Sinclair Broadcast Group is selling off nearly two dozen television stations to comply with federal ownership rules — but that may not stop the company from reaching millions of viewers in those cities with its conservative programming.
Four of the sales include provisions that would leave the giant broadcaster with a role in the stations’ programming, finances and operations, even when it no longer owns them. Those strings could allow Sinclair to ensure that its content supporting President Donald Trump and other Republican causes continues to make it onto the air — despite regulations meant to ensure that no one company wields outsize influence in local media markets.
Sinclair, the nation’s largest TV broadcaster, has made these kinds of arrangements before as it has sold off some of its outlets. But the conditions attached to the station sales are attracting new scrutiny as the company pursues a $3.9 billion merger with Tribune Media that would expand Sinclair’s access to households across the country.
