SBGI 10-Q Quarterly Report June 30, 2014 | Alphaminr
SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC

SBGI 10-Q Quarter ended June 30, 2014

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC
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10-Q 1 a14-14057_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 June 30, 2014

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 x

Accelerated filer o

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

July 31, 2014

Class A Common Stock

71,468,888

Class B Common Stock

25,978,357



Table of Contents

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED June 30, 2014

TABLE OF C ONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

3

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

4

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

5

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (DEFICIT)

6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

8

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

9

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

31

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

39

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

39

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

40

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

40

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

40

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

40

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

40

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

40

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

40

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

41

SIGNATURE

42

EXHIBIT INDEX

43

2



Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

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

As of June 30,
2014

As of December 31,
2013

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

395,546

$

280,104

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,208 and $3,379, respectively

300,272

308,974

Affiliate receivable

224

182

Current portion of program contract costs

35,085

74,324

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

25,186

30,599

Deferred barter costs

6,692

3,688

Total current assets

763,005

697,871

PROGRAM CONTRACT COSTS, less current portion

17,630

24,708

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

636,112

596,071

RESTRICTED CASH

12,430

11,747

GOODWILL

1,341,998

1,380,082

BROADCAST LICENSES

120,948

101,029

DEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net

1,081,518

1,127,755

OTHER ASSETS

208,321

208,209

Total assets (a)

$

4,181,962

$

4,147,472

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT)

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Accounts payable

$

9,751

$

13,989

Accrued liabilities

187,612

182,185

Income taxes payable

19,499

2,504

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

56,034

46,346

Current portion of notes and capital leases payable to affiliates

2,569

2,367

Current portion of program contracts payable

50,493

90,933

Deferred barter revenues

6,246

3,319

Deferred tax liabilities

4,480

1,738

Total current liabilities

336,684

343,381

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

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

3,038,768

2,966,402

Notes payable and capital leases to affiliates, less current portion

17,606

18,925

Program contracts payable, less current portion

28,217

34,681

Deferred tax liabilities

321,945

311,041

Other long-term liabilities

68,569

67,338

Total liabilities (a)

3,811,789

3,741,768

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (See Note 3 )

EQUITY:

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 71,390,645 and 74,145,569 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

714

741

Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value, 140,000,000 shares authorized, 26,028,357 and 26,028,357 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, convertible into Class A Common Stock

260

260

Additional paid-in capital

1,021,460

1,094,918

Accumulated deficit

(657,787

)

(696,996

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(1,869

)

(2,553

)

Total Sinclair Broadcast Group shareholders’ equity

362,778

396,370

Noncontrolling interests

7,395

9,334

Total equity

370,173

405,704

Total liabilities and equity

$

4,181,962

$

4,147,472

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


(a) Our consolidated total assets as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 include total assets of variable interest entities (VIEs) of $193.1 million and $194.1 million, respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs.  Our consolidated total liabilities as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 include total liabilities of the VIEs of $24.0 million and $31.6 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to us.  See Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies .

3



Table of Contents

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

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

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2014

2013

2014

2013

REVENUES:

Station broadcast revenues, net of agency commissions

$

404,151

$

279,270

$

778,032

$

532,195

Revenues realized from station barter arrangements

33,336

22,047

57,361

40,277

Other operating divisions revenues

17,649

12,837

32,391

24,300

Total revenues

455,136

314,154

867,784

596,772

OPERATING EXPENSES:

Station production expenses

134,303

85,694

261,342

166,127

Station selling, general and administrative expenses

82,595

53,297

164,520

105,235

Expenses recognized from station barter arrangements

29,528

19,382

51,005

35,396

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

23,574

18,656

47,515

37,517

Other operating divisions expenses

14,453

10,736

26,778

20,605

Depreciation of property and equipment

25,252

15,105

49,630

29,700

Corporate general and administrative expenses

17,403

11,447

33,238

22,697

Amortization of definite-lived intangible and other assets

24,989

15,557

49,717

31,559

Total operating expenses

352,097

229,874

683,745

448,836

Operating income

103,039

84,280

184,039

147,936

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

Interest expense and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs

(40,121

)

(45,465

)

(79,659

)

(83,162

)

Loss from extinguishment of debt

(16,283

)

(16,283

)

Income (loss) from equity and cost method investments

742

(404

)

840

(1,456

)

Other income, net

1,015

482

1,932

939

Total other expense

(38,364

)

(61,670

)

(76,887

)

(99,962

)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

64,675

22,610

107,152

47,974

INCOME TAX PROVISION

(23,074

)

(9,654

)

(37,894

)

(18,503

)

Income from continuing operations

41,601

12,956

69,258

29,471

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:

Income from discontinued operations, includes income tax benefit (provision) of $0, $4,973, $0 and $4,682, respectively

5,103

5,458

NET INCOME

41,601

18,059

69,258

34,929

Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests

(266

)

(233

)

(765

)

(106

)

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP

$

41,335

$

17,826

$

68,493

$

34,823

Dividends declared per share

$

0.15

$

0.15

$

0.30

$

0.30

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP:

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

$

0.43

$

0.14

$

0.70

$

0.34

Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations

$

$

0.06

$

$

0.06

Basic earnings per share

$

0.43

$

0.19

$

0.70

$

0.40

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

$

0.42

$

0.14

$

0.69

$

0.34

Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations

$

$

0.05

$

$

0.06

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.42

$

0.19

$

0.69

$

0.40

Weighted average common shares outstanding

97,174

92,083

97,994

86,667

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding

97,864

93,604

98,678

87,844

AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

$

41,335

$

12,723

$

68,493

$

29,365

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

5,103

5,458

Net income

$

41,335

$

17,826

$

68,493

$

34,823

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
June 30,

Six months ended
June 30,

2014

2013

2014

2013

Net income

$

41,601

$

18,059

$

69,258

$

34,929

Amortization of net periodic pension benefit costs, net of taxes

167

(39

)

80

(78

)

Unrealized gain on investments, net of taxes

479

604

Comprehensive income

42,247

18,020

69,942

34,851

Comprehensive (income) attributable to the noncontrolling interests

(266

)

(233

)

(765

)

(106

)

Comprehensive income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group

$

41,981

$

17,787

$

69,177

$

34,745

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

5



Table of Contents

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (DEFICIT)

(In thousands) (Unaudited)

Sinclair Broadcast Group Shareholders

Class A
Common Stock

Class B
Common Stock

Additional
Paid-In

Accumulated

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Noncontrolling

Total Equity

Shares

Values

Shares

Values

Capital

Deficit

Loss

Interests

(Deficit)

BALANCE, December 31, 2012

52,332,012

$

523

28,933,859

$

289

$

600,928

$

(713,697

)

$

(4,993

)

$

16,897

$

(100,053

)

Dividends declared on Class A and Class B Common Stock

(26,972

)

(26,972

)

Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs

18,000,000

180

472,220

472,400

Class B Common Stock converted into Class A Common Stock

2,670,600

27

(2,670,600

)

(27

)

Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans

538,828

5

8,012

8,017

Tax benefit on share based award

471

471

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

(9,714

)

(9,714

)

Class A Common Stock sold by variable interest entity, net of taxes

7,008

7,008

Amortization of net periodic pension benefit costs, net of taxes

(78

)

(78

)

Net income

34,823

106

34,929

BALANCE, June 30, 2013

73,541,440

$

735

26,263,259

$

262

$

1,088,639

$

(705,846

)

$

(5,071

)

$

7,289

$

386,008

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

6



Table of Contents

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY

(In thousands) (Unaudited)

Sinclair Broadcast Group Shareholders

Class A
Common Stock

Class B
Common Stock

Additional
Paid-In

Accumulated

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Noncontrolling

Shares

Values

Shares

Values

Capital

Deficit

Loss

Interests

Total Equity

BALANCE, December 31, 2013

74,145,569

$

741

26,028,357

$

260

$

1,094,918

$

(696,996

)

$

(2,553

)

$

9,334

$

405,704

Dividends declared and paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock

(29,284

)

(29,284

)

Repurchases of Class A Common Stock

(2,910,106

)

(29

)

(82,342

)

(82,371

)

Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans

155,182

2

7,523

7,525

Tax benefit on share based awards

1,361

1,361

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

(2,704

)

(2,704

)

Other comprehensive income

684

684

Net income

68,493

765

69,258

BALANCE, June 30, 2014

71,390,645

$

714

26,028,357

$

260

$

1,021,460

$

(657,787

)

$

(1,869

)

$

7,395

$

370,173

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

7



Table of Contents

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands) (Unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30,

2014

2013

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net income

$

69,258

$

34,929

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

Depreciation of property and equipment

49,630

29,827

Amortization of definite-lived intangible and other assets

49,717

31,548

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

47,515

37,711

Loss on extinguishment of debt

16,283

Stock-based compensation

8,430

6,796

Deferred tax benefit

(10,569

)

(3,934

)

Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, net

7,162

(28,124

)

Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets

(11,643

)

(2,984

)

Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

(331

)

(18,176

)

Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable

16,995

(4,240

)

Payments on program contracts payable

(47,381

)

(45,375

)

Original debt issuance discount paid

(10,285

)

Other, net

1,201

9,394

Net cash flows from operating activities

179,984

53,370

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Acquisition of property and equipment

(26,587

)

(17,166

)

Payments for acquisition of television stations

(96,160

)

Payments for acquisition of assets in other operating divisions

(8,273

)

(4,650

)

Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts

(7,835

)

(6,284

)

Proceeds from sale of broadcast assets

27,992

Increase in restricted cash

(683

)

(33,634

)

Distributions from equity and cost method investees

1,522

3,271

Investments in equity and cost method investees

(6,167

)

(3,402

)

Proceeds from termination of life insurance policies

17,042

134

Proceeds from sale of assets in other operating divisions

5,516

Other, net

(325

)

(2,253

)

Net cash flows used in investing activities

(31,306

)

(126,636

)

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

102,724

1,162,344

Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

(21,114

)

(991,724

)

Proceeds from the sale of Class A Common Stock

472,400

Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock

(82,371

)

Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock

(29,284

)

(26,972

)

Payments for deferred financing costs

(235

)

(16,749

)

Proceeds from Class A Common Stock sold by variable interest entity

10,908

Noncontrolling interests distributions

(3,953

)

(9,714

)

Other, net

997

720

Net cash flows (used in) from financing activities

(33,236

)

601,213

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

115,442

527,947

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

280,104

22,865

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

$

395,546

$

550,812

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

8



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 VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary.  Noncontrolling interests 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.

Discontinued Operations

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) guidance on reporting assets held for sale, we reported the results of operations of our stations in Lansing, Michigan (WLAJ-TV) and Providence, Rhode Island (WLWC-TV), as discontinued operations consolidated statements of operations.  Discontinued operations have not been segregated in the consolidated statements of cash flows and, therefore, amounts for certain captions will not agree with the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.  The operating results of WLAJ-TV, which was sold effective March 1, 2013 for $14.4 million, and WLWC-TV, which was sold effective April 1, 2013 for $13.8 million, are not included in our consolidated results of operations from continuing operations for the three and six months ending June 30, 2013. Total revenues for WLAJ-TV and WLWC-TV, which are included in discontinued operations for the six months ending June 30, 2013, were $0.6 million and $1.6 million, respectively.  Total income before taxes for WLAJ-TV and WLWC-TV, which are included in discontinued operations for the six months ending June 30, 2013, are $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The resulting gain on the sale of these stations in 2013 was negligible.  Basic and diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations was less than $0.01 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2013.

