Sinclair Broadcast (SBGI) 10-Q 10 May 22 2022 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover

Cover - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	May 05, 2022
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2022
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	000-26076
Entity Registrant Name	SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Tax Identification Number	52-1494660
Entity Address, Address Line One	10706 Beaver Dam Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Hunt Valley
Entity Address, State or Province	MD
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	21030
City Area Code	410
Local Phone Number	568-1500
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock, par value $ 0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	SBGI
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000912752
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Class A Common Stock
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		46,926,296
Class B Common Stock
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,775,056

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 521	$ 816
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $7 as of both periods		620	1,245
Income taxes receivable		156	152
Prepaid sports rights		0	85
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		170	173
Total current assets		1,467	2,471
Property and equipment, net		715	833
Operating lease assets		152	207
Deferred tax assets		0	293
Restricted cash		0	3
Goodwill		2,088	2,088
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		150	150
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		1,075	5,088
Other assets		1,015	1,408
Total assets	[1]	6,662	12,541
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		392	655
Current portion of notes payable, finance leases, and commercial bank financing		36	69
Current portion of operating lease liabilities		22	35
Current portion of program contracts payable		74	97
Other current liabilities		79	346
Total current liabilities		603	1,202
Notes payable, finance leases, and commercial bank financing, less current portion		4,362	12,271
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion		163	205
Program contracts payable, less current portion		17	21
Deferred tax liabilities		395	0
Other long-term liabilities		235	351
Total liabilities	[1]	5,775	14,050
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 6)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		184	197
Shareholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital		657	691
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)		109	(2,460)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(2)	(2)
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group shareholders’ equity (deficit)		765	(1,770)
Noncontrolling interests		(62)	64
Total equity (deficit)		703	(1,706)
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and equity		6,662	12,541
Class A Common Stock
Shareholders' equity:
Common Stock		1	1
Class B Common Stock
Shareholders' equity:
Common Stock		0	0
Customer relationships, net
Current assets:
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		504	3,904
Other definite-lived intangible assets, net
Current assets:
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		$ 571	$ 1,184
[1]	Our consolidated total assets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 include total assets of variable interest entities (VIEs) of $118 million and $217 million, respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. Our consolidated total liabilities as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 include total liabilities of VIEs of $17 million and $62 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to us. See Note 9. Variable Interest Entities .

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts		$ 7	$ 7
Assets	[1]	6,662	12,541
Liabilities	[1]	5,775	14,050
Consolidated VIEs
Assets		118	217
Liabilities		26	72
Consolidated VIEs | Recourse
Liabilities		$ 17	$ 62
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)		47,934,815	49,314,303
Common Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)		47,934,815	49,314,303
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)		23,775,056	23,775,056
Common Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)		23,775,056	23,775,056
[1]	Our consolidated total assets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 include total assets of variable interest entities (VIEs) of $118 million and $217 million, respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. Our consolidated total liabilities as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 include total liabilities of VIEs of $17 million and $62 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to us. See Note 9. Variable Interest Entities .

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
REVENUES:
Media revenues	$ 1,275	$ 1,497
Non-media revenues	13	14
Revenue	1,288	1,511
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Media programming and production expenses	758	1,023
Media selling, general and administrative expenses	220	213
Amortization of program contract costs	25	23
Non-media expenses	13	17
Depreciation of property and equipment	28	28
Corporate general and administrative expenses	47	61
Amortization of definite-lived intangible and other assets	93	125
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary	(3,357)	0
Gain on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment	(5)	(14)
Total operating (gains) expenses	(2,178)	1,476
Operating income (loss)	3,466	35
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense including amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs	(115)	(151)
Income from equity method investments	12	9
Other (expense) income, net	(60)	124
Total other expense, net	(163)	(18)
Income before income taxes	3,303	17
INCOME TAX (PROVISION) BENEFIT	(687)	9
NET INCOME	2,616	26
Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests	(4)	(4)
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(25)	(34)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP	$ 2,587	$ (12)
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP:
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 35.85	$ (0.16)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 35.84	$ (0.16)
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	72,164	74,389
Diluted weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)	72,176	74,389

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 2,616	$ 26
Share of other comprehensive income of equity method investments	3	8
Comprehensive income	2,619	34
Comprehensive income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests	(4)	(4)
Comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(25)	(34)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$ 2,590	$ (4)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUI

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (DEFICIT) AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Class A Common Stock	Class B Common Stock	Common StockClass A Common Stock	Common StockClass B Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interests
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 190
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	(6)
Net income (loss)	4
BALANCE at Mar. 31, 2021	188
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020				49,252,671	24,727,682
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2020	(1,185)			$ 1	$ 0	$ 721	$ (1,986)	$ (10)	$ 89
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Dividends declared and paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	(15)						(15)
Class B Common Stock converted into Class A Common Stock (in shares)				510,000	(510,000)
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans (in shares)				1,355,679
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans	14					14
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	(30)								(30)
Other comprehensive income	8							8
Net income (loss)	22						(12)		34
BALANCE (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021				51,118,350	24,217,682
BALANCE at Mar. 31, 2021	(1,186)			$ 1	$ 0	735	(2,013)	(2)	93
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2021	197
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	(1)
Deconsolidation of subsidiary	(16)
Net income (loss)	4
BALANCE at Mar. 31, 2022	184
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021		49,314,303	23,775,056	49,314,303	23,775,056
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2021	(1,706)			$ 1	$ 0	691	(2,460)	(2)	64
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Dividends declared and paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	$ (18)						(18)
Repurchases of Class A Common Stock (in shares)	(2,472,485)
Repurchases of Class A Common Stock	$ (68)					(68)
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans (in shares)				1,092,997
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans	34					34
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	(3)								(3)
Other comprehensive income	3							3
Deconsolidation of subsidiary	(151)							(3)	(148)
Net income (loss)	2,612						2,587		25
BALANCE (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2022		47,934,815	23,775,056	47,934,815	23,775,056
BALANCE at Mar. 31, 2022	$ 703			$ 1	$ 0	$ 657	$ 109	$ (2)	$ (62)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQ_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (DEFICIT) AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Class A Common Stock
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.20
Dividends paid per share (in dollars per share)	0.25	0.20
Class B Common Stock
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	0.25	0.20
Dividends paid per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.20

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 2,616	$ 26
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from (used in) operating activities:
Amortization of sports programming rights	326	552
Amortization of definite-lived intangible and other assets	93	125
Depreciation of property and equipment	28	28
Amortization of program contract costs	25	23
Stock-based compensation	29	33
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	689	(3)
Gain on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment	(5)	(14)
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary	(3,357)	0
Income from equity method investments	(12)	(9)
Loss (income) from investments	54	(123)
Distributions from investments	25	14
Sports programming rights payments	(325)	(607)
Rebate payments to distributors	(15)	(133)
Measurement adjustment loss on variable payment obligations	3	1
Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and deconsolidation of subsidiary:
Decrease in accounts receivable	16	6
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets	(99)	(37)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued and other current liabilities	5	(72)
Net change in net income taxes payable/receivable	(3)	(4)
Decrease in program contracts payable	(26)	(25)
Increase in other long-term liabilities	(7)	0
Other, net	10	13
Net cash flows from (used in) operating activities	70	(206)
CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment	(21)	(20)
Spectrum repack reimbursements	1	14
Proceeds from sale of assets	4	28
Deconsolidation of subsidiary cash	(315)	0
Purchases of investments	(5)	(49)
Distributions from investments	70	3
Other, net	0	(2)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(266)	(26)
CASH FLOWS USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from notes payable and commercial bank financing	0	6
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and finance leases	(7)	(26)
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock	(68)	0
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	(18)	(15)
Dividends paid on redeemable subsidiary preferred equity	(1)	(4)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	(3)	(30)
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	(2)
Other, net	(5)	(14)
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(102)	(85)
NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH	(298)	(317)
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	819	1,262
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	$ 521	$ 945

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMAR

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
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. ("SBG" or the "Company") is a diversified television media company with national reach and a strong focus on providing high-quality content on our local television stations, digital platforms, and, prior to Deconsolidation, as defined below in Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC, regional sports networks. The content, distributed through our broadcast platform and third-party platforms, consists of programming provided by third-party networks and syndicators, local news, college and professional sports, and other original programming produced by us. Additionally, we own digital media products that are complementary to our extensive portfolio of television station related digital properties. 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. For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, we had two reportable segments for accounting purposes, broadcast and, prior to Deconsolidation, as defined below in Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC, local sports. The broadcast segment consists primarily of our 185 broadcast television stations in 86 markets, which we own, provide programming and operating services pursuant to agreements commonly referred to as local marketing agreements ("LMA"), or provide sales services and other non-programming operating services pursuant to other outsourcing agreements (such as joint sales agreements ("JSA") and shared services agreements ("SSA")). These stations broadcast 634 channels as of March 31, 2022. For the purpose of this report, these 185 stations and 634 channels are referred to as "our" stations and channels. The local sports segment consisted primarily of our Bally Sports network brands ("Bally RSNs"), the Marquee Sports Network ("Marquee") joint venture and a minority equity interest in the Yankee Entertainment and Sports Network, LLC ("YES Network") through February 28, 2022. On March 1, 2022, the Bally RSNs, Marquee and YES Network were deconsolidated from the Company's financial statements. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC below. Through February 28, 2022, we refer to the Bally RSNs and Marquee as "the RSNs". The RSNs and YES Network own the exclusive rights to air, among other sporting events, the games of professional sports teams in designated local viewing areas. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, and VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interests represent a minority owner’s proportionate share of the equity in certain of our consolidated entities. Noncontrolling interests which may be redeemed by the holder, and the redemption is outside of our control, are presented as redeemable noncontrolling interests. All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in consolidation. We consolidate VIEs when we are the primary beneficiary. We are 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 9. Variable Interest Entities for more information on our VIEs. 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. Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC On March 1, 2022, SBG's subsidiary Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings, LLC, and certain subsidiaries (collectively "DSIH") completed a series of transactions (the “Transaction”) which are expected to provide DSIH with approximately $1 billion of liquidity enhancement over the next five years. As part of the Transaction, the governance structure of DSIH was modified including changes to the composition of its Board of Managers, resulting in the Company's loss of voting control. As a result, DSIH, whose operations represented the entirety of our local sports segment, was deconsolidated from the Company’s consolidated financial statements effective as of March 1, 2022 (the "Deconsolidation"). The consolidated statement of operations therefore includes two months of activity related to DSIH in the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2022 prior to Deconsolidation. The assets and liabilities of DSIH are no longer included within the Company's consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2022. Any discussions related to results, operations, and accounting policies associated with DSIH are referring to the periods prior to Deconsolidation. Upon Deconsolidation, the Company recognized a gain before income taxes of approximately $3,357 million, which is recorded within gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary in our consolidated statements of operations. Subsequent to Deconsolidation, the Company accounted for our equity ownership interest in DSIH under the equity method of accounting. See Note 3. Other Assets for more information. Interim Financial Statements The consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, such financial statements have been presented on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of equity (deficit) and redeemable noncontrolling interests, and consolidated statements of cash flows for these periods as adjusted for the adoption of recent accounting pronouncements. As permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures normally included with audited consolidated financial statements and, accordingly, should be read together with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC. The consolidated statements of operations presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are not necessarily representative of operations for an entire year. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses in the consolidated financial statements and in the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The impact of the war in Ukraine and the outbreak of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") continues to create significant uncertainty and disruption in the global economy and financial markets. It is reasonably possible that these uncertainties could further materially impact our estimates related to, but not limited to, revenue recognition, goodwill and intangible assets, program contract costs, sports programming rights, and income taxes. As a result, many of our estimates and assumptions require increased judgment and carry a higher degree of variability and volatility. Our estimates may change as new events occur and additional information emerges, and such changes are recognized or disclosed in our consolidated financial statements. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance providing optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or by another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The guidance was effective for all entities immediately upon issuance of the update and may be applied prospectively to applicable transactions existing as of or entered into from the date of adoption through December 31, 2022. We adopted this guidance upon issuance and it did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements. Broadcast Television Programming We have agreements with programming syndicators for the rights to television programming over contract periods, which generally run from one The rights to this programming are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value. Program contract costs are amortized on a straight-line basis except for contracts greater than three years which are amortized utilizing an accelerated method. 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 amortization or fair value adjustments. Fair value is determined utilizing a discounted cash flow model based on management’s expectation of future advertising revenues, net of sales commissions, to be generated by the program material. We assess our program contract costs on a quarterly basis to ensure the costs are recorded at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value. Sports Programming Rights DSIH has multi-year program rights agreements that provide DSIH with the right to produce and telecast professional live sports games within a specified territory in exchange for a rights fee. Prior to the Deconsolidation, a prepaid asset was recorded for rights acquired related to future games upon payment of the contracted fee. The assets recorded for the acquired rights were classified as current or non-current based on the period when the games were expected to be aired. Liabilities were recorded for any program rights obligations that had been incurred but not yet paid at period end. We amortized these rights as an expense over each season based upon contractually stated rates. Amortization was accelerated in the event that the stated contractual rates over the term of the rights agreement resulted in an expense recognition pattern that was inconsistent with the projected growth of revenue over the contractual term. The National Basketball Association (“NBA”) and the National Hockey League (“NHL”) delayed the start of their 2020-2021 seasons until December 22, 2020 and January 13, 2021, respectively, and both leagues postponed games in the fourth quarter 2021 and rescheduled these games to be played in the first quarter 2022. The sports rights expense associated with these seasons was recognized over the modified term of these seasons. Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities were $5 million and $3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities were $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Revenue Recognition The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by type and segment (in millions): For the three months ended March 31, 2022 Broadcast Local sports Other Eliminations Total Distribution revenue $ 392 $ 433 $ 48 $ — $ 873 Advertising revenue 282 44 68 (23) 371 Other media, non-media, and intercompany revenues 47 5 18 (26) 44 Total revenues $ 721 $ 482 $ 134 $ (49) $ 1,288 For the three months ended March 31, 2021 Broadcast Local sports Other Eliminations Total Distribution revenue $ 361 $ 698 $ 50 $ — $ 1,109 Advertising revenue 267 65 40 (1) 371 Other media, non-media, and intercompany revenues 37 5 18 (29) 31 Total revenues $ 665 $ 768 $ 108 $ (30) $ 1,511 Distribution Revenue. We have agreements with multi-channel video programming distributors ("MVPD") and virtual MVPDs ("vMVPD," and together with MVPDs, "Distributors"). We generate distribution revenue through fees received from these Distributors for the right to distribute our stations, RSNs, and other properties. 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 or network programming 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 120 days. Historical adjustments to subscriber estimates have not been material. Advertising Revenue. We generate advertising revenue primarily from the sale of advertising spots/impressions within our broadcast television, RSN, and digital platforms. 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. Deferred Revenue. We record deferred revenue when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance, including amounts which are refundable. We classify deferred revenue as either current in other current liabilities or long-term in other long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets based on the timing of when we expect to satisfy our performance obligations. Deferred revenue was $230 million and $235 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, of which $159 million and $164 million, respectively, was reflected in other long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Deferred revenue recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, included in the deferred revenue balance as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, was $29 million and $17 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, three customers accounted for 17%, 17%, and 14%, respectively, of our total revenues. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, three customers accounted for 20%, 19%, and 15%, respectively, of our total revenues. As of March 31, 2022, two customers accounted for 13% and 10%, respectively, of our accounts receivable, net. For purposes of this disclosure, a single customer may include multiple entities under common control. Income Taxes Our income tax provision for all periods consists of federal and state income taxes. The tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 is based on the estimated effective tax rate applicable for the full year after taking into account discrete tax items and the effects of the noncontrolling interests. 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, current and cumulative losses, 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. A valuation allowance has been provided for deferred tax assets related to interest expense carryforwards under the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") Section 163(j) and a substantial amount of our available state net operating loss carryforwards based on past operating results, expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary basis differences, alternative tax strategies and projected future taxable income. Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022 approximated the statutory rate. Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was less than the statutory rate primarily due to substantially magnified impact of discrete items as a result of low pre-tax income. We do not believe that our liability for unrecognized tax benefits would be materially impacted, in the next twelve months, as a result of expected statute of limitations expirations, the application of limits under available state administrative practice exceptions, and the resolution of examination issues and settlements with federal and certain state tax authorities. Share Repurchase Program On August 4, 2020, the Board of Directors authorized an additional $500 million share repurchase authorization in addition to the previous repurchase authorization of $1 billion. There is no expiration date and currently, management has no plans to terminate this program. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, we repurchased approximately 2 million shares of Class A Common Stock for $68 million. As of March 31, 2022, the total remaining purchase authorization was $751 million. As of May 5, 2022, we repurchased an additional 1 million shares of Class A Common Stock, for $26 million since March 31, 2022. All shares were repurchased under an SEC Rule 10b5-1 plan. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year's presentation.

