Sinclair Broadcast Group - General Discussion

[GoldenShine_10 263]

7 hours ago, tyrannical bastard said:

While James Spann won't be involved 24/7 (even though it seems like it would be given his work ethic), it's a launching pad to provide a service for all of Alabama and give timely weather information without having to break into programming, (although watching Spann on TV is a must-see when the suspenders are on!)

 

Sinclair is lacking in the live-streaming department, especially after bungling STIRR and their limited products on NewsON.  Nexstar is slowly catching up with their station apps and live-streaming, but they have a ways to go as well.

 

Now, James Spann (and his brand) can be available to anyone with a working and compatible device, and his operation can focus on the entire state.

 

Sinclair missed an opportunity to put him on a more visible platform in Alabama, especially when Alan Sealls stepped aside from WPMI.  But Thomas Geboy is a good addiion to them locally.

 

It seems, among owners, Gray and Tegna are most willing to go off the signal into the streaming world, but even they are behind.

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

Sinclair once again operates KBSI Cape Girardeau and WDKA Paducah. They've purchased the non-license assets of the two as Standard Media (under Community News Group) continues to own them. However, there's an option in the future for Sinclair to also own both, not just operate.

 

https://sbgi.net/sinclair-acquires-assets-of-wdka-in-paduca-ky-and-kbsi-in-cape-girardeau-mo/

[ColtFromGulfcoast 869]

50 minutes ago, TheRolyPoly said:

Sinclair once again operates KBSI Cape Girardeau and WDKA Paducah. They've purchased the non-license assets of the two as Standard Media (under Community News Group) continues to own them. However, there's an option in the future for Sinclair to also own both, not just operate.

 

https://sbgi.net/sinclair-acquires-assets-of-wdka-in-paduca-ky-and-kbsi-in-cape-girardeau-mo/

I'm sure they're taking this very well. Smh. 

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

And for the record, Rincon closed on WICS/WICD, KHQA, KTVO and WVTV on July 9th.

So can we expect any de-Sinclair-ing of these stations any time soon?

 

Here's a press release from WVTV:

https://cw18milwaukee.com/fcc/rincon-broadcasting-group-acquires-wvtv-milwaukee#

 

Not even a blip on Sinclair's website about divesting these stations. So did they really sell them and still plan on running them from the inside out?

Edited July 23, 2025 by tyrannical bastard

[nathannah 2792]

I expect no changes at all to occur with WVTV (they're running a promo with SBG congratulating a long time employee for being enshrined in the Wisconsin Broadcaster's Hall of Fame even now), and they share programming with WLUK/WCWF and hub with WUCW. It's very clear the owner may have changed, but Hunt Valley still runs everything. 

[KS-IL-IA 63]

18 hours ago, TheRolyPoly said:

Sinclair once again operates KBSI Cape Girardeau and WDKA Paducah. They've purchased the non-license assets of the two as Standard Media (under Community News Group) continues to own them. However, there's an option in the future for Sinclair to also own both, not just operate.

 

https://sbgi.net/sinclair-acquires-assets-of-wdka-in-paduca-ky-and-kbsi-in-cape-girardeau-mo/

Misspelling "Paducah" is a great way to get off on a good foot ...

[ColtFromGulfcoast 869]

13 minutes ago, nathannah said:

I expect no changes at all to occur with WVTV (they're running a promo with SBG congratulating a long time employee for being enshrined in the Wisconsin Broadcaster's Hall of Fame even now), and they share programming with WLUK/WCWF and hub with WUCW. It's very clear the owner may have changed, but Hunt Valley still runs everything. 

Couldn't it just be transitional services or something. 

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

For all we know, they may have entered into a (shelled) outsourcing agreement where Sinclair provides services to Rincon to evade ownership rules.

 

Sinclair's gonna Sinclair.  Prove me wrong.

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

WHAT?!?! Not the best time to hear this, really.

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/11/sinclair-is-exploring-mergers-for-its-broadcast-business.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawMHTHdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHqdLT0itRnuK0D7fCfwmHTQ_W5GWdwpUooxAxZArzhojzbdmXQFj2gXgHhKr_aem_jc5iWAQVRu0WMxp-8PHuGA

[ColtFromGulfcoast 869]

8 minutes ago, TheRolyPoly said:

WHAT?!?! Not the best time to hear this, really.

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/11/sinclair-is-exploring-mergers-for-its-broadcast-business.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawMHTHdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHqdLT0itRnuK0D7fCfwmHTQ_W5GWdwpUooxAxZArzhojzbdmXQFj2gXgHhKr_aem_jc5iWAQVRu0WMxp-8PHuGA

In before they sell everything to Gray or private equity. 

[Rusty Muck 4688]

2 hours ago, TheRolyPoly said:

WHAT?!?! Not the best time to hear this, really.

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/11/sinclair-is-exploring-mergers-for-its-broadcast-business.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawMHTHdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHqdLT0itRnuK0D7fCfwmHTQ_W5GWdwpUooxAxZArzhojzbdmXQFj2gXgHhKr_aem_jc5iWAQVRu0WMxp-8PHuGA

If I'm David Smith, I'm on the phone with Apollo Global Management to do a merger of equals with Cox Media. It's literally there for the taking.

