SBGI 10-Q Quarterly Report Sept. 30, 2011 | Alphaminr
SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC

SBGI 10-Q Quarter ended Sept. 30, 2011

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC
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10-Q 1 a11-25596_110q.htm 10-Q

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                       .

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 000-26076

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


Maryland

52-1494660

(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

10706 Beaver Dam Road

Hunt Valley, Maryland 21030

(Address of principal executive office, zip code)

(410) 568-1500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such file). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one):

Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer x

Non-accelerated filer o

Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

Indicate the number of share outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.

Title of each class

Number of shares outstanding as of
October 28, 2011

Class A Common Stock

52,021,859

Class B Common Stock

28,933,859



Table of Contents

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

3

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

4

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (DEFICIT)

5

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

5

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

6

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

23

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

31

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

31

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

33

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

33

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

33

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

33

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

33

ITEM 4.

REMOVED AND RESERVED

33

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

33

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

34

SIGNATURE

35

EXHIBIT INDEX

36

2



Table of Contents

PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited)

As of September 30,
2011

As of December 31,
2010

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

61,367

$

21,974

Current portion of restricted cash

5,058

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,918 and $3,242, respectively

114,771

121,283

Affiliate receivable

79

88

Current portion of program contract costs

48,458

37,000

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

8,244

6,064

Deferred barter costs

3,068

3,156

Deferred tax assets

9,658

9,658

Total current assets

245,645

204,281

PROGRAM CONTRACT COSTS, less current portion

19,063

8,729

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

276,670

272,231

RESTRICTED CASH, less current portion

20,224

223

GOODWILL

660,117

660,017

BROADCAST LICENSES

47,002

47,375

DEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net

178,030

184,652

OTHER ASSETS

117,099

108,416

Total assets

$

1,563,850

$

1,485,924

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT)

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Accounts payable

$

2,970

$

5,952

Accrued liabilities

88,318

68,071

Income taxes payable

4,985

298

Current portion of notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing

26,559

19,556

Current portion of notes and capital leases payable to affiliates

2,926

3,196

Current portion of program contracts payable

71,394

68,301

Deferred barter revenues

2,747

2,522

Total current liabilities

199,899

167,896

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

Notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing, less current portion

1,156,757

1,169,740

Notes payable and capital leases to affiliates, less current portion

17,330

19,573

Program contracts payable, less current portion

33,670

29,593

Deferred tax liabilities

235,413

210,335

Other long-term liabilities

46,139

45,869

Total liabilities

1,689,208

1,643,006

EQUITY (DEFICIT):

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT):

Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 52,005,622 and 50,284,052 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

520

503

Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value, 140,000,000 shares authorized, 28,933,859 and 30,083,819 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, convertible into Class A Common Stock

289

301

Additional paid-in capital

617,584

609,640

Accumulated deficit

(747,793

)

(771,953

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(3,792

)

(3,914

)

Total Sinclair Broadcast Group shareholders’ deficit

(133,192

)

(165,423

)

Noncontrolling interests

7,834

8,341

Total deficit

(125,358

)

(157,082

)

Total liabilities and equity (deficit)

$

1,563,850

$

1,485,924

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

3



Table of Contents

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2011

2010

2011

2010

REVENUES:

Station broadcast revenues, net of agency commissions

$

151,701

$

158,809

$

466,819

$

465,440

Revenues realized from station barter arrangements

17,512

17,812

53,232

50,573

Other operating divisions revenues

11,655

9,831

32,073

25,618

Total revenues

180,868

186,452

552,124

541,631

OPERATING EXPENSES:

Station production expenses

41,493

38,619

126,755

113,182

Station selling, general and administrative expenses

31,341

32,230

92,095

93,426

Expenses recognized from station barter arrangements

15,815

15,716

48,073

44,695

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

12,833

15,945

38,117

47,162

Other operating divisions expenses

9,369

7,902

26,102

22,259

Depreciation of property and equipment

7,602

9,022

23,523

27,744

Corporate general and administrative expenses

5,789

6,236

21,526

20,063

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets

4,393

4,687

14,201

14,087

Total operating expenses

128,635

130,357

390,392

382,618

Operating income

52,233

56,095

161,732

159,013

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

Interest expense and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs

(24,463

)

(31,349

)

(78,564

)

(88,700

)

Loss from extinguishment of debt

(117

)

(3,939

)

(4,519

)

(4,377

)

Income (loss) from equity and cost method investments

2,080

(1,997

)

2,906

(2,478

)

Gain on insurance settlement

1,723

Other income, net

583

557

1,658

1,767

Total other expense

(21,917

)

(36,728

)

(76,796

)

(93,788

)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

30,316

19,367

84,936

65,225

INCOME TAX PROVISION

(10,875

)

(5,154

)

(31,701

)

(22,932

)

Income from continuing operations

19,441

14,213

53,235

42,293

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:

Loss from discontinued operations, includes income tax provision of $110, $68, $300 and $202, respectively

(110

)

(68

)

(300

)

(202

)

NET INCOME

19,331

14,145

52,935

42,091

Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests

(93

)

131

161

978

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP

$

19,238

$

14,276

$

53,096

$

43,069

Dividends declared per share

$

0.12

$

$

0.36

$

BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP:

Earnings per share from continuing operations

$

0.24

$

0.18

$

0.66

$

0.54

Earnings per share

$

0.24

$

0.18

$

0.66

$

0.54

Weighted average common shares outstanding

80,940

80,344

80,812

80,204

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding

81,195

80,627

81,068

80,480

AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

$

19,348

$

14,344

$

53,396

$

43,271

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

(110

)

(68

)

(300

)

(202

)

Net income

$

19,238

$

14,276

$

53,096

$

43,069

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

4



Table of Contents

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands) (Unaudited)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2011

2010

2011

2010

Net income

$

19,331

$

14,145

$

52,935

$

42,091

Amortization of net periodic pension benefit costs, net of taxes

41

72

122

217

Comprehensive income

19,372

14,217

53,057

42,308

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests

(93

)

131

161

978

Comprehensive income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group

$

19,279

$

14,348

$

53,218

$

43,286

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (DEFICIT)

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

(In thousands) (Unaudited)

Sinclair Broadcast Group Shareholders

Class A
Common
Stock

Class B
Common
Stock

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

Accumulated
Deficit

Other
Comprehensive
Loss

Noncontrolling
Interests

Total Equity
(Deficit)

BALANCE, December 31, 2010

$

503

$

301

$

609,640

$

(771,953

)

$

(3,914

)

$

8,341

$

(157,082

)

Dividends declared on Class A and Class B Common Stock

(28,936

)

(28,936

)

Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans

5

5,465

5,470

Class B Common Stock converted into Class A Common Stock

12

(12

)

Class A Common Stock sold by variable interest entity

1,808

1,808

Tax benefit on share based awards

671

671

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

(346

)

(346

)

Amortization of net periodic pension benefit costs, net of taxes

122

122

Net income (loss)

53,096

(161

)

52,935

BALANCE, September 30, 2011

$

520

$

289

$

617,584

$

(747,793

)

$

(3,792

)

$

7,834

$

(125,358

)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

5



Table of Contents

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands) (Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2011

2010

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net income

$

52,935

$

42,091

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:

Amortization of deferred financing cost

4,423

4,068

Stock based compensation

4,226

3,678

Depreciation of property and equipment

23,725

27,938

Recognition of deferred revenue

(14,662

)

(18,039

)

Amortization of definite-lived intangible and other assets

14,201

14,087

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

38,117

47,162

Original debt issuance discount paid on extinguishment of debt

(13,662

)

(4,148

)

Deferred tax provision

25,299

21,749

Change in assets and liabilities:

Decrease in accounts receivable, net

3,454

757

Increase in income taxes receivable

(499

)

Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets

(1,429

)

(731

)

(Increase) decrease in other assets

(353

)

4,230

Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

32,640

25,918

Increase in income taxes payable

5,359

Increase (decrease) in other long-term liabilities

2,277

(57

)

Payments on program contracts payable

(52,739

)

(69,080

)

Other, net

4,539

7,811

Net cash flows from operating activities

128,350

106,935

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Acquisition of property and equipment

(26,794

)

(9,798

)

Acquisition of intangibles

(242

)

Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts

(6,930

)

(7,656

)

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash

(14,943

)

59,539

Dividends and distributions from equity and cost method investees

2,632

894

Investments in equity and cost method investees

(9,414

)

(10,509

)

Purchase of investments

(4,820

)

Proceeds from insurance settlement

1,736

Proceeds from the sale of assets

66

Proceeds from sale of equity investment

1,166

Loans to affiliates

(143

)

(102

)

Proceeds from loans to affiliates

152

115

Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities

(57,534

)

32,483

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

136,349

33,056

Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

(135,150

)

(150,423

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options, including excess tax benefits of share based payments of $0.7 million and $0 million, respectively

1,730

Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock

(28,936

)

Payments for deferred financing costs

(4,365

)

(1,304

)

Proceeds from Class A Common Stock sold by variable interest entity

1,808

Noncontrolling interests distributions

(346

)

(175

)

Repayments of notes and capital leases to affiliates

(2,513

)

(2,299

)

Net cash flows used in financing activities

(31,423

)

(121,145

)

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

39,393

18,273

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

21,974

23,224

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

$

61,367

$

41,497

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

6



Table of Contents

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities (VIEs) for which we are the primary beneficiary.  Noncontrolling interest represents 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.

Interim Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 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 income and consolidated statements of cash flows for these periods as adjusted for the adoption of recent accounting pronouncements discussed below, as necessary.

As permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (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, 2010 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.