Interim Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 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, consolidated statement of equity (deficit) and consolidated statements of cash flows for these periods as adjusted for the adoption of recent accounting pronouncements discussed below.

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, 2013 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 the VIE.  All the liabilities are non-recourse to us except for certain debt of VIEs which we guarantee.

We have entered into local marketing agreements (LMAs) to provide programming, sales and managerial services for seven television stations of Cunningham Broadcasting Company (Cunningham), the license owner of these television stations as of June 30, 2014.  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 these television stations which includes the FCC license and certain other assets used to operate the station (License Assets).  Our applications to acquire these FCC license related assets are pending FCC approval.  We also perform sales and other non-programming support services to two other stations owned by Cunningham (acquired in November 2013) pursuant to joint sales agreements (JSAs) and shared services agreements (SSAs).  We have purchase options to acquire the license assets of these stations.  We own the majority of the non-license assets of these nine Cunningham stations and we have guaranteed the debt of Cunningham.  We have determined that Cunningham and these nine stations are VIEs and that based on the terms of the agreements, the significance of our investment in the stations and our guarantee of the debt of Cunningham, we are the primary beneficiary of the variable interests because, subject to the ultimate control of the licensees, we have the power to direct the activities which significantly impact the economic performance of the VIEs through the services we provide and we absorb losses and returns that would be considered significant to Cunningham.  Effective July 31, 2014, concurrent

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with the Allbritton acquisition, we terminated the LMA with WTAT (FOX) in Charleston, SC and sold to Cunningham, the license owner of WTAT, the non-license assets related to this station for $14.0 million.  Although we have no continuing involvement in the operations of this station, because Cunningham is a consolidated VIE, the assets of WTAT will not be derecognized and the transaction will be accounted for as transaction between parties under common control.  Therefore no gain or loss will be recognized in the consolidated statement of operations upon the sale to Cunningham.  See Note 5. Related Person Transactions for more information on our arrangements with Cunningham.  The net revenues of these stations which we consolidate were $28.7 million and $26.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The net revenues of these stations which we consolidate were $56.4 million and $51.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The fees paid between us and Cunningham pursuant to these arrangements are eliminated in consolidation.  See Changes in the Rules of Television Ownership, Joint Sale Agreements, and Local Marketing Agreements in Note 3. Commitment and Contingencies for discussion of recent changes in FCC rules related to JSAs.

We have certain LMAs and outsourcing agreements, including certain JSAs and SSAs, with certain other license owners under which we provide certain non-programming related sales, operational and administrative services, and programming for these LMAs.  The terms of the agreements vary, but generally have initial terms of over five years with several optional renewal terms.  We own the majority of the non-license assets of these stations and in certain cases have guaranteed the debt of the licensee.  We also have purchase options to buy the assets of the licensees.  We have determined that these licensees (19 and 12 licenses as of June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively) are VIEs, and, based on the terms of the agreements and the significance of our investment in the stations, we are the primary beneficiary of the variable interests because, subject to the ultimate control of the licensees, we have the power to direct the activities which significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE through the services we provide and because we absorb losses and returns that would be considered significant to the VIEs.  The net revenues of these stations which we consolidate were $43.1 million and $30.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The net revenues of these stations which we consolidate were $81.8 million and $63.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The fees paid between us and other license owners pursuant to these arrangements are eliminated in consolidation.  See Changes in the Rules of Television Ownership, Joint Sale Agreements, and Local Marketing Agreement in Note 3. Commitment and Contingencies for discussion of recent changes in FCC rules related to JSAs.

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 for the periods presented (in thousands):

June 30,
2014

December 31,
2013

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

4,932

$

4,916

Accounts receivable

19,569

18,468

Current portion of program contract costs

5,164

10,725

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

443

247

Total current assets

30,108

34,356

PROGRAM CONTRACT COSTS, less current portion

4,830

5,075

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

14,376

11,081

GOODWILL

6,357

6,357

BROADCAST LICENSES

16,768

16,768

DEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net

97,297

97,496

OTHER ASSETS

23,370

22,935

Total assets

$

193,106

$

194,068

LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Accounts payable

$

44

$

86

Accrued liabilities

3,532

2,536

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

5,731

5,731

Current portion of program contracts payable

4,364

11,552

Total current liabilities

13,671

19,905

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

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

46,960

49,850

Program contracts payable, less current portion

6,504

6,597

Long term liabilities

9,542

10,838

Total liabilities

$

76,677

$

87,190

The amounts above represent the consolidated assets and liabilities of the VIEs described above, for which we are the primary beneficiary, and have been aggregated as they all relate to our broadcast business.  Excluded from the amounts above are payments made to Cunningham under the LMAs, a portion of which is 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 these LMAs as

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of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, which are excluded from liabilities above, were $34.2 million and $32.4 million, respectively.  The total capital lease liabilities excluded from above were $11.2 million as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.  Also excluded from the amounts above are liabilities associated with the certain LMAs and outsourcing agreements and purchase options with certain VIEs totaling $62.2 million and $59.9 million as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, as these amounts are eliminated in consolidation.  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 June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $24.4 million and $26.7 million, respectively, which are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.  Our maximum exposure is equal to the carrying value of our investments.  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 $0.7 million and $0.9 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and $0.3 million and $0.7 million in the three and six months ended June 30 2013, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the FASB issued new guidance that changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. Under the new guidance, a discontinued operation is defined as a disposal of a component or group of components that is disposed of and represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The revised guidance will become effective for annual fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2014.  Under the revised guidance, we expect that it will be less likely for any future sales of assets, asset groups, or stations to be considered discontinued operations because such sales would need to represent a strategic shift and have a major effect on our future operations.  Historically, under the previous guidance, sales of minor components of our business were required to be classified as discontinued operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on revenue recognition for revenue from contracts with customers. This guidance requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers and will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance when it becomes effective. This new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted and the standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are currently evaluating the impact of this requirement on our 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

During 2014 and 2013, we entered into certain definitive agreements to purchase assets related to pending acquisitions, which required certain deposits to be made into escrow accounts. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we held $12.4 million and $11.4 million, respectively, in restricted cash classified as noncurrent related to the amounts held in escrow for these acquisitions.

Revenue Recognition

Total revenues include: (i) cash and barter advertising revenues, net of agency commissions; (ii) retransmission consent fees; (iii) network compensation; (iv) other broadcast revenues and (v) revenues from our other operating divisions.

Advertising revenues, net of agency commissions, are recognized in the period during which time spots are aired.

Our retransmission consent agreements contain both advertising and retransmission consent elements.  We have determined that our retransmission consent agreements are revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables.  Advertising and retransmission consent deliverables sold under our agreements are separated into different units of accounting at fair value.   Revenue applicable to the advertising element of the arrangement is recognized similar to the advertising revenue policy noted above.  Revenue applicable to the retransmission consent element of the arrangement is recognized over the life of the agreement.

Network compensation revenue is recognized over the term of the contract. All other revenues are recognized as services are provided.

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Share Repurchase Program

On October 28, 1999, we announced a $150.0 million share repurchase program, which was renewed on February 6, 2008.   On March 20, 2014, the Board of Directors authorized an additional $150.0 million share repurchase authorization. There is no expiration date, and currently management has no plans to terminate this program.  For the six months ended June 30, 2014, we have purchased approximately 2.9 million shares for $82.4 million.  For the three months ended June 30, 2014, we purchased zero shares.  As of June 30, 2014, the total remaining authorization was $185.1 million.

Income Taxes

Our income tax provision for all periods consists of federal and state income taxes.  The tax provision for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 is based on the estimated effective tax rate applicable for the full year after taking into account discrete tax items and the effects of the noncontrolling interests. We provide a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if we determine that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  In evaluating our ability to realize net deferred tax assets, we consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, including our past operating results, tax planning strategies and forecasts of future taxable income.  In considering these sources of taxable income, we must make certain judgments that are based on the plans and estimates used to manage our underlying businesses on a long-term basis.  A valuation allowance has been provided for deferred tax assets related to a substantial portion of our available state net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards, based on past operating results, expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary book/tax basis differences, alternative tax strategies and projected future taxable income.

Our effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 approximated the statutory rate. Our effective income tax rate for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2013 was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to an increase in the state income tax reserves related to an ongoing audit.

We believe it is reasonably possible that our liability for unrecognized tax benefits related to continuing operations could be reduced by up to $11.0 million, in the next twelve months, as a result of expected statute of limitations expirations, the application of limits under available state administrative practice exceptions, and the resolution of examination issues and settlements with federal and certain state tax authorities.

Reclassifications

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

2. ACQUISITIONS

Fisher Communications

Effective August 8, 2013, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding common stock of Fisher Communications, Inc. (Fisher). We paid $373.2 million to the shareholders of the Fisher common stock, representing $41.0 per common share. We financed the total purchase price with cash on hand. Fisher owns certain broadcast assets related to the following twenty-two stations, and four radio stations in 8 markets along with the respective network affiliation or program service arrangements: KOMO (ABC) and KUNS (Univision) in Seattle-Tacoma, WA; KATU (ABC), KUNP(Univision), and KUNP-LP (Univision) in Portland, OR; KLEW (CBS) in Spokane, WA; KBOI (CBS) and KYUU-LD (CW) in Boise, ID; KVAL (CBS), KCBY (CBS), KPIC (CBS), KMTR (NBC), KMCB (NBC), and KTCW (NBC) in Eugene, OR; KIMA (CBS), KEPR (CBS), KUNW-CD (Univision), and KVVK-CD (Univision), in Yakima/Pasco/Richland/Kennewick, WA; KBAK (CBS) and KBFX-CD (FOX) in Bakersfield, CA; as well as KIDK (CBS/FOX) and KXPI (FOX) in Idaho Falls/Pocatello, ID. The four radio stations are: KOMO (AM/FM), KPLZ (FM) and KVI (AM) in the Seattle/Tacoma, WA market.  This acquisition provides expansion into additional markets and increases value based on the synergies we can achieve.

