SBGI 10-Q Quarterly Report June 30, 2015 | Alphaminr
SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC

SBGI 10-Q Quarter ended June 30, 2015

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC
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10-Q 1 sbgi-06302015x10q.htm 10-Q SBGI-06.30.2015-10Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
ý QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015
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
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)
52-1494660
(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, 2015
Class A Common Stock
69,566,025
Class B Common Stock
25,928,357



SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED June 30, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS


2


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3


SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited)
As of June 30,
2015
As of December 31,
2014
ASSETS


CURRENT ASSETS:


Cash and cash equivalents
$
64,579

$
17,682

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,500 and $4,246, respectively
384,570

383,503

Current portion of program contract costs
44,538

88,198

Income taxes receivable

3,314

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
41,661

21,338

Deferred barter costs
8,451

5,626

Assets held for sale

6,504

Total current assets
543,799

526,165

ASSETS HELD FOR SALE
1,843

8,817

PROGRAM CONTRACT COSTS, less current portion
24,013

38,531

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net
741,854

752,538

RESTRICTED CASH
1,500


GOODWILL
1,951,302

1,964,553

BROADCAST LICENSES
130,915

135,075

DEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net
1,792,919

1,818,263

OTHER ASSETS
192,836

166,386

Total assets (a)
$
5,380,981

$
5,410,328

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT)


CURRENT LIABILITIES:


Accounts payable
$
17,844

$
12,248

Accrued liabilities
218,395

246,123

Income taxes payable
18,691


Current portion of notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing
61,935

113,116

Current portion of notes and capital leases payable to affiliates
2,881

2,625

Current portion of program contracts payable
62,311

104,922

Deferred barter revenues
8,135

5,806

Deferred tax liabilities
6,689

6,689

Liabilities held for sale

2,477

Total current liabilities
396,881

494,006

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:


Notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing, less current portion
3,808,085

3,754,822

Notes payable and capital leases to affiliates, less current portion
16,775

16,309

Program contracts payable, less current portion
49,586

60,605

Deferred tax liabilities
584,883

602,243

Other long-term liabilities
78,512

77,000

Total liabilities (a)
4,934,722

5,004,985

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (See Note 6 )




EQUITY:


SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:


Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 69,535,162 and 69,578,899 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
695

696

Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value, 140,000,000 shares authorized, 25,928,357 and 25,928,357 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, convertible into Class A Common Stock
259

259

Additional paid-in capital
981,607

979,202

Accumulated deficit
(507,215
)
(545,820
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(6,287
)
(6,455
)
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group shareholders’ equity
469,059

427,882

Noncontrolling interests
(22,800
)
(22,539
)
Total equity
446,259

405,343

Total liabilities and equity
$
5,380,981

$
5,410,328

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
(a)
Our consolidated total assets as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 include total assets of variable interest entities (VIEs) of $155.3 million and $163.3 million, respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs.  Our consolidated total liabilities as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 include total liabilities of the VIEs of $28.8 million and $30.0 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to us.  See Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies .


4


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,
2015
2014
2015
2014
REVENUES:


Station broadcast revenues, net of agency commissions
$
502,338

$
404,151

$
966,501

$
778,032

Revenues realized from station barter arrangements
30,373

33,336

51,332

57,361

Other operating divisions revenues
21,456

17,649

41,109

32,391

Total revenues
554,167

455,136

1,058,942

867,784

OPERATING EXPENSES:




Station production expenses
181,088

134,303

352,103

261,342

Station selling, general and administrative expenses
102,801

82,595

204,688

164,520

Expenses recognized from station barter arrangements
26,381

29,528

43,793

51,005

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments
29,782

23,574

60,173

47,515

Other operating divisions expenses
16,666

14,453

32,489

26,778

Depreciation of property and equipment
25,273

25,252

50,462

49,630

Corporate general and administrative expenses
14,154

15,820

30,170

31,655

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets
39,445

24,989

79,425

49,717

Research and development expenses
4,237

1,583

6,752

1,583

Total operating expenses
439,827

352,097

860,055

683,745

Operating income
114,340

103,039

198,887

184,039

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):




Interest expense and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs
(47,664
)
(40,121
)
(94,312
)
(79,659
)
Income from equity and cost method investments
2,007

742

5,153

840

Other income, net
1,050

1,015

1,268

1,932

Total other expense, net
(44,607
)
(38,364
)
(87,891
)
(76,887
)
Income before income taxes
69,733

64,675

110,996

107,152

INCOME TAX PROVISION
(23,334
)
(23,074
)
(39,761
)
(37,894
)
NET INCOME
46,399

41,601

71,235

69,258

Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests
(612
)
(266
)
(1,166
)
(765
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP
$
45,787

$
41,335

$
70,069

$
68,493

Dividends declared per share
$
0.165

$
0.15

$
0.33

$
0.30

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


Basic earnings per share
$
0.48

$
0.43

$
0.74

$
0.70

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.48

$
0.42

$
0.73

$
0.69

Weighted average common shares outstanding
95,307

97,174

95,219

97,994

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
96,050

97,864

95,911

98,678

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


5


SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands) (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2015
2014
2015
2014
Net income
$
46,399

$
41,601

$
71,235

$
69,258

Amortization of net periodic pension benefit costs, net of taxes
84

167

168

80

Unrealized gain on investments, net of taxes

479


604

Comprehensive income
46,483

42,247

71,403

69,942

Comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests
(612
)
(266
)
(1,166
)
(765
)
Comprehensive income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group
$
45,871

$
41,981

$
70,237

$
69,177

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


6


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
Capital
Accumulated
Deficit
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Noncontrolling
Interests
Total Equity
(Deficit)
Shares
Values
Shares
Values
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


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
Capital
Accumulated
Deficit
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Noncontrolling
Interests
Total Equity
(Deficit)
Shares
Values
Shares
Values
BALANCE, December 31, 2014
69,578,899

$
696

25,928,357

$
259

$
979,202

$
(545,820
)
$
(6,455
)
$
(22,539
)
$
405,343

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





(31,464
)


(31,464
)
Repurchases of Class A Common Stock
(304,787
)
(3
)


(7,800
)



(7,803
)
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans
261,050

2



9,510




9,512

Tax benefit on share based awards




695




695

Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net







(2,464
)
(2,464
)
Other comprehensive income






168


168

Issuance of subsidiary stock awards







1,037

1,037

Net income





70,069


1,166

71,235

BALANCE, June 30, 2015
69,535,162

$
695

25,928,357

$
259

$
981,607

$
(507,215
)
$
(6,287
)
$
(22,800
)
$
446,259

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


8


SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands) (Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30,
2015
2014
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:


Net income
$
71,235

$
69,258

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


Depreciation of property and equipment
50,462

49,630

Amortization of definite-lived intangible and other assets
79,425

49,717

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments
60,173

47,515

Stock-based compensation expense
11,577

8,430

Deferred tax benefit
(17,368
)
(10,569
)
Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:


Decrease in accounts receivable
3,433

7,162

Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets
(18,755
)
(11,643
)
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(27,139
)
(331
)
Increase in income taxes payable
17,705

16,995

Payments on program contracts payable
(55,676
)
(47,381
)
Real estate held for development and sale
(4,389
)
(6,052
)
Other, net
7,333

7,253

Net cash flows from operating activities
178,016

179,984

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:


Acquisition of property and equipment
(47,062
)
(26,587
)
Payments for acquisition of assets in other operating divisions

(8,273
)
Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts
(16,673
)
(7,835
)
Distributions from equity and cost method investees
8,168

1,522

Investments in equity and cost method investees
(37,809
)
(6,167
)
Proceeds from termination of life insurance policies

17,042

Other, net
3,483

(1,008
)
Net cash flows used in investing activities
(89,893
)
(31,306
)
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:


Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases
364,853

102,724

Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases
(360,480
)
(21,114
)
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock
(31,464
)
(29,284
)
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock
(7,803
)
(82,371
)
Noncontrolling interests distributions
(2,464
)
(3,953
)
Other, net
(3,868
)
762

Net cash flows used in financing activities
(41,226
)
(33,236
)
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
46,897

115,442

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
17,682

280,104

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
$
64,579

$
395,546


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


9


SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities (VIEs) for which we are the primary beneficiary.  Noncontrolling 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.
Interim Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 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, 2014 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.
Third-party station licensees. Certain of our stations provide services to other station owners within the same respective market, such as LMAs, where we provide programming, sales, operational and administrative services, and JSAs and SSAs, where we provide non-programming, sales, operational and administrative services.  In certain cases, we have also entered into purchase agreements or options to purchase, the license related assets of the licensee.  We typically own the majority of the non-license assets of the stations and in some cases where the licensee acquired the license assets concurrent with our acquisition of the non-license assets of the station, we have provided guarantees to the bank for the licensee’s acquisition financing.  The terms of the agreements vary, but generally have initial terms of over five years with several optional renewal terms. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , we have concluded that 37 of these licensees are VIEs.  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.  Several of these VIEs are owned by a related party, Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation (Cunningham).  See Note 8. Related Person Transactions for more information about the arrangements with Cunningham. The net revenues of the stations which we consolidate were $71.8 million and $136.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , and $71.8 million and $138.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 , respectively.  The fees paid between us and the licensees pursuant to these arrangements are eliminated in consolidation.  See Changes in the Rules of Television Ownership and Joint Sale Agreements within Note 6. Commitment and Contingencies for discussion of recent changes in FCC rules related to JSAs.