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS O

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS	ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS: Broadcast Incentive Auction. In 2012, Congress authorized the Federal Communications Commission (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 their 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. In March 2016, the FCC began the repacking process associated with the auction, in which the FCC reassigned some stations to new post-auction channels. We do not expect reassignment to new channels to have a material impact on our coverage. As part of that process, we received notification from the FCC that 100 of our stations have been assigned to new channels. Legislation has provided the FCC with a $3 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. We recorded gains related to reimbursements for spectrum repack costs incurred of $1 million and $14 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which are included within gain on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment in our consolidated statements of operations. Capital expenditures related to the spectrum repack were $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and $4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

OTHER ASSETS

OTHER ASSETS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
OTHER ASSETS	OTHER ASSETS: Other assets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 consisted of the following (in millions): As of March 31, As of December 31, Equity method investments $ 135 $ 517 Other investments 505 567 Note receivable 163 — Post-retirement plan assets 48 50 Other 164 274 Total other assets $ 1,015 $ 1,408 Equity Method Investments We have a portfolio of investments, including our investment in the YES Network (prior to the Deconsolidation), our investment in DSIH (subsequent to the Deconsolidation), and also a number of entities that are primarily focused on the development of real estate and other non-media businesses. For the periods ended March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, only our investment in DSIH was individually significant for the period ended March 31, 2022. YES Network Investment . Prior to the Deconsolidation, we accounted for our investment in the YES Network as an equity method investment, which was recorded within other assets in our consolidated balance sheets, and in which our proportionate share of the net income or loss generated by the investment was included within income from equity method investments in our consolidated statements of operations. We recorded income of $10 million and $13 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC. Subsequent to the Deconsolidation, we began accounting for our equity interest in DSIH under the equity method of accounting. As of March 1, 2022, we reflected the investment in DSIH at fair value, which was determined to be nominal. For the month ended March 31, 2022, the period we account for DSIH as an equity method investment, DSIH had net revenues, gross profit, operating loss, and net loss of $228 million, $9 million, $18 million, and $70 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2022 we recorded no equity method loss related to the investment because the carrying value of the investment is zero and the Company is not obligated to fund losses incurred by DSIH. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Other Investments We measure 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. Additionally, certain investments are measured at net asset value ("NAV"). As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we held $324 million and $402 million, respectively, in investments measured at fair value and $171 million and $147 million, respectively, in investments measured at NAV. We recognized a fair value adjustment loss of $56 million and a fair value adjustment gain of $125 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, associated with these investments, which are reflected in other (expense) income, net in our consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, our unfunded commitments related to our investments valued using the NAV practical expedient totaled $78 million and $81 million, respectively. Investments accounted for utilizing the measurement alternative were $10 million, net of $7 million of cumulative impairments, as of March 31, 2022, and $18 million, net of $7 million of cumulative impairments, as of December 31, 2021. There were no adjustments to the carrying amount of investments accounted for utilizing the measurement alternative for either the three months ended March 31, 2022 or 2021. On November 5, 2021, the Company purchased and assumed the lenders’ and the administrative agent’s rights and obligations under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility (A/R Facility), held by Diamond Sports Finance SPV, LLC (DSPV), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of DSIH, by making a payment to the lenders equal to approximately $184 million, representing 101% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the loans under the A/R Facility, plus any accrued interest and outstanding fees and expenses. The maximum facility limit availability under the A/R Facility is $400 million and has a maturity date of September 23, 2024. Subsequent to the Deconsolidation, transactions related to the A/R Facility are no longer intercompany transactions and, therefore, are reflected in our consolidated financial statements. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

NOTES PAYABLE, FINANCE LEASES,

NOTES PAYABLE, FINANCE LEASES, AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
NOTES PAYABLE, FINANCE LEASES, AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING	NOTES PAYABLE, FINANCE LEASES, AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING: Bank Credit Agreement The bank credit agreement of Sinclair Television Group, Inc. ("STG"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, (the "Bank Credit Agreement") includes a financial maintenance covenant, the first lien leverage ratio (as defined in the Bank Credit Agreement), which requires such ratio not to exceed 4.5x, measured as of the end of each fiscal quarter. As of March 31, 2022, the STG first lien leverage ratio was below 4.5x. Under the Bank Credit Agreement, a financial maintenance covenant is only applicable if 35% or more of the capacity (as a percentage of total commitments) under the revolving credit facility, measured as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, is utilized under the revolving credit facility as of such date. Since there was no utilization under the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2022, STG was not subject to the financial maintenance covenant under the Bank Credit Agreement. The Bank Credit Agreement contains other restrictions and covenants with which STG was in compliance as of March 31, 2022. The debt of DSIH was deconsolidated from the Company's balance sheet as part of the Deconsolidation. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Finance leases to affiliates The current portion of notes payable, finance leases, and commercial bank financing in our consolidated balance sheets includes finance leases to affiliates of $2 million and $3 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Notes payable, finance leases, and commercial bank financing, less current portion, in our consolidated balance sheets includes finances leases to affiliates of $6 million as of both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. See Note 10. Related Person Transactions. Debt of variable interest entities and guarantees of third-party obligations STG jointly, severally, unconditionally, and irrevocably guaranteed $38 million and $39 million of debt of certain third parties as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, of which $9 million, net of deferred financing costs, related to consolidated VIEs is included in our consolidated balance sheets both as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. These guarantees primarily relate to the debt of Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation (Cunningham) as discussed under Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation within Note 10. Related Person Transactions . The credit agreements and term loans of these VIEs each bear interest of LIBOR plus 2.50%. We have determined that, as of March 31, 2022, it is not probable that we would have to perform under any of these guarantees.

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTER

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Temporary Equity Disclosure [Abstract]
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS: We account for redeemable noncontrolling interests in accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity , and classify them as mezzanine equity in our consolidated balance sheets because their possible redemption is outside of the control of the Company. Our redeemable non-controlling interests consist of the following: Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Equity . On August 23, 2019, Diamond Sports Holdings LLC ("DSH"), an indirect parent of DSG and indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, issued preferred equity (the "Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Equity"). Dividends accrued during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were $3 million and $4 million, respectively, and are reflected in net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests in our consolidated statements of operations. The dividends paid in cash accrue at a rate equal to 1-month LIBOR (with a 0.75% floor) plus 7.5%, which is 0.5% lower than the rate payable if the dividends were paid-in-kind during the quarter. Dividends accrued during the three months ended March 31, 2022 were paid-in-kind and added to the liquidation preference, which was partially offset by certain required cash tax distributions. The balance of the Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Equity, net of issuance costs, was $184 million and $181 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Subsidiary Equity Put Right. A noncontrolling equity holder of one of our subsidiaries has the right to sell their interest to the Company at any time during the 30-day period following September 30, 2025. The value of this redeemable noncontrolling interest was $16 million as of December 31, 2021. This redeemable noncontrolling interest was deconsolidated as part of the Deconsolidation. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: Other Liabilities Prior to the Deconsolidation, other liabilities included certain fixed payment obligations which were payable through 2027. As of December 31, 2021, $32 million and $71 million were recorded within other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheets. Interest expense of $1 million and $2 million was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Prior to the Deconsolidation, other liabilities included certain variable payment obligations which were payable through 2030. These contractual obligations were based upon the excess cash flow of certain Bally RSNs. As of December 31, 2021, $8 million and $23 million were recorded within other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheets. We recorded measurement adjustment losses of $3 million and $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which are reflected in other (expense) income, net in our consolidated statements of operations. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. 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. FCC Litigation Matters On May 22, 2020, the FCC released an Order and Consent Decree pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay $48 million to resolve the matters covered by a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture ("NAL") issued in December 2017 proposing a $13 million fine for alleged violations of the FCC's sponsorship identification rules by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, the FCC’s investigation of the allegations raised in the Hearing Designation Order issued in connection with the Company's proposed acquisition of Tribune, and a retransmission related matter. The Company submitted the $48 million payment on August 19, 2020. As part of the consent decree, the Company also agreed to implement a 4-year compliance plan. Two petitions were filed on June 8, 2020 seeking reconsideration of the Order and Consent Decree. The Company filed an opposition to the petitions on June 18, 2020, and the petitions remain pending. On September 1, 2020, one of the individuals who filed a petition for reconsideration of the Order and Consent Decree filed a petition to deny the license renewal application of WBFF(TV), Baltimore, MD, and the license renewal applications of two other Baltimore, MD stations with which the Company has a JSA or LMA, Deerfield Media station WUTB(TV) and Cunningham station WNUV(TV). The Company filed an opposition to the petition on October 1, 2020, and the petition remains pending. On September 2, 2020, the FCC adopted a Memorandum Opinion and Order and NAL against the licensees of several stations with whom the Company has LMAs, JSAs, and/or SSAs in response to a complaint regarding those stations’ retransmission consent negotiations. The NAL proposed a $0.5 million penalty for each station, totaling $9 million. The licensees filed a response to the NAL on October 15, 2020, asking the Commission to dismiss the proceeding or, alternatively, to reduce the proposed forfeiture to $25,000 per station. On July 28, 2021, the FCC issued a forfeiture order in which the $0.5 million penalty was upheld for all but one station. A Petition for Reconsideration of the forfeiture order was filed on August 7, 2021. On March 14, 2022, the Commission released a Memorandum Opinion and Order and Order on Reconsideration, reaffirming the forfeiture order and dismissing (and in the alternative, denying) the Petition for Reconsideration. The Company is not a party to this forfeiture order; however, our consolidated financial statements include an accrual of additional expenses of $8 million for the above legal matters during the year ended December 31, 2021, as we consolidate these stations as VIEs. Other Litigation Matters On November 6, 2018, the Company agreed to enter into a proposed consent decree with the Department of Justice (the "DOJ"). This consent decree resolves the DOJ’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 U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia entered the consent decree on May 22, 2019. The consent decree is not an admission of any wrongdoing by the Company and does not subject the Company 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 DOJ has required in previous consent decrees in other industries. The consent decree also requires the Company's 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.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	EARNINGS PER SHARE: The following table reconciles income (numerator) and shares (denominator) used in our computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented (in millions, except share amounts which are reflected in thousands): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Income (Numerator) Net income (loss) $ 2,616 $ 26 Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests (4) (4) Net loss (income) attributable to the noncontrolling interests (25) (34) Numerator for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share available to common shareholders $ 2,587 $ (12) Shares (Denominator) Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding 72,164 74,389 Dilutive effect of stock-settled appreciation rights and outstanding stock options 12 — Diluted weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding 72,176 74,389 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: Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Weighted-average stock-settled appreciation rights and outstanding stock options excluded 2,545 1,703

