Atlantic Automotive Corporation and Leased Property by Real Estate Venture (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Advertising time | Atlantic Automotive
Related person transactions
Amount received	$ 0.2	$ 0.6
Leased assets or facilities | Chief Executive Officer
Related person transactions
Amount received	$ 0.7	$ 0.6	$ 1

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - O

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - Other Transactions With Equity Method Investees (Details) - 120 Sports Holding, LLC - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Related person transactions
Notes receivable		$ 3,750
Fixed interest rate	6.00%

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income (Numerator)
Net income	$ 207,694	$ 65,000	$ 29,310	$ 43,994	$ 444,800	$ 32,566	$ 46,035	$ 70,703	$ 345,998	$ 594,104	$ 250,762
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(4,757)	(18,091)	(5,461)
Numerator for diluted earnings available to common shareholders									$ 341,241	$ 576,013	$ 245,301
Shares (Denominator)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)									100,913	99,844	93,567
Dilutive effect of outstanding stock settled appreciation rights and stock options									805	945	866
Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)									101,718	100,789	94,433
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation
Antidilutive dilutive securities excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)									1,325	450	556

SEGMENT DATA - Narrative (Detai

SEGMENT DATA - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)market	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018market
Segment data
Number of markets | market	89
Intersegment Loans | $	$ 155.8	$ 159.8
Intersegment Interest Expense | $	$ 15.3	$ 18.5	$ 24.4
Operating segments | Broadcast
Segment data
Number of markets | market				89

SEGMENT DATA - Segment Financia

SEGMENT DATA - Segment Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Segment data
Revenue			$ 893,325	$ 766,261	$ 730,143	$ 665,352	$ 712,512	$ 644,532	$ 652,235	$ 626,936	$ 3,055,081	$ 2,636,215		$ 2,622,510
Depreciation of property and equipment											105,240	97,103	[1]	98,529	[1]
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets											174,848	178,822	[1]	183,795	[1]
Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments											100,899	115,523		127,880
General and administrative overhead expenses											111,070	113,253		73,556
Gain on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment											(40,063)	(278,872)		(6,029)
Operating income			262,954	$ 157,810	$ 131,583	$ 107,314	357,581	$ 103,447	$ 118,849	$ 157,629	659,661	737,506		602,853
Interest expense											291,976	212,315		211,143
(Loss) income from equity method investments											(60,831)	(14,307)		906
Goodwill			2,123,902				2,124,033				2,123,902	2,124,033		1,990,746
Assets	[2]		6,572,092				6,784,470				6,572,092	6,784,470
Capital expenditures											105,061	83,812	[1]	94,465	[1]
Broadcast
Segment data
Revenue											2,714,663	2,393,641		2,416,985
Goodwill			2,054,779				2,053,410				2,054,779	2,053,410		1,933,831
Other operating divisions segment
Segment data
Revenue											340,418	242,574		205,525
Goodwill			69,123				70,623				69,123	70,623		56,915
Operating segments | Broadcast
Segment data
Revenue											2,714,663	2,393,641		2,416,985
Depreciation of property and equipment											97,703	88,751		91,573
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets											153,720	155,640		155,479
Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments											100,899	115,523		127,880
General and administrative overhead expenses											100,241	101,680		67,035
Gain on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment											(99,977)	(225,770)		(4,647)
Operating income											751,341	724,110		639,422
Interest expense											5,734	5,285		5,641
(Loss) income from equity method investments											0	0		0
Goodwill			2,054,779				2,053,410				2,054,779	2,053,410
Assets			4,797,420				5,267,986				4,797,420	5,267,986
Capital expenditures											94,812	63,163
Operating segments | Other operating divisions segment
Segment data
Revenue											340,418	242,574		205,525
Depreciation of property and equipment											7,461	7,368		5,772
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets											21,128	23,182		28,316
Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments											0	0		0
General and administrative overhead expenses											913	1,009		2,459
Gain on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment											60,032	(53,102)		(1,427)
Operating income											(81,805)	24,943		(31,258)
Interest expense											803	1,835		6,371
(Loss) income from equity method investments											(60,831)	(14,307)		906
Goodwill			69,123				70,623				69,123	70,623
Assets			720,704				769,919				720,704	769,919
Capital expenditures											5,155	5,546
Corporate
Segment data
Revenue											0	0		0
Depreciation of property and equipment											76	984		1,184
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets											0	0		0
Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments											0	0		0
