who is sinclair broadcasting

Sinclair Broadcasting, officially known as Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., is a prominent American telecommunications conglomerate founded in 1971. It is one of the largest television station operators in the United States, owning or controlling about 193 stations across over 100 markets, reaching roughly 40% of American households. The company focuses on local news, sports content, and also operates several multicast networks and a sports cable network called Tennis Channel. The company was founded by Julian Sinclair Smith, who started with a TV station in Baltimore, and is still controlled by his descendants, primarily the Smith family. Sinclair is headquartered in Cockeysville, Maryland, and over the decades it has expanded rapidly, often using local marketing agreements to control multiple stations in the same market. The company went public in 1995 and has grown to become an influential player in the U.S. broadcasting industry. Sinclair is known for its conservative political stance, particularly in its news coverage, which has drawn both interest and criticism. It has been involved in significant media industry developments, including pioneering retransmission consent fees and aggressively acquiring stations, making it the second-largest TV station operator after Nexstar Media Group. In recent years, Sinclair has embraced digital broadcasting and streaming ventures, adapting to changing media landscapes while maintaining a substantial presence in traditional television broadcasting.