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overview
holdings
chronology
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overview
This
profile considers the Sinclair Broadcasting Group.
It covers -
introduction
Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBG) claims to be the largest
US television broadcast group not
owned by a network. It includes 20 FOX, 19 WB, six UPN,
eight ABC, three CBS, four NBC affiliates and two independent
stations reaching around 24% of US television households.
Like competitor Paxson it has
disposed of its radio interests (with a major sale to
Entercom in 1999) in order
to increase the number of owned and/or operated stations.
The SBG corporate site is here.
the group
SBG dates from 1971, when the Sinclair Smith family established
a UHF commercial television station in Baltimore.
The group now claims to be
one
of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting
companies, currently owns and operates, programs, or
provides sales services to 63 television stations in
40 markets. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately
25.0% of U.S television households and includes ABC,
CBS, FOX, NBC, WB, and UPN affiliates
It
has sold radio broadcasting interests acquired in the
1990s.
evolution
UHF enthusiast Julian Sinclair Smith launched UHF television
station WBFF-TV in Baltimore in 1971 and established Sinclair
Broadcast Group, Inc. in 1986. Creation of the group reflected
perceptions that UHF stations were undervalued relative
to cable television networks.
During 1990 Smith's four son acquired the remaining interests
in SBG from their parents, going on to buy WPGH-TV Pittsburgh
in 1991. During 1994 SBG acquired four stations (with
options on other stations). SBG went public in 1995, gaining
US$111 million for further acquisitions (buying five stations
in four markets during that year). In 1996 it acquired
River City Broadcasting, with 23 radio stations and several
tv stations. SBG's holdings amounted to 28 television
stations in 21 markets and 23 radio stations in seven
markets.
During 1998 SBG acquired Heritage Broadcasting from Murdoch's
News for US$630 million, seven tv stations from Guy Gannett
Communications for US$310 million, 14 tv stations from
Sullivan Broadcasting and stations from Max Media for
US$252 million. Those purchases established it as one
of the largest US broadcasters - although dwarfed by majors
such as Clear and Viacom.
In 1999, amid dot-com euphoria, SBG launched a ventures
arm that acquired 89% of e-business solutions and applications
provider G1440, Jadoo Power Systems, TimeDomain, VisionAir,
AppForge, auto dealership Summa Holdings, mezzanine financier
Allegiance Capital and 16.5% of Synergy Brands. SBG also
purchased 32% of Acrodyne Communications, a manufacturer
of transmitters and other television broadcast equipment.
In 1999 it sold most of its radio operations - by then
41 stations - to Entercom for US$821 million, with the
remaining stations being sold to Emmis
in 2000. During 2002 it sold the WTTK tv station to Tribune
for US$125 million.
It attracted attention in 2004 for allegedly partisan
treatment of the presidential elections.
studies
There is no major study of the group or its founding family.
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