General and administrative overhead expenses											9,916	10,564		4,062
Gain on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment											(118)	0		45
Operating income											(9,875)	(11,547)		(5,311)
Interest expense											285,439	205,195		199,131
(Loss) income from equity method investments											0	0		$ 0
Goodwill			0				0				0	0
Assets			$ 1,053,968				$ 746,565				1,053,968	746,565
Capital expenditures											5,094	15,103
Spectrum Auction
Segment data
Gain on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment											(83,300)	(225,300)
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | Alarm Funding Associates
Segment data
Gain recognized on sale of broadcast assets		$ 53,000										53,000
Gain (loss) on disposal, attributable to non-controlling interest		$ 12,300										$ 12,300
Consolidated Real Estate Development Project
Segment data
Asset impairment charges											59,600
Consolidated Real Estate Development Project | Operating segments | Other operating divisions segment
Segment data
Asset impairment charges											$ 59,600
[1]	See Recent Accounting Pronouncements within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
[2]	Our consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 include total assets of variable interest entities (VIEs) of $127.6 million and $130.6 million , respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. Our consolidated total liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 include total liabilities of the VIEs of $22.3 million and $27.0 million , respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to us. See Note 12. Variable Interest Entities

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, net	$ 32,981	$ 39,047
Debt of variable interest entities | Level 2 | Carrying Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	25,281	29,614
Debt of variable interest entities | Level 2 | Fair Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	25,281	29,614
Debt of other non-media related subsidiaries | Level 2 | Carrying Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	19,577	25,238
Debt of other non-media related subsidiaries | Level 2 | Fair Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	$ 19,577	$ 25,238
Senior Notes | 6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.13%	6.125%
Senior Notes | 6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022 | Level 2 | Carrying Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	$ 500,000	$ 500,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.125%
Senior Notes | 6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022 | Level 2 | Fair Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	$ 503,750	$ 515,535
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.88%	5.875%
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 | Level 2 | Carrying Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	$ 350,000	$ 350,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.875%
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 | Level 2 | Fair Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	$ 326,375	363,475
Senior Notes | 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.63%
Senior Notes | 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 | Level 2 | Carrying Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	$ 550,000	550,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.625%
Senior Notes | 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 | Level 2 | Fair Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	$ 515,625	$ 568,205
Senior Notes | 5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.38%	5.375%
Senior Notes | 5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 | Level 2 | Carrying Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	$ 600,000	$ 600,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.375%
Senior Notes | 5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 | Level 2 | Fair Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	$ 598,500	$ 610,440
Senior Notes | 5.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.13%	5.125%
Senior Notes | 5.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 | Level 2 | Carrying Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	$ 400,000	$ 400,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.125%
Senior Notes | 5.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 | Level 2 | Fair Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	$ 353,000	396,088
Term Loan | Term Loan A-1 | Level 2 | Carrying Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	0	117,370
Term Loan | Term Loan A-1 | Level 2 | Fair Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	0	117,370
Term Loan | Term Loan A-2 | Level 2 | Carrying Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	95,892	113,327
Term Loan | Term Loan A-2 | Level 2 | Fair Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	92,057	113,327
Term Loan | Term Loan B | Level 2 | Carrying Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	1,342,600	1,356,300
Term Loan | Term Loan B | Level 2 | Fair Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt instrument	$ 1,275,470	$ 1,357,995