SEGMENT DATA

SEGMENT DATA	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT DATA	SEGMENT DATA: During the period ended March 31, 2022, we measured segment performance based on operating income (loss). We have two reportable segments: broadcast and local sports. Our broadcast segment provides free over-the-air programming to television viewing audiences and includes stations in 86 markets located throughout the continental United States. Our local sports segment provided viewers with live professional sports content and included our Bally RSNs, Marquee, and our investment in the YES Network, prior to the Deconsolidation on March 1, 2022. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC under Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Other and corporate are not reportable segments but are included for reconciliation purposes. Other primarily consists of original networks and content, including Tennis, non-broadcast digital and internet solutions, technical services, and other non-media investments. Corporate costs primarily include our costs to operate as a public company and to operate our corporate headquarters location. All of our businesses are located within the United States. Segment financial information is included in the following tables for the periods presented (in millions): As of March 31, 2022 Broadcast Local sports (d) Other & Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Assets $ 4,854 $ — $ 1,808 (e) $ — $ 6,662 For the three months ended March 31, 2022 Broadcast Local sports (d) Other & Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Revenue $ 721 (b) $ 482 $ 134 $ (49) (a) $ 1,288 Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of definite-lived intangibles and other assets 60 54 8 (1) 121 Amortization of sports programming rights — 326 — — 326 Amortization of program contract costs 20 — 5 — 25 Corporate general and administrative expenses 43 1 3 — 47 Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary — — (3,357) (c) — (3,357) (Gain) loss on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment (5) — — — (5) Operating income (loss) 97 (4) 3,372 1 3,466 Interest expense including amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs 1 72 47 (5) 115 Income from equity method investments — 10 2 — 12 For the three months ended March 31, 2021 Broadcast Local sports Other & Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Revenue $ 665 $ 768 $ 108 $ (30) (a) $ 1,511 Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of definite-lived intangibles and other assets 62 84 8 (1) 153 Amortization of sports programming rights — 552 — — 552 Amortization of program contract costs 21 — 2 — 23 Corporate general and administrative expenses 55 3 3 — 61 Gain on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment (14) — — — (14) Operating income (loss) 63 (41) 13 — 35 Interest expense including amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs 1 108 45 (3) 151 Income (loss) from equity method investments — 13 (4) — 9 (a) Includes $24 million and $27 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, of revenue for services provided by broadcast to local sports and other, and $22 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, of revenue for services provided by other to broadcast, which are eliminated in consolidation. (b) Includes $5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 of revenue for services provided by broadcast to local sports, which are no longer treated as intercompany transactions subsequent to the Deconsolidation. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. (c) Represents the gain recognized on the Deconsolidation. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. (d) Represents the activity prior to the Deconsolidation on March 1, 2022. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. (e) Includes the note receivable due to the Company outstanding under the A/R facility of approximately $163 million. See Long Term Note Receivable within Note. 3 Other Assets

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
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. A subsidiary of DSIH is a party to a joint venture associated with Marquee. Marquee is party to a long term telecast rights agreement which provides the rights to air certain live game telecasts and other content, which we guarantee. In connection with a prior acquisition, we became party to a joint venture associated with one other regional sports network. DSIH participated significantly in the economics and had the power to direct the activities which significantly impacted the economic performance of these regional sports networks, including sales and certain operational services. As of December 31, 2021, we consolidated these regional sports networks because they were variable interest entities and we were the primary beneficiary. As of March 1, 2022, as a result of the Deconsolidation, we no longer consolidate these regional sports networks. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. 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 the dates presented, were as follows (in millions): As of March 31, As of December 31, ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 43 Accounts receivable, net 47 83 Prepaid sports rights — 2 Other current assets 3 4 Total current assets 50 132 Property and equipment, net 8 17 Operating lease assets — 5 Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets 15 15 Definite-lived intangible assets, net 45 47 Other assets — 1 Total assets $ 118 $ 217 LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Other current liabilities $ 22 $ 62 Long-term liabilities: Operating lease liabilities, less current portion — 4 Program contracts payable, less current portion 1 2 Other long-term liabilities 3 4 Total liabilities $ 26 $ 72 The amounts above represent the combined assets and liabilities of the VIEs described above, for which we are the primary beneficiary. Total liabilities associated with certain outsourcing agreements and purchase options with certain VIEs, which are excluded from the above, were $128 million and $127 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, 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 March 31, 2022, 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 obligations under Note 4. Notes Payable, Finance Leases, 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. In conjunction with the Transaction, the composition of the DSIH board of managers was modified resulting in the Company’s loss of voting control over the entity. The Company holds substantially all of the equity of DSIH and provides certain management and general and administrative services to DSIH. However, it was determined that the Company is not the primary beneficiary because it lacks the ability to control the activities that most significantly drive the economics of the business. The carrying amount of our investment in DSIH is zero and there is no obligation for the Company to provide additional financial support. The Company is also party to an A/R facility which had an outstanding balance of approximately $163 million as of March 31, 2022. See Note Receivable within Note. 3 Other Assets . The amounts drawn under the A/R facility represent the Company’s maximum loss exposure The carrying amounts of our investments in these VIEs for which we are not the primary beneficiary were $171 million and $175 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, and are included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 3. 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 investments are recorded in income from equity method investments and other (expense) income, net, respectively, in our consolidated statements of operations. We recorded gains of $20 million and losses of $4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to these investments.

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
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 our 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 $2 million and $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. For further information, see Note 4. Notes Payable, Finance Leases, and Commercial Bank Financing . Charter Aircraft. We lease aircraft owned by certain controlling shareholders. For all leases, we incurred expenses of less than $1 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. 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 the Cunningham Stations pursuant to LMAs or JSAs and SSAs. See Note 9. Variable Interest Entities , for further discussion of the scope of services provided under these types of arrangements. As of March 31, 2022, we have jointly and severally, unconditionally, and irrevocably guaranteed $36 million of Cunningham's debt, of which $7 million, net of $0.1 million deferred financing costs, relates to the Cunningham VIEs that we consolidate. All of the non-voting stock of the Cunningham Stations 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. 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 five-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 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 $58 million as of both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The remaining aggregate purchase price of these stations, net of prepayments, as of both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, was approximately $54 million. Additionally, we provide services to WDBB-TV pursuant to an LMA, which expires April 22, 2025, and have a purchase option to acquire for $0.2 million. We paid Cunningham, under these agreements $3 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. 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 May 2023 and November 2029 and certain stations have renewal provisions for successive eight-year periods. 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 in our consolidated statements of operations. Our consolidated revenues include $34 million and $36 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to the Cunningham Stations. We have 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 June 2022. Under the agreement, Cunningham paid us an initial fee of $1 million and pays us $0.2 million annually for master control services plus the cost to maintain and repair the equipment. In addition, we have an agreement with Cunningham to provide a news share service with the Johnstown, PA station for an annual fee of $0.5 million, which increases by 3% on each anniversary and expires in November 2024. 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 less than $0.1 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. 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 payments received under these leases was $0.2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC As of March 1, 2022, we account for our equity interest in DSIH as an equity method investment. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Management Services Agreement. In 2019, we entered into a management services agreement with DSG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DSIH, in which we provide DSG with affiliate sales and marketing services and general and administrative services. The contractual annual amount due from DSG for these services during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 is $75 million, which is subject to increases on an annual basis. Additionally, the agreement contains an incentive fee payable to us calculated based on certain terms contained within new or renewed distribution agreements with Distributors. As a condition to the Transaction, DSG will defer the cash payment of a portion of its management fee payable to the Company over the next five years. Pursuant to this agreement, the broadcast segment recorded $28 million of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022, of which $24 million was eliminated in consolidation prior to the Deconsolidation . We will not recognize the portion of deferred management fees as revenue until such fees are determined to be collectible. Distributions . DSIH made distributions to DSH for tax payments on the dividends of the Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Equity totaling $1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022. Note receivable . We received a payment of $50 million from DSPV during the three months ended March 31, 2022 related to the note receivable associated with the A/R facility. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 we recorded both revenue and expenses of $1 million within other related to certain other transactions between DSIH and the Company. Other equity method investees YES Network. In August 2019, YES Network, which was an equity method investee prior to the Deconsolidation, entered into a management services agreement with the Company, in which the Company provides certain services for an initial term that expires on August 29, 2025. The agreement will automatically renew for two 2-year renewal terms, with a final expiration on August 29, 2029. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the YES Network paid us a management services fee of $1 million in both the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Prior to the Deconsolidation, we had a minority interest in certain mobile production businesses, which we accounted for as equity method investments. We made payments to these businesses for production services totaling $5 million and $8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. We have a minority interest in a sports marketing company, which we account for as an equity method investment. We made payments to this business for marketing services totaling $2 million and $3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. Sports Programming Rights Prior to the Deconsolidation, affiliates of six professional teams had non-controlling equity interests in certain of our RSNs. The Company paid $61 million and $120 million, net of rebates, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, under sports programming rights agreements covering the broadcast of regular season games associated with these professional teams. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Employees Jason Smith, an employee of the Company, is the son of Frederick Smith, a Vice President of the Company and a member of the Company's Board of Directors. Jason Smith received total compensation of $0.1 million, during the three months ended March 31, 2022, consisting of salary, and less than $0.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021, consisting of salary and bonus, and was granted 2,239 shares of restricted stock, vesting over two years, during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Amberly Thompson, an employee of the Company, is the daughter of Donald Thompson, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of the Company. Amberly Thompson received total compensation of less than $0.1 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, consisting of salary and bonus. Edward Kim, an employee of the company, is the brother-in-law of Christopher Ripley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Edward Kim received total compensation of less than $0.1 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, consisting of salary, and was granted 302 shares of restricted stock, vesting over two years, during the three months ended March 31, 2022. Frederick Smith, a Vice President of the Company and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, is the brother of David Smith, Executive Chairman of the Company and Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors; J. Duncan Smith, a Vice President of the Company and Secretary of the Company’s Board of Directors; and Robert Smith, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. Frederick Smith received total compensation of $0.2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, consisting of salary and bonus. J. Duncan Smith, a Vice President of the Company and Secretary of the Company’s Board of Directors, is the brother of David Smith, Executive Chairman of the Company and Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors; Frederick Smith, a Vice President of the Company and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors; and Robert Smith, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. J. Duncan Smith received total compensation of $0.2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, consisting of salary and bonus.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
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 carrying value and fair value of our financial assets and liabilities for the periods presented (in millions): As of March 31, 2022 As of December 31, 2021 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Level 1: Investments in equity securities $ 6 $ 6 $ 5 $ 5 STG: Money market funds 400 400 265 265 Deferred compensation assets 46 46 48 48 Deferred compensation liabilities 36 36 38 38 DSG (a): Money market funds — — 101 101 Level 2: Investments in equity securities (b) 92 92 114 114 STG (c): 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (d) 348 339 348 357 5.500% Senior Notes due 2030 500 435 500 489 5.125% Senior Notes due 2027 400 365 400 391 4.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2030 750 670 750 712 Term Loan B (d) 379 373 379 373 Term Loan B-2 1,268 1,229 1,271 1,239 Term Loan B-3 734 717 736 722 DSG (a) (c): 12.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 — — 31 17 6.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 — — 1,744 490 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 — — 3,050 1,525 Term Loan — — 3,226 1,484 Debt of variable interest entities (c) 9 9 9 9 Debt of non-media subsidiaries (c) 17 17 17 17 Level 3 Investments in equity securities (e) 226 226 282 282 (a) The debt of DSG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DSIH, was deconsolidated from the Company's balance sheet as part of the Deconsolidation. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies . (b) Consists of unrestricted warrants to acquire marketable common equity securities. The fair value of the warrants are derived from the quoted trading prices of the underlying common equity securities less the exercise price. (c) Amounts are carried in our consolidated balance sheets net of debt discount, premium, and deferred financing cost, which are excluded in the above table, of $44 million and $158 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. (d) In April 2022, the Term Loan B was refinanced and the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 were redeemed. See Note 13. Subsequent Events . (e) On November 18, 2020, we entered into a commercial agreement with Bally's Corporation ("Bally's") and received warrants and options to acquire common equity in the business. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 we recorded a fair value adjustment loss of $56 million and a fair value adjustment gain of $103 million, respectively, related to these interests. The fair value of the warrants is primarily derived from the quoted trading prices of the underlying common equity adjusted for a 16% discount for lack of marketability ("DLOM") as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The fair value of the options is derived utilizing the Black Scholes valuation model. The most significant inputs include the trading price of the underlying common stock, the exercise price of the options, which range from $30 to $45 per share, and a DLOM of 16% as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. There are certain restrictions surrounding the sale and ownership of common stock and the Company has agreed not to sell any shares beneficially owned prior to the first anniversary of the agreement. The Company is also precluded from owning more than 4.9% of the outstanding common shares of Bally's, inclusive of shares obtained through the exercise of the warrants and options described above. The following table summarizes the changes in financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and categorized as Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in millions): Options and Warrants Fair value at December 31, 2021 $ 282 Measurement adjustments (56) Fair value at March 31, 2022 $ 226 Options and Warrants Fair value at December 31, 2020 $ 332 Measurement adjustments 103 Fair value at March 31, 2021 $ 435