10


Up until third quarter of 2014, we had consolidated Cunningham (parent entity), in addition to their stations that we perform services for, as we had previously determined that it was a VIE because it had insufficient equity at risk.  As of September 30, 2014, we concluded that Cunningham was no longer a VIE given its significant equity at risk in assets that we have no involvement with, and deconsolidated this entity, along with WTAT and WYZZ, stations that Cunningham acquired from us in July 2014 and November 2013, respectively, with which we have no continuing involvement.  As a result of the deconsolidation, we recorded the difference between the proceeds received from Cunningham for the sale of WTAT and WYZZ to additional paid in capital in the consolidated balance sheet, as well as reflected the noncontrolling interest deficit of the remaining Cunningham VIEs which represents their significant cumulative distributions made to Cunningham (parent entity) that were previously eliminated in consolidation.
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,
2015
December 31,
2014
ASSETS


CURRENT ASSETS:


Cash and cash equivalents
$
490

$
491

Accounts receivable
19,307

19,521

Current portion of program contract costs
8,570

9,544

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
435

297

Total current assets
28,802

29,853

PROGRAM CONTRACT COSTS, less current portion
4,866

6,922

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net
9,012

9,716

GOODWILL
787

787

BROADCAST LICENSES
16,960

16,935

DEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net
87,974

96,732

OTHER ASSETS
6,924

2,376

Total assets
$
155,325

$
163,321

LIABILITIES


CURRENT LIABILITIES:


Accounts payable
$
39

$
68

Accrued liabilities
1,431

1,297

Current portion of notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing
3,673

3,659

Current portion of program contracts payable
8,172

9,714

Total current liabilities
13,315

14,738

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:


Notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing, less current portion
26,321

28,640

Program contracts payable, less current portion
10,520

10,161

Long term liabilities
8,670

8,739

Total liabilities
$
58,826

$
62,278


11


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 LMA which are treated as a prepayment of the purchase price of the stations and capital leases between us and Cunningham which are eliminated in consolidation.  The cumulative payments made under these LMAs that were treated as a prepayment of purchase price as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , which are excluded from liabilities above, were $36.0 million and $34.4 million , respectively.  The total capital lease liabilities, net of capital lease assets, excluded from the above were $4.3 million for June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 .  Also excluded from the amounts above are liabilities associated with the certain outsourcing agreements and purchase options with certain VIEs totaling $78.9 million and $78.1 million as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively, as these amounts are eliminated in consolidation.  The risk and reward characteristics of the VIEs are similar.
Other investments. 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, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $19.3 million and $22.7 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 $2.6 million and $5.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , and income of $0.7 million and $0.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 , respectively, related to these investments.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued 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.  The new standard effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. In July 2015, the FASB decided to defer the effective date by one year to the annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2017, however, early adoption as of the original effective date will be permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance on disclosure of uncertainties about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The new standard is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new guidance on our financial statements.
In February 2015, the FASB issued new guidance that amends the current consolidation guidance on the determination of whether an entity is a variable interest entity.  This new standard is effective for the annual period beginning after December 15, 2016.  Early adoption is allowed, including in any interim period.  We are currently evaluating the impact of this new guidance on our financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet. The guidance requires costs paid to third parties that are directly attributable to issuing a debt instrument to be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt as opposed to an asset. The new standard is effective for the annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted, and is required to be applied retrospectively. We have applied the change in accounting as of June 30, 2015 with retrospective application to prior periods. As such, within our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014, we have decreased the amounts previously reported as other assets and notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing, less current portion by $41.8 million . The change in accounting principle does not have an impact on our statements of operations or cash flows.

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.

12


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.
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, 2015 , we have purchased approximately 0.3 million shares for $7.8 million .  As of June 30, 2015 , the total remaining authorization was $126.6 million .
Income Taxes
Our income tax provision for all periods consists of federal and state income taxes.  The tax provision for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 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 months ended June 30, 2015 was less than the statutory rate primarily due to a decrease in our income tax provision resulting from certain state law changes. Our effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2015 exceeded the statutory rate primarily due to an increase in income tax provision resulting from a settlement of a state income tax position. Our effective income tax rate for the three months and six months ended June 30 2014 approximated the statutory rate.

We believe it is reasonably possible that our liability for unrecognized tax benefits related to continuing operations could be reduced by up to $5.7 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.
Reclassificiations
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year's presentation.


13


2. ACQUISITIONS:
During 2014, we acquired a total of 21 stations in 15 markets for a purchase price of $1,434.5 million plus working capital of $47.2 million . All of these acquisitions provide expansion into additional markets and increases value based on the synergies we are achieving.
2014 Acquisitions
Allbritton. Effective August 1, 2014, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding common stock of Perpetual Corporation and equity interest of Charleston Television, LLC (together the “Allbritton Companies”) for $985.0 million plus working capital of $50.1 million .  The Allbritton Companies owned and operated nine television stations in the following seven markets, all of which were affiliated with ABC: Washington, DC; Birmingham, AL; Harrisburg, PA; Little Rock / Pine Bluff, AR; Tulsa, OK; Roanoke / Lynchburg, VA; and Charleston, SC. Also included in the purchase was NewsChannel 8, a 24 -hour cable/satellite news network covering the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.  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 connection with the acquisition, we sold the acquired assets related to the Harrisburg, PA station effective September 1, 2014.  See Note 3. Dispositions of Assets for further discussion.
MEG Stations. Effective December 19, 2014, we completed the acquisition of four television stations in three markets from Media General, Inc. (MEG Stations) for a purchase price of $207.5 million less working capital of $1.6 million .  The acquired stations are located in the following markets: Providence, RI / New Bedford, MA; Green Bay / Appleton, WI; and Savannah, GA. Simultaneously, we sold to Media General, our television stations in Tampa, FL and Colorado Springs, CO.  See Note 3. Dispositions of Assets for further discussion.  We financed the purchase price, net of the proceeds received from the sale of those stations, with borrowings under our revolving credit facility.
KSNV. Effective November 1, 2014, we completed the acquisition of certain of assets of KSNV (NBC) in Las Vegas, NV from Intermountain West Communications Company (Intermountain West) for $118.5 million less working capital of $0.2 million .  In conjunction with the purchase, we assumed the rights under the affiliation agreement with NBC and swapped our KVMY call letters for the KSNV call letters.  Intermountain West continues to own and operate the station under the KVMY call letters and we do not provide any programming or sales services to this station. We financed the total purchase price with cash on hand and borrowings under our revolving credit facility.
Other 2014 Acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2014 , we acquired certain assets related to eight other television stations in the following four markets: Wilkes Barre / Scranton, PA; Tallahassee, FL; Gainesville, FL; and Macon, GA.  The purchase price for these stations was $123.5 million less working capital of $1.1 million which was financed with cash on hand and borrowings under our revolving credit facility.






