The results of the acquired operations are included in the financial statements of the Company beginning on August 8, 2013.  Under the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase price has been allocated to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities based on estimated fair values.  The allocation reflects the consolidation of net assets of the third party which owns the license and related assets of KMTR in Eugene, OR, which we have consolidated, as the licensee is considered to be a VIE and we are the primary beneficiary of the variable interests. Additionally, another third party that performs certain services pursuant to an outsourcing agreement to our stations in Idaho Falls, ID (KIDK and KXPI), exercised an existing purchase option to purchase the broadcast assets of the two stations for $6.3 million, which closed in November 2013.  The assets of these stations were classified as assets held for sale in the initial purchase price allocation.  The purchase price allocation is preliminary pending a final determination of the fair values of the assets and

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liabilities. The allocated fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities is summarized as follows (in thousands):

Cash

$

13,531

Accounts receivable

29,962

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

19,133

Program contract costs

11,427

Property and equipment

73,968

Broadcast licenses

30,977

Definite-lived intangible assets

166,378

Other assets

7,683

Assets held for sale

6,339

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

(20,127

)

Program contracts payable

(10,977

)

Deferred tax liability

(74,877

)

Other long-term liabilities

(22,127

)

Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired

231,290

Goodwill

142,959

Less: fair value of non-controlling interests

(1,053

)

Total

$

373,196

The preliminary allocation presented above is based upon management’s estimate of the fair values using valuation techniques including income, cost and market approaches.  In estimating the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, the fair value estimates are based on, but not limited to, expected future revenue and cash flows, expected future growth rates, and estimated discount rates.  The amount allocated to definite-lived intangible assets represents the estimated fair values of network affiliations of $117.5 million, the decaying advertiser base of $18.1 million, and other intangible assets of $30.8 million.  These intangible assets will be amortized over the estimated remaining useful lives of 15 years for network affiliations, 10 years for the decaying advertiser base and a weighted average life of 14 years for the other intangible assets.  Acquired property and equipment will be depreciated on a straight-line basis over the respective estimated remaining useful lives.  Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired and represents the future economic benefits expected to arise from other intangible assets acquired that do not qualify for separate recognition, including assembled workforce and noncontractual relationships, as well as expected future synergies.  We expect that goodwill deductible for tax purposes will be approximately $11.1 million.  Certain measurement period adjustments have been made since the initial allocation in the third quarter of 2013, which were not material to our consolidated financial statements.

Net broadcast revenues and operating income of the Fisher stations included in our consolidated statements of operations, were $45.1 million and $6.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014, and $84.3 million and $6.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively.

Barrington

Effective November 22, 2013, we completed the acquisition of the broadcast assets of Barrington Broadcasting Company, LLC for $370.0 million, less working capital of $2.4 million, and entered into agreements to operate or provide sales and administrative services to another five stations.  The purchase price includes $7.5 million paid by third parties for the license related assets of certain stations. The acquired assets relate to the following twenty four stations located in fifteen markets along with the respective network affiliation or program service arrangements: WEYI (NBC) and WBSF (CW) in Flint/Saginaw/Bay City/Midland, MI; WNWO (NBC) in Toledo, OH; WACH (FOX) in Columbia, SC; WSTM (NBC), WTVH (CBS) and WSTQ (CW) in Syracuse, NY; KGBT (CBS) in Harlingen/Weslaco/Brownsville/McAllen, TX; KXRM (FOX) and KXTU (CW) in Colorado Springs, CO; WPDE (ABC) and WWMB (CW) in Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC; WHOI (ABC) in Peoria/Bloomington, IL; WPBN/WTOM (NBC),  and WGTU/WGTQ (ABC) in Traverse City/Cadillac, MI; KVII (ABC) and KVIH (ABC) in Amarillo, TX; KRCG (CBS) in Columbia/Jefferson City, MO; WFXL (FOX) in Albany, GA; KHQA (CBS) in Quincy, IL/Hannibal, MO/Keokuk, IA; WLUC (NBC) in Marquette, MI; and KTVO (ABC) in Ottumwa, IA/Kirksville, MO.

Concurrent with the Barrington acquisition, due to FCC conflict ownership rules, we sold our station, WSYT (FOX), and assigned its LMA with WNYS (MNT), in Syracuse, NY to a third party for $15 million, and recognized a loss on sale of approximately $3.3 million.  We also sold our station, WYZZ (FOX) in Peoria, IL, which currently receives non-programming related sales, operational and administrative services from Nexstar Broadcasting pursuant to certain outsourcing agreements, to Cunningham for $22.0 million. Although we have no continuing involvement in the operations of this station, because Cunningham is a consolidated VIE and we have a purchase plan option to acquire these assets from Cunningham, the assets of WYZZ were not derecognized and the transaction was accounted for as a transaction between parties under common control.  Thus no gain or loss has been recognized in the consolidated statement of operations for sale of WYZZ.

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The results of the acquired operations are included in the financial statements of the Company beginning on November 22, 2013. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the initial purchase price has been allocated to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities based on estimated fair values.  The allocation reflects the consolidation of net assets of the third party licensees which own the license and related assets of WEYI and WBSF in Flint, MI, WWMB in Myrtle Beach, SC and WGTU/WGTQ in Traverse City, MI, which we have consolidated, as the licensees are considered to be VIEs and we are the primary beneficiary of the variable interests.  The purchase price allocation is preliminary pending a final determination of the fair values of the assets and liabilities. The allocated fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities is summarized as follows (in thousands):

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

$

681

Program contract costs

3,960

Property and equipment

73,621

Broadcast licenses

2,948

Definite-lived intangible assets

217,818

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

(2,725

)

Program contracts payable

(3,813

)

Other long-term liabilities

(65

)

Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired

292,425

Goodwill

75,261

Total

$

367,686

The preliminary allocation presented above is based upon management’s estimate of the fair values using valuation techniques including income, cost and market approaches.  In estimating the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, the fair value estimates are based on, but not limited to, expected future revenue and cash flows, expected future growth rates, and estimated discount rates.  The amount allocated to definite-lived intangible assets represents the estimated fair values of network affiliations of $101.0 million, the decaying advertiser base of $42.0 million, and other intangible assets of $74.8 million.  These intangible assets will be amortized over the estimated remaining useful lives of 15 years for network affiliations, 10 years for the decaying advertiser base and a weighted average life of 15 years for the other intangible assets.  Acquired property and equipment will be depreciated on a straight-line basis over the respective estimated remaining useful lives.  Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired and represents the future economic benefits expected to arise from other intangible assets acquired that do not qualify for separate recognition, including assembled workforce and noncontractual relationships, as well as expected future synergies.  We expect that goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.  The initial purchase price allocation is based upon all information available to us at the present time and is subject to change, and such changes could be material.

Net broadcast revenues and operating income of the Barrington stations included in our consolidated statements of operations, were $41.3 million and $5.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014, and $80.4 million and $15.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively.

During the three months ended June 30, 2014, we made certain immaterial measurement period adjustments to the initial purchase accounting for the Fisher and Barrington acquisitions, resulting in reclassifications between certain noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, including an increase to property and equipment of approximately $31 million, an increase to broadcast licenses of $22 million, an increase to noncurrent deferred tax liabilities of $24 million, and a decrease to goodwill of $37 million, as well as a corresponding increase to depreciation expense and amortization expense of $1.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

Pro Forma Information

The following table sets forth unaudited pro forma results of continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, assuming that the acquisitions of the Fisher and Barrington stations discussed above, along with transactions necessary to finance the acquisitions, occurred at the beginning of the annual period presented (in thousands, except per share data):

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2013

2013

Total revenues

$

390,544

$

741,649

Net Income

$

16,009

$

24,889

Net Income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group from continuing operations

$

15,776

$

24,783

Basic earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group from continuing operations

$

0.12

$

0.22

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group from continuing operations

$

0.11

$

0.22

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This pro forma financial information is based on historical results of operations, adjusted for the allocation of the purchase price and other acquisition accounting adjustments, and is not indicative of what our results would have been had we operated the businesses since the beginning of the annual period presented because the pro forma results do not reflect expected synergies.  The pro forma adjustments reflect depreciation expense, amortization of intangibles and amortization of program contract costs related to the fair value adjustments of the assets acquired, additional interest expense related to the financing of the transactions, exclusion of nonrecurring financing and transaction related costs, alignment of accounting policies and the related tax effects of the adjustments.  Depreciation and amortization expense are higher than amounts recorded in the historical financial statements of the acquirees due to the fair value adjustments recorded for long-lived tangibles and intangible assets in purchase accounting.

Other Acquisitions

In addition to the Fisher and Barrington acquisitions, we acquired nineteen television stations during the year ended December 31, 2013 in ten markets, of which five stations in four of the ten markets were acquired from Cox Media Group (Cox) in May 2013. Additionally, ten of the nineteen stations were acquired in four markets from TTBG LLC (TTBG) during September 2013 and October 2013. The initial purchase price allocated includes $272.7 million paid for certain broadcast assets of these stations, working capital of $9.5 million, and $0.7 million paid by certain VIEs for the license assets of certain of these stations owned by VIEs that we consolidate.  The purchase price allocations, except for the stations acquired from Cox, are preliminary pending a final determination of the fair values of the assets and liabilities. The allocated fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities is summarized as follows (in thousands):

Accounts receivable

$

8,226

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

5,217

Program contract costs

6,182

Property and equipment

54,148

Deferred tax asset

3,888

Broadcast licenses

3,736

Definite-lived intangible assets

147,191

Accrued liabilities

(3,926

)

Program contracts payable

(6,331

)

Other long term liabilities

(10,300

)

Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired

208,031

Goodwill

74,847

Total

$

282,878

The initial purchase price allocations are based upon all information available to us at the present time and are subject to change.  Certain measurement period adjustments have been made since the initial allocation in 2013, which were not material to our consolidated financial statements.  The definite-lived intangible assets in the table above will be amortized over the remaining useful lives of 15 years for network affiliations, 10 years for decaying advertiser base, and a weighted average of 14 years for the other intangible assets.  Net broadcast revenues and operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2014 related to stations acquired in 2013 were $23.8 million and $4.9 million, respectively, and $54.6 million and $8.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively.

3. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

Litigation

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.

Various parties have filed petitions to deny our applications or our LMA partners’ applications for the following stations’ license renewals: 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; WBFF-TV, Baltimore, Maryland; KGAN-TV, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; WTTE-TV, Columbus, Ohio; WRGT-TV, Dayton, Ohio; WVAH-TV, Charleston / Huntington, West Virginia; WCGV-TV, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; WTTO-TV, Birmingham, AL; KXVO-

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TV, Omaha, NE (acquired on October 1, 2013); WPMI-TV, Mobile, AL; WWHO-TV, Chillicothe, OH and WUTB-TV in Baltimore, MD. The FCC is in the process of considering the renewal applications and we believe the petitions have no merit.

Changes in the Rules of Television Ownership, Joint Sale Agreements, and Local Marketing Agreements

On March 12, 2014, the FCC issued a public notice with respect to the processing of broadcast television applications proposing sharing arrangements and contingent interests.  The public notice indicated that the FCC will closely scrutinize any application that proposes that two or more stations in the same market that will enter into an agreement to share facilities, employees and/or services or to jointly acquire programming or sell advertising including through a JSA, LMA or similar agreement and enter into an option, right of first refusal, put /call arrangement or other similar contingent interest, or a loan guarantee. We cannot now predict what actions the FCC may require in connection with the processing of applications for FCC consent to pending transactions.  In addition, on March 31, 2014, the FCC issued rules that would consider a company an owner of a station if it has a JSA that allows for sale of more than 15% of the ad time on a particular station.  Parties to such agreements must come into compliance with these new rules by June 19, 2016.   Among other things, the rule could limit our ability to create duopolies or other two-station operations in certain markets.  We are currently evaluating whether to seek one or more waivers of the new rules, or to modify or terminate our current JSAs. We cannot predict whether we will be able to terminate or restructure such arrangements on terms that are as advantageous to us as the current arrangements. The rule has been appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and we cannot predict the outcome of that proceeding.  The revenues of these JSA arrangements we earned during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 were $11.5 million and $22.1 million, and $8.3 million and $15.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively.