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCI

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: STG is the primary obligor under the Bank Credit Agreement, 5.875% Notes, 5.125% Notes, 5.500% Notes, and 4.125% Secured Notes (collectively, the Notes are referred to as the "STG Notes"). Our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as of March 31, 2022, were obligations or securities of SBG and not obligations or securities of STG. SBG is a guarantor under the STG Notes. As of March 31, 2022, our consolidated total debt, net of deferred financing costs and debt discounts, of $4,398 million included $4,381 million related to STG and its subsidiaries of which the Company guaranteed $4,344 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. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET AS OF MARCH 31, 2022 (in millions) (unaudited) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair Cash and cash equivalents $ 54 $ 415 $ 1 $ 51 $ — $ 521 Accounts receivable, net — — 561 59 — 620 Other current assets 6 79 296 23 (78) 326 Total current assets 60 494 858 133 (78) 1,467 Property and equipment, net 1 31 655 50 (22) 715 Investment in equity of consolidated subsidiaries 2,104 3,231 — — (5,335) — Goodwill — — 2,081 7 — 2,088 Indefinite-lived intangible assets — — 136 14 — 150 Definite-lived intangible assets, net — — 1,061 48 (34) 1,075 Other long-term assets 283 1,974 410 1,363 (2,863) 1,167 Total assets $ 2,448 $ 5,730 $ 5,201 $ 1,615 $ (8,332) $ 6,662 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 35 $ 74 $ 290 $ 17 $ (24) $ 392 Current portion of long-term debt — 20 7 10 (1) 36 Other current liabilities 2 4 134 80 (45) 175 Total current liabilities 37 98 431 107 (70) 603 Long-term debt 915 4,314 32 373 (1,272) 4,362 Other long-term liabilities 731 60 1,512 328 (1,821) 810 Total liabilities 1,683 4,472 1,975 808 (3,163) 5,775 Redeemable noncontrolling interests — — — 184 — 184 Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity 765 1,258 3,226 688 (5,172) 765 Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries — — — (65) 3 (62) Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and equity $ 2,448 $ 5,730 $ 5,201 $ 1,615 $ (8,332) $ 6,662 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021 (in millions) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair Cash and cash equivalents $ 2 $ 316 $ 2 $ 496 $ — $ 816 Accounts receivable, net — — 649 596 — 1,245 Other current assets 10 82 293 136 (111) 410 Total current assets 12 398 944 1,228 (111) 2,471 Property and equipment, net 1 31 664 161 (24) 833 Investment in equity of consolidated subsidiaries 451 3,448 — — (3,899) — Restricted cash — — — 3 — 3 Goodwill — — 2,081 7 — 2,088 Indefinite-lived intangible assets — — 136 14 — 150 Definite-lived intangible assets, net — — 1,105 4,019 (36) 5,088 Other long-term assets 331 1,956 427 1,853 (2,659) 1,908 Total assets $ 795 $ 5,833 $ 5,357 $ 7,285 $ (6,729) $ 12,541 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 31 $ 85 $ 295 $ 279 $ (35) $ 655 Current portion of long-term debt — 20 5 45 (1) 69 Other current liabilities 2 6 155 392 (77) 478 Total current liabilities 33 111 455 716 (113) 1,202 Long-term debt 915 4,317 33 8,488 (1,482) 12,271 Investment in deficit of consolidated subsidiaries 1,605 — — — (1,605) — Other long-term liabilities 12 69 1,426 468 (1,398) 577 Total liabilities 2,565 4,497 1,914 9,672 (4,598) 14,050 Redeemable noncontrolling interests — — — 197 — 197 Total Sinclair Broadcast Group (deficit) equity (1,770) 1,336 3,443 (2,644) (2,135) (1,770) Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries — — — 60 4 64 Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and equity $ 795 $ 5,833 $ 5,357 $ 7,285 $ (6,729) $ 12,541 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022 (in millions) (unaudited) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair Net revenue $ — $ 29 $ 791 $ 531 $ (63) $ 1,288 Media programming and production expenses — — 362 412 (16) 758 Selling, general and administrative expenses 3 48 199 63 (46) 267 Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary (3,357) — — — — (3,357) Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses — 2 84 70 (2) 154 Total operating (gains) expenses (3,354) 50 645 545 (64) (2,178) Operating income (loss) 3,354 (21) 146 (14) 1 3,466 Equity in (loss) earnings of consolidated subsidiaries (38) 100 — — (62) — Interest expense (4) (44) (1) (75) 9 (115) Other income (expense) 4 1 3 (50) (6) (48) Total other (expense) income (38) 57 2 (125) (59) (163) Income tax (provision) benefit (729) 20 (47) 69 — (687) Net income (loss) 2,587 56 101 (70) (58) 2,616 Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests — — — (4) — (4) Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests — — — (25) — (25) Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 2,587 $ 56 $ 101 $ (99) $ (58) $ 2,587 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 2,587 $ 56 $ 101 $ (67) $ (58) $ 2,619 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021 (in millions) (unaudited) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair Net revenue $ — $ 27 $ 705 $ 818 $ (39) $ 1,511 Media programming and production expenses — 1 348 684 (10) 1,023 Selling, general and administrative expenses 3 58 166 74 (27) 274 Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses — 2 74 105 (2) 179 Total operating expenses 3 61 588 863 (39) 1,476 Operating (loss) income (3) (34) 117 (45) — 35 Equity in (loss) earnings of consolidated subsidiaries (45) 88 — — (43) — Interest expense (3) (42) (1) (111) 6 (151) Other income (expense) 20 5 (12) 123 (3) 133 Total other (expense) income (28) 51 (13) 12 (40) (18) Income tax benefit (provision) 19 7 (15) (2) — 9 Net (loss) income (12) 24 89 (35) (40) 26 Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests — — — (4) — (4) Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests — — — (34) — (34) Net (loss) income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ (12) $ 24 $ 89 $ (73) $ (40) $ (12) Comprehensive (loss) income $ (12) $ 24 $ 89 $ (27) $ (40) $ 34 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022 (in millions) (unaudited) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES $ (5) $ (45) $ 327 $ (209) $ 2 $ 70 NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES Acquisition of property and equipment — (1) (18) (2) — (21) Spectrum repack reimbursements — — 1 — — 1 Proceeds from the sale of assets — — 4 — — 4 Deconsolidation of subsidiary cash — — — (315) — (315) Purchases of investments (2) (1) (1) (1) — (5) Distributions from investments 50 — 10 10 — 70 Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities 48 (2) (4) (308) — (266) NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and finance leases — (5) (1) (1) — (7) Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock (68) — — — — (68) Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock (18) — — — — (18) Dividends paid on redeemable subsidiary preferred equity — — — (1) — (1) Distributions to noncontrolling interests — — — (3) — (3) Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables 100 151 (323) 74 (2) — Other, net (5) — — — — (5) Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities 9 146 (324) 69 (2) (102) NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH 52 99 (1) (448) — (298) CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period 2 316 2 499 — 819 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ 54 $ 415 $ 1 $ 51 $ — $ 521 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021 (in millions) (unaudited) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES $ (18) $ 30 $ 113 $ (332) $ 1 $ (206) NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Acquisition of property and equipment — — (14) (7) 1 (20) Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired — — (2) — — — Spectrum repack reimbursements — — 14 — — 14 Proceeds from the sale of assets — — 28 — — 28 Purchases of investments (2) (10) (13) (24) — (49) Other, net — — (1) 4 — (2) Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities (2) (10) 12 (27) 1 (26) NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from notes payable and commercial bank financing — — — 6 — 6 Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and finance leases — (3) (2) (21) — (26) Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock (15) — — — — (15) Dividends paid on redeemable subsidiary preferred equity — — — (4) — (4) Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net — — — (30) — (30) Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests — — — (2) — (2) Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables 49 29 (118) 42 (2) — Other, net (14) — — — — (14) Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities 20 26 (120) (9) (2) (85) NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — 46 5 (368) — (317) CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period — 458 — 804 — 1,262 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ — $ 504 $ 5 $ 436 $ — $ 945

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS: On April 14, 2022, we reached a distribution agreement with Charter Communications, Inc. for continued carriage of our owned local broadcast stations and Tennis Channel. On April 21, 2022, STG entered into the Fourth Amendment (the "Fourth Amendment") to the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 23, 2019, as amended (the "Amended Bank Credit Agreement") with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, the guarantors party thereto (the "Guarantors") and the lenders and other parties thereto. Pursuant to the Fourth Amendment, STG raised Term B-4 Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $750 million (the "Term B-4 Loans"). The Term B-4 Loans mature in April 2029. The Term B-4 Loans were issued at 97% of par and bear interest, at STG’s option, at Term SOFR plus 3.75% (subject to customary credit spread adjustments) or base rate plus 2.75%. The proceeds from the Term B-4 Loans were used to refinance all of STG’s outstanding Term Loan B and to redeem STG’s outstanding 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026. In addition, the maturity of $612.5 million of the revolving commitments under the Bank Credit Agreement were extended to April 2027 pursuant to the Fourth Amendment. In May 2022, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on June 15, 2022 to holders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2022.

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_2

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	Nature of Operations Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. ("SBG" or the "Company") is a diversified television media company with national reach and a strong focus on providing high-quality content on our local television stations, digital platforms, and, prior to Deconsolidation, as defined below in Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC, regional sports networks. The content, distributed through our broadcast platform and third-party platforms, consists of programming provided by third-party networks and syndicators, local news, college and professional sports, and other original programming produced by us. Additionally, we own digital media products that are complementary to our extensive portfolio of television station related digital properties. 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.
Principles of Consolidation and Interim Financial Statements	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, and VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interests represent a minority owner’s proportionate share of the equity in certain of our consolidated entities. Noncontrolling interests which may be redeemed by the holder, and the redemption is outside of our control, are presented as redeemable noncontrolling interests. All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in consolidation. We consolidate VIEs when we are the primary beneficiary. We are 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 9. Variable Interest Entities for more information on our VIEs. 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. Interim Financial Statements The consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, such financial statements have been presented on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of equity (deficit) and redeemable noncontrolling interests, and consolidated statements of cash flows for these periods as adjusted for the adoption of recent accounting pronouncements. As permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures normally included with audited consolidated financial statements and, accordingly, should be read together with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC. The consolidated statements of operations presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are not necessarily representative of operations for an entire year.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses in the consolidated financial statements and in the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The impact of the war in Ukraine and the outbreak of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") continues to create significant uncertainty and disruption in the global economy and financial markets. It is reasonably possible that these uncertainties could further materially impact our estimates related to, but not limited to, revenue recognition, goodwill and intangible assets, program contract costs, sports programming rights, and income taxes. As a result, many of our estimates and assumptions require increased judgment and carry a higher degree of variability and volatility. Our estimates may change as new events occur and additional information emerges, and such changes are recognized or disclosed in our consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance providing optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or by another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The guidance was effective for all entities immediately upon issuance of the update and may be applied prospectively to applicable transactions existing as of or entered into from the date of adoption through December 31, 2022. We adopted this guidance upon issuance and it did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Broadcast Television Programming	Broadcast Television Programming We have agreements with programming syndicators for the rights to television programming over contract periods, which generally run from one The rights to this programming are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value. Program contract costs are amortized on a straight-line basis except for contracts greater than three years which are amortized utilizing an accelerated method. 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 amortization or fair value adjustments. Fair value is determined utilizing a discounted cash flow model based on management’s expectation of future advertising revenues, net of sales commissions, to be generated by the program material. We assess our program contract costs on a quarterly basis to ensure the costs are recorded at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value.
Sports Programming Rights	Sports Programming Rights DSIH has multi-year program rights agreements that provide DSIH with the right to produce and telecast professional live sports games within a specified territory in exchange for a rights fee. Prior to the Deconsolidation, a prepaid asset was recorded for rights acquired related to future games upon payment of the contracted fee. The assets recorded for the acquired rights were classified as current or non-current based on the period when the games were expected to be aired. Liabilities were recorded for any program rights obligations that had been incurred but not yet paid at period end. We amortized these rights as an expense over each season based upon contractually stated rates. Amortization was accelerated in the event that the stated contractual rates over the term of the rights agreement resulted in an expense recognition pattern that was inconsistent with the projected growth of revenue over the contractual term. The National Basketball Association (“NBA”) and the National Hockey League (“NHL”) delayed the start of their 2020-2021 seasons until December 22, 2020 and January 13, 2021, respectively, and both leagues postponed games in the fourth quarter 2021 and rescheduled these games to be played in the first quarter 2022. The sports rights expense associated with these seasons was recognized over the modified term of these seasons.
Revenue Recognition	Distribution Revenue. We have agreements with multi-channel video programming distributors ("MVPD") and virtual MVPDs ("vMVPD," and together with MVPDs, "Distributors"). We generate distribution revenue through fees received from these Distributors for the right to distribute our stations, RSNs, and other properties. 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 or network programming 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 120 days. Historical adjustments to subscriber estimates have not been material. Advertising Revenue. We generate advertising revenue primarily from the sale of advertising spots/impressions within our broadcast television, RSN, and digital platforms. 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.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Our income tax provision for all periods consists of federal and state income taxes. The tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 is based on the estimated effective tax rate applicable for the full year after taking into account discrete tax items and the effects of the noncontrolling interests. 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, current and cumulative losses, 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. A valuation allowance has been provided for deferred tax assets related to interest expense carryforwards under the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") Section 163(j) and a substantial amount of our available state net operating loss carryforwards based on past operating results, expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary basis differences, alternative tax strategies and projected future taxable income. Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022 approximated the statutory rate. Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was less than the statutory rate primarily due to substantially magnified impact of discrete items as a result of low pre-tax income. We do not believe that our liability for unrecognized tax benefits would be materially impacted, in the next twelve months, as a result of expected statute of limitations expirations, the application of limits under available state administrative practice exceptions, and the resolution of examination issues and settlements with federal and certain state tax authorities.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year's presentation.
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.