Variable Interest Entities

In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE for financial reporting purposes, we consider whether we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and whether we have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE.  We consolidate VIEs when we are the primary beneficiary.  The assets of each of our consolidated VIEs can only be used to settle the obligations of such VIE.  All the liabilities of, including debt held by, our VIEs are non-recourse to us.  However, our senior secured credit facility (Bank Credit Agreement) contains cross-default provisions with the VIE debt of Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation (Cunningham).  See Note 5, Related Person Transactions for more information.

We have entered into Local Marketing Agreements (LMAs) to provide programming, sales and managerial services for television stations of Cunningham, the license owner of seven television stations as of September 30, 2011.  We pay LMA fees to Cunningham and also reimburse all operating expenses.  We also have an acquisition agreement in which we have a purchase option to buy the license assets of the television stations which includes the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license and certain other assets used to operate the station (License Assets).  Our applications to acquire the FCC licenses are pending approval.  We own the majority of the non-license assets of the Cunningham stations and our Bank Credit Agreement contains certain cross-default provisions with Cunningham whereby a default by Cunningham caused by insolvency would cause an event of default under our Bank Credit Agreement.  We have determined that the Cunningham stations are VIEs and that based on the terms of the agreements, the significance of our investment in the stations and the cross-default provisions with our Bank Credit Agreement, we are the primary beneficiary of the variable interests because we have the power to direct the activities which significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE through the sales and managerial services we provide and we absorb losses and returns that would be considered significant to Cunningham.  See Note 5, Related Person Transactions for more information on our arrangements with Cunningham.  Included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are net revenues of $20.9 million and $22.5 million, respectively, that relate to LMAs with Cunningham.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, Cunningham’s stations provided us with approximately $66.8 million and $67.8 million, respectively, of total revenue.

We have outsourcing agreements with other license owners, under which we provide certain non-programming related sales, operational and administrative services.  We pay a fee to the license owner based on a percentage of broadcast cash flow and we reimburse all operating expenses.  We also have a purchase option to buy the License Assets.  For the same reasons noted above regarding our LMAs, we have determined that the outsourced license station assets are VIEs and we are the primary beneficiary.

7



Table of Contents

As of the dates indicated, the carrying amounts and classification of the assets and liabilities of the VIEs mentioned above which have been included in our consolidated balance sheets were as follows (in thousands):

As of September 30,
2011

As of December 31,
2010

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

2,730

$

5,319

Income taxes receivable

6

Current portion of program contract costs

456

480

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

132

105

Total current asset

3,324

5,904

PROGRAM CONTRACT COSTS, less current portion

338

491

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

6,885

7,461

GOODWILL

6,357

6,357

BROADCAST LICENSES

4,208

4,183

DEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net

6,685

6,959

OTHER ASSETS

5,691

914

Total assets

$

33,488

$

32,269

LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Accounts payable

$

37

$

37

Accrued liabilities

268

773

Income taxes payable

44

Current portion of notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing

11,069

11,056

Current portion of program contracts payable

368

649

Total current liabilities

11,742

12,559

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

Notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing, less current portion

5,181

13,484

Program contracts payable, less current portion

215

190

Total liabilities

$

17,138

$

26,233

The amounts above represent the consolidated assets and liabilities of the VIEs related to our LMA and outsourcing agreements and have been aggregated as they all relate to our broadcast business.  Excluded from the amounts above are quarterly payments made to Cunningham under the LMA which are treated as a prepayment of the purchase price of the stations and capital leases between us and Cunningham which are eliminated in consolidation.  The total payments made under the LMA as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 which are excluded from liabilities above were $19.9 million and $11.7 million, respectively.  The total capital lease assets excluded from above were $7.7 million and $8.1 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  The total capital lease liabilities excluded from above were $11.8 million and $11.9 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  The risk and reward characteristics of the VIEs are similar.

We have investments in other real estate ventures and investment companies 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.  We account for these entities using the equity or cost method of accounting.

The carrying amounts of our investments in these VIEs for which we are not the primary beneficiary as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows (in thousands):

As of September 30, 2011

As of December 31, 2010

Carrying
amount

Maximum
exposure

Carrying
amount

Maximum
exposure

Investments in real estate ventures

$

8,241

$

8,241

$

7,769

$

7,769

Investments in investment companies

25,815

25,815

24,872

24,872

Total

$

34,056

$

34,056

$

32,641

$

32,641

8



Table of Contents

The carrying amounts above are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.  The income and loss related to these investments are recorded in income from equity and cost method investments in the consolidated statement of operations.  We recorded income of $1.3 million and $0.6 million in the quarters ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  We recorded income of $2.2 million and $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Our maximum exposure is equal to the carrying value of our investments.  As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, our unfunded commitments related to private equity investment funds totaled $12.9 million and $14.9 million, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued amended guidance with respect to goodwill impairment.  The amended guidance requires that step two of the goodwill impairment test be performed if the carrying amount of a reporting unit is zero or negative and it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists based on any adverse qualitative factors including an evaluation of the triggering circumstances noted in the guidance.  The change is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2010.  This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued new guidance for fair value measurements.  The purpose of the new guidance is to have a consistent definition of fair value between U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).  Many of the amendments to GAAP are not expected to have a significant impact on practice; however, the new guidance does require new and enhanced disclosure about fair value measurements.  The amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and should be applied prospectively.  We do not believe that this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements but may require changes to our fair value disclosures.

In June 2011, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income in the financial statements.  The new guidance does not make any changes to the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income but rather allows an entity to choose whether to present items of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements.  Each component of net income and other comprehensive income along with their respective totals would need to be displayed under either alternative.  The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011.  We do not believe that this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued the final Accounting Standards Update for goodwill impairment testing.  The standard allows an entity to first consider qualitative factors when deciding whether it is necessary to perform the current two-step goodwill impairment test.  An entity would need to perform step-one if it determines qualitatively that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.  The changes are effective prospectively for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011.  We plan to adopt this new guidance in the fourth quarter of 2011 when completing our annual impairment analysis.  This guidance will impact how we perform our annual goodwill impairment testing and may change our related disclosures; however, we do not believe it will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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, revenues and expenses in the consolidated financial statements and in the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Restricted Cash

In October 2009, we established a cash collateral account with the proceeds from the sale of 9.25% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2017 (the 9.25% Notes).  The cash collateral account restricted the use of cash therein to repurchase the 3.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (the 3.0% Notes) and our 4.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2018 (the 4.875% Notes) upon, or prior to, the expiration of the put periods for such notes in May 2010 and January 2011, respectively.  Upon expiration of the put period for the 4.875% Notes in January 2011, the unused cash was used to reduce our overall debt balance pursuant to our Bank Credit Agreement.  During 2010, we used $53.6 million of restricted cash to repurchase a portion of the outstanding 3.0% and 4.875% Notes.  As of December 31, 2010, all of the restricted cash classified as current related to the 4.875% Notes’ January 2011 put option.

In September 2011, we entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the assets of Four Points Media Group LLC (Four Points) for $200.0 million.  Four Points owns and operates seven stations in four markets.  We expect the transaction to close in

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first quarter 2012 subject to the approval of the FCC.  Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement we were required to hold 10% of the purchase price in an escrow account.  As of September 30, 2011, $20.0 million in restricted cash classified as noncurrent relates to the acquisition of Four Points.

Additionally, under the terms of certain lease agreements, as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we were required to hold $0.2 million of restricted cash related to the removal of analog equipment from some of our leased towers.

Revenue Recognition

In first quarter 2011, we adopted the Emerging Issue Task Force’s amended guidance on accounting for revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables.  The amended guidance clarifies that each deliverable within our multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements is accounted for as a separate unit of accounting if the delivered item or items have value to the client on a standalone basis and for an arrangement that includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item(s), delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in the control of the company.  The guidance requires us to determine an estimated selling price (ESP) for all deliverables within an arrangement if vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) or third-party evidence does not exist. Application of this guidance has not changed the allocation of the arrangement revenue to the elements in our multiple-deliverable arrangements.

We enter into multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements with multi-channel video programming distributors (MVPDs) that may include a combination of retransmission consent fees, advertising, and other marketing elements. We have determined that the retransmission consent fees and advertising elements have value on a standalone basis. The other marketing elements are not valued on a stand alone basis because they are immaterial to the overall arrangement.  We include the value of other marketing elements with the retransmission consent fee element.

Due to the complexities and uniqueness of each arrangement, we have determined that our ESP for the retransmission consent fee element is based upon the market, the MVPD, the network affiliation, the number of subscribers, the length of the contract and other factors. We recognize the revenue applicable to the retransmission consent element of the arrangement ratably over the life of the agreement which is representative of the delivery of our television broadcast signal.  Each arrangement’s life varies, typically ranging one to five years in length.

The advertising element of our multiple-deliverable arrangements is recognized in the period during which the time spots are aired.  The advertising revenue is valued using VSOE which is calculated using the average selling unit rate for the advertising spot in which the commercial aired.

Our arrangements generally do not include any performance, cancellation, or refund provisions.  Under certain agreements, the counterparty may terminate the agreement if particular actions occur such as the transmission failure of our broadcast signal for a certain period of time.

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, 2011 and 2010 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.

Our effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and the nine months ended September 30, 2010 approximated the statutory rate. Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was lower than the statutory rate primarily due to a $2.3 million benefit predominantly resulting from a change in estimate related to an increased deduction for the recovery of historical losses attributable to a disposition that took place in 2009.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation.

