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NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies) | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2025
Segment data |
Nature of Operations | Nature of Operations Sinclair, Inc. (“Sinclair”) is a diversified media company with national reach and a strong focus on providing high-quality content on our local television stations and digital platforms. The content, distributed through our broadcast platform and third-party platforms, consists of programming provided by third-party networks and syndicators, local news, other original programming produced by us and our owned networks and professional sports. Additionally, we own digital media companies that are complementary to our extensive portfolio of television station related digital properties and we have interests in, own, manage, and/or operate technical and software services companies, research and development companies for the advancement of broadcast technology, and other media and non-media related businesses and assets, including real estate, venture capital, private equity, and direct investments.
Principles of Consolidation and Interim Financial Statements | Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, and VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interests represent a minority owner’s proportionate share of the equity in certain of our consolidated entities. All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in consolidation. We consolidate VIEs when we are the primary beneficiary. We are the primary beneficiary of a VIE when we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE. See Note 7. Variable Interest Entities for more information on our VIEs. Investments in entities over which we have significant influence but not control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Income from equity method investments represents our proportionate share of net income generated by equity method investees. Interim Financial Statements The consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, such financial statements have been presented on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income, consolidated statements of equity and noncontrolling interests, and consolidated statements of cash flows for these periods as adjusted for the adoption of recent accounting pronouncements. As permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures normally included with audited consolidated financial statements and, accordingly, should be read together with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC. The consolidated statements of operations presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are not necessarily representative of operations for an entire year.
Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses in the consolidated financial statements and in the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements | Recent Accounting Pronouncements In December 2023, the FASB issued guidance to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures, requiring annual disclosure of consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation table; additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold (if the effect of those reconciling items is equal to or greater than 5 percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income or loss by the applicable statutory income tax rate); income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction; and income or loss before income tax disaggregated between foreign and domestic. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance but do not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In November 2024, the FASB issued guidance requiring disclosure of disaggregated information about certain income statement expense line items. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.
Broadcast Television Programming | Broadcast Television Programming We have agreements with programming syndicators for the rights to television programming over contract periods, which generally run from one to three years. Contract payments are made in installments over terms that are generally equal to or shorter than the contract period. Pursuant to accounting guidance for the broadcasting industry, an asset and a liability for the rights acquired and obligations incurred under a license agreement are reported on the balance sheet when the cost of each program is known or reasonably determinable, the program material has been accepted by the licensee in accordance with the conditions of the license agreement, and the program is available for its first showing or telecast. The portion of program contracts which becomes payable within one year is reflected as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The rights to this programming are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value. Program costs are amortized on a straight-line basis except for contracts greater than three years which are amortized utilizing an accelerated method. Program costs estimated by management to be amortized in the succeeding year are classified as current assets. Payments of program contract liabilities are typically made on a scheduled basis and are not affected by amortization or fair value adjustments. We assess our program costs on a quarterly basis to ensure the costs are recorded at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value.
Hedge Accounting | We have determined that the interest rate swap meets the criteria for hedge accounting. The initial value of the interest rate swap and any changes in value in subsequent periods are included in accumulated other comprehensive income, with a corresponding change recorded in assets or liabilities depending on the position of the swap. Gains or losses on the monthly settlement of the interest rate swap are reflected in interest expense in our consolidated statements of operations. Cash flows related to the interest rate swap are classified as operating activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.
Revenue Recognition | Distribution Revenue. We generate distribution revenue through fees received from these Distributors for the right to distribute our stations and other properties. Distribution arrangements are generally governed by multi-year contracts and the underlying fees are based upon a contractual monthly rate per subscriber. These arrangements represent licenses of intellectual property; revenue is recognized as the signal or network programming is provided to our customers (as usage occurs) which corresponds with the satisfaction of our performance obligation. Revenue is calculated based upon the contractual rate multiplied by an estimated number of subscribers. Our customers will remit payments based upon actual subscribers a short time after the conclusion of a month, which generally does not exceed 120 days. Historical adjustments to subscriber estimates have not been material. Core Advertising Revenue. We generate core advertising revenue primarily from the sale of non-political advertising spots/impressions within our broadcast television and digital platforms. Political Advertising Revenue. We generate political advertising revenue primarily from the sale of political advertising spots/impressions within our broadcast television and digital platforms. In accordance with ASC 606, we do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) distribution arrangements which are accounted for as a sales/usage-based royalty. Deferred Revenue. We record deferred revenue when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance, including amounts which are refundable. We classify deferred revenue as either current in other current liabilities or long-term in other long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets based on the timing of when we expect to satisfy our performance obligations.