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_3

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by type and segment (in millions): For the three months ended March 31, 2022 Broadcast Local sports Other Eliminations Total Distribution revenue $ 392 $ 433 $ 48 $ — $ 873 Advertising revenue 282 44 68 (23) 371 Other media, non-media, and intercompany revenues 47 5 18 (26) 44 Total revenues $ 721 $ 482 $ 134 $ (49) $ 1,288 For the three months ended March 31, 2021 Broadcast Local sports Other Eliminations Total Distribution revenue $ 361 $ 698 $ 50 $ — $ 1,109 Advertising revenue 267 65 40 (1) 371 Other media, non-media, and intercompany revenues 37 5 18 (29) 31 Total revenues $ 665 $ 768 $ 108 $ (30) $ 1,511

OTHER ASSETS (Tables)

OTHER ASSETS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Assets	Other assets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 consisted of the following (in millions): As of March 31, As of December 31, Equity method investments $ 135 $ 517 Other investments 505 567 Note receivable 163 — Post-retirement plan assets 48 50 Other 164 274 Total other assets $ 1,015 $ 1,408

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
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 basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented (in millions, except share amounts which are reflected in thousands): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Income (Numerator) Net income (loss) $ 2,616 $ 26 Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests (4) (4) Net loss (income) attributable to the noncontrolling interests (25) (34) Numerator for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share available to common shareholders $ 2,587 $ (12) Shares (Denominator) Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding 72,164 74,389 Dilutive effect of stock-settled appreciation rights and outstanding stock options 12 — Diluted weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding 72,176 74,389
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: Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Weighted-average stock-settled appreciation rights and outstanding stock options excluded 2,545 1,703

SEGMENT DATA (Tables)

SEGMENT DATA (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Financial Information	Segment financial information is included in the following tables for the periods presented (in millions): As of March 31, 2022 Broadcast Local sports (d) Other & Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Assets $ 4,854 $ — $ 1,808 (e) $ — $ 6,662 For the three months ended March 31, 2022 Broadcast Local sports (d) Other & Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Revenue $ 721 (b) $ 482 $ 134 $ (49) (a) $ 1,288 Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of definite-lived intangibles and other assets 60 54 8 (1) 121 Amortization of sports programming rights — 326 — — 326 Amortization of program contract costs 20 — 5 — 25 Corporate general and administrative expenses 43 1 3 — 47 Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary — — (3,357) (c) — (3,357) (Gain) loss on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment (5) — — — (5) Operating income (loss) 97 (4) 3,372 1 3,466 Interest expense including amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs 1 72 47 (5) 115 Income from equity method investments — 10 2 — 12 For the three months ended March 31, 2021 Broadcast Local sports Other & Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Revenue $ 665 $ 768 $ 108 $ (30) (a) $ 1,511 Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of definite-lived intangibles and other assets 62 84 8 (1) 153 Amortization of sports programming rights — 552 — — 552 Amortization of program contract costs 21 — 2 — 23 Corporate general and administrative expenses 55 3 3 — 61 Gain on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment (14) — — — (14) Operating income (loss) 63 (41) 13 — 35 Interest expense including amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs 1 108 45 (3) 151 Income (loss) from equity method investments — 13 (4) — 9 (a) Includes $24 million and $27 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, of revenue for services provided by broadcast to local sports and other, and $22 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, of revenue for services provided by other to broadcast, which are eliminated in consolidation. (b) Includes $5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 of revenue for services provided by broadcast to local sports, which are no longer treated as intercompany transactions subsequent to the Deconsolidation. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. (c) Represents the gain recognized on the Deconsolidation. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. (d) Represents the activity prior to the Deconsolidation on March 1, 2022. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. (e) Includes the note receivable due to the Company outstanding under the A/R facility of approximately $163 million. See Long Term Note Receivable within Note. 3 Other Assets

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Tab

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities	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 the dates presented, were as follows (in millions): As of March 31, As of December 31, ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 43 Accounts receivable, net 47 83 Prepaid sports rights — 2 Other current assets 3 4 Total current assets 50 132 Property and equipment, net 8 17 Operating lease assets — 5 Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets 15 15 Definite-lived intangible assets, net 45 47 Other assets — 1 Total assets $ 118 $ 217 LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Other current liabilities $ 22 $ 62 Long-term liabilities: Operating lease liabilities, less current portion — 4 Program contracts payable, less current portion 1 2 Other long-term liabilities 3 4 Total liabilities $ 26 $ 72

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of carrying value and fair value of notes and debentures	The following table sets forth the carrying value and fair value of our financial assets and liabilities for the periods presented (in millions): As of March 31, 2022 As of December 31, 2021 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Level 1: Investments in equity securities $ 6 $ 6 $ 5 $ 5 STG: Money market funds 400 400 265 265 Deferred compensation assets 46 46 48 48 Deferred compensation liabilities 36 36 38 38 DSG (a): Money market funds — — 101 101 Level 2: Investments in equity securities (b) 92 92 114 114 STG (c): 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (d) 348 339 348 357 5.500% Senior Notes due 2030 500 435 500 489 5.125% Senior Notes due 2027 400 365 400 391 4.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2030 750 670 750 712 Term Loan B (d) 379 373 379 373 Term Loan B-2 1,268 1,229 1,271 1,239 Term Loan B-3 734 717 736 722 DSG (a) (c): 12.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 — — 31 17 6.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 — — 1,744 490 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 — — 3,050 1,525 Term Loan — — 3,226 1,484 Debt of variable interest entities (c) 9 9 9 9 Debt of non-media subsidiaries (c) 17 17 17 17 Level 3 Investments in equity securities (e) 226 226 282 282 (a) The debt of DSG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DSIH, was deconsolidated from the Company's balance sheet as part of the Deconsolidation. See Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies . (b) Consists of unrestricted warrants to acquire marketable common equity securities. The fair value of the warrants are derived from the quoted trading prices of the underlying common equity securities less the exercise price. (c) Amounts are carried in our consolidated balance sheets net of debt discount, premium, and deferred financing cost, which are excluded in the above table, of $44 million and $158 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. (d) In April 2022, the Term Loan B was refinanced and the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 were redeemed. See Note 13. Subsequent Events . (e) On November 18, 2020, we entered into a commercial agreement with Bally's Corporation ("Bally's") and received warrants and options to acquire common equity in the business. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 we recorded a fair value adjustment loss of $56 million and a fair value adjustment gain of $103 million, respectively, related to these interests. The fair value of the warrants is primarily derived from the quoted trading prices of the underlying common equity adjusted for a 16% discount for lack of marketability ("DLOM") as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The fair value of the options is derived utilizing the Black Scholes valuation model. The most significant inputs include the trading price of the underlying common stock, the exercise price of the options, which range from $30 to $45 per share, and a DLOM of 16% as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. There are certain restrictions surrounding the sale and ownership of common stock and the Company has agreed not to sell any shares beneficially owned prior to the first anniversary of the agreement. The Company is also precluded from owning more than 4.9% of the outstanding common shares of Bally's, inclusive of shares obtained through the exercise of the warrants and options described above.
Schedule of changes in Level 3 financial liabilities measured on recurring basis	The following table summarizes the changes in financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and categorized as Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in millions): Options and Warrants Fair value at December 31, 2021 $ 282 Measurement adjustments (56) Fair value at March 31, 2022 $ 226 Options and Warrants Fair value at December 31, 2020 $ 332 Measurement adjustments 103 Fair value at March 31, 2021 $ 435