Edited August 12, 2025 by Rusty Muck

[ColtFromGulfcoast 869]

42 minutes ago, Rusty Muck said:

If I'm David Smith, I'm on the phone with Apollo Global Management to do a merger of equals with Cox Media. It's literally there for the taking.

Bonus points if Cox is the survivor or at least has more influence. 

Edited August 12, 2025 by ColtFromGulfcoast

[GoldenShine_10 263]

That's from all the mistakes they made a few years ago, with their behavior combined with the cable deals as desperation to get "something".

[GoldenShine_10 263]

5 hours ago, ColtFromGulfcoast said:

In before they sell everything to Gray or private equity. 

 

I don't think Gray can afford everything right now (or anyone else, for that matter). Plus I doubt Sinclair wants to let go of their influence, especially right now.

Edited August 12, 2025 by GoldenShine_10

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

Here's Sinclair's press release 

https://sbgi.net/sinclair-launches-comprehensive-strategic-review-for-broadcast-business/

 

Reading this, it almost sounds like they want to be a buyer, whereas the CNBC article spins it as them wanting to cash out. 

 

I guess Sinclair will see it their way, and everyone else will see it for what it's worth.

Edited August 12, 2025 by tyrannical bastard

[Rusty Muck 4688]

4 hours ago, ColtFromGulfcoast said:

Bonus points if Cox is the survivor or at least has more influence. 

Cox could be the "surviving entity", but David Smith and Chris Ripley would be running the show.

[Rusty Muck 4688]

26 minutes ago, tyrannical bastard said:

Here's Sinclair's press release 

https://sbgi.net/sinclair-launches-comprehensive-strategic-review-for-broadcast-business/

 

Reading this, it almost sounds like they want to be a buyer, whereas the CNBC article spins it as them wanting to cash out. 

 

I guess Sinclair will see it their way, and everyone else will see it for what it's worth.

They assuredly want to be a buyer, but probably don't have many options available. Apollo-Cox is the easiest one of larger scale and gives them some needed capital if it is structured in a way where Apollo can finance.

 

Sinclair knows its window of opportunity is closing, and fast. They need to buy something now or will wind up being ripe for a takeover.

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

8 hours ago, Rusty Muck said:

Cox could be the "surviving entity", but David Smith and Chris Ripley would be running the show.

Sounds like it could be a Hearst in reverse....

 

Cox has been one of the better companies until it was gutted by private equity.  Hearst's origins go back to William Randolph Hearst and his "yellow journalism" and today it's one one the more respected groups out there putting out good journalism.

[l_miro 245]

last year when Sinclair announced they might sell up to 30% of their stations on the earnings call they said they have no sacred cows, any station will be sold if it makes sense. Not unthinkable that they could be willing to cash out in some way if they feel the getting is suddenly good

 

A story from today (TVnewscheck I think) quoted money managers who said high networth clients and funds are feeling lukewarm on broadcast television. It doesn't help so many TV execs keep saying they're managing a declining asset

Edited August 12, 2025 by l_miro

[NowBergen 924]

44 minutes ago, l_miro said:

last year when Sinclair announced they're might sell up to 30% of their stations on the earnings call they said they have no sacred cows, any station will be sold if it makes sense. Not unthinkable that they could be willing to cash out in some way if they feel the getting is suddenly good

 

A story from today (TVnewscheck I think) quoted money managers who said high networth clients and funds are feeling lukewarm on broadcast television. It doesn't help so many TV execs keep saying they're managing a declining asset

They clearly were unsuccessful with that plan, which puts a lot of doubt on the entire station group.  The reduced valuation of their stations is partly their own doing.

[SDHIll1980 150]

Sinclair is off-loading the NewsOn app to Zeam...

 

https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/zeam-acquires-newson-local-tv-streaming-sinclair-1236487505/

https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/zeam-acquires-newson-from-sinclair/

[broadcastfan9751 150]

In other news, Sinclair is buying more of their "sidecar" stations, buying WXBU and WWMB from Armstrong Williams, WUTB from Deerfield and KMTR from Roberts Media.

[Megatron81 343]

Sinclair buys COX there only buy they can make in my opinion otherwise they'll be sold by someone else in my opinion. I wouldn't be surprised if they have to sell the diginets as well.

Edited August 18, 2025 by Megatron81

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

7 hours ago, Megatron81 said:

Sinclair buys COX there only buy they can make in my opinion otherwise they'll be sold by someone else in my opinion. I wouldn't be surprised if they have to sell the diginets as well.

Sinclair's diginets are crap.  If anything, the "real estate" will be sold and the buyer will totally reprogram them to something useful.

Edited August 19, 2025 by tyrannical bastard

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

Another Deerfield purchase, this time, Sinclair wants to buy Rochester's WHAM...

 

https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/sinclair-buying-wham-rochester-from-deerfield-media/