Income Taxes | Income Taxes Our income tax provision for all periods consists of federal and state income taxes. The tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 is based on the estimated effective tax rate applicable for the full year after taking into account discrete tax items and the effects of the noncontrolling interests. We provide a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if we determine that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating our ability to realize net deferred tax assets, we consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, including our past operating results, tax planning strategies, current and cumulative losses, and forecasts of future taxable income. In considering these sources of taxable income, we must make certain judgments that are based on the plans and estimates used to manage our underlying businesses on a long-term basis. A valuation allowance has been provided for deferred tax assets related to a substantial amount of our available state net operating loss carryforwards based on past operating results, expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary basis differences, alternative tax strategies, and projected future taxable income. On July 4, 2025, the One Big, Beautiful Bill (“OBBB”) was enacted. The OBBB is a comprehensive tax reform package that includes several provisions which have, and will continue to, reduce our taxes paid in 2025. We do not expect the legislation to have a material impact on our financial statements. Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2025 was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to accrual of interest income attributable to prior years’ pending income tax refund claims. Our effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 approximated the statutory rate. Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to non-deductible expenses. Our effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was less than the statutory rate primarily due to an immaterial $7.5 million correcting adjustment related to the accrual of interest income attributable to prior years’ pending income tax refund claims. We do not believe that our liability for unrecognized tax benefits would be materially impacted, in the next twelve months, as a result of the expected statute of limitations expirations, the application of limits under available state administrative practice exceptions, and the resolution of examination issues and settlements with federal and certain state tax authorities.
Reclassifications | Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation.
Variable Interest Entities | Certain of our stations provide services to other station owners within the same respective market through agreements, such as LMAs, where we provide programming, sales, operational, and administrative services, and JSAs and SSAs, where we provide non-programming, sales, operational, and administrative services. In certain cases, we have also entered into purchase agreements or options to purchase the license related assets of the licensee. We typically own the majority of the non-license assets of the stations, and in some cases where the licensee acquired the license assets concurrent with our acquisition of the non-license assets of the station, we have provided guarantees to the bank for the licensee’s acquisition financing. The terms of the agreements vary but generally have initial terms of over five years with several optional renewal terms. Based on the terms of the agreements and the significance of our investment in the stations, we are the primary beneficiary when, subject to the ultimate control of the licensees, we have the power to direct the activities which significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE through the services we provide and we absorb losses and returns that would be considered significant to the VIEs. The fees paid between us and the licensees pursuant to these arrangements are eliminated in consolidation. Other VIEs We have several investments in entities which are considered VIEs. However, we do not participate in the management of these entities, including the day-to-day operating decisions or other decisions which would allow us to control the entity, and therefore, we are not considered the primary beneficiary of these VIEs.
Fair Value Measurements | Accounting guidance provides for valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). A fair value hierarchy using three broad levels prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The following is a brief description of those three levels: •Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. •Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. •Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, LLC |
Segment data |
Nature of Operations | Nature of Operations Sinclair Broadcast Group, LLC (“SBG”), a Maryland limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinclair, Inc. (“Sinclair”), is a diversified media company with national reach and a strong focus on providing high-quality content on SBG’s local television stations and digital platforms. The content, distributed through SBG’s broadcast platform and third-party platforms, consists of programming provided by third-party networks and syndicators, local news and other original programming produced by SBG and SBG owned networks.
Principles of Consolidation and Interim Financial Statements | Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include SBG’s accounts and those of SBG’s wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, and VIEs for which SBG is the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interests represent a minority owner’s proportionate share of the equity in certain of SBG’s consolidated entities. All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in consolidation. SBG consolidates VIEs when SBG is the primary beneficiary. SBG is the primary beneficiary of a VIE when SBG has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE. See Note 6. Variable Interest Entities for more information on SBG’s VIEs. Investments in entities over which SBG has significant influence but not control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Income from equity method investments represents SBG’s proportionate share of net income generated by equity method investees. Interim Financial Statements SBG’s consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, such financial statements have been presented on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income, consolidated statements of member’s deficit and noncontrolling interests, and consolidated statements of cash flows for these periods as adjusted for the adoption of recent accounting pronouncements. As permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), SBG’s consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures normally included with audited consolidated financial statements and, accordingly, should be read together with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Sinclair’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC. SBG’s consolidated statements of operations presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are not necessarily representative of operations for an entire year.
Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses in the consolidated financial statements and in the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements | Recent Accounting Pronouncements In December 2023, the FASB issued guidance to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures, requiring annual disclosure of consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation table; additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold (if the effect of those reconciling items is equal to or greater than 5 percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income or loss by the applicable statutory income tax rate); income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction; and income or loss before income tax disaggregated between foreign and domestic. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. SBG is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance but does not expect it to have a material impact on SBG’s consolidated financial statements. In November 2024, the FASB issued guidance requiring disclosure of disaggregated information about certain income statement expense line items. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. SBG is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.
Broadcast Television Programming | Broadcast Television Programming SBG has agreements with programming syndicators for the rights to television programming over contract periods, which generally run from one to three years. Contract payments are made in installments over terms that are generally equal to or shorter than the contract period. Pursuant to accounting guidance for the broadcasting industry, an asset and a liability for the rights acquired and obligations incurred under a license agreement are reported on the balance sheet when the cost of each program is known or reasonably determinable, the program material has been accepted by the licensee in accordance with the conditions of the license agreement, and the program is available for its first showing or telecast. The portion of program contracts which becomes payable within one year is reflected as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The rights to this programming are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value. Program costs are amortized on a straight-line basis except for contracts greater than three years which are amortized utilizing an accelerated method. Program costs estimated by management to be amortized in the succeeding year are classified as current assets. Payments of program contract liabilities are typically made on a scheduled basis and are not affected by amortization or fair value adjustments. SBG assesses the program costs on a quarterly basis to ensure the costs are recorded at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value.