14


The following tables summarize the allocated fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities, including the net assets of consolidated VIEs (in thousands):
MEG
Stations
KSNV
Allbritton
Other
Total 2014
acquisitions
Accounts receivable
$

$

$
38,542

$

$
38,542

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
476

67

19,890

79

20,512

Program contract costs
1,954

482

1,204

2,561

6,201

Property and equipment
23,462

8,300

46,600

8,400

86,762

Broadcast licenses
100


13,700

125

13,925

Definite-lived intangible assets
125,200

62,700

564,100

71,025

823,025

Other assets


20,352

1,500

21,852

Assets held for sale


83,200


83,200

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(2,085
)
(277
)
(8,351
)
(1,143
)
(11,856
)
Program contracts payable
(1,914
)
(481
)
(1,140
)
(2,554
)
(6,089
)
Deferred tax liability


(261,291
)

(261,291
)
Other long term liabilities

(1,200
)
(17,263
)

(18,463
)
Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired
147,193

69,591

499,543

79,993

796,320

Goodwill
58,698

48,699

535,694

42,443

685,534

Total
$
205,891

$
118,290

$
1,035,237

$
122,436

$
1,481,854

The allocations presented above are 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 purchase prices have been allocated to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities based on estimated fair values.  The allocations related to the acquisitions are preliminary pending a final determination of the fair values of the assets and liabilities.
During the six months ended June 30, 2015 , we made certain immaterial measurement period adjustments to the initial purchase accounting for the acquisitions in 2014, resulting in reclassifications between certain noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, including an decrease to property and equipment of approximately $12.5 million , an decrease to broadcast licenses of $4.1 million , an increase to definite-lived intangible assets of $33.0 million , and a decrease to goodwill of $16.3 million , as well as a corresponding decrease to depreciation of $0.6 million and an increase to amortization of $0.3 million , during the six months ended June 30, 2015 , respectively. The comparable historical periods were not adjusted for these measurement period adjustments as they were not considered to be material.
These intangible assets will be amortized over the estimated remaining useful lives of 15 years for network affiliations and 10 - 15 years for the customer relationships.  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.  Other intangible assets will be amortized over the respective weighted average useful lives ranging from 14 to 16 years. The following tables summarize the amounts allocated to definite-lived intangible assets representing the estimated fair values and estimated goodwill deductible for tax purposes (in thousands):
MEG
Stations
KSNV
Allbritton
Other
Total 2014
acquisitions
Network affiliations
$
54,300

$
44,775

$
356,900

$
42,625

$
498,600

Customer relationships
47,400

17,925

207,200

27,400

299,925

Other intangible assets
23,500



1,000

24,500

Fair value of identifiable definite-lived intangible assets acquired
$
125,200

$
62,700

$
564,100

$
71,025

$
823,025

Estimated goodwill deductible for tax purposes
$
58,698

$
48,699

$

$
42,443

$
149,840


15


In connection with the acquisitions, for the six months ended June 30, 2014 , we incurred a total of $2.0 million , of costs primarily related to legal and other professional services, which we expensed as incurred and classified as corporate general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Pro Forma Information
The following table sets forth unaudited pro forma results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 , assuming that the above acquisitions, along with transactions necessary to finance the acquisitions, occurred at the beginning of the year preceding the year of acquisition. The pro forma results exclude acquisitions presented under Other above, as they were deemed not material both individually and in the aggregate (in thousands, except per share data):
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2014
2014
Total revenues
$
528,490

$
1,000,920

Net Income
$
40,361

$
67,817

Net Income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group
$
40,095

$
67,052

Basic earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group
$
0.41

$
0.68

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group
$
0.41

$
0.68

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, and exclusion of nonrecurring financing and transaction related costs. 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.  The pro forma revenues exclude the revenues of WHTM-TV (ABC) in Harrisburg/Lancaster/York, PA, WTTA-TV (MNT) in Tampa, FL, and KXRM/KXTU (FOX) in Colorado Springs, CO which were sold in connection with the above acquisitions.

3. DISPOSITION OF ASSETS:
Dispositions Related to Station Acquisitions
As discussed in Note 2. Acquisitions , in December 2014, we completed the acquisition of certain broadcast assets from Media General.  Simultaneously, we sold to Media General the broadcast assets of WTTA (MNT) in Tampa, FL and KXRM/KXTU (FOX) in Colorado Springs, CO for $93.1 million less working capital of $0.6 million .
Concurrent with the acquisition of the Allbritton companies discussed in Note 2. Acquisitions , due to FCC multiple ownership rules, we sold WHTM (ABC) in Harrisburg/Lancaster/York, PA to Media General in September 2014 for $83.4 million , less working capital of $0.2 million and the non-license assets of WTAT (FOX) in Charleston, SC to Cunningham for $14.0 million , effective August 1, 2014.  WHTM was acquired from the Allbritton companies and assets of WHTM were classified as assets held for sale in the Allbritton purchase price allocation.  We did not recognize a gain or loss on this transaction. Prior to the sale of WTAT, we operated the station under an LMA and purchase agreement with Cunningham.  This sale was accounted for as a transaction between parties under common control.  See Note 8. Related Person Transaction for further discussion.
Assets Held for Sale
In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) guidance on reporting assets held for sale, we reported our assets and liabilities related to Triangle Sign & Service, LLC (Triangle) as held for sale in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 . It is no longer our intent to divest of Triangle and therefore the assets and liabilities are not classified as held for sale as of June 30, 2015 . The results of operations related to Triangle are included within the results of continuing operations as the criteria for classification as discontinued operations was not met.

As of December 31, 2014 , the major classes of assets and liabilities of the group reported as held for sale on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet are shown below (in thousands):

16


December 31, 2014
Assets:

Accounts receivable
$
5,101

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
1,403

Total current assets held for sale
6,504


Property and equipment (a)
1,036

Goodwill
2,975

Definite-lived intangible assets
2,962

Total assets held for sale
$
13,477

Liabilities:

Accounts payable
$
1,096

Accrued liabilities
1,360

Current portion of notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing
21

Total liabilities held for sale
$
2,477


(a) Excluded from the above is $1.8 million in held for sale assets as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 related to certain real estate assets within our broadcast segment.

4.      GOODWILL, BROADCAST LICENSES AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS:

Goodwill, which arises from the purchase price exceeding the assigned value of the net assets of an acquired business, represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible elements being acquired. Goodwill totaled $1,951.3 million and $1,964.6 million at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively.  The change in the carrying amount of goodwill related to continuing operations was as follows (in thousands):

Broadcast
Other Operating Divisions
Consolidated
Balance at December 31, 2014
Goodwill
$
2,377,613

$
513

$
2,378,126

Accumulated impairment losses
(413,573
)

(413,573
)
1,964,040

513

1,964,553

Measurement period adjustments related to 2014 acquisitions (a)
(16,226
)

(16,226
)
Change in assets held for sale (b)

2,975

2,975

Balance at June 30, 2015
Goodwill
2,361,387

3,488

2,364,875

Accumulated impairment losses
(413,573
)

(413,573
)
$
1,947,814

$
3,488

$
1,951,302


(a)     Amounts relate to immaterial measurement period adjustments related to 2014 acquisitions as discussed in Note 2. Acquisitions .

(b)     During the six months ended June 30, 2015 , we concluded that the assets of Triangle were no longer classified as assets held for sale. See Note 3. Disposition of Assets for further discussion.







17





As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the carrying amount of our broadcast licenses was as follows (in thousands):

June 30, 2015
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
135,075

Sale of broadcast assets
(75
)
Measurement period adjustments related to 2014 acquisitions (a)
(4,085
)
Balance at June 30, 2015
$
130,915


(a)    Amounts relate to immaterial measurement period adjustments related to 2014 acquisitions as discussed in Note 2. Acquisitions .

The following table shows the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of definite-lived intangibles (in thousands):
As of June 30, 2015
Gross Carrying Value
Accumulated Amortization
Net
Amortized intangible assets:
Network affiliation (a)
$
1,388,691

$
(303,590
)
$
1,085,101

Customer relationships (a)
766,979

(199,687
)
567,292

Other (b)
215,359

(74,833
)
140,526

Total
$
2,371,029

$
(578,110
)
$
1,792,919


As of December 31, 2014
Gross Carrying Value
Accumulated Amortization
Net
Amortized intangible assets:
Network affiliation (a)
$
1,396,792

$
(257,526
)
$
1,139,266

Customer relationships (a)
749,292

(177,453
)
571,839

Other (b)
174,442

(67,284
)
107,158

Total
$
2,320,526

$
(502,263
)
$
1,818,263


(a)    Changes between the gross carrying value from December 31, 2014 to June 30, 2015, relate to immaterial measurement period adjustments related to 2014 acquisitions as discussed in Note 2. Acquisitions .

(b)    The increase in other intangible assets includes $16.7 million in additions from other operating divisions in 2015, and measurement period adjustment as discussed in Note 2. Acquisitions .

We did not have any indicators of impairment for goodwill, broadcast licenses, definite-lived intangibles, or other long-lived assets in any interim period during the six months ended June 30, 2015 .

5. NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING:

As of June 30, 2015 we had $329.7 million and $1,370.3 million outstanding under our term loan A and term loan B, net of $2.3 million and $16.4 million deferred financing costs and debt discounts, respectively. As discussed under Recent Accounting Pronouncements in Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies , we early adopted the FASB issued guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet. The guidance requires costs paid to third parties that are directly attributable to issuing a debt instrument to be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt as opposed to an asset.