In its Order approving the Allbritton transaction, the FCC expressed concerns regarding an LMA that had existed between Sinclair and Cunningham in the Charleston market, and that it believed Sinclair apparently violated the local TV ownership rule with respect to its continued operation of that LMA.  The same agreement that governs the Charleston LMA also governs LMAs between Sinclair and Cunningham in three other markets.  The existence of the Charleston LMA was repeatedly disclosed to the Commission over many years, during which Sinclair relied on a June 20, 2001, Stay Order issued by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which specifically stated that “the time for Sinclair to come into compliance with the Commission’s ‘eight voices standard’ … is hereby stayed pending further order of the court.”  No further order has been issued by the Court with respect to that stay.  Sinclair is in the process of preparing a submission to the FCC with regard to the LMA.  We cannot predict what steps, if any, the FCC will take in the future with respect to the now terminated Charleston LMA.

Pending Acquisitions

Effective July 31, 2014, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding common stock of Perpetual Corporation and equity interest of Charleston Television, LLC (Allbritton) for $985.0 million plus working capital of $53.4 million.  We financed the total purchase price with proceeds from the issuance of 5.625% senior unsecured notes, a draw on our amended bank credit agreement, and cash on hand.  See Note 4. Notes Payable and Commercial Bank Financing .  Allbritton owned certain broadcast assets related to the following nine stations along with the respective network affiliation or program service arrangements: WHTM (ABC) in Harrisburg/Lancaster/York, PA; WJLA (ABC) in Washington, DC; WBMA(ABC), WCFT (ABC), and WJSU(ABC), in Birmingham, AL; KATV (ABC) in Little Rock/Pine Bluff, AR; KTUL (ABC) in Tulsa, OK; WSET (ABC) in Roanoke/Lynchburg, VA; and WCIV (ABC), Charleston, SC markets, and NewsChannel 8, a 24-hour cable/satellite news network covering the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.  In conjunction with the acquisition, we agreed to surrender for cancellation the FCC licenses of WCFT, WJSU, and WCIV by September 29, 2014, terminated our LMA in Charleston, SC with WTAT (FOX) and sold the non-license assets of WTAT to Cunningham for $14.0 million.  We have entered into an agreement to sell the license and related assets of WHTM to Media General Operations, Inc. (Media General) subject to approval of the FCC, antitrust clearance, and other customary closing conditions.  The ABC and other programming of WCFT, WJSU, and WCIV will be carried as multicast signals on our existing stations in their respective markets.  This acquisition provides expansion into additional markets and increases value based on the synergies we expect to achieve.

In September 2013, we entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the broadcast assets of eight television stations owned by New Age Media located in three markets, for an aggregate purchase price of $90.0 million. The original contemplated transaction involved Wilkes/Barre/Scranton, PA - WSWB, Tallahassee, FL - WTLH and WTLF and Gainesville, FL - WNBW to be purchased by a third party and we would provide sales and other non-programming support services to each of these stations, pursuant to customary shared services and joint sales agreements.  We expect that this transaction will be modified in order to comply with a recently issued FCC order. The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2014, subject to approval of the FCC and other customary closing conditions.  We expect to fund the purchase price through cash on hand and/or our bank credit facility.

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4. NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING

On July 23, 2014, we issued $550.0 million in senior unsecured notes, which bear interest at a rate of 5.625% per annum and mature on August 1, 2024 (the 5.625% Notes), pursuant to an indenture dated July 23, 2014 (the 5.625% Indenture).  The 5.625% Notes were priced at 100% of their par value and interest is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1, commencing on February 1, 2015.  Prior to August 1, 2019, we may redeem the 5.625% Notes, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 5.625% Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, plus a “make-whole” premium as set forth in the 5.625% Indenture.  In addition, on or prior to August 1, 2019, we may redeem up to 35% of the 5.625% Notes, using proceeds of certain equity offerings.  If we sell certain of our assets or experience specific kinds of changes of control, the holders of the 5.625% Notes may require us to repurchase some or all of the notes.  The proceeds from the offering of the 5.625% Notes, together with borrowings under our Bank Credit Agreement and cash on hand, were used to finance the acquisition of the Allbritton companies on July 1, 2014.  Concurrent with entering into the 5.625% Indenture in July 2013, we also entered into a registrations rights agreement requiring us to file a registration statement covering an offer to exchange of the 5.625% Notes for registered securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) to be effective by April 19, 2015.

On July 31, 2014, we entered into an amendment and restatement (the Amendment) of our bank credit agreement (as amended, the Bank Credit Agreement).  Pursuant to the Amendment, we raised $400.0 million of incremental term loan B commitments.  The incremental term loan matures in July 2021.  The term loan was issued at 99.75% of par and bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.75% with a 0.75% LIBOR floor.  The proceeds, together with the 5.625% Notes and cash on hand were used to finance the acquisition of the Allbritton companies on July 31, 2014.  Additionally, in connection with the Amendment, $327.7 million of term loan A, including $72.5 million of the remaining $108.2 million delayed draw term loan A commitments, were converted into revolving commitments.  As of closing, we have $361.2 million of committed term loan A, which consists of $325.5 million currently outstanding and $35.7 million under the delayed draw to be borrowed on or before December 31, 2014, and we have $485.2 million in revolving commitments.  We also amended certain terms of the Bank Credit Agreement, including increased flexibility in dispositions related to requirements of regulatory authorities, an increase in the non-TV/Radio acquisition capacity, the elimination of certain maintenance financial covenants, an increase to the first lien indebtedness maintenance test, and increased flexibility under certain restrictive covenants.

We expect to incur $14.6 million in financing costs related to the issuance of the 5.625% Notes and the Amendment, which we expect to capitalize as deferred financing costs.

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5. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table reconciles income (numerator) and shares (denominator) used in our computations of diluted earnings per share for the periods presented (in thousands):

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2014

2013

2014

2013

Income (Numerator)

Income from continuing operations

$

41,601

$

12,956

$

69,258

$

29,471

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

45

90

Income impact of assumed conversion of the 3.0% Notes, net of taxes

26

53

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

(266

)

(233

)

(765

)

(106

)

Numerator for diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations available to common shareholders

41,335

12,794

68,493

29,508

Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

5,103

5,458

Numerator for diluted earnings available to common shareholders

$

41,335

$

17,897

$

68,493

$

34,966

Shares (Denominator)

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

97,174

92,083

97,994

86,667

Dilutive effect of stock settled appreciation rights, restricted stock awards and outstanding stock options

690

871

684

547

Dilutive effect of 4.875% Notes

339

339

Dilutive effect of 3.0% Notes

311

311

Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding

97,864

93,604

98,678

87,864

There are no potentially dilutive securities representing shares of common stock for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.

6. RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

Transactions with our controlling shareholders. David, Frederick, J. 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.  We engaged in the following transactions with them and/or entities in which they have substantial interests.

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 $1.3 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 and $2.8 million and $2.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Charter Aircraft. From time to time, we charter aircraft owned by certain controlling shareholders.  We incurred $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $0.6 million and $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation .  As of June 30, 2014, Cunningham was the owner-operator and FCC licensee of: WNUV-TV Baltimore, Maryland; WRGT-TV Dayton, Ohio; WVAH-TV Charleston, West Virginia; WTAT-TV Charleston, South Carolina; WMYA-TV Anderson, South Carolina; WTTE-TV Columbus, Ohio; WDBB-TV Birmingham, Alabama; WBSF-TV Flint, Michigan; and WGTU-TV/WGTQ-TV Traverse City/Cadillac, Michigan (collectively, the Cunningham Stations) and WYZZ Peoria/Bloomington, IL.

During the first quarter of 2013, the estate of Carolyn C. Smith, a parent of our controlling shareholders, distributed all of the non-voting stock owned by the estate to our controlling shareholders, and a portion was repurchased by Cunningham for $1.7 million in the aggregate.   During the second quarter of 2014, Cunningham purchased the remaining amount of non-voting stock from the controlling shareholders for an aggregate purchase price of $2.0 million.  The estate of Mrs. Smith currently owns all of the voting stock.  The sale of the voting stock by the estate to an unrelated party is pending approval of the FCC.  We have options from the trusts, which grant us the right to acquire, subject to applicable FCC rules and regulations, 100% of the voting and nonvoting stock of Cunningham. We also have options from each of Cunningham’s subsidiaries, which are the FCC licensees of the Cunningham

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stations, which grant us the right to acquire, and grant Cunningham the right to require us to acquire, subject to applicable FCC rules and regulations, 100% of the capital stock or the assets of Cunningham’s individual subsidiaries. In July 2014, concurrent with the Allbritton acquisition, the option to acquire WTAT was terminated.

In addition to the option agreements, as of June 30, 2014, certain of our stations provide programming, sales and managerial services pursuant to LMAs to seven of their stations: WNUV-TV, WRGT-TV, WVAH-TV, WTAT-TV, WMYA-TV, WTTE-TV, and WDBB-TV (collectively, the Cunningham LMA Stations). Each of these LMAs has a current term that expires on July 1, 2016 and there are three additional 5- year renewal terms remaining with final expiration on July 1, 2031. Effective November 5, 2009, we entered into amendments and/or restatements of the following agreements between Cunningham and us: (i) the LMAs, (ii) option agreements to acquire Cunningham stock and (iii) certain acquisition or merger agreements relating to the Cunningham LMA Stations.

Pursuant to the terms of the LMAs, options and other agreements, beginning on January 1, 2010 and ending on July 1, 2012, we were obligated to pay Cunningham the sum of approximately $29.1 million in 10 quarterly installments of $2.75 million and one quarterly payment of approximately $1.6 million, which amounts were used to pay down Cunningham’s bank credit facility and which amounts were credited toward the purchase price for each Cunningham station. An additional $1.2 million was paid on July 1, 2012 and another installment of $2.75 million was paid on October 1, 2012 as an additional LMA fee and was used to pay off the remaining balance of Cunningham’s bank credit facility. The aggregate purchase price of the television stations, which was originally $78.5 million pursuant to certain acquisition or merger agreements subject to 6% annual increases, was decreased by each payment made by us to Cunningham, through 2012, up to $29.1 million in the aggregate; pursuant to the foregoing transactions with Cunningham as such payments were made. Beginning on January 1, 2013, we are obligated to pay Cunningham an annual LMA fee for the television stations equal to the greater of (i) 3% of each station’s annual net broadcast revenue and (ii) $5.0 million, of which a portion of this fee will be credited toward the purchase price to the extent of the annual 6% increase. The remaining purchase price as of June 30, 2014 was approximately $57.1 million. Additionally, we reimburse Cunningham for 100% of its operating costs. In July 2014, concurrent with the Allbritton acquisition, the LMA related to WTAT was terminated and the total LMA fee was reduced to $4.7 million to remove the fee associated with WTAT.