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINAN_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET AS OF MARCH 31, 2022 (in millions) (unaudited) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair Cash and cash equivalents $ 54 $ 415 $ 1 $ 51 $ — $ 521 Accounts receivable, net — — 561 59 — 620 Other current assets 6 79 296 23 (78) 326 Total current assets 60 494 858 133 (78) 1,467 Property and equipment, net 1 31 655 50 (22) 715 Investment in equity of consolidated subsidiaries 2,104 3,231 — — (5,335) — Goodwill — — 2,081 7 — 2,088 Indefinite-lived intangible assets — — 136 14 — 150 Definite-lived intangible assets, net — — 1,061 48 (34) 1,075 Other long-term assets 283 1,974 410 1,363 (2,863) 1,167 Total assets $ 2,448 $ 5,730 $ 5,201 $ 1,615 $ (8,332) $ 6,662 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 35 $ 74 $ 290 $ 17 $ (24) $ 392 Current portion of long-term debt — 20 7 10 (1) 36 Other current liabilities 2 4 134 80 (45) 175 Total current liabilities 37 98 431 107 (70) 603 Long-term debt 915 4,314 32 373 (1,272) 4,362 Other long-term liabilities 731 60 1,512 328 (1,821) 810 Total liabilities 1,683 4,472 1,975 808 (3,163) 5,775 Redeemable noncontrolling interests — — — 184 — 184 Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity 765 1,258 3,226 688 (5,172) 765 Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries — — — (65) 3 (62) Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and equity $ 2,448 $ 5,730 $ 5,201 $ 1,615 $ (8,332) $ 6,662 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021 (in millions) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair Cash and cash equivalents $ 2 $ 316 $ 2 $ 496 $ — $ 816 Accounts receivable, net — — 649 596 — 1,245 Other current assets 10 82 293 136 (111) 410 Total current assets 12 398 944 1,228 (111) 2,471 Property and equipment, net 1 31 664 161 (24) 833 Investment in equity of consolidated subsidiaries 451 3,448 — — (3,899) — Restricted cash — — — 3 — 3 Goodwill — — 2,081 7 — 2,088 Indefinite-lived intangible assets — — 136 14 — 150 Definite-lived intangible assets, net — — 1,105 4,019 (36) 5,088 Other long-term assets 331 1,956 427 1,853 (2,659) 1,908 Total assets $ 795 $ 5,833 $ 5,357 $ 7,285 $ (6,729) $ 12,541 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 31 $ 85 $ 295 $ 279 $ (35) $ 655 Current portion of long-term debt — 20 5 45 (1) 69 Other current liabilities 2 6 155 392 (77) 478 Total current liabilities 33 111 455 716 (113) 1,202 Long-term debt 915 4,317 33 8,488 (1,482) 12,271 Investment in deficit of consolidated subsidiaries 1,605 — — — (1,605) — Other long-term liabilities 12 69 1,426 468 (1,398) 577 Total liabilities 2,565 4,497 1,914 9,672 (4,598) 14,050 Redeemable noncontrolling interests — — — 197 — 197 Total Sinclair Broadcast Group (deficit) equity (1,770) 1,336 3,443 (2,644) (2,135) (1,770) Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries — — — 60 4 64 Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and equity $ 795 $ 5,833 $ 5,357 $ 7,285 $ (6,729) $ 12,541
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022 (in millions) (unaudited) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair Net revenue $ — $ 29 $ 791 $ 531 $ (63) $ 1,288 Media programming and production expenses — — 362 412 (16) 758 Selling, general and administrative expenses 3 48 199 63 (46) 267 Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary (3,357) — — — — (3,357) Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses — 2 84 70 (2) 154 Total operating (gains) expenses (3,354) 50 645 545 (64) (2,178) Operating income (loss) 3,354 (21) 146 (14) 1 3,466 Equity in (loss) earnings of consolidated subsidiaries (38) 100 — — (62) — Interest expense (4) (44) (1) (75) 9 (115) Other income (expense) 4 1 3 (50) (6) (48) Total other (expense) income (38) 57 2 (125) (59) (163) Income tax (provision) benefit (729) 20 (47) 69 — (687) Net income (loss) 2,587 56 101 (70) (58) 2,616 Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests — — — (4) — (4) Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests — — — (25) — (25) Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ 2,587 $ 56 $ 101 $ (99) $ (58) $ 2,587 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 2,587 $ 56 $ 101 $ (67) $ (58) $ 2,619 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021 (in millions) (unaudited) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair Net revenue $ — $ 27 $ 705 $ 818 $ (39) $ 1,511 Media programming and production expenses — 1 348 684 (10) 1,023 Selling, general and administrative expenses 3 58 166 74 (27) 274 Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses — 2 74 105 (2) 179 Total operating expenses 3 61 588 863 (39) 1,476 Operating (loss) income (3) (34) 117 (45) — 35 Equity in (loss) earnings of consolidated subsidiaries (45) 88 — — (43) — Interest expense (3) (42) (1) (111) 6 (151) Other income (expense) 20 5 (12) 123 (3) 133 Total other (expense) income (28) 51 (13) 12 (40) (18) Income tax benefit (provision) 19 7 (15) (2) — 9 Net (loss) income (12) 24 89 (35) (40) 26 Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests — — — (4) — (4) Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests — — — (34) — (34) Net (loss) income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group $ (12) $ 24 $ 89 $ (73) $ (40) $ (12) Comprehensive (loss) income $ (12) $ 24 $ 89 $ (27) $ (40) $ 34
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022 (in millions) (unaudited) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES $ (5) $ (45) $ 327 $ (209) $ 2 $ 70 NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES Acquisition of property and equipment — (1) (18) (2) — (21) Spectrum repack reimbursements — — 1 — — 1 Proceeds from the sale of assets — — 4 — — 4 Deconsolidation of subsidiary cash — — — (315) — (315) Purchases of investments (2) (1) (1) (1) — (5) Distributions from investments 50 — 10 10 — 70 Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities 48 (2) (4) (308) — (266) NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and finance leases — (5) (1) (1) — (7) Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock (68) — — — — (68) Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock (18) — — — — (18) Dividends paid on redeemable subsidiary preferred equity — — — (1) — (1) Distributions to noncontrolling interests — — — (3) — (3) Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables 100 151 (323) 74 (2) — Other, net (5) — — — — (5) Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities 9 146 (324) 69 (2) (102) NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH 52 99 (1) (448) — (298) CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period 2 316 2 499 — 819 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ 54 $ 415 $ 1 $ 51 $ — $ 521 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021 (in millions) (unaudited) Sinclair Sinclair Guarantor Non- Eliminations Sinclair NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES $ (18) $ 30 $ 113 $ (332) $ 1 $ (206) NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Acquisition of property and equipment — — (14) (7) 1 (20) Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired — — (2) — — — Spectrum repack reimbursements — — 14 — — 14 Proceeds from the sale of assets — — 28 — — 28 Purchases of investments (2) (10) (13) (24) — (49) Other, net — — (1) 4 — (2) Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities (2) (10) 12 (27) 1 (26) NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from notes payable and commercial bank financing — — — 6 — 6 Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and finance leases — (3) (2) (21) — (26) Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock (15) — — — — (15) Dividends paid on redeemable subsidiary preferred equity — — — (4) — (4) Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net — — — (30) — (30) Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests — — — (2) — (2) Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables 49 29 (118) 42 (2) — Other, net (14) — — — — (14) Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities 20 26 (120) (9) (2) (85) NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — 46 5 (368) — (317) CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period — 458 — 804 — 1,262 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ — $ 504 $ 5 $ 436 $ — $ 945

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_4

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Nature of Operations (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022channelstationsegmentmarket
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | segment	2
Number of television stations owned | station	185
Number of markets | market	86
Number of channels | channel	634

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_5

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Deconsolidation of Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 01, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Deconsolidated subsidiary, expected liquidity enhancement	$ 1,000
Liquidity enhancement period (in years)	5 years
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary	$ 3,357	$ 3,357	$ 0

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_6

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Broadcast Television Programming (Details) - Television Programming Contract Rights	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Television programming contract period	1 year
Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Television programming contract period	7 years
Contract period utilizing accelerated amortization method	3 years

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_7

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$ 5	$ 3
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	$ 1

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_8

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Revenue Recognition, Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 1,288	$ 1,511
Distribution revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	873	1,109
Advertising revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	371	371
Other media, non-media, and intercompany revenues
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	44	31
Operating Segments | Broadcast
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	721	665
Operating Segments | Local sports
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	482	768
Operating Segments | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	134	108
Operating Segments | Distribution revenue | Broadcast
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	392	361
Operating Segments | Distribution revenue | Local sports
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	433	698
Operating Segments | Distribution revenue | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	48	50
Operating Segments | Advertising revenue | Broadcast
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	282	267
Operating Segments | Advertising revenue | Local sports
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	44	65
Operating Segments | Advertising revenue | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	68	40
Operating Segments | Other media, non-media, and intercompany revenues | Broadcast
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	47	37
Operating Segments | Other media, non-media, and intercompany revenues | Local sports
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	5	5
Operating Segments | Other media, non-media, and intercompany revenues | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	18	18
Eliminations
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	(49)	(30)
Eliminations | Distribution revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Eliminations | Advertising revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	(23)	(1)
Eliminations | Other media, non-media, and intercompany revenues
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ (26)	$ (29)

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMM_9

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Revenue Recognition, Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	$ 230		$ 235
Deferred revenue, noncurrent	$ 159		164
Deferred revenue, revenue recognized			$ 29	$ 17
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue Benchmark | Customer One
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Concentration risk (as a percent)	17.00%	20.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue Benchmark | Customer Two
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Concentration risk (as a percent)	17.00%	19.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue Benchmark | Customer Three
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Concentration risk (as a percent)	14.00%	15.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Accounts Receivable | Customer One
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Concentration risk (as a percent)	13.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Accounts Receivable | Customer Two
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Concentration risk (as a percent)	10.00%

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUM_10

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Share Repurchase Program (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	May 05, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Aug. 04, 2020	Aug. 09, 2018
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, additional authorized repurchase amount			$ 500	$ 1,000
Treasury stock, shares acquired (in shares)		2
Treasury stock, value acquired		$ 68
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount		$ 751
Subsequent Event
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Treasury stock, shares acquired (in shares)	1
Treasury stock, value acquired	$ 26

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS_2

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016station	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)
Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract]
Number of stations assigned new channels | station		100
Broadcast incentive auction, total legislation funds to reimburse stations	$ 3,000
Broadcast incentive auction, gain recognized on sale			$ 1	$ 14
Broadcast incentive auction, total capital expenditure			$ 1	$ 4

OTHER ASSETS - Schedule of Othe

OTHER ASSETS - Schedule of Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Equity method investments	$ 135	$ 517
Other investments	505	567
Note receivable	163	0
Post-retirement plan assets	48	50
Other	164	274
Total other assets	$ 1,015	$ 1,408

OTHER ASSETS - Narrative (Detai

OTHER ASSETS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021	Nov. 05, 2021
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (loss) from equity method investments		$ 12,000,000	$ 9,000,000
Revenue		1,288,000,000	1,511,000,000
Operating loss		(3,466,000,000)	(35,000,000)
Net income (loss)		2,616,000,000	26,000,000
Investments in equity securities measured at fair value	$ 324,000,000	324,000,000		$ 402,000,000
Unrealized gain (loss) on FV-NI and NAV investments		(56,000,000)	(125,000,000)
Equity investments, net of cumulative impairment	10,000,000	10,000,000		18,000,000
Cumulative impairment	7,000,000	7,000,000		7,000,000
Impairment recorded		0	0
Note receivable	163,000,000	163,000,000		0
DSIH
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenue	228,000,000
Gross profit	9,000,000
Operating loss	18,000,000
Net income (loss)	(70,000,000)
Affiliated Entity | Notes Receivable of Diamond Sports Finance SPV, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Note receivable	163,000,000	163,000,000
A/R Facility | Line of Credit Facility
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payment to purchase lenders' rights and obligations					$ 184,000,000
Payment to purchase lenders' rights and obligations as a proportion of total aggregate outstanding principal amount (as a percent)					101.00%
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 400,000,000
Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments measured at NAV	171,000,000	171,000,000		147,000,000
Unfunded commitments related to private equity investment funds	78,000,000	78,000,000		$ 81,000,000
YES Network
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (loss) from equity method investments		10,000,000	$ 13,000,000
DSIH
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (loss) from equity method investments		0
Fair value of equity method investments	$ 0	$ 0

NOTES PAYABLE, FINANCE LEASES_2

NOTES PAYABLE, FINANCE LEASES, AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings under revolving credit facility exceed total commitments (as a percent)	35.00%
Current portion of notes payable, finance leases, and commercial bank financing	$ 36,000,000	$ 69,000,000
Notes payable, finance leases, and commercial bank financing, less current portion	4,362,000,000	12,271,000,000
Consolidated total debt	$ 4,398,000,000
Recourse Debt Of Variable Interest Entities | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)	2.50%
Consolidated VIEs
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated total debt	$ 9,000,000	9,000,000
Guarantee Obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unconditional and irrevocably guaranteed debt	38,000,000	39,000,000
Affiliated Entity
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of notes payable, finance leases, and commercial bank financing	2,000,000	3,000,000
Notes payable, finance leases, and commercial bank financing, less current portion	$ 6,000,000	$ 6,000,000
STG Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
First lien leverage ratio	4.5
Borrowings outstanding	$ 0

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INT_2

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Dividends accrued during the period	$ 3	$ 4
Redeemable subsidiary preferred equity	$ 184		$ 181
Redeemable noncontrolling interest			$ 16
LIBOR
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Cash interest rate (as a percent)	7.50%
Percent higher than the rate payable if dividends were paid in cash (as a percent)	0.50%
Minimum
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Cash interest rate (as a percent)	0.75%

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES -

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	Jul. 28, 2021USD ($)	Oct. 15, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 02, 2020USD ($)	Aug. 19, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 08, 2020petition	May 22, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)lawsuit	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021USD ($)	Oct. 03, 2018broadcaster
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Interest expense including amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs								$ (115,000)	$ (151,000)
Unfavorable Regulatory Action
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Proposed fine			$ 9,000				$ 13,000
Proposed fine per station		$ 25	$ 500
Issuance of forfeiture penalty upheld	$ 500
Additional legal expenses accrued								$ 8,000
Breach of Merger Agreement
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Agreement to pay to resolve FCC investigation						$ 48,000
Payments for resolve FCC investigation				$ 48,000
Compliance plan term						4 years
Number of petitions filed | petition					2
Various Cases Alleging Violation of Sherman Antitrust Act
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Loss contingency, new claims filed, number (lawsuit) | lawsuit								22
Loss contingency, number of other broadcasters | broadcaster											13
Fixed Payment Obligations | RSNs
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Other current liabilities										$ 32,000
Other long-term liabilities										71,000
Interest expense including amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs								$ (1,000)	(2,000)
Variable Payment Obligations | RSNs
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Other current liabilities										8,000
Other long-term liabilities										$ 23,000
Variable Payment Obligations | RSNs | Other Income, Net
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Contingent consideration measurement adjustment losses								$ 3,000	$ 1,000

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Schedule o

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Schedule of Earnings per Share (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Income (Numerator)
Net income (loss)	$ 2,616	$ 26
Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests	(4)	(4)
Net loss (income) attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(25)	(34)
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per common share available to common shareholders	2,587	(12)
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per common share available to common shareholders	$ 2,587	$ (12)
Shares (Denominator)
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	72,164	74,389
Dilutive effect of stock-settled appreciation rights and outstanding stock options (in shares)	12	0
Diluted weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)	72,176	74,389

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Summary of

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Summary of Antidilutive Securities (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted-average stock-settled appreciation rights and outstanding stock options excluded (in shares)	2,545	1,703

SEGMENT DATA - Narrative (Detai

SEGMENT DATA - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022segmentmarket
Segment data
Number of reportable segments | segment	2
Number of markets	86
Broadcast
Segment data
Number of markets	86