18


Effective April 30, 2015, we entered into an amendment and restatement of our bank credit agreement. Pursuant to the Amendment, we raised an additional $350.0 million of incremental term loan B commitments, which mature in July 2021 and bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.75% with a 0.75% LIBOR floor. The incremental term loan B borrowings were issued under substantially the same terms as the existing term loan B agreement. The proceeds, net of issuance costs, from the amendment of term loan B were used to pay down the outstanding balance under our revolving credit facility, and for general corporate purposes. As of June 30, 2015, we had $482.9 million borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility. We incurred $3.6 million of financing costs in connection with the amendment which are presented net of the carrying value of the debt in the consolidated balance sheet.

6. 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; WCIV-TV, Charleston, South Carolina (formerly WMMP-TV); WMYA-TV, Anderson, South Carolina; WICS-TV Springfield, Illinois; WBFF-TV, Baltimore, Maryland; WTTE-TV, Columbus, Ohio; WRGT-TV, Dayton, Ohio; WVAH-TV, Charleston / Huntington, West Virginia; WCGV-TV, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and WTTO-TV in Birmingham, AL. 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 and Joint Sale Agreements
On March 12, 2014, the FCC issued a public notice on the processing of broadcast television applications proposing sharing arrangements and contingent interests.  The public notice indicated that the FCC will closely scrutinize any broadcast assignment or transfer application that proposes that two or more stations in the same market 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 future transactions.  In addition, on April 15, 2014, the FCC issued an order amending its multiple ownership rules to provide that, where two television stations are located in the same market, and a party with an attributable interest in one station sells more than 15% of the ad time per week of the other station, the party selling such ad time shall be treated as if it had an attributable ownership interest in the second station.  The imputed ownership interest would be evaluated to determine whether it complies with the FCC’s ownership rules that limit the number of stations in which parties may hold attributable interests.  The amended rule also requires that every JSA contain certain certifications that the licensee maintains ultimate control of the station subject to such contract, that such JSAs be filed with the Commission and made available for public review, and that JSAs that existed on the effective date of the new rule have two years to be terminated, amended or otherwise come into compliance with the new rules.  Under the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR), which became law on December 4, 2014, Congress extended the period of time for parties to preexisting JSAs to come into compliance with the new rules for an additional six months, until December 19, 2016.   A bill has been introduced into Congress proposing to permanently grandfather preexisting JSAs, but we cannot predict its likelihood of enactment.  The new rule is the subject of an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. We cannot predict the outcome of that appeal. Among other things, the new JSA 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 revenues of these JSA arrangements we earned were $11.8 million and $11.5 million three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 and $22.7 million and $22.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.


19


7. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table reconciles income (numerator) and shares (denominator) used in our computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2015
2014
2015
2014
Income (Numerator)


Net Income
$
46,399

$
41,601

$
71,235

$
69,258

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(612
)
(266
)
(1,166
)
(765
)
Numerator for diluted earnings per common share available to common shareholders
$
45,787

$
41,335

$
70,069

$
68,493

Shares (Denominator)



Weighted-average common shares outstanding
95,307

97,174

95,219

97,994

Dilutive effect of stock-settled appreciation rights, restricted stock awards and outstanding stock options
743

690

692

684

Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
96,050

97,864

95,911

98,678

There were no anti-dilutive shares for three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 .

8. 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 $1.2 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , and $2.6 million and $2.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.
Charter Aircraft. We lease aircraft owned by certain controlling shareholders.  We incurred expenses of $0.3 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , and $0.6 million for both the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.
Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation
As of June 30, 2015 , Cunningham was the owner-operator and FCC licensee of: WNUV-TV Baltimore, Maryland; WRGT-TV Dayton, Ohio; WVAH-TV Charleston, West Virginia; 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), as well as WTAT-TV Charleston, South Carolina, and WYZZ Peoria/Bloomington, IL.
During the first quarter of 2013, the estate of Carolyn C. Smith, a mother 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 also had options from the trusts, which granted us the right to acquire, subject to applicable FCC rules and regulations, 100% of the voting and nonvoting stock of Cunningham, up until September 30, 2014, when these options were terminated. As discussed under Variable Interest Entities in Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies , during the third quarter of 2014, we deconsolidated Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation as we determined it was no longer a VIE.  We continue to consolidate certain of its

20


subsidiaries with which we continue to have variable interests through various arrangements related to the Cunningham Stations discussed further below.
As of June 30, 2015 , certain of our stations provide programming, sales and managerial services pursuant to LMAs to six of the Cunningham stations: WNUV-TV, WRGT-TV, WVAH-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. We also executed purchase agreements to acquire the license related assets of these stations from Cunningham, 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 these individual subsidiaries of Cunningham.  Our applications to acquire these license related assets are pending FCC approval.  The LMA and purchase agreement with WTAT-TV was terminated concurrent with Cunningham’s purchase of the non-license assets of this station from us for $14.0 million l effective August 1, 2014.  We no longer have any continuing involvement in the operations of this station.
Pursuant to the terms of the LMAs, options and other agreements, beginning on January 1, 2013, we were 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 . 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, of $29.1 million in the aggregate. Additionally, we reimburse these Cunningham LMA Stations for 100% of their operating costs. In July 2014, concurrent with the termination of the LMA with WTAT-TV, the total LMA fee for the remaining Cunningham LMA Stations was reduced by $4.7 million to remove the fee associated with WTAT-TV.  The remaining aggregate purchase price of these stations, excluding WTAT-TV, as of June 30, 2015 was approximately $53.6 million .
We made payments to Cunningham under our LMAs with these stations of $2.1 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and $4.4 million and $5.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , Cunningham LMA Stations provided us with approximately $24.1 million and $29.2 million , respectively, and approximately $45.9 million and $56.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, of total revenue.
Cunningham owns the license related assets of WBSF-TV and WGTU-TV/WGTQ-TV. We provide certain non-programming related sales, operational and administrative services to these stations pursuant to certain outsourcing agreements. The agreements with WBSF-TV and WGTU-TV/WGTQ-TV expire in November 2021 and August 2023, respectively, and each has renewal provisions for successive eight year periods. Additionally, we have provided a guarantee on the bank debt of these licensees of $2.9 million as of June 30, 2015 . Under these arrangements, we earned $1.0 million and $1.1 million from the services we performed for these stations for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and $2.2 million and $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 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. Our consolidated revenues related to these stations include $1.9 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and $3.7 million and $3.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.
Atlantic Automotive Corporation
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 totaling $0.1 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , and $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. 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. Atlantic Automotive paid $0.3 million in rent during the both three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , and $0.6 million and $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , 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 $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , and $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , 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.  This investment received less than $0.1 million in rent pursuant to the lease for both the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , and $0.1 million for both the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.

21



9. SEGMENT DATA
We measure segment performance based on operating income (loss).  Our broadcast segment includes stations in 79 markets located throughout the continental United States. Our other operating divisions primarily consist of sign design and fabrication; regional security alarm operating and bulk acquisitions; manufacturing and service of broadcast antennas; service of broadcast transmitters; real estate ventures; and other private equity investments. 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 $225.9 million and $172.2 million of intercompany loans between the broadcast segment, other operating divisions and corporate as of June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.  We had $5.6 million and $5.1 million in intercompany interest expense related to intercompany loans between the broadcast segment, other operating divisions and corporate for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. We had $10.8 million and $10.0 million in intercompany interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. 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, 2015
Broadcast
Other
Operating
Divisions
Corporate
Consolidated
Revenue
$
532,711

$
21,456

$

$
554,167

Depreciation of property and equipment
24,341

653

279

25,273

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets
37,232

2,213


39,445

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments
29,782



29,782

General and administrative overhead expenses
11,303

1,265

1,586

14,154

Operating income (loss)
119,801

642

(6,103
)
114,340

Interest expense

1,161

46,503

47,664

Income from equity and cost method investments

2,007


2,007

Assets
4,845,685

379,867

155,429

5,380,981

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

1,151

15,820

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


22


For the six months ended June 30, 2015
Broadcast
Other
Operating
Divisions
Corporate
Consolidated
Revenue
$
1,017,833

$
41,109

$

$
1,058,942

Depreciation of property and equipment
48,525

1,379

558

50,462

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets
75,123

4,302


79,425

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments
60,173



60,173

General and administrative overhead expenses
26,208

1,524

2,438

30,170

Operating income (loss)
207,249

1,386

(9,748
)
198,887

Interest expense

2,236

92,076

94,312

Income from equity and cost method investments

5,153


5,153

Assets
4,845,685

379,867

155,429

5,380,981


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

2,005

31,655

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



23


10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Accounting guidance provides for valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost).  A fair value hierarchy using three broad levels prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The following is a brief description of those three levels:
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