It is no longer our intent to divest a portion of Alarm Funding Associates, LLC (Alarm Funding) and therefore all of the operations and net assets of Alarm Funding have been classified as continuing operations in our consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2011.  We have reclassified the net assets previously reported as held for sale in our December 31, 2010 consolidated balance sheet and the operations of Alarm Funding are classified as continuing operations in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

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Subsequent events

In November 2011, we entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the broadcast assets of Freedom Communications (“Freedom”) for $385.0 million.  Freedom owns and operates eight stations in seven markets.  We expect the transaction to close late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2012 subject to Freedom’s shareholder approval which must be obtained by November 8, 2011, approval by the FCC, and customary antitrust clearance.  Following receipt of antitrust approval of the transaction, which is expected to occur within thirty days, and prior to closing of the acquisition, we will operate the stations pursuant to an LMA.

2. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

Litigation

We are party to lawsuits and claims from time to time in the ordinary course of business.  Actions currently pending are in various preliminary stages and no judgments or decisions have been rendered by hearing boards or courts in connection with such actions.  After reviewing developments to date with legal counsel, our management is of the opinion that the outcome of our pending and threatened matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income or consolidated statements of cash flows.

Various parties have filed petitions to deny or informal objections against our applications for the following stations’ license renewals:  KGAN, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; WTTO, Birmingham, Alabama; WBFF, Baltimore, Maryland; WVAH, Charleston, West Virginia; WTTE, Columbus, Ohio; WRGT, Dayton, Ohio;  WXLV-TV, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; WMYV-TV, Greensboro, North Carolina; WLFL-TV, Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina; WRDC-TV, Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina; WLOS-TV, Asheville, North Carolina; WMMP-TV, Charleston, South Carolina; WTAT-TV, Charleston, South Carolina; WMYA-TV, Anderson, South Carolina; WICS-TV Springfield, Illinois and WCGV-TV Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The FCC is in the process of considering the renewal applications and we believe the petitions have no merit.

3. NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING

Bank Credit Agreement

On January 15, 2011, the put right period for the 4.875% Notes, which mature on July 15, 2018, expired and no holders exercised their put rights.  Pursuant to our Bank Credit Agreement, the $5.1 million in restricted cash held to pay for the put of any 4.875% Notes was used towards reducing our debt balance in March 2011.  On January 15, 2011, the 4.875% Notes cash interest rate of 4.875% changed to 2.0% through maturity with the difference of 2.875% being accrued and then paid at maturity.  As of September 30, 2011, the face amount of the outstanding 4.875% Notes was $5.7 million.

On March 15, 2011, we entered into an amendment (the Amendment) of our Bank Credit Agreement.  The final terms of the Amendment are as follows:

· A new Term Loan A facility (Term Loan A) of $115.0 million.  The Term Loan A bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%.  The Term Loan A is repayable in quarterly installments, amortizing as follows:

· 1.875% per quarter commencing March 31, 2012 to December 31, 2012

· 2.50% per quarter commencing March 31, 2013 to December 31, 2013

· 3.125% per quarter commencing March 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015

· remaining unpaid principal due at maturity on March 15, 2016

· We paid down $45.0 million of the outstanding $270.0 million Term Loan B facility (Term Loan B).  Interest on the Term Loan B was reduced to LIBOR plus 3.00% with a 1.0% LIBOR floor.  Principal will continue to amortize at a rate of $825,000 per quarter through September 30, 2016 ending with a final payment of the remaining unpaid principal due at maturity on October 29, 2016.

· Other amended terms provide us with incremental term loan capacity of $300.0 million and more flexibility to use our cash balances and the revolving credit facility for restricted payments and television acquisitions, including in certain circumstances the ability to make up to $100.0 million in unrestricted annual cash payments including but not limited to dividends and other strategic investments.

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6.0% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2012

On April 15, 2011, we completed the redemption of all $70.0 million of the 6.0% Convertible Subordinated Debentures, due 2012 (the 6.0% Notes) at 100% of the face value of such notes plus accrued and unpaid interest.  The redemption of the 6.0% Notes was effected in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the 6.0% Notes and was funded from the net proceeds of our new Term Loan A.  As a result of this redemption, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $3.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.

8.375% Senior Notes due 2018

In September 2011, we repurchased, in the open market, $3.9 million principal amount of the 8.375% Senior Notes, due 2018 (the 8.375% Notes).  We recognized a loss on these extinguishments of $0.1 million.  As of September 30, 2011, the principal amount of the outstanding 8.375% Notes was $246.1 million.

4. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table reconciles income (numerator) and shares (denominator) used in our computations of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2011

2010

2011

2010

Income (Numerator)

Income from continuing operations

$

19,441

$

14,213

$

53,235

$

42,293

Income impact of assumed conversion of the 4.875% Notes, net of taxes

42

42

125

125

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests included in continuing operations

(93

)

131

161

978

Numerator for diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations

19,390

14,386

53,521

43,396

Loss from discontinued operations

(110

)

(68

)

(300

)

(202

)

Numerator for diluted earnings attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group

$

19,280

$

14,318

$

53,221

$

43,194

Shares (Denominator)

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

80,940

80,344

80,812

80,204

Dilutive effect of stock-settled appreciation rights and stock options

1

28

2

21

Dilutive effect of 4.875% Notes

254

255

254

255

Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding

81,195

80,627

81,068

80,480

Potentially dilutive securities representing 1.0 million and 7.0 million shares of common stock for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share for these periods because their effect would have been antidilutive.  The decrease in potentially dilutive securities is primarily related to the full redemption of our 6.0% Notes.  The net income per share amounts are the same for Class A and Class B Common Stock because the holders of each class are legally entitled to equal per share distributions whether through dividends or in liquidation.

5. RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

David, Frederick, Duncan and Robert Smith (collectively, the controlling shareholders) are brothers and hold substantially all of the Class B Common Stock and some of our Class A Common Stock.  Since the end of our last fiscal year, we engaged in the following transactions with them and/or entities in which they have substantial interests.

Related Person Leases .  Certain assets used by us and our operating subsidiaries are leased from Cunningham Communications, Inc., Keyser Investment Group, Gerstell Development Limited Partnership and Beaver Dam, LLC (entities owned by the controlling shareholders).  Lease payments made to these entities were $1.2 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30,

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2011 and 2010, respectively.  Lease payments made to these entities were $3.3 million and $3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Bay TV .  In January 1999, we entered into a LMA with Bay Television, Inc. (Bay TV), which owns the television station WTTA-TV in Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida market.  Our controlling shareholders own a substantial portion of the equity of Bay TV.  Payments made to Bay TV were $0.5 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and $1.7 million and $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  We received $0.1 million and $0.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 from Bay TV for certain equipment leases, which expired in 2010.

Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation .  We have options from trusts established by Carolyn C. Smith, the mother of our controlling shareholders, for the benefit of her grandchildren that will grant us the right to acquire, subject to applicable FCC rules and regulations, 100% of the capital stock of Cunningham or 100% of the capital stock or assets of Cunningham’s individual subsidiaries.  As of September 30, 2011, Cunningham is the owner-operator and FCC licensee of: WNUV-TV in Baltimore, Maryland; WRGT-TV in Dayton, Ohio; WVAH-TV in Charleston, West Virginia; WTAT-TV in Charleston, South Carolina; WMYA-TV in Anderson, South Carolina; WTTE-TV in Columbus, Ohio; and WDBB-TV in Birmingham, Alabama.

In addition to the option agreement, we provide programming under LMA’s to Cunningham for airing on WNUV-TV, WRGT-TV, WVAH-TV, WTAT-TV, WMYA-TV, WTTE-TV and WDBB-TV.  In February 2011, Cunningham purchased the FCC license for WDBB-TV.  We have an LMA with WDBB-TV, which our counterparty assigned to Cunningham in conjunction with Cunningham’s purchase.

We made payments to Cunningham under the LMAs and other agreements of $4.1 million and $4.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we made payments to Cunningham of $12.5 million and $13.2 million, respectively, related to the LMAs.

Our Bank Credit Agreement contains certain cross-default provisions with certain material third-party licensees.  As of September 30, 2011, Cunningham was the sole material third-party licensee.

Atlantic Automotive Corporation .  We sold advertising time to and purchased vehicles and related vehicle services from Atlantic Automotive Corporation (Atlantic Automotive), a holding company which owns automobile dealerships and an automobile leasing company.  David Smith, our President and Chief Executive Officer, has a controlling interest in, and is a member of the Board of Directors of Atlantic Automotive.  We received payments for advertising time totaling less than $0.1 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.  We received payments for advertising time of $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  We paid $0.4 million and $0.2 million for vehicles and related vehicle services from Atlantic Automotive during the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we paid fees of $1.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively, for vehicles and related vehicle services.

Thomas & Libowitz P.A. Basil A. Thomas, a member of our Board of Directors, is the father of Steven A. Thomas, a partner and founder of Thomas & Libowitz, P.A. (Thomas & Libowitz), a law firm providing legal services to us on an ongoing basis.  We paid fees of $0.1 million to Thomas & Libowitz for each of the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.  For each of the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we paid fees of $0.4 million to Thomas & Libowitz.

6. SEGMENT DATA:

We measure segment performance based on operating income (loss).  Our broadcast segment includes stations in 35 markets located predominately in the eastern, mid-western and southern United States.  Our other operating divisions segment primarily earned revenues from sign design and fabrication; regional security alarm operating and bulk acquisitions and real estate ventures.  All of our other operating divisions are located within the United States.  Corporate costs primarily include our costs to operate as a public company and to operate our corporate headquarters location.  Corporate is not a reportable segment.  We had approximately $170.0 million and $166.4 million of intercompany loans between the broadcast segment, operating divisions segment and corporate as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  We had $5.0 million and $4.9 million in intercompany interest expense related to intercompany loans between the broadcast segment, other operating divisions segment and corporate for the three months ended September 30, 2011, and 2010, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we had $14.7 million and $14.4 million, respectively, in intercompany interest expense.  Intercompany loans and interest expense are excluded from the tables below.  All other intercompany transactions are immaterial.