In November 2013, concurrent with our acquisition of the Barrington stations, Cunningham acquired the license related assets of WBSF-TV and WGTU-TV/WGTQ-TV, which was funded by bank debt, for which we have provided a guarantee. We provide certain non-programming related sales, operational and administrative services to these stations pursuant to certain outsourcing agreements. The agreements for WBSF-TV and WGTU-TV/WGTQ-TV expire in November 2021 and August 2015, respectively, and each has renewal provisions for successive eight year periods. Under these arrangements, we earned $1.1 million and $1.9 million from the services we perform for these stations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively. As we consolidate the licensees as VIEs, the amounts we earn under the arrangements are eliminated in consolidation and the gross revenues of the stations are reported within our consolidated statement of operations. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, our consolidated revenues include $1.9 million and $3.4 million related to these stations, respectively.

Also, concurrent with the Barrington acquisition, we also sold our station, WYZZ (FOX) in Peoria, IL, which currently receives non-programming related sales, operational and administrative services from Nexstar Broadcasting pursuant to certain outsourcing agreements, to Cunningham for $22 million. In July 2014, concurrent with the Allbritton acquisition we terminated the LMA with WTAT (FOX) in Charleston, SC and sold Cunningham the non-license assets related to this station for $14.0 million. Although we have no continuing involvement in the operations of these stations, because Cunningham is a consolidated VIE the assets of WYZZ and WTAT were not derecognized and the transactions were accounted for as transactions between parties under common control, therefore no gain or loss will be recognized in the consolidated statement of operations upon sale to Cunningham. Additionally, we have a purchase option to acquire the assets of WYZZ from Cunningham.

During October 2013, we purchased the outstanding membership interests of KDBC-TV from Cunningham for $21.2 million, plus a working capital adjustment of $0.2 million. See Other Acquisitions within Note 2. Acquisitions , for further information.

We made payments to Cunningham under our LMAs and other agreements with the Cunningham LMA Stations of $2.8 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $7.3 million and $4.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, Cunningham LMA Stations provided us with approximately $29.2 million, and $26.5 million, respectively, and approximately $56.4 million and $51.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, of total revenue. The financial statements for Cunningham are included in our consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

Atlantic Automotive. We sold advertising time to and purchased vehicles and related vehicle services from Atlantic Automotive Corporation (Atlantic Automotive), a holding company that owns automobile dealerships and an automobile leasing company.  David D. 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 $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $0.1 million for both the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We paid $0.4 million and $0.8 million for vehicles and related vehicle services from Atlantic Automotive for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively. No payments were made for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.

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Additionally, in August 2011, Atlantic Automotive entered into an office lease agreement with Towson City Center, LLC (Towson City Center), a subsidiary of one of our real estate ventures, and began occupying the space in June 2012.  Atlantic Automotive paid $0.3 million and $0.2 million in rent during the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $0.5 million and $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Leased property by real estate ventures. Certain of our real estate ventures have entered into leases with entities owned by David Smith to lease restaurant space. There are leases for three restaurants in a building owned by one of our consolidated real estate ventures in Baltimore, MD.  Total rent received under these leases was $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $0.2 million and less than $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. There is also one lease for a restaurant in a building owned by one of our real estate ventures, accounted for under the equity method, in Towson, MD. We received under this lease less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three and six months ending June 30, 2014, respectively. No payments related to this property were received for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013.

Thomas & Libowitz P.A. 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, is the son of a former member of the Board of Directors, Basil A. Thomas. Mr. Thomas resigned from Board of Directors effective September 2013. We paid fees of $0.5 million and $1.0 million to Thomas & Libowitz for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively.

7. SEGMENT DATA

We measure segment performance based on operating income (loss).  Excluding discontinued operations, our broadcast segment includes stations in 71 markets located throughout the continental United States. The operating results of WLAJ-TV and WLWC-TV, which were sold effective March 1, 2013 and April 1, 2013, respectively, are classified as discontinued operations and are not included in our consolidated results of continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2013. Our other operating divisions primarily consist of sign design and fabrication; regional security alarm operating and bulk acquisitions; manufacturing and service of broadcast antennas and transmitters; 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.  Other Operating Divisions and Corporate are not reportable segments but are included for reconciliation purposes.  We had approximately $172.2 million and $171.5 million of intercompany loans between the broadcast segment, other operating divisions and corporate as of June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  We had $5.1 million and $5.0 million in intercompany interest expense related to intercompany loans between the broadcast segment, other operating divisions and corporate for the three months ending June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For both the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we had $10.0 million in intercompany interest expense. All other intercompany transactions are immaterial.

Segment financial information is included in the following tables for the periods presented (in thousands):

For the three months ended June 30, 2014

Broadcast

Other
Operating
Divisions

Corporate

Consolidated

Revenue

$

437,487

$

17,649

$

$

455,136

Depreciation of property and equipment

24,422

563

267

25,252

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets

23,351

1,638

24,989

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

23,574

23,574

General and administrative overhead expenses

14,253

416

2,734

17,403

Operating income (loss)

105,460

580

(3,001

)

103,039

Interest expense

1,031

39,090

40,121

Income from equity and cost method investments

742

742

Assets

3,361,951

319,850

500,161

4,181,962

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For the three months ended June 30, 2013

Broadcast

Other
Operating
Divisions

Corporate

Consolidated

Revenue

$

301,316

$

12,838

$

$

314,154

Depreciation of property and equipment

14,377

379

349

15,105

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets

14,369

1,188

15,557

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

18,656

18,656

General and administrative overhead expenses

10,230

263

954

11,447

Operating income (loss)

85,312

271

(1,303

)

84,280

Interest expense

808

44,657

45,465

Loss from equity and cost method investments

(404

)

(404

)

For the six months ended June 30, 2014

Broadcast

Other
Operating
Divisions

Corporate

Consolidated

Revenue

$

835,393

$

32,391

$

$

867,784

Depreciation of property and equipment

47,939

1,157

534

49,630

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets

46,514

3,203

49,717

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

47,515

47,515

General and administrative overhead expenses

28,982

668

3,588

33,238

Operating income (loss)

187,580

581

(4,122

)

184,039

Interest expense

1,950

77,709

79,659

Income from equity and cost method investments

840

840

Assets

3,361,951

319,850

500,161

4,181,962

For the six months ended June 30, 2013

Broadcast

Other
Operating
Divisions

Corporate

Consolidated

Revenue

$

572,472

$

24,300

$

$

596,772

Depreciation of property and equipment

28,161

848

691

29,700

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets

29,238

2,321

31,559

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

37,517

37,517

General and administrative overhead expenses

20,359

560

1,778

22,697

Operating income (loss)

150,442

(37

)

(2,469

)

147,936

Interest expense

1,539

81,623

83,162

Loss from equity and cost method investments

(1,456

)

(1,456

)

8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:

Accounting guidance provides for valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost).  A fair value hierarchy using three broad levels prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The following is a brief description of those three levels:

· Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

· Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.  These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

· Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

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The carrying value and fair value of our notes and debentures for the periods presented (in thousands):

As of June 30, 2014

As of December 31, 2013

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Level 2:

8.375% Senior Notes due 2018

$

235,422

$

252,114

$

235,225

$

259,547

6.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021

350,000

372,313

350,000

360,938

6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022

500,000

525,000

500,000

497,525

5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021

600,000

607,500

600,000

582,078

Term Loan A

580,700

574,533

500,000

495,000

Term Loan B

639,757

634,926

642,734

641,205

Debt of variable interest entities

52,691

52,691

55,581

55,581

Debt of other operating divisions

96,377

96,377

86,263

86,263

Additionally, Cunningham, one of our consolidated VIEs has certain investments in securities that are recorded at fair value using Level 1 inputs described above. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, $19.5 million and $18.1 million were included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets.

9. 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 5.375% Notes, the 6.125% Notes, the 8.375% Notes, and 6.375% Notes. Our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as of June 30, 2014, were obligations or securities of SBG and not obligations or securities of STG.  SBG is a guarantor under the Bank Credit Agreement, the 5.375% Notes, the 6.125% Notes, the 8.375% Notes, and 6.375% Notes.  As of June 30, 2014, our consolidated total debt of $3,115.0 million included $3,010.2 million of debt related to STG and its subsidiaries of which SBG guaranteed $2,958.6 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 automatic 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 consolidating balance sheets, consolidating statements of operations and comprehensive income and consolidating 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 June 30, 2014

(in thousands) (unaudited)

Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.

Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Sinclair
Consolidated

Cash

$

$

382,989

$

488

$

12,069

$

$

395,546

Accounts and other receivables

44

1,534

271,765

29,479

(2,326

)

300,496

Other current assets

17,090

71,307

15,267

(36,701

)

66,963

Total current assets

44

401,613

343,560

56,815

(39,027

)

763,005

Property and equipment, net

4,483

14,160

465,210

160,304

(8,045

)

636,112

Investment in consolidated subsidiaries

333,022

2,382,613

4,179

(2,719,814

)

Restricted cash — long-term

12,430

12,430

Other long-term assets

71,570

561,885

54,034

138,167

(599,705

)

225,951

Total other long-term assets

404,592

2,956,928

58,213

138,167

(3,319,519

)

238,381

Goodwill and other intangible assets

2,439,387

203,481

(98,404

)

2,544,464

Total assets

$

409,119

$

3,372,701

$

3,306,370

$

558,767

$

(3,464,995

)

$

4,181,962

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$

445

$

50,829

$

128,759

$

51,611

$

(34,281

)

$

197,363

Current portion of long-term debt

599

47,125

1,172

7,138

56,034

Current portion of affiliate long-term debt

1,377

1,192

926

(926

)

2,569

Other current liabilities

565

74,725

6,304

(876

)

80,718

Total current liabilities

2,986

97,954

205,848

65,979

(36,083

)

336,684

Long-term debt

217

2,858,754

35,062

144,735

3,038,768

Affiliate long-term debt

4,256

13,352

311,208

(311,210

)

17,606

Other liabilities

38,882

24,869

667,646

150,315

(462,981

)

418,731

Total liabilities

46,341

2,981,577

921,908

672,237

(810,274

)

3,811,789

Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity (deficit)

362,778

391,124

2,384,462

(120,865

)

(2,654,721

)

362,778

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

7,395

7,395

Total liabilities and equity (deficit)

$

409,119

$

3,372,701

$

3,306,370

$

558,767

$

(3,464,995

)

$

4,181,962

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Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2013

(in thousands)

Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.

Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Sinclair
Consolidated

Cash

$

$

237,974

$

28,594

$

13,536

$

$

280,104

Accounts and other receivables

59

818

281,822

27,479

(1,022

)

309,156

Other current assets

5,500

25,887

67,279

16,391

(6,446

)

108,611

Total current assets

5,559

264,679

377,695

57,406

(7,468

)

697,871

Property and equipment, net

5,017

13,561

454,917

130,019

(7,443

)

596,071

Investment in consolidated subsidiaries

363,231

2,508,058

4,179

(2,875,468

)

Restricted cash — long term

11,524

223

11,747

Other long-term assets

78,849

503,674

62,435

132,840

(544,881

)

232,917

Total other long-term assets

442,080

3,023,256

66,837

132,840

(3,420,349

)

244,664

Goodwill and other intangible assets

2,486,794

214,325

(92,253

)

2,608,866

Total assets

$

452,656

$

3,301,496

$

3,386,243

$

534,590

$

(3,527,513

)

$

4,147,472

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$

234

$

51,781

$

126,245

$

17,914

$

$

196,174

Current portion of long-term debt

556

37,335

1,007

7,448

46,346

Current portion of affiliate long-term debt

1,294

1,073

1,003

(1,003

)

2,367

Other current liabilities

3,529

87,612

9,645

(2,292

)

98,494

Total current liabilities

5,613

89,116

215,937

36,010

(3,295

)

343,381

Long-term debt

529

2,793,334

35,709

136,830

2,966,402

Affiliate long-term debt

4,972

13,984

294,919

(294,950

)

18,925

Other liabilities

45,172

23,645

610,491

145,828

(412,076

)

413,060

Total liabilities

56,286

2,906,095

876,121

613,587

(710,321

)

3,741,768

Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity (deficit)

396,370

395,401

2,510,122

(88,331

)

(2,817,192

)

396,370

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

9,334

9,334

Total liabilities and equity (deficit)

$

452,656

$

3,301,496

$

3,386,243

$

534,590

$

(3,527,513

)

$

4,147,472

24



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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2014

(in thousands) (unaudited)

Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.

Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Sinclair
Consolidated

Net revenue

$

$

$

430,334

$

47,527

$

(22,725

)

$

455,136

Program and production

114

133,440

21,492

(20,743

)

134,303

Selling, general and administrative

1,155

14,000

80,324

5,094

(575

)

99,998

Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses

267

1,138

93,889

23,222

(720

)

117,796

Total operating expenses

1,422

15,252

307,653

49,808

(22,038

)

352,097

Operating (loss) income

(1,422

)

(15,252

)

122,681

(2,281

)

(687

)

103,039

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

42,662

75,388

(118,050

)

Interest expense

(149

)

(37,082

)

(1,224

)

(6,974

)

5,308

(40,121

)

Other income (expense)

941

86

465

285

(20

)

1,757

Total other income (expense)

43,454

38,392

(759

)

(6,689

)

(112,762

)

(38,364

)

Income tax benefit (provision)

(697

)

19,209

(43,691

)

2,105

(23,074

)

Net income (loss)

41,335

42,349

78,231

(6,865

)

(113,449

)

41,601

Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests

(299

)

33

(266

)

Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group

$

41,335

$

42,349

$

78,231

$

(7,164

)

$

(113,416

)

$

41,335

Comprehensive income (loss)

$

42,247

$

42,515

$

78,231

$

(5,887

)

$

(114,859

)

$

42,247

25



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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2013

(in thousands) (unaudited)

Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.

Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Sinclair
Consolidated

Net revenue

$

$

$

297,175

$

33,515

$

(16,536

)

$

314,154

Program and production

63

87,474

9,031

(10,874

)

85,694

Selling, general and administrative

954

10,211

52,151

6,552

(5,124

)

64,744

Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses

348

630

56,004

16,566

5,888

79,436

Total operating expenses

1,302

10,904

195,629

32,149

(10,110

)

229,874

Operating (loss) income

(1,302

)

(10,904

)

101,546

1,366

(6,426

)

84,280

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

18,227

62,525

(30

)

(80,722

)

Interest expense

(389

)

(42,758

)

(1,224

)

(6,302

)

5,208

(45,465

)

Other income (expense)

1,077

(11,069

)

(5,436

)

5,163

(5,940

)

(16,205

)

Total other income (expense)

18,915

8,698

(6,690

)

(1,139

)

(81,454

)

(61,670

)

Income tax benefit (provision)

213

22,992

(32,297

)

(562

)

(9,654

)

Income from discontinued operations

5,013

90

5,103

Net income (loss)

17,826

25,799

62,649

(335

)

(87,880

)

18,059

Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests

(233

)

(233

)

Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group

$

17,826

$

25,799

$

62,649

$

(568

)

$

(87,880

)

$

17,826

Comprehensive income (loss)

$

18,020

$

25,759

$

62,649

$

(568

)

$

(87,840

)

$

18,020

26



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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2014

(in thousands) (unaudited)

Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.

Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Sinclair
Consolidated

Net revenue

$

$

$

820,414

$

88,954

$

(41,584

)

$

867,784

Program and production

190

260,173

39,903

(38,924

)

261,342

Selling, general and administrative

2,040

28,545

160,826

7,494

(1,147

)

197,758

Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses

534

2,245

180,279

42,382

(795

)

224,645

Total operating expenses

2,574

30,980

601,278

89,779

(40,866

)

683,745

Operating (loss) income

(2,574

)

(30,980

)

219,136

(825

)

(718

)

184,039

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

69,349

137,652

(207,001

)

Interest expense

(308

)

(73,830

)

(2,466

)

(13,527

)

10,472

(79,659

)

Other income (expense)

1,587

382

558

285

(40

)

2,772

Total other income (expense)

70,628

64,204

(1,908

)

(13,242

)

(196,569

)

(76,887

)

Income tax benefit (provision)

439

36,476

(76,733

)

1,924

(37,894

)

Net income (loss)

68,493

69,700

140,495

(12,143

)

(197,287

)

69,258

Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests

(798

)

33

(765

)

Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group

$

68,493

$

69,700

$

140,495

$

(12,941

)

$

(197,254

)

$

68,493

Comprehensive income (loss)

$

69,942

$

69,780

$

140,495

$

(11,539

)

$

(198,736

)

$

69,942

27



Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013

(in thousands) (unaudited)

Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.

Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Sinclair
Consolidated

Net revenue

$

$

$

567,722

$

57,432

$

(28,382

)

$

596,772

Program and production

95

170,174

14,619

(18,761

)

166,127

Selling, general and administrative

1,778

20,128

103,354

12,241

(9,569

)

127,932

Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses

690

929

118,107

31,547

3,504

154,777

Total operating expenses

2,468

21,152

391,635

58,407

(24,826

)

448,836

Operating (loss) income

(2,468

)

(21,152

)

176,087

(975

)

(3,556

)

147,936

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

36,076

109,242

(60

)

(145,258

)

Interest expense

(700

)

(77,992

)

(2,338

)

(12,489

)

10,357

(83,162

)

Other income (expense)

2,033

(3,631

)

(12,724

)

3,906

(6,384

)

(16,800

)

Total other income (expense)

37,409

27,619

(15,122

)

(8,583

)

(141,285

)

(99,962

)

Income tax benefit (provision)

(118

)

30,978

(51,031

)

1,668

(18,503

)

Income from discontinued operations

4,955

503

5,458

Net income (loss)

34,823

42,400

110,437

(7,890

)

(144,841

)

34,929

Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests

(106

)

(106

)

Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group

$

34,823

$

42,400

$

110,437

$

(7,996

)

$

(144,841

)

$

34,823

Comprehensive income (loss)

$

34,851

$

42,322

$

110,437

$

(7,996

)

$

(144,763

)

$

34,851

28



Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2014

(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

$

(2,354

)

$

(73,198

)

$

232,107

$

19,126

$

4,303

$

179,984

CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Acquisition of property and equipment

(2,935

)

(21,993

)

(1,659

)

(26,587

)

Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts

(7,835

)

(7,835

)

Decrease in restricted cash

(900

)

217

(683

)

Investments in equity and cost method investees

(6,167

)

(6,167

)

Payments for acquisition of assets in other operating divisions

(8,273

)

(8,273

)

Proceeds from termination of life insurance policies

17,042

17,042

Other, net

1,000

264

(67

)

1,197

Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities

1,000

13,207

(21,512

)

(24,001

)

(31,306

)

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

91,796

10,928

102,724

Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

(268

)

(17,056

)

(482

)

(3,308

)

(21,114

)

Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock

(29,284

)

(29,284

)

Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock

(82,371

)

(82,371

)

Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables

111,767

130,501

(238,219

)

254

(4,303

)

Other, net

1,510

(235

)

(4,466

)

(3,191

)

Net cash flows (used in) from financing activities

1,354

205,006

(238,701

)

3,408

(4,303

)

(33,236

)

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

145,015

(28,106

)

(1,467

)

115,442

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

237,974

28,594

13,536

280,104

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

$

$

382,989

$

488

$

12,069

$

$

395,546

29



Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2013

(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

$

(30,295

)

$

(107,075

)

$

187,733

$

7,027

$

(4,020

)

$

53,370

CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Acquisition of property and equipment

(1,112

)

(14,484

)

(1,570

)

(17,166

)

Payments for acquisitions of television stations

(96,160

)

(96,160

)

Payments for acquisitions in other operating divisions

(4,650

)

(4,650

)

Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts

(6,284

)

(6,284

)

Proceeds from sale of broadcast assets

27,992

27,992

Decrease in restricted cash

(33,634

)

(33,634

)

Other, net

711

173

12,245

(9,863

)

3,266

Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities

711

(34,746

)

(82,479

)

(259

)

(9,863

)

(126,636

)

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

1,148,500

13,844

1,162,344

Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

(234

)

(984,755

)

(372

)

(6,363

)

(991,724

)

Proceeds from the sale of common stock

472,400

472,400

Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock

(27,210

)

(2

)

240

(26,972

)

Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables

(416,440

)

504,822

(98,340

)

(3,685

)

13,643

Other, net

1,068

(16,749

)

(349

)

1,195

(14,835

)

Net cash flows (used in) from financing activities

29,584

651,818

(99,063

)

4,991

13,883

601,213

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

509,997

6,191

11,759

527,947

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

7,230

199

15,436

22,865

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

$

$

517,227

$

6,390

$

27,195

$

$

550,812

30



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 national and regional economies and credit and capital markets;

· consumer confidence;

· the potential impact of changes in tax law;

· the activities of our competitors;

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

· natural disasters that impact our advertisers and our stations;

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 governmental regulation of broadcasting or changes in those regulations and court actions interpreting those regulations, including ownership regulations, including recent changes to the FCC’s regulations relating to Joints Sales Agreements (JSA) and potential future changes to its regulations regarding Shared Services Agreements (SSA), indecency regulations, retransmission fee regulations and political or other advertising restrictions;

· the effects of the FCC’s recently issued order adopting a new rule prohibiting the joint negotiation of retransmission consent agreements by two stations in the same market that are not commonly owned, if both of the stations are ranked among the top four stations in the market;

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

· 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 impact of reverse network compensation payments charged by networks pursuant to their affiliation agreements with broadcasters requiring compensation for network programming;

· 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;

· the impact of new FCC rules requiring broadcast stations to publish, among other information, political advertising rates online;

· 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 for the purchase of any future acquisitions, as well as, in certain cases, customary antitrust clearance for any future acquisitions;

· our ability to successfully integrate any acquired businesses;

· 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;

