what is sinclair broadcast group

Sinclair Broadcast Group is a publicly traded American telecommunications conglomerate, headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland. It is one of the largest television station operators in the United States, owning or operating approximately 193 stations in over 100 markets, covering about 40% of American households. Sinclair owns local television stations affiliated with major networks like Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC, MyNetworkTV, and The CW. It also owns several digital multicast networks and the sports-oriented cable network Tennis Channel. The company, founded in 1971 by Julian Sinclair Smith, has grown through aggressive acquisitions and is known for its focus on local news, sports, and conservative political programming. Sinclair became a Fortune 500 company in 2021 with revenues reaching around $6.8 billion in 2023. The company has faced criticism for politically motivated content supporting conservative viewpoints, particularly aligned with the Republican Party.