A portion of the operating results of Alarm Funding were previously included in discontinued operations in our consolidated results of operations.  It is no longer our intent to divest a portion of Alarm Funding and therefore all of the operations and net assets of Alarm Funding have been classified as continuing operations in our consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2011.

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Financial information for our operating segments are included in the following tables for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands).

For the three months ended September 30, 2011

Broadcast

Other
Operating
Divisions

Corporate

Consolidated

Revenue

$

169,213

$

11,655

$

$

180,868

Depreciation of property and equipment

6,874

331

397

7,602

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets

3,474

919

4,393

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

12,833

12,833

General and administrative overhead expenses

5,019

265

505

5,789

Operating income (loss)

52,407

728

(902

)

52,233

Interest expense

634

23,829

24,463

Income from equity and cost method investments

2,080

2,080

For the three months ended September 30, 2010

Broadcast

Other
Operating
Divisions

Corporate

Consolidated

Revenue

$

176,621

$

9,831

$

$

186,452

Depreciation of property and equipment

8,220

321

481

9,022

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets

3,961

726

4,687

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

15,945

15,945

General and administrative overhead expenses

5,508

232

496

6,236

Operating income (loss)

56,468

605

(978

)

56,095

Interest expense

551

30,798

31,349

Loss from equity and cost method investments

(1,997

)

(1,997

)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011

Broadcast

Other
Operating
Divisions

Corporate

Consolidated

Revenue

$

520,051

$

32,073

$

$

552,124

Depreciation of property and equipment

21,357

961

1,205

23,523

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets

11,568

2,633

14,201

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

38,117

38,117

General and administrative overhead expenses

18,837

863

1,826

21,526

Operating income (loss)

163,315

1,452

(3,035

)

161,732

Interest expense

1,893

76,671

78,564

Income from equity and cost method investments

2,906

2,906

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010

Broadcast

Other
Operating
Divisions

Corporate

Consolidated

Revenue

$

516,013

$

25,618

$

$

541,631

Depreciation of property and equipment

25,460

942

1,342

27,744

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets

12,017

2,070

14,087

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

47,162

47,162

General and administrative overhead expenses

17,771

675

1,617

20,063

Operating income (loss)

162,508

(530

)

(2,965

)

159,013

Interest expense

1,299

87,401

88,700

Loss from equity and cost method investments

(2,478

)

(2,478

)

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7. 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.

The carrying value and fair value of our notes, debentures, program contracts payable and non-cancelable commitments as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows (in thousands):

September 30, 2011

December 31, 2010

Carrying
Value

Fair Value

Carrying
Value

Fair Value

6.0% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2012 (a)

$

$

$

66,019

$

70,385

4.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2018

5,801

5,801

5,685

5,685

3.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027

5,400

5,400

5,400

5,400

8.375% Senior Notes due 2018

242,873

244,239

246,493

258,750

9.25% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2017

488,705

525,520

487,724

544,690

Bank Credit Agreement, Term Loan A

115,000

114,713

Bank Credit Agreement, Term Loan B

217,597

219,187

264,352

273,240

Cunningham Bank Credit Facility

13,708

13,893

21,933

22,452

Active program contracts payable

105,064

96,967

97,894

89,145

Future program liabilities (b)

116,707

91,566

88,510

72,823


(a) On April 15, 2011, we completed the redemption of all $70.0 million of these debentures at face value.  We used the proceeds from the Term Loan A issuance to pay for the redemption.

(b) Future program liabilities reflect a license agreement for program material that is not yet available for its first showing or telecast and is, therefore, not recorded as an asset or liability on our balance sheet.

The fair value of our 8.375% Notes and 9.25% Notes is determined using quoted prices.  The carrying value of our 3.0% and 4.875% Notes approximates their fair value.  Our Term Loan A, Term Loan B and Cunningham’s bank credit facility are fair valued using Level 2 hierarchy inputs described above.

Our estimates of active program contracts payable and future program liabilities were based on discounted cash flows using Level 3 inputs described above.  The discount rate represents an estimate of a market participants return and risk applicable to program contracts.

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8. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

Sinclair Television Group, Inc. (STG), a wholly-owned subsidiary and the television operating subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (SBG), is the primary obligor under the Bank Credit Agreement, the 8.375% Notes and the 9.25% Notes and was the primary obligor under the 8.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 (the 8.0% Notes) until they were fully redeemed in 2010.  Our Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, the 4.875% Notes and the 3.0% Notes, as of September 30, 2011 were obligations or securities of SBG and not obligations or securities of STG.  SBG was the obligor of the 6.0% Notes until they were fully redeemed in 2011.  SBG is a guarantor under the Bank Credit Agreement, the 9.25% Notes and the 8.375% Notes.  As of September 30, 2011 our consolidated total debt of $1,179.3 million included $1,125.2 million of debt related to STG and its subsidiaries of which SBG guaranteed $1,075.3 million.

SBG, KDSM, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBG, and STG’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (guarantor subsidiaries), have fully and unconditionally guaranteed, subject to certain customary release provisions, all of STG’s obligations.  Those guarantees are joint and several.  There are certain contractual restrictions on the ability of SBG, STG or KDSM, LLC to obtain funds from their subsidiaries in the form of dividends or loans.

The following condensed consolidating financial statements present the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows of SBG, STG, KDSM, LLC and the guarantor subsidiaries, the direct and indirect non-guarantor subsidiaries of SBG and the eliminations necessary to arrive at our information on a consolidated basis.  These statements are presented in accordance with the disclosure requirements under SEC Regulation S-X, Rule 3-10.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

(in thousands) (unaudited)

Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.

Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Sinclair
Consolidated

Cash

$

$

45,690

$

453

$

15,224

$

$

61,367

Accounts and other receivables

36

131

109,670

5,155

(142

)

114,850

Other current assets

2,087

5,133

58,109

4,370

(271

)

69,428

Total current assets

2,123

50,954

168,232

24,749

(413

)

245,645

Property and equipment, net

8,651

2,577

174,008

98,056

(6,622

)

276,670

Investment in consolidated subsidiaries

572,787

(572,787

)

Restricted cash — long-term

20,001

223

20,224

Other long-term assets

84,691

335,056

20,586

96,130

(400,301

)

136,162

Total other long-term assets

84,691

927,844

20,809

96,130

(973,088

)

156,386

Acquired intangible assets

826,815

69,582

(11,248

)

885,149

Total assets

$

95,465

$

981,375

$

1,189,864

$

288,517

$

(991,371

)

$

1,563,850

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$

307

$

35,534

$

49,930

$

7,703

$

(2,186

)

$

91,288

Current portion of long-term debt

405

9,769

541

15,844

26,559

Current portion of affiliate long-term debt

965

1,961

45

(45

)

2,926

Other current liabilities

(10

)

78,741

395

79,126

Total current liabilities

1,667

45,303

131,173

23,987

(2,231

)

199,899

Long-term debt

12,879

1,054,406

37,668

51,804

1,156,757

Affiliate long-term debt

7,663

9,668

241,735

(241,736

)

17,330

Dividends in excess of investment in consolidated subsidiaries

159,804

(159,804

)

Other liabilities

46,644

1,598

439,090

55,489

(227,599

)

315,222

Total liabilities

228,657

1,101,307

617,599

373,015

(631,370

)

1,689,208

Common stock

809

10

(10

)

809

Additional paid-in capital

617,584

19,663

291,988

50,030

(361,681

)

617,584

Accumulated (deficit) earnings

(747,793

)

(137,279

)

281,941

(133,446

)

(11,216

)

(747,793

)

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

(3,792

)

(2,316

)

(1,674

)

(1,082

)

5,072

(3,792

)

Total Sinclair Broadcast Group (deficit) equity

(133,192

)

(119,932

)

572,265

(84,498

)

(367,835

)

(133,192

)

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

7,834

7,834

Total liabilities and equity (deficit)

$

95,465

$

981,375

$

1,189,864

$

288,517

$

(991,371

)

$

1,563,850

17



Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2010

(in thousands)

Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.

Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Sinclair
Consolidated

Cash

$

$

5,071

$

1,022

$

15,881

$

$

21,974

Restricted cash - current

5,058

5,058

Accounts and other receivables

43

99

115,615

5,765

(151

)

121,371

Other current assets

1,477

5,492

46,231

2,962

(284

)

55,878

Total current assets

1,520

15,720

162,868

24,608

(435

)

204,281

Property and equipment, net

9,856

2,669

169,260

97,219

(6,773

)

272,231

Investment in consolidated subsidiaries

609,737

(609,737

)

Restricted cash — long term

223

223

Other long-term assets

79,184

318,137

10,207

89,956

(380,339

)

117,145

Total other long-term assets

79,184

927,874

10,430

89,956

(990,076

)

117,368

Acquired intangible assets

829,884

64,694

(2,534

)

892,044

Total assets

$

90,560

$

946,263

$

1,172,442

$

276,477

$

(999,818

)

$

1,485,924

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$

512

$

19,733

$

46,734

$

8,110

$

(1,066

)

$

74,023

Current portion of long-term debt

363

3,300

391

15,502

19,556

Current portion of affiliate long-term debt

870

2,326

113

(113

)

3,196

Other current liabilities

70,428

693

71,121

Total current liabilities

1,745

23,033

119,879

24,418

(1,179

)

167,896

Long-term debt

79,091

995,269

38,098

57,282

1,169,740

Affiliate long-term debt

8,403

11,170

224,207

(224,207

)

19,573

Dividends in excess of investment in consolidated subsidiaries

122,994

(122,994

)

Other liabilities

43,750

1,709

394,192

47,154

(201,008

)

285,797

Total liabilities

255,983

1,020,011

563,339

353,061

(549,388

)

1,643,006

Common stock

804

10

282

(292

)

804

Additional paid-in capital

609,640

123,695

445,577

78,637

(647,909

)

609,640

Accumulated (deficit) earnings

(771,953

)

(195,049

)

165,316

(154,656

)

184,389

(771,953

)

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

(3,914

)

(2,394

)

(1,800

)

(847

)

5,041

(3,914

)

Total Sinclair Broadcast Group shareholders’ (deficit) equity

(165,423

)

(73,748

)

609,103

(76,584

)

(458,771

)

(165,423

)

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

8,341

8,341

Total liabilities and equity (deficit)

$

90,560

$

946,263

$

1,172,442

$

276,477

$

(999,818

)

$

1,485,924

18



Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

(in thousands) (unaudited)

Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.

Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Sinclair
Consolidated

Net revenue

$

$

$

169,499

$

13,583

$

(2,214

)

$

180,868

Program and production

331

43,062

83

(1,983

)

41,493

Selling, general and administrative

505

5,178

30,546

1,058

(157

)

37,130

Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses

397

121

38,432

11,030

32

50,012

Total operating expenses

902

5,630

112,040

12,171

(2,108

)

128,635

Operating (loss) income

(902

)

(5,630

)

57,459

1,412

(106

)

52,233

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

19,456

35,862

(55,318

)

Interest expense

(355

)

(21,942

)

(1,228

)

(6,154

)

5,216

(24,463

)

Other income (expense)

1,563

5,285

(5,169

)

928

(61

)

2,546

Total other income (expense)

20,664

19,205

(6,397

)

(5,226

)

(50,163

)

(21,917

)

Income tax (provision) benefit

(523

)

3,894

(14,457

)

211

(10,875

)

Loss from discontinued operations

(110

)

(110

)

Net income (loss)

19,239

17,359

36,605

(3,603

)

(50,269

)

19,331

Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests

(93

)

(93

)

Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group

$

19,239

$

17,359

$

36,605

$

(3,603

)

$

(50,362

)

$

19,238

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

(in thousands) (unaudited)

Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.

Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Sinclair
Consolidated

Net revenue

$

$

$

176,892

$

12,023

$

(2,463

)

$

186,452

Program and production

214

40,551

104

(2,250

)

38,619

Selling, general and administrative

498

5,444

31,649

1,006

(131

)

38,466

Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses

481

105

43,255

9,422

9

53,272

Total operating expenses

979

5,763

115,455

10,532

(2,372

)

130,357

Operating (loss) income

(979

)

(5,763

)

61,437

1,491

(91

)

56,095

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

16,409

32,631

(49,040

)

Interest expense

(3,560

)

(25,969

)

(1,265

)

(5,667

)

5,112

(31,349

)

Other income (expense)

882

2,086

(5,224

)

(3,091

)

(32

)

(5,379

)

Total other income (expense)

13,731

8,748

(6,489

)

(8,758

)

(43,960

)

(36,728

)

Income tax benefit (provision)

1,524

13,215

(21,475

)

1,582

(5,154

)

Loss from discontinued operations

(68

)

(68

)

Net income (loss)

14,276

16,200

33,405

(5,685

)

(44,051

)

14,145

Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests

131

131

Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group

$

14,276

$

16,200

$

33,405

$

(5,685

)

$

(43,920

)

$

14,276

19



Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

(in thousands) (unaudited)

Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.

Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Sinclair
Consolidated

Net revenue

$

$

$

520,893

$

37,958

$

(6,727

)

$

552,124

Program and production

958

131,677

254

(6,134

)

126,755

Selling, general and administrative

1,830

18,962

90,440

2,738

(349

)

113,621

Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses

1,205

404

117,409

30,900

98

150,016

Total operating expenses

3,035

20,324

339,526

33,892

(6,385

)

390,392

Operating (loss) income

(3,035

)

(20,324

)

181,367

4,066

(342

)

161,732

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

57,906

102,960

(160,866

)

Interest expense

(2,934

)

(69,463

)

(3,717

)

(17,851

)

15,401

(78,564

)

Gain on sales of securities

391

(391

)

Other (expense) income

(793

)

16,047

(14,818

)

1,610

(278

)

1,768

Total other income (expense)

54,179

49,544

(18,535

)

(15,850

)

(146,134

)

(76,796

)

Income tax benefit (provision)

1,953

22,647

(57,278

)

977

(31,701

)

Loss from discontinued operations

(300

)

(300

)

Net income (loss)

53,097

51,567

105,554

(10,807

)

(146,476

)

52,935

Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests

161

161

Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group

$

53,097

$

51,567

$

105,554

$

(10,807

)

$

(146,315

)

$

53,096

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

(in thousands) (unaudited)

Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.

Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Sinclair
Consolidated

Net revenue

$

$

$

516,907

$

32,496

$

(7,772

)

$

541,631

Program and production

681

119,139

274

(6,912

)

113,182

Selling, general and administrative

1,623

17,649

92,078

2,575

(436

)

113,489

Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses

1,342

303

127,597

26,734

(29

)

155,947

Total operating expenses

2,965

18,633

338,814

29,583

(7,377

)

382,618

Operating (loss) income

(2,965

)

(18,633

)

178,093

2,913

(395

)

159,013

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

50,692

94,189

(144,881

)

Interest expense

(11,371

)

(71,907

)

(3,921

)

(16,547

)

15,046

(88,700

)

Other income (expense)

2,058

12,453

(15,127

)

(4,390

)

(82

)

(5,088

)

Total other income (expense)

41,379

34,735

(19,048

)

(20,937

)

(129,917

)

(93,788

)

Income tax benefit (provision)

4,655

31,199

(62,030

)

3,244

(22,932

)

Loss from discontinued operations

(202

)

(202

)

Net income (loss)

43,069

47,301

96,813

(14,780

)

(130,312

)

42,091

Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests

978

978

Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group

$

43,069

$

47,301

$

96,813

$

(14,780

)

$

(129,334

)

$

43,069

20



Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

(in thousands) (unaudited)

Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.

Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Sinclair
Consolidated

NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

$

(14,407

)

$

(47,986

)

$

189,301

$

3,213

$

(1,771

)

$

128,350

CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Acquisition of property and equipment

(403

)

(25,126

)

(1,265

)

(26,794

)

Acquisition of intangibles

(242

)

(242

)

Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts

(6,930

)

(6,930

)

Increase in restricted cash

(14,943

)

(14,943

)

Dividends and distributions from equity and cost method investments

2,632

2,632

Investment in equity and cost method investees

(2,000

)

(7,414

)

(9,414

)

Purchase of investments

(4,820

)

(4,820

)

Proceeds from insurance settlement

1,736

1,736

Proceeds from sales of assets

56

10

66

Proceeds from sale of securities

1,808

(1,808

)

Proceeds from sale of equity investment

1,166

1,166

Loans to affiliates

(143

)

(143

)

Proceeds from loans to affiliates

152

152

Net cash flows used in investing activities

(1,991

)

(15,346

)

(23,334

)

(15,055

)

(1,808

)

(57,534

)

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

124,719

11,630

136,349

Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

(57,022

)

(60,976

)

(313

)

(16,839

)

(135,150

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options, including excess tax benefits of share based payments

1,730

1,730

Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock

(29,105

)

169

(28,936

)

Payments for deferred financing costs

(4,299

)

(66

)

(4,365

)

Proceeds from Class A Common Stock sold by variable interest entity

1,808

1,808

Noncontrolling interests distributions

(346

)

(346

)

Repayment of notes and capital leases to affiliates

(645

)

(1,868

)

(2,513

)

Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables

101,440

44,507

(164,355

)

16,806

1,602

Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities

16,398

103,951

(166,536

)

11,185

3,579

(31,423

)

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

40,619

(569

)

(657

)

39,393

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

5,071

1,022

15,881

21,974

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

$

$

45,690

$

453

$

15,224

$

$

61,367

21



Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

(in thousands) (unaudited)

Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.

Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Sinclair
Consolidated

NET CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

$

(13,966

)

$

(59,095

)

$

183,105

$

(589

)

$

(2,520

)

$

106,935

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Acquisition of property and equipment

(3,351

)

(4,725

)

(1,722

)

(9,798

)

Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts

(7,656

)

(7,656

)

Dividends and distributions from equity and cost method investments

709

185

894

Investments in equity and cost method investees

(2,000

)

(8,509

)

(10,509

)

Decrease in restricted cash

59,342

197

59,539

Loans to affiliates

(102

)

(102

)

Proceeds from loans to affiliates

115

115

Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities

(1,278

)

55,991

(4,528

)

(17,702

)

32,483

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

17,650

15,406

33,056

Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

(56,806

)

(77,687

)

(224

)

(15,706

)

(150,423

)

Payments for deferred financing costs

(1,304

)

(1,304

)

Noncontrolling interests distributions

(175

)

(175

)

Repayments of notes and capital leases to affiliates

(559

)

(1,740

)

(2,299

)

Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables

72,609

80,012

(176,597

)

21,456

2,520

Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities

15,244

18,671

(178,561

)

20,981

2,520

(121,145

)

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

15,567

16

2,690

18,273

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

10,364

217

12,643

23,224

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

$

$

25,931

$

233

$

15,333

$

$

41,497

22



Table of Contents

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This report includes or incorporates forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events.  These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, including, among other things, the following risks:

General risks

· the impact of changes in international, national and regional economies and credit and capital markets;