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANC_3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Consolidated total debt	$ 3,892.5
Subsidiary Issuer
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Consolidated total debt	3,843.5
Amount of debt guaranteed by parent	$ 3,831
Senior Notes | 5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.38%	5.375%
Senior Notes | 5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 | Sinclair Television Group, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.375%
Senior Notes | 5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 | Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.375%
Senior Notes | 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.63%
Senior Notes | 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 | Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.625%
Senior Notes | 5.625% Senior Notes, due | Sinclair Television Group, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.625%
Senior Notes | 6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.13%	6.125%
Senior Notes | 6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022 | Sinclair Television Group, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.125%
Senior Notes | 6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022 | Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.125%
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.88%	5.875%
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 | Sinclair Television Group, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.875%
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 | Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.875%
Senior Notes | 5.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.13%	5.125%
Senior Notes | 5.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 | Sinclair Television Group, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.125%
Senior Notes | 5.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 | Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.125%
Senior Notes | 6.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)			637.50%
Senior Notes | 6.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 | Sinclair Television Group, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.375%
Senior Notes | 6.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 | Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.375%

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANC_4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 1,060,330	$ 681,326
Restricted cash, current		0	313,110
Accounts and other receivables		598,597	566,464
Other current assets		124,979	153,847
Total current assets		1,783,906	1,714,747
Property and equipment, net		683,134	738,298
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries		0
Other long-term assets		196,048	246,351
Goodwill		2,123,902	2,124,033	$ 1,990,746
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		158,222	159,371	$ 156,306
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		1,626,880	1,801,670
Total assets	[1]	6,572,092	6,784,470
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		413,227	370,403
Current portion of long-term debt		42,564	161,049
Other current liabilities		116,794	194,897
Total current liabilities		572,585	726,349
Long-term debt		3,849,891	3,887,601
Other liabilities		549,296	636,154
Total liabilities	[1]	4,971,772	5,250,104
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group shareholders’ equity		1,638,836	1,568,738
Noncontrolling interests		(38,516)	(34,372)
Total liabilities and equity		6,572,092	6,784,470
Reportable legal entities | Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		0	0
Restricted cash, current			0
Accounts and other receivables		0	0
Other current assets		3,235	3,034
Total current assets		3,235	3,034
Property and equipment, net		754	829
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries		1,604,234	1,537,337
Other long-term assets		31,002	31,757
Goodwill		0	0
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		0	0
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		0	0
Total assets		1,639,225	1,572,957
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		100	1,100
Current portion of long-term debt		0	0
Other current liabilities		0	0
Total current liabilities		100	1,100
Long-term debt		0	0
Other liabilities		289	3,119
Total liabilities		389	4,219
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group shareholders’ equity		1,638,836	1,568,738
Noncontrolling interests		0	0
Total liabilities and equity		1,639,225	1,572,957
Reportable legal entities | Sinclair Television Group, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		961,963	645,830
Restricted cash, current			0
Accounts and other receivables		0	0
Other current assets		5,548	5,758
Total current assets		967,511	651,588
Property and equipment, net		31,773	31,111
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries		3,654,263	4,116,241
Other long-term assets		851,170	770,312
Goodwill		0	0
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		0	0
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		0	0
Total assets		5,504,717	5,569,252
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		78,814	84,326