The carrying value and fair value of our notes and debentures for the periods presented (in thousands):
As of June 30, 2015
As of December 31, 2014
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Level 2:




6.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
$
350,000

$
363,909

$
350,000

$
355,800

6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022
500,000

513,750

500,000

503,475

5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024
550,000

544,500

550,000

532,813

5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
600,000

605,490

600,000

595,068

Term Loan A
331,995

328,884

348,073

341,982

Term Loan B
1,386,626

1,381,122

1,035,883

1,029,997

Revolving credit facility


338,000

338,000

Debt of variable interest entities
28,425

28,425

30,167

30,167

Debt of other operating divisions
133,674

133,674

118,822

118,822



24


11. 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 5.625% Notes, 6.125% Notes, and 6.375% Notes. Our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as of June 30, 2015 , 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, 5.625% Notes, 6.125% Notes, and 6.375% Notes. As of June 30, 2015 , our consolidated total debt, net of deferred financing costs and debt discounts, of $3,889.7 million included $3,751.7 million related to STG and its subsidiaries of which SBG guaranteed $3,701.3 million .
SBG, KDSM, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBG, and STG’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (guarantor subsidiaries), have fully and unconditionally guaranteed, subject to certain customary 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 consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows of SBG, STG, KDSM, LLC and the guarantor subsidiaries, the direct and indirect non-guarantor subsidiaries of SBG and the eliminations necessary to arrive at our information on a consolidated basis.
These statements are presented in accordance with the disclosure requirements under SEC Regulation S-X, Rule 3-10.


25


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF JUNE 30, 2015
(in thousands) (unaudited)
Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.
Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Eliminations
Sinclair
Consolidated
Cash
$

$
49,400

$
1,068

$
14,111

$

$
64,579

Accounts and other receivables


356,389

29,418

(1,237
)
384,570

Other current assets
2,456

15,466

63,074

22,866

(9,212
)
94,650

Total current assets
2,456

64,866

420,531

66,395

(10,449
)
543,799

Property and equipment, net
3,416

21,783

551,889

172,701

(7,935
)
741,854

Assets held for sale


1,843



1,843

Investment in consolidated subsidiaries
438,600

3,476,007

4,079


(3,918,686
)

Goodwill


1,947,027

4,275


1,951,302

Broadcast licenses


113,955

16,960


130,915

Definite-lived intangible assets


1,659,249

197,479

(63,809
)
1,792,919

Other long-term assets
59,027

636,526

115,999

151,204

(744,407
)
218,349

Total assets
$
503,499

$
4,199,182

$
4,814,572

$
609,014

$
(4,745,286
)
$
5,380,981

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
161

$
42,461

$
181,306

$
26,381

$
(14,070
)
$
236,239

Current portion of long-term debt
217

49,547

1,437

10,734


61,935

Current portion of affiliate long-term debt
1,556


1,136

1,409

(1,220
)
2,881

Other current liabilities
1,208


87,741

8,362

(1,485
)
95,826

Total current liabilities
3,142

92,008

271,620

46,886

(16,775
)
396,881

Long-term debt

3,623,777

33,592

150,716


3,808,085

Affiliate long-term debt
2,700


12,216

358,791

(356,932
)
16,775

Other liabilities
28,598

29,278

1,019,773

170,322

(534,990
)
712,981

Total liabilities
34,440

3,745,063

1,337,201

726,715

(908,697
)
4,934,722

Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity (deficit)
469,059

454,119

3,477,371

(90,747
)
(3,840,743
)
469,059

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries



(26,954
)
4,154

(22,800
)
Total liabilities and equity (deficit)
$
503,499

$
4,199,182

$
4,814,572

$
609,014

$
(4,745,286
)
$
5,380,981


26


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014
(in thousands)
Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.
Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Eliminations
Sinclair
Consolidated
Cash
$

$
3,394

$
1,749

$
12,539

$

$
17,682

Accounts and other receivables

164

359,486

25,111

(1,258
)
383,503

Other current assets
5,741

12,996

98,751

12,721

(11,733
)
118,476

Assets held for sale



6,504


6,504

Total current assets
5,741

16,554

459,986

56,875

(12,991
)
526,165

Property and equipment, net
3,949

17,554

569,372

168,762

(7,099
)
752,538

Assets held for sale


1,843

6,974


8,817

Investment in consolidated subsidiaries
395,225

3,585,037

3,978


(3,984,240
)

Goodwill


1,963,254

1,299


1,964,553

Broadcast Licenses


118,115

16,960


135,075

Definite-lived intangible assets


1,698,919

184,441

(65,097
)
1,818,263

Other long-term assets
65,988

555,877

132,611

121,273

(670,832
)
204,917

Total assets
$
470,903

$
4,175,022

$
4,948,078

$
556,584

$
(4,740,259
)
$
5,410,328

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
541

$
46,083

$
201,102

$
24,325

$
(13,680
)
$
258,371

Current portion of long-term debt
529

42,953

1,302

68,332


113,116

Current portion of affiliate long-term debt
1,464


1,182

1,026

(1,047
)
2,625

Other current liabilities
1,208


107,867

9,749

(1,407
)
117,417

Liabilities held for sale



2,477


2,477

Total current liabilities
3,742

89,036

311,453

105,909

(16,134
)
494,006

Long-term debt

3,638,286

34,338

82,198


3,754,822

Affiliate long-term debt
3,508


12,802

319,901

(319,902
)
16,309

Other liabilities
35,771

28,856

1,003,213

169,935

(497,927
)
739,848

Total liabilities
43,021

3,756,178

1,361,806

677,943

(833,963
)
5,004,985

Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity (deficit)
427,882

418,844

3,586,272

(94,632
)
(3,910,484
)
427,882

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries



(26,727
)
4,188

(22,539
)
Total liabilities and equity (deficit)
$
470,903

$
4,175,022

$
4,948,078

$
556,584

$
(4,740,259
)
$
5,410,328



27


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2015
(in thousands) (unaudited)
Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.
Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Eliminations
Sinclair
Consolidated
Net revenue
$

$

$
522,405

$
52,908

$
(21,146
)
$
554,167

Program and production


180,033

20,550

(19,495
)
181,088

Selling, general and administrative
1,457

11,429

100,579

3,683

(193
)
116,955

Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses
266

809

109,201

32,135

(627
)
141,784

Total operating expenses
1,723

12,238

389,813

56,368

(20,315
)
439,827

Operating (loss) income
(1,723
)
(12,238
)
132,592

(3,460
)
(831
)
114,340

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
46,369

85,483

(50
)

(131,802
)

Interest expense
(106
)
(44,969
)
(1,165
)
(7,470
)
6,046

(47,664
)
Other income (expense)
944

444

203

1,466


3,057

Total other income (expense)
47,207

40,958

(1,012
)
(6,004
)
(125,756
)
(44,607
)
Income tax benefit (provision)
303

19,584

(44,899
)
1,678


(23,334
)
Net income (loss)
45,787

48,304

86,681

(7,786
)
(126,587
)
46,399

Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests



(646
)
34

(612
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group
$
45,787

$
48,304

$
86,681

$
(8,432
)
$
(126,553
)
$
45,787

Comprehensive income (loss)
$
46,483

$
48,315

$
86,756

$
(7,786
)
$
(127,285
)
$
46,483


28


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

3,511

(575
)
98,415

Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses
267

1,138

93,889

24,805

(720
)
119,379

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



29


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2015
(in thousands) (unaudited)
Sinclair
Broadcast
Group, Inc.
Sinclair
Television
Group, Inc.
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
and KDSM,
LLC
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Eliminations
Sinclair
Consolidated
Net revenue
$

$

$
999,076

$
99,912

$
(40,046
)
$
1,058,942

Program and production


349,727

40,399

(38,023
)
352,103

Selling, general and administrative
2,501

26,212

199,927

6,323

(105
)
234,858

Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses
533

1,584

211,560

60,385

(968
)
273,094

Total operating expenses
3,034

27,796

761,214

107,107

(39,096
)
860,055

Operating (loss) income
(3,034
)
(27,796
)
237,862

(7,195
)
(950
)
198,887

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
70,693

149,948

(100
)

(220,541
)