SEGMENT DATA - Segment Financia

SEGMENT DATA - Segment Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 01, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Segment data
Assets	[1]		$ 6,662		$ 12,541
Revenue			1,288	$ 1,511
Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of definite-lived intangibles and other assets			121	153
Amortization of sports programming rights			326	552
Amortization of program contract costs			25	23
Corporate general and administrative expenses			47	61
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary		$ (3,357)	(3,357)	0
(Gain) loss on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment			(5)	(14)
Operating income (loss)			3,466	35
Interest expense including amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs			115	151
Income from equity method investments			12	9
Broadcast
Segment data
Intersegment revenues			24	27
Revenue from related parties			5
Local sports
Segment data
Revenue from related parties			5
Operating Segments | Broadcast
Segment data
Assets			4,854
Revenue			721	665
Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of definite-lived intangibles and other assets			60	62
Amortization of sports programming rights			0	0
Amortization of program contract costs			20	21
Corporate general and administrative expenses			43	55
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary			0
(Gain) loss on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment			(5)	(14)
Operating income (loss)			97	63
Interest expense including amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs			1	1
Income from equity method investments			0	0
Operating Segments | Local sports
Segment data
Assets			0
Revenue			482	768
Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of definite-lived intangibles and other assets			54	84
Amortization of sports programming rights			326	552
Amortization of program contract costs			0	0
Corporate general and administrative expenses			1	3
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary			0
(Gain) loss on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment			0	0
Operating income (loss)			(4)	(41)
Interest expense including amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs			72	108
Income from equity method investments			10	13
Other & Corporate
Segment data
Assets			1,808
Revenue			134	108
Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of definite-lived intangibles and other assets			8	8
Amortization of sports programming rights			0	0
Amortization of program contract costs			5	2
Corporate general and administrative expenses			3	3
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary			(3,357)
(Gain) loss on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment			0	0
Operating income (loss)			3,372	13
Interest expense including amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs			47	45
Income from equity method investments			2	(4)
Intersegment revenues			22
Eliminations
Segment data
Assets			0
Revenue			(49)	(30)
Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of definite-lived intangibles and other assets			(1)	(1)
Amortization of sports programming rights			0	0
Amortization of program contract costs			0	0
Corporate general and administrative expenses			0	0
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary			0
(Gain) loss on asset dispositions and other, net of impairment			0	0
Operating income (loss)			1	0
Interest expense including amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs			(5)	(3)
Income from equity method investments			$ 0	$ 0
[1]	Our consolidated total assets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 include total assets of variable interest entities (VIEs) of $118 million and $217 million, respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. Our consolidated total liabilities as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 include total liabilities of VIEs of $17 million and $62 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to us. See Note 9. Variable Interest Entities .

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Na

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Assets	[1]	$ 6,662		$ 12,541
Eliminations
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Assets		$ (8,332)		(6,729)
Consolidated VIEs
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable interest entities outsourcing agreement initial term		5 years
Assets		$ 118		217
Consolidated VIEs | Eliminations
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Liabilities associated with the certain outsourcing agreements and purchase options		128		127
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Assets		171		$ 175
Loss from equity method investments		$ (20)	$ 4
[1]	Our consolidated total assets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 include total assets of variable interest entities (VIEs) of $118 million and $217 million, respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. Our consolidated total liabilities as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 include total liabilities of VIEs of $17 million and $62 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to us. See Note 9. Variable Interest Entities .

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Sc

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Schedule of Variable Interest Entities Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 521	$ 816
Accounts receivable, net		620	1,245
Prepaid sports rights		0	85
Other current assets		170	173
Total current assets		1,467	2,471
Property and equipment, net		715	833
Operating lease assets		152	207
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		1,075	5,088
Other assets		1,015	1,408
Total assets	[1]	6,662	12,541
Current liabilities:
Other current liabilities		603	1,202
Long-term liabilities:
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion		163	205
Program contracts payable, less current portion		17	21
Other long-term liabilities		235	351
Total liabilities	[1]	5,775	14,050
Consolidated VIEs
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		0	43
Accounts receivable, net		47	83
Prepaid sports rights		0	2
Other current assets		3	4
Total current assets		50	132
Property and equipment, net		8	17
Operating lease assets		0	5
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets		15	15
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		45	47
Other assets		0	1
Total assets		118	217
Current liabilities:
Other current liabilities		22	62
Long-term liabilities:
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion		0	4
Program contracts payable, less current portion		1	2
Other long-term liabilities		3	4
Total liabilities		$ 26	$ 72
[1]	Our consolidated total assets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 include total assets of variable interest entities (VIEs) of $118 million and $217 million, respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. Our consolidated total liabilities as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 include total liabilities of VIEs of $17 million and $62 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to us. See Note 9. Variable Interest Entities .

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - T

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - Transactions with our Controlling Shareholders (Details) - Entities Owned by Controlling Shareholders - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Lease Services
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Lease payments made to entities	$ 2	$ 1
Charter Aircraft | Maximum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Aircraft expenses (less than)	$ 1	$ 1

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - C

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)renewal	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Consolidated total debt			$ 4,398
Total revenues			1,288	$ 1,511
Consolidated VIEs
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Consolidated total debt			$ 9		$ 9
Affiliated Entity | Cunningham
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement renewal period			8 years
Right to acquire capital stock			100.00%
Total payments made under the LMA excluded from liabilities			$ 58		58
Remaining purchase price			54		54
Purchase options, broadcast stations			$ 0.2
Proceeds from sale of master control equipment		$ 1
Annual revenue from master control services		$ 0.2
Annual revenue for share service	$ 0.5
Share service agreement, annual service consideration increasing rate ( as a percent)	3.00%
Affiliated Entity | Cunningham | LMA
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of additional renewal terms | renewal			2
Agreement renewal period			5 years
Percentage of net broadcast revenue used to determine annual LMA fees required to be paid			3.00%
Amount used to determine annual LMA fees required to be paid			$ 5
Annual increase in aggregate purchase price			6.00%
Lease payments made to entities			$ 3	3
Affiliated Entity | Cunningham | Consolidated VIEs
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Consolidated total debt			7
Deferred financing costs			0.1
Cunningham License Related Assets | Cunningham
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total revenues			34	$ 36
Guarantee Obligations
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Unconditional and irrevocably guaranteed debt			38		$ 39
Guarantee Obligations | Affiliated Entity | Cunningham
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Unconditional and irrevocably guaranteed debt			$ 36

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - A

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - Atlantic Automotive Corporation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Atlantic Automotive Corporation | Advertising Time
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount received	$ 0.1	$ 0.1

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - L

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - Leased Property by Real Estate Ventures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Entities Owned by Controlling Shareholders | Lease Services
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount received	$ 0.2	$ 0.2

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - D

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Broadcast
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	$ 5
Management Services Agreement with Diamond Sports Group | Broadcast
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	28
Management Services Agreement with Diamond Sports Group | Broadcast | Eliminations
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	(24)
DSIH
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue	1
Expenses	1
Affiliated Entity | Notes Receivable of Diamond Sports Finance SPV, LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Proceeds from collection of notes receivable	50
Affiliated Entity | Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Equity | Distributions from Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Distributions of tax payments on dividends	$ 1
Affiliated Entity | Forecast | Management Services Agreement with Diamond Sports Group
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Annual management service fee		$ 75
Annual management service fee, deferral period		5 years

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - O

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - Other Equity Method Investees (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019renewal	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)
Sports marketing company
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Marketing services		$ 2	$ 3
YES Network
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of renewal terms | renewal	2
Renewal period	2 years
Revenue from related parties		1	1
Mobile Trucks
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount paid		$ 5	$ 8

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - S

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - Sports Programming Rights (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2022professional_team
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Sports programming rights payments	$ 325	$ 607
Sports Teams Affiliates
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of sports rights agreements assumed | professional_team			6
Sports programming rights payments	$ 61	$ 120

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - E

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - Employees (Details) - Affiliated Entity - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Employee | Jason Smith
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total compensation (less than)	$ 0.1	$ 0.1
Employee | Jason Smith | Restricted Stock
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Granted (in shares)		2,239
Vesting period		2 years
Employee | Amberly Thompson
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total compensation (less than)	0.1	$ 0.1
Employee | Edward Kim
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total compensation (less than)	0.1	$ 0.1
Employee | Edward Kim | Restricted Stock
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Granted (in shares)		302
Vesting period		2 years
Vice President | Frederick Smith
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total compensation (less than)	0.2	$ 0.2
Director | J. Duncan Smith
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total compensation (less than)	$ 0.2	$ 0.2

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Sched

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Schedule of Carrying Value and Fair Value of Notes and Debentures (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Nov. 18, 2020$ / shares	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)	Apr. 21, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021USD ($)
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Investments in equity securities		$ 324			$ 402
Debt discount and deferred financing costs		$ 44			$ 158
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (d)
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)		5.875%
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (d) | Subsequent Event
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)				5.875%
Senior Notes | 5.500% Senior Notes due 2030
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)		5.50%
Senior Notes | 5.125% Senior Notes due 2027
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)		5.125%
Senior Notes | 4.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2030
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)		4.125%
Senior Notes | 12.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)		12.75%
Senior Notes | 6.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)		6.625%
Senior Notes | 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)		5.375%
Bally's
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Option purchase price, minimum (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 30
Option purchase price, maximum (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 45
Ownership interest, portion precluded from owning maximum (as a percent)	4.90%
Bally's | Options and Warrants
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Measurement adjustments		$ (56)	$ 103
Weighted average discount rate (as a percent)		0.16			0.16
Level 1 | Carrying Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Investments in equity securities		$ 6			$ 5
Deferred compensation assets		46			48
Deferred compensation liabilities		36			38
Level 1 | Carrying Value | STG Money Market Funds
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Money market funds		400			265
Level 1 | Carrying Value | DSG Money Market Funds
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Money market funds		0			101
Level 1 | Fair Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Investments in equity securities		6			5
Deferred compensation assets		46			48
Deferred compensation liabilities		36			38
Level 1 | Fair Value | STG Money Market Funds
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Money market funds		400			265
Level 1 | Fair Value | DSG Money Market Funds
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Money market funds		0			101
Level 2 | Carrying Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Investments in equity securities		92			114
Level 2 | Carrying Value | Debt of variable interest entities
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		9			9
Level 2 | Carrying Value | Debt of non-media subsidiaries
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		17			17
Level 2 | Carrying Value | Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (d)
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		348			348
Level 2 | Carrying Value | Senior Notes | 5.500% Senior Notes due 2030
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		500			500
Level 2 | Carrying Value | Senior Notes | 5.125% Senior Notes due 2027
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		400			400
Level 2 | Carrying Value | Senior Notes | 4.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2030
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		750			750
Level 2 | Carrying Value | Senior Notes | 12.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		0			31
Level 2 | Carrying Value | Senior Notes | 6.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		0			1,744
Level 2 | Carrying Value | Senior Notes | 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		0			3,050
Level 2 | Carrying Value | Term Loan | Term Loan B (d)
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		379			379
Level 2 | Carrying Value | Term Loan | Term Loan B-2
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		1,268			1,271
Level 2 | Carrying Value | Term Loan | Term Loan B-3
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		734			736
Level 2 | Carrying Value | Term Loan | Term Loan
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		0			3,226
Level 2 | Fair Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Investments in equity securities		92			114
Level 2 | Fair Value | Debt of variable interest entities
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		9			9
Level 2 | Fair Value | Debt of non-media subsidiaries
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		17			17
Level 2 | Fair Value | Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (d)
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		339			357
Level 2 | Fair Value | Senior Notes | 5.500% Senior Notes due 2030
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		435			489
Level 2 | Fair Value | Senior Notes | 5.125% Senior Notes due 2027
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		365			391
Level 2 | Fair Value | Senior Notes | 4.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2030
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		670			712
Level 2 | Fair Value | Senior Notes | 12.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		0			17
Level 2 | Fair Value | Senior Notes | 6.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		0			490
Level 2 | Fair Value | Senior Notes | 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		0			1,525
Level 2 | Fair Value | Term Loan | Term Loan B (d)
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		373			373
Level 2 | Fair Value | Term Loan | Term Loan B-2
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		1,229			1,239
Level 2 | Fair Value | Term Loan | Term Loan B-3
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		717			722
Level 2 | Fair Value | Term Loan | Term Loan
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Debt fair value disclosure		0			1,484
Level 3 | Carrying Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Investments in equity securities		226			282
Level 3 | Carrying Value | Options and Warrants
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Measurement adjustments		(56)	$ 103
Level 3 | Fair Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Investments in equity securities		$ 226			$ 282

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Sch_2

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Schedule of Level 3 Activity (Details) - Level 3 - Carrying Value - Options and Warrants - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair value at beginning of period	$ 282	$ 332
Measurement adjustments	(56)	103
Fair value at end of period	$ 226	$ 435

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINAN_3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated total debt	$ 4,398
Subsidiary Issuer
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated total debt	4,381
Amount of debt guaranteed by parent	$ 4,344
5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (d) | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.875%
5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (d) | Sinclair Television Group, Inc. | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.875%
5.125% Senior Notes due 2027 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.125%
5.125% Senior Notes due 2027 | Sinclair Television Group, Inc. | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.125%
5.500% Senior Notes due 2030 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.50%
5.500% Senior Notes due 2030 | Sinclair Television Group, Inc. | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.50%
4.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2030 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	4.125%