31



Table of Contents

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

· 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;

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

Other matters set forth in this report and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Risk Factors set forth in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 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 speaks only as of the date on which it is 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 periods presented:

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA

(in thousands, except for per share data) (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2014

2013

2014

2013

Statement of Operations Data:

Net broadcast revenues (a)

$

404,151

$

279,270

$

778,032

$

532,195

Revenues realized from station barter arrangements

33,336

22,047

57,361

40,277

Other operating divisions revenues

17,649

12,837

32,391

24,300

Total revenues

455,136

314,154

867,784

596,772

Station production expenses

134,303

85,694

261,342

166,127

Station selling, general and administrative expenses

82,595

53,297

164,520

105,235

Expenses recognized from station barter arrangements

29,528

19,382

51,005

35,396

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

23,574

18,656

47,515

37,517

Depreciation and amortization expenses (b)

50,241

30,662

99,347

61,259

Other operating divisions expenses

14,453

10,736

26,778

20,605

Corporate general and administrative expenses

17,403

11,447

33,238

22,697

Operating income

103,039

84,280

184,039

147,936

Interest expense and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs

(40,121

)

(45,465

)

(79,659

)

(83,162

)

Loss from extinguishment of debt

(16,283

)

(16,283

)

Income (loss) from equity and cost method investees

742

(404

)

840

(1,456

)

Other income, net

1,015

482

1,932

939

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

64,675

22,610

107,152

47,974

Income tax provision

(23,074

)

(9,654

)

(37,894

)

(18,503

)

Income from continuing operations

41,601

12,956

69,258

29,471

Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

5,103

5,458

Net income

41,601

18,059

69,258

34,929

Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests

(266

)

(233

)

(765

)

(106

)

Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group

$

41,335

$

17,826

$

68,493

$

34,823

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

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

$

0.43

$

0.14

$

0.70

$

0.34

Basic earnings per share

$

0.43

$

0.19

$

0.70

$

0.40

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

$

0.42

$

0.14

$

0.69

$

0.34

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.42

$

0.19

$

0.69

$

0.40

32



Table of Contents

Balance Sheet Data:

June 30, 2014

December 31, 2013

Cash and cash equivalents

$

395,546

$

280,104

Total assets

$

4,181,962

$

4,147,472

Total debt (c)

$

3,114,977

$

3,034,040

Total equity

$

370,173

$

405,704


(a) Net broadcast revenues are 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 March 31, 2014.

Results of Operations — an analysis of our revenues and expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, including comparisons between quarters and expectations for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

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 six months ended June 30, 2014.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Second Quarter 2014 Events

· Effective April 1, 2014, we promoted David B. Amy to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and named Christopher Ripley as Chief Financial Officer.

· In April 2014, we reached a multi-year retransmission consent agreement with Charter Communications.

· In May 2014, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, payable on June 13, 2014 to the holders of record at the close of business on May 30, 2014.

· In May 2014, we announced the launch of ONE Media, LLC, a joint venture between Coherent Logix and Sinclair with a vision to build the “Next Generation Broadcast Platform,” enabling broadcasting to be competitive across all platforms.  This broadcast platform will support all business models, whether fixed services to the home, portable service within the home, or nomadic services outside the home.

· In June 2014, we entered into an agreement to sell the assets of WHTM-TV (ABC) in Harrisburg, PA to Media General for $83.4 million, pending customary regulatory approval and other closing conditions.

· In June 2014, we signed an agreement to broadcast getTV in 33 markets beginning in the summer 2014.

Other Events

· In July 2014, STG issued $550.0 million in senior unsecured notes, which bear interest at a rate of 5.625% per annum and mature on August 1, 2024.  The proceeds from the offering of the 5.625% Notes, together with borrowings under our Bank Credit Agreement and cash on hand, were used to finance the acquisition of the Allbritton companies on July 31, 2014.

· In July 2014, we amended and restated our existing bank credit facility raising $400.0 million of additional term loan B commitments, which matures in 2021 and bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.75%, with a 0.75% floor. Additionally, $327.7 million of our term loan A commitments were converted to revolving commitments.

· In July 2014, we launched the American Sports Network (“ASN”), a collegiate sports initiative to be broadcast on a number of our television stations, which have entered into comprehensive sports rights agreements with a number of distinguished NCAA Division I conferences.

· On July 31, 2014, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding common stock of Perpetual Corporation and equity interest of Charleston Television, LLC (Allbritton) for $985.0 million plus working capital of $53.4 million.  We financed the total purchase price with proceeds from the issuance of 5.625% senior unsecured notes, a draw on our amended bank credit agreement, and cash on hand.  In conjunction with the acquisition, we terminated our LMA in Charleston, SC with WTAT-TV (FOX) and sold the non-license assets of WTAT to Cunningham for $14.0 million. Additionally, we will surrender for cancellation the FCC licenses of WCFT, WJSU, and WCIV.

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· In August 2014, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.165 per share, payable on September 15, 2014 to the holders of record at the close of business on August 29, 2014.

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. The results of the acquired stations from Fisher as of August 8, 2013, Barrington as of November 22, 2013, and nineteen other television stations during the year ended 2013 are included in our results of our continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.  We determined that the operating results of WLAJ-TV, sold March 1, 2013, and WLWC-TV, sold April 1, 2013, are classified as discontinued operations and therefore the results are not included in our consolidated results of continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013.  Unless otherwise indicated, references in this discussion and analysis to the second quarter of 2014 and 2013 refer to the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Additionally, any references to the first, third or fourth quarter are to the three months ended March 31, September 30, and December 31, respectively, for the year being discussed.  We have one reportable segment, “broadcast” that is disclosed separately from our other operating divisions and corporate activities.

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’ 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 revenues from continuing operations, net of agency commissions, for the periods presented (in millions):

For the Three Months Ended June 30,

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

2014

2013

Percent
Change

2014

2013

Percent
Change

Local revenues:

Non-political

$

319.5

$

218.5

46.2%

$

620.3

$

420.0

47.7%

Political

2.1

0.2

(a)

2.7

0.2

(a)

Total local

321.6

218.7

47.1%

623.0

420.2

48.3%

National revenues:

Non-political

73.1

59.3

23.3%

140.1

109.9

27.5%

Political

9.5

1.3

(a)

14.9

2.1

(a)

Total national

82.6

60.6

36.3%

155.0

112.0

38.4%

Total net broadcast revenues

$

404.2

$

279.3

44.7%

$

778.0

$

532.2

46.2%


(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. Net broadcast revenues increased $124.9 million when comparing the second quarter 2014 to the same period in 2013, of which $110.3 million was related to acquired stations not included in same period of 2013. The remaining increase is primarily the result of higher retransmission revenues from multichannel video programming distributors (MVPD) and increases in advertising revenues in the political, automotive, and medical sectors.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in advertising revenues in the direct response, retail/department stores and restaurant sectors. Excluding the stations acquired after the second quarter of 2013, automotive, which typically is our largest category, represented 24.5% of net time sales for the three months ended June 30, 2014. Net broadcast revenues increased $245.8 million when comparing the six months ended June 30, 2014 to the same period in 2013, of which $219.3 million was related to acquired stations not included in the same period in 2013. The remaining increase for the six month period is primarily the result of higher retransmission revenues from MVPDs and increases in advertising revenues in the political, services, and medical sectors.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in advertising revenues in the direct response, retail/department stores and restaurant sectors. Excluding the stations acquired after the second quarter of 2013, automotive, which typically is our largest category, represented 24.1% of net time sales for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

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From a network affiliation or program service arrangement perspective, the following table sets forth our affiliate percentages of television net time sales for the periods presented:

# of

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

Net Time
Sales
Percent

Percent of Net Time
Sales for the
Six months ended
June 30,

Net Time
Sales
Percent

Stations (a)

2014

2013

Change

2014

2013

Change

FOX

39

28.7%

32.9%

19.8%

30.0%

32.9%

26.7%

ABC

20

21.7%

16.9%

76.0%

20.6%

16.7%

72.1%

CBS

25

20.6%

21.2%

33.2%

20.1%

22.1%

26.3%

NBC

16

9.2%

5.6%

124.5%

9.5%

4.9%

167.0%

The CW

22

8.9%

10.7%

14.5%

8.9%

10.8%

14.6%

MyNetworkTV

20

8.4%

11.1%

4.8%

8.4%

11.0%

5.2%

Digital

(b)

1.6%

1.3%

69.6%

1.6%

1.3%

65.1%

Other

7

0.9%

0.3%

311.0%

0.9%

0.3%

288.5%

Total

149


(a) During 2013, we acquired or began providing services pursuant to outsourcing agreements or LMAs to 63 stations with the following network affiliation or program service arrangements: CBS (ten stations in the third quarter and four in the fourth quarter), FOX (two stations in the second quarter, three in the third quarter and eight in the fourth quarter), NBC (two stations in the second quarter, three in the third quarter and eight in the fourth quarter), ABC (two stations in the third quarter and six in the fourth quarter), CW (one station in the third quarter and seven the fourth quarter), Univision (five stations in the third quarter), and MyNetworkTV (two stations in the second quarter).

(b) We broadcast programming from network affiliations or program service arrangements with FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, The CW, MyNetworkTV, This TV, ME TV, Retro TV, Weather Radar, Weather Nation, Live Well Network, Antenna TV, Bounce Network, Zuus Country, Azteca, Tele-Romantica, Inmigrante TV, MundoFox, Telemundo and Estrella TV on additional channels through our stations’ second and third digital signals.  Additionally, as of July 1, 2014 our programming includes getTV carried on second and third digital signals at certain stations.

Political Revenues. Political revenues increased by $10.1 million to $11.6 million for the second quarter 2014 when compared to the same period in 2013.  For the six months ended June 30, 2014, political revenues increased by $15.3 million to $17.6 million when compared to the same period in 2013. Political revenues are typically higher in election years such as 2014.

Local Revenues. Excluding political revenues, our local broadcast revenues, which include local times sales, retransmission revenues and other local revenues, were up $101.0 million for the second quarter 2014 when compared to the same period in 2013, of which $88.0 million related to the acquired stations not included in the same period of 2013. Excluding political revenues, our local broadcast reve nues were up $200.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, of which $176.1 million related to the acquired stations not included in the same period in 2013. The remaining increase, for both the three and six month period, is primarily due to an increase in advertising revenues from the services, automotive and medical sectors as well as an increase in retransmission revenues from MVPDs. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in advertising revenues from the direct response, media, fast food, and paid programming sectors.

National Revenues. Excluding political revenues, our national broadcast revenues, which include national time sales and other national revenues, were up $13.8 million for the second quarter 2014 when compared to the same period in 2013, of which $19.3 million related to the acquired stations not included in the same period of 2013.  The residual decrease was due to a decline in advertising revenues in the direct response, restaurant/other, and services sectors. Excluding political revenues, our national broadcast revenues were up $30.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, of which $39.2 million related to the acquired stations not included in the same period in 2013.  The residual decrease was due to a decline in advertising revenues in the restaurant/other, religion and direct response sectors.