Interest expense
(207
)
(88,842
)
(2,341
)
(14,176
)
11,254

(94,312
)
Other income (expense)
2,294

291

266

3,570


6,421

Total other income (expense)
72,780

61,397

(2,175
)
(10,606
)
(209,287
)
(87,891
)
Income tax benefit (provision)
323

40,199

(83,277
)
2,994


(39,761
)
Net income (loss)
70,069

73,800

152,410

(14,807
)
(210,237
)
71,235

Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests



(1,200
)
34

(1,166
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group
$
70,069

$
73,800

$
152,410

$
(16,007
)
$
(210,203
)
$
70,069

Comprehensive income (loss)
$
71,403

$
73,817

$
152,561

$
(14,807
)
$
(211,571
)
$
71,403





















30


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

5,911

(1,147
)
196,175

Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses
534

2,245

180,279

43,965

(795
)
226,228

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


31


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2015
(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
$
(142
)
$
(70,337
)
$
265,762

$
(24,664
)
$
7,397

$
178,016

CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:






Acquisition of property and equipment

(5,852
)
(40,875
)
(1,097
)
762

(47,062
)
Purchase of alarm monitoring contracts



(16,673
)

(16,673
)
Distributions from equity and costs method investees
3,486

500


4,182


8,168

Investments in equity and cost method investees

(4,401
)
(33
)
(33,375
)

(37,809
)
Other, net

(1,461
)
4,788

156


3,483

Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities
3,486

(11,214
)
(36,120
)
(46,807
)
762

(89,893
)
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:






Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases

349,562


15,291


364,853

Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases
(312
)
(357,328
)
(611
)
(2,229
)

(360,480
)
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock
(31,464
)




(31,464
)
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock
(7,803
)




(7,803
)
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables
37,036

138,814

(230,262
)
62,571

(8,159
)

Other, net
(801
)
(3,491
)
550

(2,590
)

(6,332
)
Net cash flows (used in) from financing activities
(3,344
)
127,557

(230,323
)
73,043

(8,159
)
(41,226
)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

46,006

(681
)
1,572


46,897

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

3,394

1,749

12,539


17,682

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
$

$
49,400

$
1,068

$
14,111

$

$
64,579



32


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



33


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;
the performance of networks and syndicators that provide us with programming content;
the availability and cost of programming from networks and syndicators, as well as the cost of internally originated programming;
our relationships with networks and their strategies to distribute their programming via means other than their local television affiliates, such as over-the-top content;
the effects of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) National Broadband Plan and the auctioning and potential repacking of our broadcasting spectrum within a limited timeframe;
the potential of additional governmental regulation of broadcasting or changes in those regulations and court actions interpreting those regulations, including ownership regulations limiting over-the-air television’s ability to compete effectively (including regulations relating to Joints Sales Agreements (JSA) and Shared Services Agreements (SSA), arbitrary enforcement of indecency regulations, retransmission fee regulations and political or other advertising restrictions;
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 and adopt a viable mobile digital broadcast television (mobile DTV) strategy and platform, such as the adoption of ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard, and the consumer’s appetite for mobile television;
the impact of programming payments charged by networks pursuant to their affiliation agreements with broadcasters requiring compensation for network programming;
the effects of declining live/appointment viewership as reported through rating systems and local television efforts to adopt and receive credit for same day viewing plus viewing on-demand thereafter;
the ability of local MVPD’s to coordinate and determine local advertising rates as a consortium;
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;
the operation of low power devices in the broadcast spectrum, which could interfere with our broadcast signals;
the impact of FCC and Congressional efforts to limit the ability of a service provider to negotiate retransmission consent agreements for the same-market stations it does not own;
Risks specific to us
the effectiveness of our management;
our ability to attract and maintain local and national advertising and successfully participate in new sales channels such as programmatic advertising through business partnership ventures and the development of technology;
our ability to service our debt obligations and operate our business under restrictions contained in our financing agreements;

34


our ability to successfully implement and monetize our own content management system (CMS) designed to provide our viewers significantly improved content via the internet and other digital platforms;
our ability to successfully renegotiate retransmission consent agreements;
our ability to renew our FCC licenses;
our limited ability to obtain FCC approval for any future acquisitions, as well as, in certain cases, customary antitrust clearance for any future acquisitions;
our ability to identify digital media business investment opportunities and to successfully integrate any acquired businesses, as well as the success of our digital initiatives in a competitive environment;
our ability to maintain our affiliation and programming service agreements with our networks and program service providers and at renewal, to successfully negotiate these agreements with favorable terms;
our ability to 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 program development and multi-channel broadcasting initiatives including American Sports Network (ASN) and other original programming, and mobile DTV; and
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, 2014 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.

35


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,
2015
2014
2015
2014
Statement of Operations Data:


Net broadcast revenues (a)
$
502,338

$
404,151

$
966,501

$
778,032

Revenues realized from station barter arrangements
30,373

33,336

51,332

57,361

Other operating divisions revenues
21,456

17,649

41,109

32,391

Total revenues
554,167

455,136

1,058,942

867,784

Station production expenses
181,088

134,303

352,103

261,342

Station selling, general and administrative expenses
102,801

82,595

204,688

164,520

Expenses recognized from station barter arrangements
26,381

29,528

43,793

51,005

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments
29,782

23,574

60,173

47,515

Depreciation and amortization expenses (b)
64,718

50,241

129,887

99,347

Other operating divisions expenses
16,666

14,453

32,489

26,778

Corporate general and administrative expenses
14,154

15,820

30,170

31,655

Research and development expenses
4,237

1,583

6,752

1,583

Operating income
114,340

103,039

198,887

184,039

Interest expense and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs
(47,664
)
(40,121
)
(94,312
)
(79,659
)
Income from equity and cost method investees
2,007

742

5,153

840

Other income, net
1,050

1,015

1,268

1,932

Income before income taxes
69,733

64,675

110,996

107,152

Income tax provision
(23,334
)
(23,074
)
(39,761
)
(37,894
)
Net income
46,399

41,601

71,235

69,258

Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests
(612
)
(266
)
(1,166
)
(765
)
Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group
$
45,787

$
41,335

$
70,069

$
68,493

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




Basic earnings per share
$
0.48

$
0.43

$
0.74

$
0.70

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.48

$
0.42

$
0.73

$
0.69

Balance Sheet Data:
June 30, 2015
December 31, 2014
Cash and cash equivalents
$
64,579

$
17,682

Total assets
$
5,380,981

$
5,410,328

Total debt (c)
$
3,889,676

$
3,886,872

Total equity
$
446,259

$
405,343

(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.

36


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 December 31, 2014 .
Results of Operations — an analysis of our revenues and expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , including comparisons between quarters and expectations for the three months ended September, 2015.
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, 2015 .

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Second Quarter 2015 Events
During the second quarter of 2015, we signed a multi-year retransmission consent agreement with COX Communications covering over 3.3 million subscribers and a 3-year retransmission consent agreement renewal with Suddenlink covering over 0.8 million subscribers.
During the second quarter of 2015, American Sports Network (ASN) reached a multi-year agreement with the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) to annually televise at least 52 A-10 events across seven sports, an agreement with AMA Pro Racing to offer syndicated network television coverage of AMA Track Events, and an agreement with Minor League Baseball to televise a weekly game throughout the summer.
In April 2015, we entered into an agreement with Visible World to create the Audience Network for Local Broadcast TV. This will allow us to aggregate impressions across our stations and will make it possible for agencies and advertisers to automatically target specific local broadcast audiences by using Visible World's High Yield technology to optimize around multiple audiences and related data sources.
In April 2015, we raised $350.0 million of incremental term B loans and amended certain terms under our existing bank credit facility. The loans mature July 2021 and were issued at a discount of 99.875% of par value.
In May 2015, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.165 per share, payable on June 12, 2015 to the holders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2015.
In May 2015, Ring of Honor signed a national broadcast deal with Destination America, part of Discovery Communications, to televise events over twenty-six weeks.
In June 2015, we announced a Memorandum of Understanding with Pearl TV and Samsung Electronics America to work collaboratively to support the development and implementation of the new Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 standard.
In June 2015, we announced the formation of a joint venture with The Tornante Company that will acquire, create, develop, produce, and distribute first-run syndicated television programming.
In June 2015, we announced a partnership with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) to jointly create, develop, distribute, and air the first 24 hours/7 days per week science fiction multi-channel network (Comet TV), which will feature over 1,500 hours of premium MGM content.
In June 2015, we invested in ExtendTV (rebranded as Zypmedia), the leading programmatic media-buying platform for local digital advertising.

