Sinclair Broadcast Group is a major American telecommunications conglomerate founded in 1971. It owns or operates approximately 193 television stations across over 100 markets, reaching about 40% of U.S. households. The company is headquartered in Cockeysville, Maryland, and is the second-largest television station operator in the United States. It holds affiliations with major networks including Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC, MyNetworkTV, and The CW. Sinclair also owns digital multicast networks such as Comet, Charge!, The Nest, Roar, and the sports cable network Tennis Channel. Sinclair has a strong focus on local news and sports content and has adapted well to changes in media, expanding into digital platforms and mobile broadcasting. Known for its conservative political stance in news coverage, Sinclair has influenced the broadcasting industry through innovative revenue models like retransmission consent fees charged to cable and satellite providers. The company is publicly traded and controlled by the descendants of its founder, Julian Sinclair Smith. Sinclair is recognized for substantial growth through acquisitions and remains a dominant player in America’s broadcast media landscape.