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Table of Contents

Broadcast Expenses

The following table presents our significant expense categories in our broadcast segment for the periods presented (in millions):

For the Three Months Ended June 30,

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

Percent
Change

Percent
Change

2014

2013

Increase

2014

2013

Increase

Station production expenses

$

134.3

$

85.7

56.7%

$

261.3

$

166.1

57.3%

Station selling, general and administrative expenses

$

82.6

$

53.3

55.0%

$

164.5

$

105.2

56.4%

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments

$

23.6

$

18.7

26.2%

$

47.5

$

37.5

26.7%

Corporate general and administrative expenses

$

14.3

$

10.2

40.2%

$

29.0

$

20.4

42.2%

Depreciation and amortization expenses

$

47.8

$

28.7

66.6%

$

94.5

$

57.4

64.6%

Station production expenses. Station production expenses increased $48.6 million during the second quarter of 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013, of which $40.5 million related to acquired stations not included in the same period of 2013. Station production expenses increased $95.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013, of which $82.7 million related to stations not included in the same period in 2013. The remaining increase for both the three and six month period is primarily due to an increase in fees pursuant to network affiliation agreements.

Station selling, general and administrative expense. Station selling, general and administrative expenses increased $29.3 million during the second quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, of which $28.0 million related to acquired stations not included in the same period of 2013. Station selling, general and administrative expenses increased $59.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, of which $57.5 million related to the acquired stations not included in the same period in 2013.  The remaining increase for both the three and six month period is primarily due to an increase in information technology infrastructure costs and compensation expense, partially offset by a decrease in health care costs.

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments .  The amortization of program contract costs increased $4.9 million during the second quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, of which $3.8 million related to acquired stations not included in the same period of 2013. The amortization of program contract costs increased $10.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, of which $9.0 million related to acquired stations not included in the same period of 2013. The remaining increase for both the three and six month period is primarily due to higher programming costs.

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

Depreciation and Amortization expenses. Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of definite-lived intangibles and other assets increased $19.1 million during the second quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, of which $22.6 million related to acquired stations not included in the same period of 2013. Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of definite-lived intangibles and other assets increased $37.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, of which $40.6 million related to acquired stations not included in the same period in 2013. The remaining decrease for both the three and six month period is primarily due to assets becoming fully depreciated or amortized.

OTHER OPERATING DIVISIONS

Triangle Sign & Service, LLC (Triangle), a sign designer / fabricator, Alarm Funding Associates, LLC (Alarm Funding), a regional security alarm operating and bulk acquisition company, Dielectric, LLC, a manufacturer of broadcast equipment, real estate ventures and other nominal businesses make up our other operating divisions.  Revenues for our other operating divisions increased $4.8 million to $17.6 million during the second quarter 2014 compared to $12.8 million during the same period in 2013.  For the six months ended June 30, 2014, revenues for our other operating divisions increased $8.1 million to $32.4 million compared to $24.3 million during the same period in 2013.  Expenses of our other operating divisions including operating expenses, depreciation and amortization and applicable other income (expense) items such as interest expense, increased $3.6 million to $17.4 million during the second quarter 2014 compared to $13.8 million during the same period in 2013. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, expenses including other operating divisions expense, depreciation and amortization and applicable other income (expense) items, such as interest expense, increased $5.6 million to $32.9 million compared to $27.3 million in May 2013. The increases in both revenue and expenses relate primarily to the Alarm Funding, Triangle, and acquisition of Dielectric, which was acquired in June 2013.

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Table of Contents

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, within other operating divisions.  During the three months ended June 30, 2014, we recorded a loss of less than $0.1 million related to our real estate ventures and income of $0.6 million related to certain private investment funds.  For the six months ended June 30, 2014, we recorded a loss of $0.3 million related to our real estate ventures and income of $0.9 million related to certain private investment funds. During the three months ended June 30, 2013, we recorded a loss of $0.8 million related to our real estate ventures and income of $0.4 million related to certain private investment funds. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, we recorded a loss of $2.2 million related to our real estate ventures and income of $0.8 million related to certain private investment funds.

CORPORATE AND UNALLOCATED EXPENSES

For the Three Months Ended June 30,

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

Percent
Change
(Increase/

Percent
Change
(Increase/

2014

2013

(Decrease))

2014

2013

(Decrease))

Corporate general and administrative expenses

$

2.7

$

1.0

170.0%

$

3.6

$

1.8

100.0%

Interest expense

$

39.1

$

44.7

(12.5)%

$

77.7

$

81.6

(4.8)%

Loss from extinguishment of debt

$

$

16.3

(100.0)%

$

$

16.3

(100.0)%

Income tax provision

$

(23.1

)

$

(9.7

)

138.1%

$

(37.9

)

$

(18.5

)

104.9%

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 which are included in our discussion of expenses in the Other Operating Divisions section.

Corporate general and administrative expenses combined increased by $6.0 million and $10.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, when compared to the same period in 2013.  The increase is primarily due to an increase in overhead costs related to our recent acquisitions and includes $1.5 million of development costs associated with ONE Media, LLC.

We expect corporate general and administrative expenses to decrease slightly in the third quarter of 2014 compared to second quarter of 2014.

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased primarily due to the redemption of our 9.25% Notes, 4.875% Notes and 3.0% Notes in the fourth quarter of 2013. The decrease in interest expense was partially offset by an increase in interest expense due to the issuance of $600.0 million of 5.375% Notes in the second quarter of 2013 and the issuance of $350.0 million of 6.375% Notes in the fourth quarter of 2013. See Liquidity and Capital Resources for more information.

Income tax (provision) benefit. The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 including the effects of the noncontrolling interest was a provision of 35.8% and 35.6%, respectively, as compared to a provision of 43.1% and 38.7% during the same period in 2013, respectively.  The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013 is primarily due to a 2013 increase in the state income tax reserves related to an ongoing audit.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of June 30, 2014, we had $395.5 million in cash and cash equivalent balances and net working capital of approximately $426.3 million.  Cash generated by our operations and borrowing capacity under the Bank Credit Agreement are used as our primary sources of liquidity.  As of June 30, 2014, we had $154.5 million of borrowing capacity available on our Revolving Credit Facility.

During February and March 2014, we repurchased 2.9 million shares of Class A Common Stock for $82.4 million.  The repurchase was completed using cash on hand.  As of June 30, 2014 we had $185.1 million remaining under our existing $300.0 repurchase authorization.

In July 2014, we issued $550.0 million in senior unsecured notes, which bear interest at a rate of 5.625% per annum and mature on August 1, 2024.

In July 2014, we amended and restated our existing bank credit facility raising $400.0 million of incremental term loan B commitments.  The incremental credit facility matures in July 2021.  Additionally, $327.7 million of term loan A, including $72.5 million of the remaining $108.2 million delayed draw, were converted into revolving commitments.  As of closing, we have $361.2 million of committed term loan A, which consists of $325.5 million currently outstanding and $35.7 million under the delayed draw to be borrowed on or before December 31, 2014, and we have $485.2 million in revolving commitments.

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The proceeds from the offering of the 5.625% Notes, together with borrowings under our Bank Credit Agreement and cash on hand, were used to finance the acquisition of the Allbritton companies on July 31, 2014.

We anticipate that existing cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from our operations and borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility and general committed incremental term loan capacity under our amended and restated 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.

Sources and Uses of Cash

The following table sets forth our cash flows for the periods presented (in millions):

For the Three Months
Ended June 30,

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

2014

2013

2014

2013

Net cash flows from operating activities

$

43.7

$

3.7

$

180.0

$

53.4

Cash flows (used in) from investing activities:

Acquisition of property and equipment

$

(14.7

)

$

(9.7

)

$

(26.6

)

$

(17.2

)

Payments for acquisition of television stations

(96.2

)

(96.2

)

Investment in other operating divisions

(11.8

)

(8.9

)

(16.1

)

(5.4

)

Proceeds from sale of broadcast assets

13.7

28.0

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash

(8.7

)

(0.7

)

(33.6

)

Proceeds from insurance settlement

0.1

17.1

0.1

Other, net

(2.8

)

(2.0

)

(5.0

)

(2.3

)

Net cash flows used in from investing activities

$

(29.3

)

$

(111.7

)

$

(31.3

)

$

(126.6

)

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities:

Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

$

96.9

$

1,061.2

$

102.7

$

1,162.4

Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

(14.7

)

(879.1

)

(21.1

)

(991.7

)

Proceeds from sale of Class A Common Stock

472.4

472.4

Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock

(82.4

)

Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock

(14.6

)

(14.9

)

(29.3

)

(27.0

)

Other, net

(4.2

)

(6.6

)

(3.1

)

(14.9

)

Net cash flows (used in) from financing activities

$

63.4

$

633.0

$

(33.2

)

$

601.2

Operating Activities

Net cash flows from operating activities increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.  This is primarily due to receipt of more cash from customers, which is primarily related to the acquired stations not included in the same period in 2013, timing of interest payments and payments to vendors, partially offset by higher overhead expenses primarily due to our acquisitions since the same period in 2013 and higher program payments.

Investing Activities

Net cash flows used in investing activities decreased during the three months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.  The decrease is primarily due to less cash used for acquisitions of televisions stations, partially offset by lower sales of broadcast assets and an increase in acquisitions of other operating divisions.

Net cash flows used in investing activities decreased during the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.  The decrease is primarily due to less cash used for acquisitions of televisions stations, and increase in proceeds from the settlement of life insurance policies, partially offset by lower sales of broadcast assets and an increase in acquisitions of other operating divisions.

In the third quarter and/or fourth quarter of 2014, we anticipate incurring higher capital expenditures than incurred in the first  and second quarter of 2014, due to expenditures related to Barrington stations and pending acquisitions.

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Table of Contents

Financing Activities

Net cash flows from in financing activities decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013.  The change mostly relates to the proceeds from the sale of Class A Common Stock in 2013 and decrease in proceeds from notes payable, net of payments, partially offset by lower deferred financing costs of notes payable.

Net cash flows used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2014 was $33.2 million, compared to $601.2 million net cash flows from financing in the same period in 2013.  The change mostly relates to the proceeds from the sale of Class A Common Stock in 2013, repurchase of Class A Common Stock during the 2014, and decrease in proceeds from notes payable, net of payments, partially offset by lower deferred financing costs of notes payable.

In August 2014, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.165 per share. 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 of June 30, 2014, there were no material changes to our contractual cash obligations.

See Liquidity and Capital Resources for discussion on issuance of 5.625% Notes and amendment and restatement of the Bank Credit Facility in July 2014.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

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, 2013.

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 June 30, 2014.

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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Table of Contents

Assessment of Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2014, 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 June 30, 2014, 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.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

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 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, 2013.

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

None.

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.

40



Table of Contents

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number

Description

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 Christopher S. Ripley, 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 Christopher S. Ripley, 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

41



Table of Contents

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 8th day of August 2014.

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

By:

/s/ David R. Bochenek

David R. Bochenek

Senior Vice President/Chief Accounting Officer

(Authorized Officer and Chief Accounting Officer)

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

Description

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 Christopher S. Ripley, 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 Christopher S. Ripley, 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

43


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