Other Events

In July 2015, ASN announced an agreement with Millennium Dancesport Championships to televise “The Dancesport League on ASN.
In July 2015, we renewed affiliation agreements with the CBS Network covering 16 markets. The new agreements are effective in 2015 and 2016 as current affiliation agreements expire and run for five years to 2020 and 2021.
In July 2015, we renewed affiliation agreements with the CW Network for 23 owned and/or operated markets. At the same time, the CW renewed affiliation agreements with another nine markets for which Sinclair provides sales and other services. These agreements are effective August 2016 and expire in 2021.
In July 2015, we announced the launch of “ Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson ” to debut on October 4, 2015. The broadcast will air on Sinclair’s affiliates nationwide and be available on their websites. The 30-minute program, which will be based in Washington, D.C., will focus on investigative journalism and target accountability in the public and private sectors.

37


In August 2015, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.165 per share, payable on September 15, 2015 to the holders of record at the close of business on September 1, 2015.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The results of the acquired stations during the year ended December 31, 2014 are included in our results of operations from their respective dates of acquisition. See Note 2. Acquisitions in our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of stations acquired.  Additionally, the results of certain television stations that were sold are not included in our results for the period. See Dispositions related to station acquisitions under Note 3. Disposition of Assets in our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of excluded stations. Unless otherwise indicated, references in this discussion and analysis are to the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.  Additionally, any references to the first, third or fourth quarters 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 division 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, net of agency commissions, for the periods presented (in millions):
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2015
2014
Percent
Change
2015
2014
Percent
Change
Local revenues:



Non-political
$
408.9

$
319.5

28.0
%
$
789.1

$
620.3

27.2
%
Political
1.2

2.1

(b)

2.2

2.7

(b)

Total local
410.1

321.6

27.5
%
791.3

623.0

27.0
%
National revenues (a):






Non-political
89.4

73.1

22.3
%
171.2

140.1

22.2
%
Political
2.8

9.5

(b)

4.0

14.9

(b)

Total national
92.2

82.6

11.6
%
175.2

155.0

13.0
%
Total net broadcast revenues
$
502.3

$
404.2

24.3
%
$
966.5

$
778.0

24.2
%

(a) National revenue relates to advertising sales sourced from national advertising agencies.
(b) 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 $98.1 million when comparing the second quarter 2015 to the same period in 2014 , of which $94.2 million was related to stations acquired after the second quarter of 2014 , net of dispositions. The remaining increase is primarily the result of higher retransmission revenues from multichannel video programming distributors (MVPD) and increases in advertising revenues in the services, drugs/cosmetics and home products sectors.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in advertising revenues in the political, automotive and schools

38


sectors. Excluding the stations acquired or disposed after the second quarter of 2014, automotive, which typically is our largest category, represented 24.1% of net time sales for the three months ended June 30, 2015 . Net broadcast revenues increased $188.5 million when comparing the six months ended June 30, 2015 to the same period in 2014 , of which $181.0 million was related to acquired stations not included in the same period in 2014 . 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 services, drugs/cosmetics and internet sectors.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in advertising revenues in the political, automotive and telecommunications sectors. Excluding the stations acquired or disposed after the second quarter of 2014 , automotive, which typically is our largest category, represented 24.3% of net time sales for the six months ended June 30, 2015 .
From a network affiliation or program service arrangement perspective, the following table sets forth our affiliate percentages of net time sales for the periods presented:
# of channels (a)
Percent of Net Time Sales for the
Net Time Sales
Percent Change
Percent of Net Time Sales for the
Net Time Sales
Percent Change
Three months ended June 30,
Six months ended June 30,
2015
2014
2015
2014
ABC
32
29.6
%
21.7
%
56.4
%
28.9
%
20.6
%
60.1
%
FOX
46
25.4
%
28.7
%
1.5
%
25.7
%
30.0
%
(2.1
)%
CBS
29
17.3
%
20.6
%
(3.4
)%
17.4
%
20.1
%
(1.2
)%
NBC
22
11.6
%
9.2
%
45.0
%
11.8
%
9.5
%
42.5
%
The CW
43
8.2
%
8.9
%
5.9
%
8.2
%
8.9
%
5.2
%
MyNetworkTV
33
6.5
%
8.4
%
(11.3
)%
6.6
%
8.4
%
(9.6
)%
Other (b)
174
1.4
%
2.5
%
(98.9
)%
1.4
%
2.5
%
(97.9
)%
Total
379




(a)     We acquired a significant number of television stations during 2014 with a variety of network affiliations.  This acquisition activity affects the year-over year comparability of revenue by affiliation.  See Note 2. Acquisitions in our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of stations acquired.
(b)     We broadcast other programming from providers on our channels, including Univision, Telemundo, Estrella TV, Azteca, MundoFox, Get TV, Grit, This TV, ME TV, Antenna TV, Bounce Network, Retro TV, Zuus Country, Heartland, Live Well Network, 24/7 Weather, and Weather Nation.
Political Revenues. Political revenues decreased by $7.6 million to $4.0 million for the second quarter 2015 when compared to the same period in 2014 .  For the six months ended June 30, 2015 , political revenues decreased by $11.4 million to $6.2 million when compared to the same period in 2014 . 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 $89.4 million for the second quarter 2015 when compared to the same period in 2014, of which $76.6 million was related to the stations acquired after the second quarter of 2014 , net of dispositions. The remaining increase, for the three month period, is primarily due to an increase in advertising revenues from the services, home products and media sectors as well as an increase in retransmission revenues from MVPDs. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in advertising revenues from the automotive, internet and fast food sectors. Excluding political revenues, our local broadcast revenues, which include local times sales, retransmission revenues and other local revenues, were up $168.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, of which $145.0 million was related to the stations acquired after the second quarter of 2014 , net of dispositions. The remaining increase is primarily due to an increase in advertising revenues from the home products, travel/leisure 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 schools, automotive and paid programs sectors.
National Revenues. Excluding political revenues, our national broadcast revenues, which relates to time sales sourced from national advertising agencies, were up $16.3 million for the second quarter 2015 when compared to the same period in 2014, of which $17.0 million was related to the stations acquired after the second quarter of 2014, net of dispositions. The residual decrease was due to a decline in advertising revenues in the automotive, telecommunications and direct response sectors. Excluding political revenues, our national broadcast revenues, which include relates to time sales sourced from national advertising agencies, were up $31.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 , of

39


which $34.7 million related to the acquired stations not included in the same period in 2014 , net of dispositions. The remaining decrease is primarily due to a decline in advertising revenues in the automotive, telecommunications and direct response sectors.

Broadcast Expenses
The following table presents our significant expense categories in our broadcast segment for the periods presented (in millions):
Three Months Ended June 30,
Percent  Change
Increase
Six months ended June 30,
Percent  Change
Increase
2015
2014
2015
2014
Station production expenses
$
181.1

$
134.3

34.8
%
$
352.1

$
261.3

34.7
%
Station selling, general and administrative expenses
$
102.8

$
82.6

24.5
%
$
204.7

$
164.5

24.4
%
Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments
$
29.8

$
23.6

26.3
%
$
60.2

$
47.5

26.7
%
Corporate general and administrative expenses
$
11.3

$
14.3

(21.0
)%
$
26.2

$
29.0

(9.7
)%
Depreciation and amortization expenses
$
60.1

$
47.8

25.7
%
$
123.7

$
94.5

30.9
%
Station production expenses. Station production expenses increased $46.8 million during the second quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 , of which $34.4 million related to acquired stations not included in the same period of 2014 , net of dispositions.  Station production expenses increased $90.8 million million during the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 , of which $66.7 million related to acquired stations not included in the same period of 2014 , net of dispositions. The remaining increase for the three and six month periods month period is primarily due to an increase in compensation expense, an increase in production costs related to sports programming content, an increase in fees pursuant to network affiliation agreements, partially offset by a decrease in music license fees.
Station selling, general and administrative expense. Station selling, general and administrative expenses increased $20.2 million during the second quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 , of which $16.3 million related to acquired stations not included in the same period of 2014 , net of dispositions. Station selling, general and administrative expenses increased $40.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 , of which $32.0 million related to acquired stations not included in the same period of 2014 , net of dispositions.  The remaining increase for the three and six month periods month period is primarily due to an increase in compensation expense, increased insurance cost, an increase in digital interactive costs, and an increase in information technology infrastructure costs.

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments .  The amortization of program contract costs increased $6.2 million during the second quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 , of which $2.2 million related to acquired stations not included in the same period of 2014 , net of dispositions. The amortization of program contract costs increased $12.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 , of which $4.4 million related to acquired stations not included in the same period of 2014 , net of dispositions. The remaining increase for the three and six month periods 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 $12.3 million during the second quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 , of which $16.3 million related to acquired stations not included in the same period of 2014 , net of dispositions. Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of definite-lived intangibles and other assets increased $29.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 , of which $33.3 million related to acquired stations not included in the same period of 2014 , net of dispositions. The remaining decrease on stations owned prior to 2014, for both the three and six month periods is primarily due to assets becoming fully depreciated and amortized.