· consumer confidence;

· the activities of our competitors;

· terrorist acts of violence or war and other geopolitical events;

· natural disasters such as the earthquake and tsunami devastation in Japan;

Industry risks

· the business conditions of our advertisers particularly in the automotive and service industries;

· competition with other broadcast television stations, radio stations, multi-channel video programming distributors (MVPDs), internet and broadband content providers and other print and media outlets serving in the same markets;

· availability and cost of programming and the continued volatility of networks and syndicators that provide us with programming content;

· the effects of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) National Broadband Plan and the potential reallocation of our broadcasting spectrum;

· the effects of governmental regulation of broadcasting or changes in those regulations and court actions interpreting those regulations, including ownership regulations, indecency regulations, retransmission regulations and political or other advertising restrictions;

· labor disputes and legislation and other union activity associated with film, acting, writing and other guilds;

· the broadcasting community’s ability to develop a viable mobile digital broadcast television (mobile DTV) strategy and platform and the consumer’s appetite for mobile television;

· the operation of low power devices in the broadcast spectrum, which could interfere with our broadcast signals;

· the effects of new ratings system technologies including “people meters” and “set-top boxes”, and the ability of such technologies to be a reliable standard that can be used by advertisers;

· changes in the makeup of the population in the areas where stations are located;

Risks specific to us

· the effectiveness of our management;

· our ability to attract and maintain local and national advertising;

· our ability to service our debt obligations and operate our business under restrictions contained in our financing agreements;

· our ability to successfully renegotiate retransmission consent agreements;

· our ability to renew our FCC licenses;

· our ability to obtain FCC approval, and in certain cases, customary antitrust clearance for the purchase of Four Points, Freedom Communications and any future acquisitions;

· our ability to maintain our affiliation and programming service agreements with our networks and program service providers and at renewal, to successfully negotiate these agreements with favorable terms;

· our ability to successfully integrate any acquired businesses;

· our ability to effectively respond to technology affecting our industry and to increasing competition from other media providers;

· the impact of reverse network compensation payments made by us to networks pursuant to our affiliation agreements requiring compensation for network programming and the resulting negative effect on our operating results;

· the popularity of syndicated programming we purchase and network programming that we air;

· the strength of ratings for our local news broadcasts including our news sharing arrangements;

· the successful execution of our multi-channel broadcasting initiatives including mobile DTV; and

· the results of prior year tax audits by taxing authorities.

23



Table of Contents

Other matters set forth in this report and our other reports filed with the SEC, including the Risk Factors set forth in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 may also cause actual results in the future to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.  However, additional factors and risks not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also cause actual results in the future to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.  You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.  We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking statements discussed in this report might not occur.

The following table sets forth certain operating data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA
(in thousands, except for per share data) (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2011

2010

2011

2010

Statement of Operations Data:

Net broadcast revenues (a)

$

151,701

$

158,809

$

466,819

$

465,440

Revenues realized from station barter arrangements

17,512

17,812

53,232

50,573

Other operating divisions revenues

11,655

9,831

32,073

25,618

Total revenues

180,868

186,452

552,124

541,631

Station production expenses

41,493

38,619

126,755

113,182

Station selling, general and administrative expenses

31,341

32,230

92,095

93,426

Expenses recognized from station barter arrangements

15,815

15,716

48,073

44,695

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

12,833

15,945

38,117

47,162

Depreciation and amortization expenses (b)

11,995

13,709

37,724

41,831

Other operating divisions expenses

9,369

7,902

26,102

22,259

Corporate general and administrative expenses

5,789

6,236

21,526

20,063

Operating income

52,233

56,095

161,732

159,013

Interest expense and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs

(24,463

)

(31,349

)

(78,564

)

(88,700

)

Loss from extinguishment of debt

(117

)

(3,939

)

(4,519

)

(4,377

)

Income (loss) from equity and cost method investees

2,080

(1,997

)

2,906

(2,478

)

Gain on insurance settlement

1,723

Other income, net

583

557

1,658

1,767

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

30,316

19,367

84,936

65,225

Income tax provision

(10,875

)

(5,154

)

(31,701

)

(22,932

)

Income from continuing operations

19,441

14,213

53,235

42,293

Discontinued operations:

Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes

(110

)

(68

)

(300

)

(202

)

Net income

19,331

14,145

52,935

42,091

Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests

(93

)

131

161

978

Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group

$

19,238

$

14,276

$

53,096

$

43,069

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group:

Earnings per share from continuing operations

$

0.24

$

0.18

$

0.66

$

0.54

Earnings per share

$

0.24

$

0.18

$

0.66

$

0.54

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Table of Contents

Balance Sheet Data:

September 30, 2011

December 31, 2010

Cash and cash equivalents

$

61,367

$

21,974

Total assets

$

1,563,850

$

1,485,924

Total debt (c)

$

1,203,572

$

1,212,065

Total equity (deficit)

$

(125,358

)

$

(157,082

)


(a) Net broadcast revenues is defined as broadcast revenues, net of agency commissions.

(b) Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets.

(c) Total debt is defined as notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing, including the current and long-term portions.

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis provides qualitative and quantitative information about our financial performance and condition and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to those statements.  This discussion consists of the following sections:

Executive Overview — financial events since June 30, 2011.

Results of Operations — an analysis of our revenues and expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, including comparisons between quarters and expectations for the three months ended December 31, 2011.

Liquidity and Capital Resources — a discussion of our primary sources of liquidity, an analysis of our cash flows from or used in operating activities, investing activities and financing activities and an update of our debt refinancings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Third Quarter 2011 Events

· In August, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.12 per share;

· In July, we entered into a renewal of 10 affiliation agreements with The CW (CW) which represents all of the CW affiliates which we own, program or provide sales services to, effective September 1, 2011 and expiring August 31, 2016;

· In September 2011, we entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the assets of Four Points Media Group LLC (Four Points) for $200.0 million.  Four Points owns and operates seven stations in four markets.  We expect the transaction to close in first quarter 2012 subject to the approval of the FCC.  Effective October 1, 2011, we are providing television management services and working capital needs of the stations in consideration of both service fees and performance incentives through a local marketing agreement until the closing of the acquisition;

· In September 2011, we repurchased in the open market $3.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 8.375% Notes; and

· In September 2011, we extended our LMA for WTTA-TV in Tampa, Florida with Bay Television Inc. for an additional five years.

Other

· In October 2011, we repurchased in the open market $8.6 million aggregate principal amount of our 8.375% Notes;

· In October 2011, we extended our LMA for WNYS-TV in Syracuse, New York for an additional three years;

· In November 2011, our board of directors declared a dividend of $0.12 per share; and

· In November 2011, we entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the broadcast assets of Freedom Communications (“Freedom”) for $385.0 million.  Freedom owns and operates eight stations in seven markets.  We expect the transaction to close late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2012 subject to Freedom’s shareholder approval which must be obtained by November 8, 2011, approval by the FCC, and customary antitrust clearance.  Following receipt of antitrust approval of the transaction, which is expected to occur within thirty days, and prior to closing of the acquisition, we will operate the stations pursuant to an LMA.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

In general, this discussion is related to the results of our continuing operations, except for discussions regarding our cash flows, which also include the results of our discontinued operations.  Unless otherwise indicated, references in this discussion and analysis to the third quarter of 2011 and 2010 refer to the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Additionally, any references to the first, second or fourth quarter are to the three months ended March 31, June 30, and December 31, respectively, for the year being discussed.  We have two reportable segments, “broadcast” and “other operating divisions” that are disclosed separately from our corporate activities.

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Table of Contents

SEASONALITY/CYCLICALITY

Our operating results are usually subject to seasonal fluctuations.  Usually, the second and fourth quarter operating results are higher than first and third quarters’ operating results because advertising expenditures are increased in anticipation of certain seasonal and holiday spending by consumers.

Our operating results are usually subject to fluctuations from political advertising.  In even numbered years, political spending is usually significantly higher than in odd numbered years due to advertising expenditures preceding local and national elections.  Additionally, every four years, political spending is usually elevated further due to advertising expenditures preceding the presidential election.

BROADCAST SEGMENT

Broadcast Revenue

The following table presents our broadcast revenues from continuing operations, net of agency commissions, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (in millions):

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

2011

2010

Percent
Change

2011

2010

Percent
Change

Local revenues:

Non-political

$

115.5

$

111.9

3.2

%

$

358.9

$

340.7

5.3

%

Political

0.7

3.0

(a)

1.2

3.8

(a)

Total local

116.2

114.9

1.1

%

360.1

344.5

4.5

%

National revenues:

Non-political

33.8

37.1

(8.9

)%

103.7

109.6

(5.4

)%

Political

1.7

6.8

(a)

3.0

11.3

(a)

Total national

35.5

43.9

(19.1

)%

106.7

120.9

(11.7

)%

Total net broadcast revenues

$

151.7

$

158.8

(4.5

)%

$

466.8

$

465.4

0.3

%


(a) Political revenue is not comparable from year to year due to cyclicality of elections.  See Political Revenues below for more information.

Net broadcast revenues. When comparing the third quarter 2011 to the same period in 2010, we showed increases in advertising revenues generated from the schools, retail/department stores, automotive and fast food sectors.  However, advertising revenues in the political, telecommunications, services, media and home products sectors showed a decrease between the third quarter 2011 and the same period in 2010.  Automotive, which typically is our largest category, represented 21.0% of the third quarter’s net time sales and was up 3.2% in the third quarter 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.

