who is sinclair

Sinclair refers primarily to Sinclair Broadcast Group, a major American telecommunications conglomerate and the second-largest operator of television stations in the United States by number of stations. Founded in 1958 by Julian Sinclair Smith and headquartered in the Baltimore suburbs of Maryland, Sinclair owns or operates 193 TV stations across over 100 markets, reaching about 40% of American households. The company is known for its conservative political stance, often integrating a right-wing editorial perspective in its news programming. Sinclair operates affiliates of major broadcast networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and owns additional multicast networks and the Tennis Channel. Sinclair has been involved in recent controversies including a high-profile dispute over its decision to suspend the broadcast of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its ABC affiliates following Kimmel's controversial remarks about the assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk. Sinclair planned a special tribute to Kirk to replace Kimmel's show in the time slot, which was later modified due to public backlash. The company is controlled by the Smith family descendants and has been a significant player in local television broadcasting since the 1980s, known for pioneering local marketing agreements that expanded its reach. Sinclair's programming and political influence have often sparked debates regarding media bias and the role of broadcast journalism in American democracy.