Current portion of long-term debt		31,135	148,505
Other current liabilities		0	0
Total current liabilities		109,949	232,831
Long-term debt		3,775,489	3,799,987
Other liabilities		40,132	38,282
Total liabilities		3,925,570	4,071,100
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group shareholders’ equity		1,579,147	1,498,152
Noncontrolling interests		0	0
Total liabilities and equity		5,504,717	5,569,252
Reportable legal entities | Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		19,648	12,273
Restricted cash, current			311,110
Accounts and other receivables		530,543	530,273
Other current assets		103,111	145,637
Total current assets		653,302	999,293
Property and equipment, net		593,755	586,950
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries		4,179	4,179
Other long-term assets		119,187	104,363
Goodwill		2,120,035	2,120,166
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		143,924	145,073
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		1,608,748	1,781,045
Total assets		5,243,130	5,741,069
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		273,444	261,266
Current portion of long-term debt		4,100	3,445
Other current liabilities		107,051	180,616
Total current liabilities		384,595	445,327
Long-term debt		36,551	39,730
Other liabilities		1,169,184	1,141,266
Total liabilities		1,590,330	1,626,323
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group shareholders’ equity		3,652,800	4,114,746
Noncontrolling interests		0	0
Total liabilities and equity		5,243,130	5,741,069
Reportable legal entities | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		78,719	23,223
Restricted cash, current			2,000
Accounts and other receivables		68,054	36,191
Other current assets		37,157	9,687
Total current assets		183,930	71,101
Property and equipment, net		70,223	132,010
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries		0	0
Other long-term assets		165,064	208,367
Goodwill		3,867	3,867
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		14,298	14,298
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		70,409	77,944
Total assets		507,791	507,587
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		85,875	36,029
Current portion of long-term debt		7,842	9,645
Other current liabilities		9,743	14,281
Total current liabilities		103,460	59,955
Long-term debt		381,913	381,127
Other liabilities		173,197	187,569
Total liabilities		658,570	628,651
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group shareholders’ equity		(107,825)	(82,051)
Noncontrolling interests		(42,954)	(39,013)
Total liabilities and equity		507,791	507,587
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		0	0
Restricted cash, current			0
Accounts and other receivables		0	0
Other current assets		(24,072)	(10,269)
Total current assets		(24,072)	(10,269)
Property and equipment, net		(13,371)	(12,602)
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries		(5,262,676)	(5,657,757)
Other long-term assets		(970,375)	(868,448)
Goodwill		0	0
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		0	0
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		(52,277)	(57,319)
Total assets		(6,322,771)	(6,606,395)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(25,006)	(12,318)
Current portion of long-term debt		(513)	(546)
Other current liabilities		0	0
Total current liabilities		(25,519)	(12,864)
Long-term debt		(344,062)	(333,243)
Other liabilities		(833,506)	(734,082)
Total liabilities		(1,203,087)	(1,080,189)
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group shareholders’ equity		(5,124,122)	(5,530,847)
Noncontrolling interests		4,438	4,641
Total liabilities and equity		$ (6,322,771)	$ (6,606,395)
[1]	Our consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 include total assets of variable interest entities (VIEs) of $127.6 million and $130.6 million , respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. Our consolidated total liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 include total liabilities of the VIEs of $22.3 million and $27.0 million , respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to us. See Note 12. Variable Interest Entities

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANC_5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Statement of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 893,325	$ 766,261	$ 730,143	$ 665,352	$ 712,512	$ 644,532	$ 652,235	$ 626,936	$ 3,055,081	$ 2,636,215		$ 2,622,510
Media production expenses									1,191,016	1,064,144		955,604
Selling, general and administrative									740,989	646,790		575,145
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses									463,415	187,775		488,908
Total operating expenses									2,395,420	1,898,709		2,019,657
Operating income	262,954	157,810	131,583	107,314	357,581	103,447	118,849	157,629	659,661	737,506		602,853
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									0	0		0
Interest expense									(291,976)	(212,315)		(211,143)
Other income (expense)									(57,462)	(6,447)		(18,820)
Total other expense									(349,438)	(218,762)		(229,963)
Income tax benefit (provision)									35,775	75,360		(122,128)
NET INCOME									345,998	594,104	[1]	250,762	[1]
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests									(4,757)	(18,091)		(5,461)
Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$ 206,201	$ 63,875	$ 28,042	$ 43,123	$ 443,529	$ 30,637	$ 44,645	$ 57,202	341,241	576,013		245,301
Comprehensive income (loss)									346,637	593,488		250,789
Reportable legal entities | Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue									0	0		0
Media production expenses									0	0		0
Selling, general and administrative									9,916	9,204		4,062
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses									483	984		1,064
Total operating expenses									10,399	10,188		5,126
Operating income									(10,399)	(10,188)		(5,126)
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									348,090	579,954		244,580
Interest expense									(1)	(88)		(238)
Other income (expense)									1,856	1,678		3,613
Total other expense									349,945	581,544		247,955
Income tax benefit (provision)									1,695	4,657		2,472
NET INCOME									341,241	576,013		245,301
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests									0	0		0
Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group									341,241	576,013		245,301
Comprehensive income (loss)									346,637	593,488		250,789
Reportable legal entities | Sinclair Television Group, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue									7	0		0
Media production expenses									2	0		0
Selling, general and administrative									100,251	102,930		70,503
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses									4,951	6,250		7,331
Total operating expenses									105,204	109,180		77,834
Operating income									(105,197)	(109,180)		(77,834)
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									724,476	793,620		463,598
Interest expense									(285,438)	(205,107)		(198,893)
Other income (expense)									(1,852)	5,077		(22,867)
Total other expense									437,186	593,590		241,838
Income tax benefit (provision)									89,852	100,473		99,148
NET INCOME									421,841	584,883		263,152
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests									0	0		0
Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group									421,841	584,883		263,152
Comprehensive income (loss)									422,480	584,267		263,179
Reportable legal entities | Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue									2,855,586	2,507,183		2,476,669
Media production expenses									1,130,278	1,013,035		920,715
Selling, general and administrative									613,074	522,039		489,882
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses									257,877	131,880		360,550
Total operating expenses									2,001,229	1,666,954		1,771,147
Operating income									854,357	840,229		705,522
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									(457)	(16)		220
Interest expense									(3,961)	(4,586)		(4,481)
Other income (expense)									(57,288)	(5,790)		715
Total other expense									(61,706)	(10,392)		(3,546)
Income tax benefit (provision)									(62,252)	(30,171)		(231,504)
NET INCOME									730,399	799,666		470,472
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests									0	0		0
Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group									730,399	799,666		470,472
Comprehensive income (loss)									730,399	799,666		470,472
Reportable legal entities | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue									293,108	209,914		254,031
Media production expenses									141,622	124,044		135,511
Selling, general and administrative									19,740	14,800		10,804
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses									206,980	51,461		121,986
Total operating expenses									368,342	190,305		268,301
Operating income									(75,234)	19,609		(14,270)
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									0	0		0
Interest expense									(18,482)	(21,643)		(32,521)
Other income (expense)									(178)	(7,412)		(281)
Total other expense									(18,660)	(29,055)		(32,802)
Income tax benefit (provision)									6,480	401		7,756
NET INCOME									(87,414)	(9,045)		(39,316)
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests									(4,959)	(17,738)		(4,937)
Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group									(92,373)	(26,783)		(44,253)
Comprehensive income (loss)									(87,414)	(9,045)		(39,316)
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue									(93,620)	(80,882)		(108,190)
Media production expenses									(80,886)	(72,935)		(100,622)
Selling, general and administrative									(1,992)	(2,183)		(106)
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses									(6,876)	(2,800)		(2,023)
Total operating expenses									(89,754)	(77,918)		(102,751)
Operating income									(3,866)	(2,964)		(5,439)
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									(1,072,109)	(1,373,558)		(708,398)
Interest expense									15,906	19,109		24,990
Other income (expense)									0	0		0
Total other expense									(1,056,203)	(1,354,449)		(683,408)
Income tax benefit (provision)									0	0		0
NET INCOME									(1,060,069)	(1,357,413)		(688,847)
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests									202	(353)		(524)
Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group									(1,059,867)	(1,357,766)		(689,371)