From a network affiliation or program service arrangement perspective, the following table sets forth our affiliate percentages of net time sales which includes any network compensation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

# of

Percent of Net Time
Sales for the
Three months ended
September 30,

Net Time
Sales
Percent

Percent of Net Time
Sales for the
Nine months ended
September 30,

Net Time
Sales
Percent

Stations

2011

2010

Change

2011

2010

Change

FOX

20

45.3

%

44.3

%

(4.6

)%

47.3

%

46.2

%

0.4

%

ABC

9

21.1

%

21.5

%

(8.7

)%

20.1

%

20.4

%

(3.4

)%

MyNetworkTV

16

17.1

%

17.3

%

(7.7

)%

16.1

%

16.3

%

(3.2

)%

The CW

10

12.8

%

13.3

%

(10.3

)%

12.7

%

13.5

%

(7.4

)%

CBS

2

2.8

%

2.7

%

(6.4

)%

2.7

%

2.8

%

(3.2

)%

NBC

1

0.5

%

0.7

%

(31.6

)%

0.5

%

0.7

%

(22.9

)%

Digital

(a)

0.4

%

0.2

%

210.3

%

0.6

%

0.1

%

290.6

%

Total

58


(a) We broadcast programming from network affiliations or program service arrangements with TheCoolTV, The Country Network, MyNetworkTV, This TV and Estrella on 69 channels through our stations’ second and third digital signals.

Political Revenues. Political revenues decreased by $7.4 million to $2.4 million for the third quarter 2011 when compared to the same period in 2010.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, political revenues decreased by $10.9 million to $4.2 million when compared to the same period in 2010.  Political revenues are typically higher in election years such as 2010.

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Table of Contents

Local Revenues. Excluding political revenues, our local broadcast revenues, which include local times sales, retransmission revenues and other local revenues, were up $3.6 million for the third quarter 2011 when compared to the same period in 2010.  The increase was primarily driven by increased retransmission revenues from MVPDs.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, our local broadcast revenues, excluding political revenues were up $18.2 million.  The increase is due to an increase in retransmission revenues from MVPDs and an increase in advertising spending particularly in the automotive sector, as well as an increase due to a change in networks for the Super Bowl programming from NBC to FOX.

National Revenues. Our national broadcast revenues, excluding political revenues and including national time sales and other national revenues, were down $3.3 million for the third quarter 2011 compared to same period in 2010.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 when compared to the same period in 2010, our national broadcast revenues were down $5.9 million.  This was primarily due to a decrease in advertising spending by other media advertisers, such as the food/grocery and home products sectors.

Broadcast Expenses

The following table presents our significant expense categories in our broadcast segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (in millions):

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

Percent
Change
(Increase/

Percent
Change
(Increase/

2011

2010

(Decrease))

2011

2010

(Decrease))

Station production expenses

$

41.5

$

38.6

7.5

%

$

126.8

$

113.2

12.0

%

Station selling, general and administrative expenses

$

31.3

$

32.2

(2.8

)%

$

92.1

$

93.4

(1.4

)%

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

$

12.8

$

15.9

(19.5

)%

$

38.1

$

47.2

(19.3

)%

Corporate general and administrative expenses

$

5.0

$

5.5

(9.1

)%

$

18.8

$

17.8

5.6

%

Gain on insurance settlement

$

$

%

$

1.7

$

100.0

%

Station production expenses. Station production expenses increased during the third quarter 2011 and nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same periods in 2010 primarily due to an increase in fees pursuant to network affiliation agreements, increased compensation expense, increased promotional advertising expenses and increased rating service fees due to annual scheduled rate increases.  Additionally, news profit share expenses increased due to better news performance which resulted in higher payments to our news share partners.

Station selling, general and administrative expense. Station selling, general and administrative expenses decreased during the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, primarily due to lower non-income based tax expense, lower sales management bonuses, and decreased national sales agency and local commissions costs.  These decreases were partially offset by an increase in bad debt expense.

We expect station production and station selling, general and administrative expenses in fourth quarter 2011 to increase compared to third quarter 2011.

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments .  The amortization of program contract costs decreased during the third quarter 2011 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.  Over the past few years we have purchased more barter and short-term program contracts which are less expensive and result in lower contract cost amortization.  We expect program contract amortization to trend higher in fourth quarter 2011 compared to third quarter 2011 due to cyclicality.

Corporate general and administrative expenses. See explanation under Corporate and Unallocated Expenses.

Gain on insurance settlement. In the third quarter 2010, our building for WCGV-TV and WVTV-TV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin flooded due to massive storms.  In the first quarter 2011, we recognized a gain on insurance settlement of $1.7 million related to repairing the building and replacing certain equipment.

OTHER OPERATING DIVISIONS SEGMENT

Triangle Sign & Service, LLC (Triangle), a sign designer/fabricator, real estate ventures, Alarm Funding Associates, LLC (Alarm Funding), a regional security alarm operating and bulk acquisition company and other nominal businesses make up our other

27



Table of Contents

operating divisions segment.  Revenues for our other operating divisions increased $1.9 million to $11.7 million during the third quarter 2011 compared to $9.8 million during the same period in 2010.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, revenues for our other operating divisions increased $6.5 million to $32.1 million compared to $25.6 million during the same period in 2010.  The increase is primarily due to increases in Triangle’s sign and service contract volume, the acquisition of new alarm monitoring contracts by Alarm Funding and improved leasing activity for our consolidated real estate ventures.  Expenses including other operating divisions expenses, depreciation and amortization and applicable other income (expense) items such as interest expense increased $1.6 million to $11.3 million during the third quarter 2011 compared to $9.7 million during the same period in 2010.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, expenses including other operating divisions expense, depreciation and amortization and applicable other income (expense) items, such as interest expense increased $4.4 million to $31.7 million compared to $27.3 during the same period in 2010.  This increase was in correlation with the increase in revenue activity.

A portion of the operating results of Alarm Funding were previously included in discontinued operations in our consolidated results of operations.  It is no longer our intent to divest a portion of Alarm Funding and therefore all of the operations and net assets of Alarm Funding have been classified as continuing operations in our consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2011.

Income from Equity and Cost Method Investments. Results of our equity and cost method investments in private investment funds and real estate ventures are included in income from equity and cost method investments in our consolidated statements of operations.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded income of $1.4 million related to our real estate ventures including a $0.8 million gain on the sale of one of our real estate ventures and income of $1.5 million related to certain private investment funds.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded income of $1.9 million related to certain private investment funds and a loss of $4.4 million related to our real estate ventures.

CORPORATE AND UNALLOCATED EXPENSES

For the Three Months Ended
September 30,

For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,

Percent
Change
(Increase/

Percent
Change
(Increase/

2011

2010

(Decrease))

2011

2010

(Decrease))

Corporate general and administrative expenses

$

0.5

$

0.5

%

$

1.8

$

1.6

12.5

%

Interest expense

$

23.8

$

30.8

(22.7

)%

$

76.7

$

87.4

(12.2

)%

Loss from extinguishment of debt

$

(0.1

)

$

(3.9

)

(97.4

)%

$

(4.5

)

$

(4.3

)

4.7

%

Income tax provision

$

(10.9

)

$

(5.2

)

109.6

%

$

(31.7

)

$

(22.9

)

38.4

%

Corporate general and administrative expenses. We allocate most of our corporate general and administrative expenses to the broadcast segment.  The explanation that follows combines the corporate general and administrative expenses found in the Broadcast Segment section with the corporate general and administrative expenses found in this section, Corporate and Unallocated Expenses .  These results exclude general and administrative costs from our other operating divisions segment which are included in our discussion of expenses in the Other Operating Divisions Segment section.

Corporate general and administrative expenses increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.  This is primarily due to an increase in employee bonuses, stock-based compensation from the issuance of stock-settled appreciation rights and the issuance of restricted and unrestricted common stock.  These increases were partially offset by lower health and other insurance costs.

We expect corporate general and administrative expenses to increase in the fourth quarter 2011 compared to third quarter 2011.

Interest expense. Interest expense has decreased primarily due to our amending and restating the Bank Credit Agreement in third quarter 2010 and the first quarter 2011, the redemption of our 8.0% Notes in fourth quarter 2010, our 6.0% Notes in 2010 and second quarter 2011.  We expect interest expense to slightly decrease in fourth quarter 2011 compared to third quarter 2011.

Loss from extinguishment of debt. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we amended our Bank Credit Agreement and paid down a portion of our Term Loan B and repurchased certain of our 8.375% Notes resulting in a loss of $1.0 million from extinguishment of debt.  Additionally, we completed the redemption of all $70.0 million of the 6.0% Notes at 100% of the face value of such notes resulting in a loss of $3.5 million.  We used the proceeds from our Term Loan A to pay for the redemption.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, through a combination of tender offers, the exercise of holder put rights and an open market repurchase, we redeemed $31.3 million and $22.3 million of our 4.875% and 3.0% Notes, respectively, resulting in a loss on extinguishment of $0.5 million and $0.1 million, respectively.  Additionally, we made a prepayment on our Term Loan B in second quarter 2010 and amended our Term Loan B in third quarter 2010 reducing by $65.6 million the principal amount outstanding of our Term Loan B, resulting in a loss of $3.1 million from extinguishment of debt.  Additionally, we repurchased, in

28



Table of Contents

the open market, $6.1 million in principal amount of our 6.0% Notes, resulting in a loss of $0.4 million from extinguishment of debt.

Income tax provision. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2011 including the effects of the noncontrolling interest was a provision of 36.3% as compared to a provision of 26.4% during the same period in 2010.  The increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010 is primarily due to a $2.3 million 2010 tax benefit predominantly resulting from a change in estimate related to an increased deduction for the recovery of historical losses attributable to a disposition that took place in 2009.