Hedge Accounting | SBG has determined that the interest rate swap meets the criteria for hedge accounting. The initial value of the interest rate swap and any changes in value in subsequent periods are included in accumulated other comprehensive income, with a corresponding change recorded in assets or liabilities depending on the position of the swap. Gains or losses on the monthly settlement of the interest rate swap are reflected in interest expense in SBG’s consolidated statements of operations. Cash flows related to the interest rate swap are classified as operating activities in SBG’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
Revenue Recognition | Distribution Revenue. SBG generates distribution revenue through fees received from multi-channel video programming distributors (“MVPD”) and virtual MVPDs (“vMVPD,” and together with MVPDs, “Distributors”) for the right to distribute SBG’s stations and other properties. Distribution arrangements are generally governed by multi-year contracts and the underlying fees are based upon a contractual monthly rate per subscriber. These arrangements represent licenses of intellectual property; revenue is recognized as the signal or network programming is provided to SBG’s customers (as usage occurs) which corresponds with the satisfaction of SBG’s performance obligation. Revenue is calculated based upon the contractual rate multiplied by an estimated number of subscribers. SBG’s customers will remit payments based upon actual subscribers a short time after the conclusion of a month, which generally does not exceed 120 days. Historical adjustments to subscriber estimates have not been material. Core Advertising Revenue. SBG generates core advertising revenue primarily from the sale of non-political advertising spots/impressions within broadcast television and digital platforms. Political Advertising Revenue. SBG generates political advertising revenue primarily from the sale of political advertising spots/impressions within broadcast television and digital platforms. In accordance with ASC 606, SBG does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) distribution arrangements which are accounted for as a sales/usage-based royalty. Deferred Revenue. SBG records deferred revenue when cash payments are received or due in advance of performance, including amounts which are refundable. SBG classifies deferred revenue as either current in other current liabilities or long-term in other long-term liabilities in SBG’s consolidated balance sheets based on the timing of when SBG expects to satisfy performance obligations.
Income Taxes | Income Taxes SBG’s income tax provision for all periods consists of federal and state income taxes. The tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 is based on the estimated effective tax rate applicable for the full year after taking into account discrete tax items and the effects of the noncontrolling interests. SBG provides a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is determined that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating SBG’s ability to realize net deferred tax assets, SBG considers all available evidence, both positive and negative, including past operating results, tax planning strategies, current and cumulative losses, and forecasts of future taxable income. In considering these sources of taxable income, SBG must make certain judgments that are based on the plans and estimates used to manage SBG’s underlying businesses on a long-term basis. A valuation allowance has been provided for deferred tax assets related to a substantial amount of SBG’s available state net operating loss carryforwards based on past operating results, expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary basis differences, alternative tax strategies, and projected future taxable income. On July 4, 2025, the One Big, Beautiful Bill (“OBBB”) was enacted. The OBBB is a comprehensive tax reform package that includes several provisions which have, and will continue to, reduce SBG’s taxes paid in 2025. SBG does not expect the legislation to have a material impact on its financial statements. SBG’s effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2025 was less than the statutory rate primarily due to non-deductible expenses. SBG’s effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was less than the statutory rate primarily due to non-deductible expenses. SBG's effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to non-deductible expenses. SBG's effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was less than the statutory rate primarily due to an immaterial $7.5 million correcting adjustment related to the accrual of interest income attributable to prior years’ pending income tax refund claims. SBG does not believe that its liability for unrecognized tax benefits would be materially impacted, in the next twelve months, as a result of the expected statute of limitations expirations, the application of limits under available state administrative practice exceptions, and the resolution of examination issues and settlements with federal and certain state tax authorities.
Reclassifications | Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation.
Variable Interest Entities | Certain of SBG’s stations provide services to other station owners within the same respective market through agreements, such as LMAs, where SBG provides programming, sales, operational, and administrative services, and JSAs and SSAs, where SBG provides non-programming, sales, operational, and administrative services. In certain cases, SBG has also entered into purchase agreements or options to purchase the license related assets of the licensee. SBG typically owns the majority of the non-license assets of the stations, and in some cases where the licensee acquired the license assets concurrent with SBG’s acquisition of the non-license assets of the station, SBG has provided guarantees to the bank for the licensee’s acquisition financing. The terms of the agreements vary but generally have initial terms of over five years with several optional renewal terms. Based on the terms of the agreements and the significance of SBG’s investment in the stations, SBG is the primary beneficiary when, subject to the ultimate control of the licensees, SBG has the power to direct the activities which significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE through the services SBG provides and SBG absorbs losses and returns that would be considered significant to the VIEs. The fees paid between SBG and the licensees pursuant to these arrangements are eliminated in consolidation.
Fair Value Measurements | Accounting guidance provides for valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). A fair value hierarchy using three broad levels prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The following is a brief description of those three levels: •Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. •Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. •Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

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