40


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 $3.8 million to $21.5 million during the second quarter 2015 compared to $17.6 million during the same period in 2014 .  For the six months ended June 30, 2015 , revenues for our other operating divisions increased $8.7 million to $41.1 million compared to $32.4 million during the same period in 2014 . Expenses of our other operating divisions including operating expenses, depreciation and amortization and applicable other income (expense) items such as interest expense, increased $4.6 million to $22.0 million during the second quarter 2015 compared to $17.4 million during the same period in 2014 .  For the six months ended June 30, 2015 , expenses including other operating divisions expense, depreciation and amortization and applicable other income (expense) items, such as interest expense, increased $9.1 million to $42.0 million compared to $32.9 million in 2014 . The increases in both revenue and expenses for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 relate primarily to the increase in alarm monitoring revenue from purchases of recurring monthly revenue, an increase in residential lot sales of certain of our real estate ventures, and an increase in Dielectric sales volume.
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, 2015 , we recorded income of $1.4 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, 2015 , we recorded income of $3.6 million related to our real estate ventures and income of $1.6 million related to certain private investment funds. 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. During 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.

CORPORATE AND UNALLOCATED EXPENSES
Three months ended June 30,
Percent Change
(Increase/(Decrease))
Six months ended June 30,
Percent Change
(Increase/(Decrease))
2015
2014
2015
2014
Corporate general and administrative expenses
$
1.6

$
1.1

45.5
%
$
2.5

$
2.0

25.0
%
Interest expense
$
46.5

$
39.1

18.9
%
$
92.1

$
77.7

18.5
%
Income tax provision
$
(23.3
)
$
(23.1
)
0.9
%
$
(39.8
)
$
(37.9
)
5.0
%
Research and development
$
4.2

$
1.6

162.5
%
$
6.8

$
1.6

325.0
%
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 decreased by $1.6 million and $1.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , respectively, when compared to the same period in 2014 . We expect corporate general and administrative expenses to decrease in the third quarter of 2015 compared to second quarter of 2015.
Interest expense. Interest expense increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to the issuance of $550.0 million of 5.625% Notes and incremental borrowings under our Bank Credit Agreement. The increase in interest expense was partially offset by a decrease in interest expense due to the redemption of 8.375% Notes during 2014. See Liquidity and Capital Resources for more information.
Income tax (provision) benefit. The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2015 including the effects of the noncontrolling interest was a provision of 33.8% as compared to a provision of 35.8% during the same period in 2014. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 is primarily due to 1) the 2014 rate including the activity of a former VIE that has since been deconsolidated from the financial statements, and 2) 2015 income tax benefit related to law changes in certain state tax jurisdictions.

41



The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2015 including the effects of the noncontrolling interest was a provision of 36.2% as compared to a provision of 35.6% during the same period in 2014. The increase in the effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 is primarily due to an unfavorable resolution of a state income tax position in 2015.

Research and development expenses. In 2014, in response to the Advanced Television Systems Committee’s request for proposal for a “physical layer” of the next-generation broadcast TV standard that could in future years replace the current digital broadcasting systems used in the United States and around the world, we launched ONE Media LLC to develop a Next Generation Broadcast Platform (“NGBP”) to provide convergence of broadcasting with wireless broadband services. Research and development costs related to ONE Media, LLC were $4.2 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , and $6.8 million and $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of June 30, 2015 , we had $64.6 million in cash and cash equivalent balances and net working capital of approximately $146.9 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, 2015 , we had $482.9 million of borrowing capacity available on our revolving credit facility.
Effective April 30, 2015, we amended our Bank Credit Agreement to raise an additional $350.0 million in incremental term loan B commitments. The proceeds were used to pay down the outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility, and for general corporate purposes. See Note 5. Notes Payable and Commercial Bank Financing in our consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
During 2015, we repurchased 0.3 million shares of Class A Common Stock for $7.8 million .  The repurchase was completed using cash on hand.  As of June 30, 2015 , we had $126.6 million remaining under our existing $300.0 million repurchase authorization.
We anticipate that existing cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from our operations and borrowing capacity under the Bank Credit Agreement will be sufficient to satisfy our debt service obligations, capital expenditure requirements, and working capital needs for the next twelve months.  For our long-term liquidity needs, in addition to the sources described above, we may rely upon the issuance of long-term debt, the issuance of equity or other instruments convertible into or exchangeable for equity, or the sale of non-core assets.  However, there can be no assurance that additional financing or capital or buyers of our non-core assets will be available, or that the terms of any transactions will be acceptable or advantageous to us.

42


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,
2015
2014
2015
2014
Net cash flows from operating activities
$
66.4

$
43.7

$
178.0

$
180.0

Cash flows (used in) from investing activities:




Acquisition of property and equipment
$
(23.3
)
$
(14.7
)
$
(47.1
)
$
(26.6
)
Investment in other operating divisions
(10.9
)
(11.8
)
(16.7
)
(16.1
)
Investments in equity and costs method investees
(34.9
)
(4.0
)
(37.8
)
(6.2
)
Distributions from equity and cost method investees
4.0

0.8

8.2

1.5

Proceeds from the termination of life insurance policies



17.1

Other
3.2

0.4

3.5

(1.0
)
Net cash flows used in investing activities
$
(61.9
)
$
(29.3
)
$
(89.9
)
$
(31.3
)
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities:




Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases
$
353.8

$
96.9

$
361.7

$
102.7

Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases
(335.4
)
(14.7
)
(360.5
)
(21.1
)
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock
(15.8
)
(14.6
)
(31.5
)
(29.3
)
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock


(7.8
)
(82.4
)
Other
(0.3
)
(4.2
)
(3.1
)
(3.1
)
Net cash flows from (used) in financing activities
$
2.3

$
63.4

$
(41.2
)
$
(33.2
)
Operating Activities
Net cash flows from operating activities increased during the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.  This change is primarily due to increased cash received from customers and decreased cash payments to vendors, partially offset by higher program payments, compared to the same period in 2014. The increase in cash received from customers and higher program payments is primarily related to stations acquired in the second half of 2014.

Net cash flows from operating activities decreased during the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.  This change is primarily due to increased cash payments to vendors and higher program payments, partially offset by more cash received from customers, which is primarily related to stations acquired in the second half of 2014, compared to the same period in 2014. The increase in cash received from customers and higher program payments is primarily related to stations acquired in the second half of 2014.

Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities increased during the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.  This increase is primarily due to higher capital expenditures of $8.6 million, and higher investment in equity and cost method investments of $30.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014. This increase was partially offset by higher distributions from equity and cost method investments in 2015.

Net cash flows used in investing activities increased during the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.  This increase is primarily due to higher capital expenditures of $20.4 million, and higher investment in equity and cost method investments of $31.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014. We also received proceeds from life insurance policies totaling $17.1 million in the first quarter of 2014. This increase was partially offset by higher distributions from equity and cost method investments in 2015.

In the third quarter of 2015, we anticipate capital expenditures to decrease from the second quarter of 2015.

43


Financing Activities
Net cash flows from financing activities decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, due primarily to a decrease in proceeds from notes payable.

Net cash flows used in financing activities increased for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, due primarily to a decrease in proceeds from notes payable, partially offset by a decrease in Class A Common Stock repurchased during 2015.

In August 2015, 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, 2015 , there were no material changes to our contractual cash obligations.

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, 2014 .

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, 2015 .
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.

44


Assessment of Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2015 , 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, 2015 , 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, 2014.

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.

45


ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
Description
10.1
First Amendment to the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and First Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2015, by and among Sinclair Television Group, Inc., the guarantors party thereto, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties thereto. (Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2015).
10.2
Incremental Loan Amendment No. 1, dated as of April 30, 2015, by and among Sinclair Television Group, Inc., the guarantors party thereto, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties thereto. (Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2015).
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


46


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 7th day of August 2015.
SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.
By:
/s/ David R. Bochenek
David R. Bochenek
Senior Vice President/Chief Accounting Officer
(Authorized Officer and Chief Accounting Officer)


47


EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
10.1
First Amendment to the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and First Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2015, by and among Sinclair Television Group, Inc., the guarantors party thereto, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties thereto. (Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2015).
10.2
Incremental Loan Amendment No. 1, dated as of April 30, 2015, by and among Sinclair Television Group, Inc., the guarantors party thereto, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties thereto. (Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2015).
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


48
TABLE OF CONTENTS