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINAN_4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 521	$ 816
Accounts receivable, net		620	1,245
Other current assets		326	410
Total current assets		1,467	2,471
Property and equipment, net		715	833
Investment in equity of consolidated subsidiaries		0	0
Restricted cash		0	3
Goodwill		2,088	2,088
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		150	150
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		1,075	5,088
Other long-term assets		1,167	1,908
Total assets	[1]	6,662	12,541
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		392	655
Current portion of long-term debt		36	69
Other current liabilities		175	478
Total current liabilities		603	1,202
Long-term debt		4,362	12,271
Investment in deficit of consolidated subsidiaries			0
Other long-term liabilities		810	577
Total liabilities	[1]	5,775	14,050
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		184	197
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity		765	(1,770)
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries		(62)	64
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and equity		6,662	12,541
Reportable Legal Entities | Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Cash and cash equivalents		54	2
Accounts receivable, net		0	0
Other current assets		6	10
Total current assets		60	12
Property and equipment, net		1	1
Investment in equity of consolidated subsidiaries		2,104	451
Restricted cash			0
Goodwill		0	0
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		0	0
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		0	0
Other long-term assets		283	331
Total assets		2,448	795
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		35	31
Current portion of long-term debt		0	0
Other current liabilities		2	2
Total current liabilities		37	33
Long-term debt		915	915
Investment in deficit of consolidated subsidiaries			1,605
Other long-term liabilities		731	12
Total liabilities		1,683	2,565
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		0	0
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity		765	(1,770)
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries		0	0
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and equity		2,448	795
Reportable Legal Entities | Sinclair Television Group, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Cash and cash equivalents		415	316
Accounts receivable, net		0	0
Other current assets		79	82
Total current assets		494	398
Property and equipment, net		31	31
Investment in equity of consolidated subsidiaries		3,231	3,448
Restricted cash			0
Goodwill		0	0
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		0	0
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		0	0
Other long-term assets		1,974	1,956
Total assets		5,730	5,833
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		74	85
Current portion of long-term debt		20	20
Other current liabilities		4	6
Total current liabilities		98	111
Long-term debt		4,314	4,317
Investment in deficit of consolidated subsidiaries			0
Other long-term liabilities		60	69
Total liabilities		4,472	4,497
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		0	0
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity		1,258	1,336
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries		0	0
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and equity		5,730	5,833
Reportable Legal Entities | Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Cash and cash equivalents		1	2
Accounts receivable, net		561	649
Other current assets		296	293
Total current assets		858	944
Property and equipment, net		655	664
Investment in equity of consolidated subsidiaries		0	0
Restricted cash			0
Goodwill		2,081	2,081
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		136	136
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		1,061	1,105
Other long-term assets		410	427
Total assets		5,201	5,357
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		290	295
Current portion of long-term debt		7	5
Other current liabilities		134	155
Total current liabilities		431	455
Long-term debt		32	33
Investment in deficit of consolidated subsidiaries			0
Other long-term liabilities		1,512	1,426
Total liabilities		1,975	1,914
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		0	0
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity		3,226	3,443
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries		0	0
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and equity		5,201	5,357
Reportable Legal Entities | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Cash and cash equivalents		51	496
Accounts receivable, net		59	596
Other current assets		23	136
Total current assets		133	1,228
Property and equipment, net		50	161
Investment in equity of consolidated subsidiaries		0	0
Restricted cash			3
Goodwill		7	7
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		14	14
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		48	4,019
Other long-term assets		1,363	1,853
Total assets		1,615	7,285
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		17	279
Current portion of long-term debt		10	45
Other current liabilities		80	392
Total current liabilities		107	716
Long-term debt		373	8,488
Investment in deficit of consolidated subsidiaries			0
Other long-term liabilities		328	468
Total liabilities		808	9,672
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		184	197
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity		688	(2,644)
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries		(65)	60
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and equity		1,615	7,285
Eliminations
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Cash and cash equivalents		0	0
Accounts receivable, net		0	0
Other current assets		(78)	(111)
Total current assets		(78)	(111)
Property and equipment, net		(22)	(24)
Investment in equity of consolidated subsidiaries		(5,335)	(3,899)
Restricted cash			0
Goodwill		0	0
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		0	0
Definite-lived intangible assets, net		(34)	(36)
Other long-term assets		(2,863)	(2,659)
Total assets		(8,332)	(6,729)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(24)	(35)
Current portion of long-term debt		(1)	(1)
Other current liabilities		(45)	(77)
Total current liabilities		(70)	(113)
Long-term debt		(1,272)	(1,482)
Investment in deficit of consolidated subsidiaries			(1,605)
Other long-term liabilities		(1,821)	(1,398)
Total liabilities		(3,163)	(4,598)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		0	0
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity		(5,172)	(2,135)
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries		3	4
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and equity		$ (8,332)	$ (6,729)
[1]	Our consolidated total assets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 include total assets of variable interest entities (VIEs) of $118 million and $217 million, respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. Our consolidated total liabilities as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 include total liabilities of VIEs of $17 million and $62 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to us. See Note 9. Variable Interest Entities .

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINAN_5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 01, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Total revenues		$ 1,288	$ 1,511
Media programming and production expenses		758	1,023
Selling, general and administrative expenses		267	274
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary	$ (3,357)	(3,357)	0
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses		154	179
Total operating (gains) expenses		(2,178)	1,476
Operating income (loss)		3,466	35
Equity in (loss) earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		0	0
Interest expense		(115)	(151)
Other income (expense)		(48)	133
Total other expense, net		(163)	(18)
Income tax benefit (provision)		(687)	9
NET INCOME		2,616	26
Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests		(4)	(4)
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests		(25)	(34)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP		2,587	(12)
Comprehensive income		2,619	34
Reportable Legal Entities | Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Total revenues		0	0
Media programming and production expenses		0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses		3	3
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary		(3,357)
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses		0	0
Total operating (gains) expenses		(3,354)	3
Operating income (loss)		3,354	(3)
Equity in (loss) earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		(38)	(45)
Interest expense		(4)	(3)
Other income (expense)		4	20
Total other expense, net		(38)	(28)
Income tax benefit (provision)		(729)	19
NET INCOME		2,587	(12)
Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests		0	0
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests		0	0
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP		2,587	(12)
Comprehensive income		2,587	(12)
Reportable Legal Entities | Sinclair Television Group, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Total revenues		29	27
Media programming and production expenses		0	1
Selling, general and administrative expenses		48	58
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary		0
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses		2	2
Total operating (gains) expenses		50	61
Operating income (loss)		(21)	(34)
Equity in (loss) earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		100	88
Interest expense		(44)	(42)
Other income (expense)		1	5
Total other expense, net		57	51
Income tax benefit (provision)		20	7
NET INCOME		56	24
Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests		0	0
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests		0	0
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP		56	24
Comprehensive income		56	24
Reportable Legal Entities | Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Total revenues		791	705
Media programming and production expenses		362	348
Selling, general and administrative expenses		199	166
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary		0
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses		84	74
Total operating (gains) expenses		645	588
Operating income (loss)		146	117
Equity in (loss) earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		0	0
Interest expense		(1)	(1)
Other income (expense)		3	(12)
Total other expense, net		2	(13)
Income tax benefit (provision)		(47)	(15)
NET INCOME		101	89
Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests		0	0
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests		0	0
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP		101	89
Comprehensive income		101	89
Reportable Legal Entities | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Total revenues		531	818
Media programming and production expenses		412	684
Selling, general and administrative expenses		63	74
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary		0
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses		70	105
Total operating (gains) expenses		545	863
Operating income (loss)		(14)	(45)
Equity in (loss) earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		0	0
Interest expense		(75)	(111)
Other income (expense)		(50)	123
Total other expense, net		(125)	12
Income tax benefit (provision)		69	(2)
NET INCOME		(70)	(35)
Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests		(4)	(4)
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests		(25)	(34)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP		(99)	(73)
Comprehensive income		(67)	(27)
Eliminations
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Total revenues		(63)	(39)
Media programming and production expenses		(16)	(10)
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(46)	(27)
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary		0
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses		(2)	(2)
Total operating (gains) expenses		(64)	(39)
Operating income (loss)		1	0
Equity in (loss) earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		(62)	(43)
Interest expense		9	6
Other income (expense)		(6)	(3)
Total other expense, net		(59)	(40)
Income tax benefit (provision)		0	0
NET INCOME		(58)	(40)
Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests		0	0
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests		0	0
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP		(58)	(40)
Comprehensive income		$ (58)	$ (40)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINAN_6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$ 70	$ (206)
NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of property and equipment	(21)	(20)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		0
Spectrum repack reimbursements	1	14
Proceeds from sale of assets	4	28
Deconsolidation of subsidiary cash	(315)	0
Purchases of investments	(5)	(49)
Distributions from investments	70
Other, net	0	(2)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(266)	(26)
NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from notes payable and commercial bank financing	0	6
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and finance leases	(7)	(26)
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock	(68)	0
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	(18)	(15)
Dividends paid on redeemable subsidiary preferred equity	(1)	(4)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	(3)	(30)
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	(2)
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	0	0
Other, net	(5)	(14)
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(102)	(85)
NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH	(298)	(317)
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	819	1,262
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	521	945
Reportable Legal Entities | Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	(5)	(18)
NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of property and equipment	0	0
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		0
Spectrum repack reimbursements	0	0
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	0
Deconsolidation of subsidiary cash	0
Purchases of investments	(2)	(2)
Distributions from investments	50
Other, net		0
Net cash flows used in investing activities	48	(2)
NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from notes payable and commercial bank financing		0
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and finance leases	0	0
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock	(68)
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	(18)	(15)
Dividends paid on redeemable subsidiary preferred equity	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	0	0
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests		0
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	100	49
Other, net	(5)	(14)
Net cash flows used in financing activities	9	20
NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH	52	0
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	2	0
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	54	0
Reportable Legal Entities | Sinclair Television Group, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	(45)	30
NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of property and equipment	(1)	0
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		0
Spectrum repack reimbursements	0	0
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	0
Deconsolidation of subsidiary cash	0
Purchases of investments	(1)	(10)
Distributions from investments	0
Other, net		0
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(2)	(10)
NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from notes payable and commercial bank financing		0
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and finance leases	(5)	(3)
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock	0
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	0	0
Dividends paid on redeemable subsidiary preferred equity	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	0	0
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests		0
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	151	29
Other, net	0	0
Net cash flows used in financing activities	146	26
NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH	99	46
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	316	458
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	415	504
Reportable Legal Entities | Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	327	113
NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of property and equipment	(18)	(14)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(2)
Spectrum repack reimbursements	1	14
Proceeds from sale of assets	4	28
Deconsolidation of subsidiary cash	0
Purchases of investments	(1)	(13)
Distributions from investments	10
Other, net		(1)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(4)	12
NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from notes payable and commercial bank financing		0
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and finance leases	(1)	(2)
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock	0
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	0	0
Dividends paid on redeemable subsidiary preferred equity	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	0	0
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests		0
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	(323)	(118)
Other, net	0	0
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(324)	(120)
NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH	(1)	5
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	2	0
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	1	5
Reportable Legal Entities | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	(209)	(332)
NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of property and equipment	(2)	(7)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		0
Spectrum repack reimbursements	0	0
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	0
Deconsolidation of subsidiary cash	(315)
Purchases of investments	(1)	(24)
Distributions from investments	10
Other, net		4
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(308)	(27)
NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from notes payable and commercial bank financing		6
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and finance leases	(1)	(21)
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock	0
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	0	0
Dividends paid on redeemable subsidiary preferred equity	(1)	(4)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	(3)	(30)
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests		(2)
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	74	42
Other, net	0	0
Net cash flows used in financing activities	69	(9)
NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH	(448)	(368)
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	499	804
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	51	436
Eliminations
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	2	1
NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of property and equipment	0	1
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		0
Spectrum repack reimbursements	0	0
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	0
Deconsolidation of subsidiary cash	0
Purchases of investments	0	0
Distributions from investments	0
Other, net		0
Net cash flows used in investing activities	0	1
NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from notes payable and commercial bank financing		0
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and finance leases	0	0
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock	0
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	0	0
Dividends paid on redeemable subsidiary preferred equity	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	0	0
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests		0
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	(2)	(2)
Other, net	0	0
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(2)	(2)
NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH	0	0
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	0	0
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	$ 0	$ 0

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details)

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Apr. 21, 2022	May 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022
5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (d) | Senior Notes
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)			5.875%
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.25
Subsequent Event | STG Revolving Credit Facility And DSG Revolving Credit Facility
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Borrowings outstanding	$ 612.5
Subsequent Event | STG term Loan B-4 | Term Loan
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	$ 750
Proportion of par (as a percent)	97.00%
Subsequent Event | STG term Loan B-4 | Term Loan | SOFR
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)	3.75%
Subsequent Event | STG term Loan B-4 | Term Loan | Base Rate
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)	2.75%
Subsequent Event | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (d) | Senior Notes
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.875%