Comprehensive income (loss)									$ (1,065,465)	$ (1,374,888)		$ (694,335)
[1]	See Recent Accounting Pronouncements within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANC_6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES		$ 647,418	$ 431,413	[1]	$ 611,590	[1]
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(105,061)	(83,812)	[1]	(94,465)	[1]
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		0	(271,273)	[1]	(425,657)	[1]
Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts		0	(5,682)	[1]	(40,206)	[1]
Proceeds from the sale of assets		1,616	195,209	[1]	17,202	[1]
Investments in equity investees		(35,805)	(55,129)	[1]	(51,247)	[1]
Distributions from equity method investees		22,834	12,178	[1]	6,786	[1]
Spectrum auction proceeds		0	310,802	[1]	0	[1]
Other, net		(1,795)	12,291		(15,155)
Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities		(118,211)	114,584	[1]	(609,528)	[1]
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases		4,317	166,797	[1]	1,024,912	[1]
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases		(166,785)	(340,108)	[1]	(674,439)	[1]
Proceeds from the sale of Class A Common Stock		0	487,883	[1]	0	[1]
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock		(74,566)	(71,364)	[1]	(65,909)	[1]
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock		(220,889)	(30,287)	[1]	(136,283)	[1]
Payments for deferred financing costs		(922)	(731)	[1]	(35,505)	[1]
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(8,901)	(22,416)	[1]	(10,464)	[1]
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables		0	0		0
Other, net		2,929	(15)		2,113
Net cash flows (used in) from financing activities		(464,817)	189,759	[1]	104,425	[1]
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH		64,390	735,756	[1]	106,487	[1]
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of year	[1]	995,940	260,184		153,697
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of year		1,060,330	995,940	[1]	260,184	[1]
Reportable legal entities | Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES		(8,542)	(8,659)		(11,784)
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(1)	(130)		0
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired			0		0
Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts			0		0
Proceeds from the sale of assets		0	0		0
Investments in equity investees		(2,587)	(946)		(2,945)
Distributions from equity method investees		4,728	5,857
Spectrum auction proceeds			0
Other, net		1,670	740		1,714
Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities		3,810	5,521		(1,231)
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases		0	0		0
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases		0	(1,858)		(1,651)
Proceeds from the sale of Class A Common Stock			487,883
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock		(74,566)	(71,364)		(65,909)
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock		(220,889)	(30,287)		(136,283)
Payments for deferred financing costs		0	0		0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		0	0		0
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables		297,256	(381,344)		218,054
Other, net		2,931	108		(1,196)
Net cash flows (used in) from financing activities		4,732	3,138		13,015
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH		0	0		0
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of year		0	0		0
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of year		0	0		0
Reportable legal entities | Sinclair Television Group, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES		(252,615)	(180,966)		(130,406)
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(6,592)	(14,973)		(8,006)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired			(8,308)		0
Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts			0		0
Proceeds from the sale of assets		0	0		0
Investments in equity investees		(1,975)	(720)		(15,620)
Distributions from equity method investees		0	0
Spectrum auction proceeds			0
Other, net		(12,091)	11,551		(25,120)
Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities		(20,658)	(12,450)		(48,746)
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases		0	159,669		995,000
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases		(148,505)	(213,919)		(650,422)
Proceeds from the sale of Class A Common Stock			0
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock		0	0		0
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock		0	0		0
Payments for deferred financing costs		0	(425)		(35,254)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		0	0		0
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables		737,911	660,911		(17,778)
Other, net		0	713		407
Net cash flows (used in) from financing activities		589,406	606,949		291,953
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH		316,133	413,533		112,801
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of year		645,830	232,297		119,496
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of year		961,963	645,830		232,297
Reportable legal entities | Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES		936,385	600,070		721,991
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(98,201)	(68,475)		(82,450)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired			(262,965)		(415,282)
Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts			0		0
Proceeds from the sale of assets		1,616	568		8,069
Investments in equity investees		(27,960)	(20,701)		(27)
Distributions from equity method investees		0	0
Spectrum auction proceeds			310,802
Other, net		8,626	0		3,179
Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities		(115,919)	(40,771)		(486,511)
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases		0	0		0
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases		(3,554)	(3,381)		(3,007)
Proceeds from the sale of Class A Common Stock			0
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock		0	0		0
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock		0	0		0
Payments for deferred financing costs		0	0		0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		0	0		0
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables		(1,117,417)	(242,402)		(224,551)
Other, net		(3,230)	(1,008)		2,718
Net cash flows (used in) from financing activities		(1,124,201)	(246,791)		(224,840)
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH		(303,735)	312,508		10,640
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of year		323,383	10,875		235
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of year		19,648	323,383		10,875
Reportable legal entities | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES		(40,533)	12,424		7,914
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(3,914)	(2,930)		(5,009)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired			0		(10,375)
Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts			(5,682)		(40,206)
Proceeds from the sale of assets		0	194,641		9,133
Investments in equity investees		(3,283)	(32,762)		(32,655)
Distributions from equity method investees		18,106	6,321
Spectrum auction proceeds			0
Other, net		0	0		5,072
Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities		10,909	159,588		(74,040)
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases		4,317	7,128		29,912
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases		(15,120)	(121,270)		(19,612)
Proceeds from the sale of Class A Common Stock			0
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock		0	0		0
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock		0	0		0
Payments for deferred financing costs		(922)	(306)		(251)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(8,901)	(22,416)		(10,464)
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables		100,440	(25,605)		49,403
Other, net		1,802	172		184
Net cash flows (used in) from financing activities		81,616	(162,297)		49,172
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH		51,992	9,715		(16,954)
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of year		26,727	17,012		33,966
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of year		78,719	26,727		17,012
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES		12,723	8,544		23,875
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment		3,647	2,696		1,000
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired			0		0
Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts			0		0
Proceeds from the sale of assets		0	0		0
Investments in equity investees		0	0		0
Distributions from equity method investees		0	0
Spectrum auction proceeds			0
Other, net		0	0		0
Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities		3,647	2,696		1,000
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases		0	0		0
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases		394	320		253
Proceeds from the sale of Class A Common Stock			0
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock		0	0		0
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock		0	0		0
Payments for deferred financing costs		0	0		0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		0	0		0
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables		(18,190)	(11,560)		(25,128)
Other, net		1,426	0		0
Net cash flows (used in) from financing activities		(16,370)	(11,240)		(24,875)
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH		0	0		0
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of year		0	0		0
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of year		$ 0	$ 0		$ 0
[1]	See Recent Accounting Pronouncements within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATI_3

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenues, net	$ 893,325	$ 766,261	$ 730,143	$ 665,352	$ 712,512	$ 644,532	$ 652,235	$ 626,936	$ 3,055,081	$ 2,636,215	$ 2,622,510
Operating income	262,954	157,810	131,583	107,314	357,581	103,447	118,849	157,629	659,661	737,506	602,853
Net income	207,694	65,000	29,310	43,994	444,800	32,566	46,035	70,703	345,998	594,104	250,762
Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$ 206,201	$ 63,875	$ 28,042	$ 43,123	$ 443,529	$ 30,637	$ 44,645	$ 57,202	$ 341,241	$ 576,013	$ 245,301
Basic earnings per share common shares (in dollars per share)	$ 2.12	$ 0.63	$ 0.27	$ 0.42	$ 4.36	$ 0.30	$ 0.43	$ 0.62	$ 3.38	$ 5.77	$ 2.62
Diluted earnings per share common shares (in dollars per share)	$ 2.10	$ 0.62	$ 0.27	$ 0.42	$ 4.32	$ 0.30	$ 0.43	$ 0.61	$ 3.35	$ 5.72	$ 2.60
Gain (loss) recognized on sale					$ 225,300				$ 5,800
Federal tax reform					$ 272,100				$ 4,300	$ 272,100