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 including the effects of the noncontrolling interest was a provision of 37.3% as compared to a provision of 34.6% during the same period in 2010. The increase in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010 is primarily due to a $2.3 million 2010 tax benefit predominantly resulting from a change in estimate related to an increased deduction for the recovery of historical losses attributable to a disposition that took place in 2009.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of September 30, 2011, we had $61.4 million in cash and cash equivalent balances and net working capital of approximately $45.7 million.  Cash generated by our operations and borrowing capacity under the Bank Credit Agreement are used as our primary source of liquidity.  As of September 30, 2011, we had $75.4 million of borrowing capacity available on our revolving credit facility and incremental term loan capacity of $300.0 million under our Bank Credit Agreement.  We anticipate that existing cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from our operations and borrowing capacity under the Bank Credit Agreement will be sufficient to satisfy our debt service obligations, capital expenditure requirements and working capital needs for the next twelve months.  For our long-term liquidity needs, in addition to the sources described above, we may rely upon the issuance of long-term debt, the issuance of equity or other instruments convertible into or exchangeable for equity, or the sale of non-core assets.  However, there can be no assurance that additional financing or capital or buyers of our non-core assets will be available, or that the terms of any transactions will be acceptable or advantageous to us.

On April 15, 2011, we completed the redemption of all $70.0 million of the 6.0% Notes at 100% of the face value of such notes.  We used the proceeds from our Term Loan A to pay for the redemption.

In September and October 2011, we repurchased $3.9 million and $8.6 million aggregate principal amount, respectively, of our 8.375% Notes in the open market using cash on hand.

Sources and Uses of Cash

The following table sets forth our cash flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (in millions):

For the Three Months
Ended September 30,

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

2011

2010

2011

2010

Net cash flows from operating activities

$

60.1

$

46.8

$

128.4

$

106.9

Cash flows (used in) from investing activities:

Acquisition of property and equipment

$

(6.1

)

$

(5.1

)

$

(26.8

)

$

(9.8

)

Decrease in restricted cash

(20.0

)

17.5

(14.9

)

59.5

Dividends and distributions from cost method investees

1.3

0.8

2.6

0.9

Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts

(2.5

)

(4.3

)

(6.9

)

(7.7

)

Investments in equity and cost method investees

(1.1

)

(4.1

)

(9.4

)

(10.5

)

Other

(3.7

)

(0.1

)

(2.1

)

0.1

Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities

$

(32.1

)

$

4.7

$

(57.5

)

$

32.5

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities:

Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

$

3.4

$

24.0

$

136.4

$

33.1

Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

(10.6

)

(75.8

)

(135.2

)

(150.4

)

Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock

(9.7

)

(28.9

)

Noncontrolling interests (distributions) contributions

(0.1

)

(0.1

)

(0.3

)

(0.2

)

Other

(0.9

)

(0.9

)

(3.4

)

(3.6

)

Net cash flows used in financing activities

$

(17.9

)

$

(52.8

)

$

(31.4

)

$

(121.1

)

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Table of Contents

Operating Activities

Net cash flows from operating activities increased during the third quarter 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.  The primary reason for the increase was due to a decrease in program payments and a decrease in cash paid for interest and interest on accretion of debt discount in the third quarter 2011, compared to the same period in 2010.

Net cash flows from operating activities increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.  This increase was primarily the result of increased net income, less cash paid for program contracts and interest.

We expect program payments and interest expense to slightly decrease in the fourth quarter 2011 compared to the third quarter 2011.

Investing Activities

With the exception of restricted cash, net cash flows used in investing activities decreased during the third quarter 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.  During the third quarter 2011, we had less incremental contributions in our equity and cost method investments as well as purchases of alarm monitoring contracts. This was offset by an increase in other investments as well as an increase in capital expenditures.  We increased our investment in restricted cash during the third quarter 2011 pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement for Four Points which required us to deposit 10% of the purchase price in an escrow account.

With the exception of restricted cash, net cash flows used in investing activities increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.  In 2011, we increased other investments and increased capital expenditures primarily for news operations and upgrades to our master control systems in order to upgrade these operations to high definition (HD).  As of September 30, 2011, six out of the 12 markets with news were broadcasting in HD and 16 out of 35 markets had HD master control operations.  We are planning to add HD news broadcasts in one additional market and HD master control operations in 6 additional markets over the next three months for news operations and upgrades to our master control systems.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we used $59.5 million in restricted cash to pay for the tender offers of the 3.0% and 4.875% Notes, the put exercise of the 3.0% Notes and an open market repurchase of 4.875% Notes.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we increased our restricted cash by $20.0 million related to the escrow requirement pursuant to the Four Points Asset Purchase Agreement.  In addition, we used the remaining proceeds from the sale of the 9.25% Notes, after the expiration of the put period for the 4.875% Notes, to reduce our overall debt balance.

In fourth quarter 2011, we anticipate incurring more capital expenditures than incurred in the third quarter 2011.

Financing Activities

Net cash flows used in financing activities decreased in the third quarter 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.  This was primarily due to a decrease in our debt repayments in third quarter 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This was partially offset by the quarterly stock dividend paid in third quarter 2011.

Net cash flows used in financing activities decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.  In first quarter 2011, we amended our Bank Credit Agreement resulting in a new Term Loan A of $115.0 million and reducing our Term Loan B by $45.0 million.  In February 2011, our Board of Directors reinstated a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.12 per share and in May 2011 and August 2011, our Board of Directors declared a $0.12 per share common stock dividend.  Future dividends on our common shares, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on several factors including our results of operations, cash requirements and surplus, financial condition, covenant restrictions and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

CONTRACTUAL CASH OBLIGATIONS

As disclosed above under Liquidity and Capital Resources-Financing Activities, during first quarter 2011, we borrowed $115.0 million under the Term Loan A and used $45.0 million to pay down the Term Loan B.  On April 15, 2011, we used the remaining net proceeds to complete the redemption of all $70.0 million of the 6.0% Notes at 100% of the face value of such notes.  In September 2011, we repurchased, in the open market, $3.9 million face value of the 8.375% Notes.  There were no material changes outside the ordinary course of business to our contractual cash obligations disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

In September 2011, we entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the assets of Four Points Media Group LLC (Four Points) for $200.0 million.  Four Points owns and operates seven stations in four markets.  We expect the transaction to close in first quarter 2012 subject to the approval of the FCC.  Effective October 1, 2011, we are providing television management

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services and working capital needs of the stations in consideration of both service fees and performance incentives through a local marketing agreement until the closing of the acquisition.

In November 2011, we entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the broadcast assets of Freedom Communications (“Freedom”) for $385.0 million.  Freedom owns and operates eight stations in seven markets.  We expect the transaction to close late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2012 subject to Freedom’s shareholder approval which must be obtained by November 8, 2011, approval by the FCC, and customary antitrust clearance.  Following receipt of antitrust approval of the transaction, which is expected to occur within thirty days, and prior to closing of the acquisition, we will operate the stations pursuant to an LMA.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

On March 15, 2011, we entered into an amendment of our Bank Credit Agreement.  The amendment includes a new Term Loan A of $115.0 million.  Under the amendment, we paid down $45.0 million of the outstanding $270.0 million balance under the Term Loan B.  The Term Loan B will bear interest at LIBOR plus 3.0% with a 1.0% LIBOR floor.  The Term Loan A will bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%.  Any outstanding amounts accrue interest with a variable rate and therefore increase our risk to rising interest rates.

On April 15, 2011, we completed the redemption of all $70.0 million of the 6.0% Notes at 100% of the face value of such notes.

Other than the foregoing, there have been no material changes from the quantitative and qualitative discussion about market risk previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011.

The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

The term “internal control over financial reporting,” as defined in Rules 13a-15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, means a process designed by, or under the supervision of our Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and includes those policies and procedures that:

· pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and disposition of our assets;

· provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and that our receipts and expenditures are being made in accordance with authorizations of management or our Board of Directors; and

· provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material adverse effect on our financial statements.

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Assessment of Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2011, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2011, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud.  A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.  Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.  Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected.  These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.  Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management’s override of the control.  The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.  Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are a party to lawsuits and claims from time to time in the ordinary course of business.  Actions currently pending are in various stages and no material judgments or decisions have been rendered by hearing boards or courts in connection with such actions.  After reviewing developments to date with legal counsel, our management is of the opinion that the outcome of our pending and threatened matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.  REMOVED AND RESERVED

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number

Description

10.1

Asset Purchase Agreement dated September 8, 2011 between Four Points Media Group LLC and Sinclair Television Group, Inc.

31.1

Certification by David D. Smith, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. § 7241).

31.2

Certification by David B. Amy, as Chief Financial Officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. § 7241).

32.1

Certification by David D. Smith, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C § 1350).

32.2

Certification by David B. Amy, as Chief Financial Officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C § 1350).

101.INS*

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

101.CAL*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

101.LAB*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

101.PRE*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

101.DEF*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase


* Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report on Form 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized on the 4 th day of November 2011.

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

By:

/s/ David R. Bochenek

David R. Bochenek

Vice President/Chief Accounting Officer

(Authorized Officer and Chief Accounting Officer)

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

Description

10.1

Asset Purchase Agreement dated September 8, 2011 between Four Points Media Group LLC and Sinclair Television Group, Inc.

31.1

Certification by David D. Smith, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. § 7241).

31.2

Certification by David B. Amy, as Chief Financial Officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. § 7241).

32.1

Certification by David D. Smith, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C § 1350).

32.2

Certification by David B. Amy, as Chief Financial Officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C § 1350).

101.INS*

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

101.CAL*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

101.LAB*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

101.PRE*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

101.DEF*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase


* Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability.

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