Federal Communications Commission DA 16-856
1
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, DC 20554
In the Matter of
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
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Acct. No.:  MB- 201641420017 
FRN:  0004331096
ORDER
Adopted:  July 29, 2016 Released:  July 29, 2016
By the Chief, Media Bureau:
1. In this Order, we adopt the attached Consent Decree entered into between the Media 
Bureau (the “Bureau”) of the Federal Communications Commission (the “Commission”) and Sinclair 
Broadcast Group, Inc. (“Sinclair”).  
2. After reviewing the terms of the Consent Decree and evaluating the facts before us, we 
find that the public interest would be served by adopting the Consent Decree; terminating the 
investigations referenced therein regarding Sinclair’s compliance with the Communications Act and the 
Commission’s rules and policies; and, subsequent to the timely and complete payment by Sinclair of the 
Settlement Payment, granting the license renewal applications listed in the Appendix to the Consent 
Decree.
3. Based on the record before us, we conclude that nothing in that record creates a 
substantial and material question of fact as to whether Sinclair possesses the basic qualifications to be a 
Commission licensee.
4. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 4(i) of the Communications 
Act
1
and the authority delegated by Sections 0.61 and 0.283 of the Commission’s rules,
2
the attached 
Consent Decree IS ADOPTED and its terms incorporated by reference.
5. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all investigations by the Bureau into the matters 
covered by the Consent Decree ARE TERMINATED.
6. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all adversarial pleadings and complaints relating to 
the matters covered by the Consent Decree that are pending before the Bureau as of the effective date of 
this Consent Decree ARE DISMISSEDWITH PREJUDICE.
                                          
1
47 U.S.C. § 154(i).
2
47 CFR §§ 0.61, 0.283.
Federal Communications Commission DA 16-856
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7. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Order and Consent Decree shall be 
sent by first class mail and certified mail, return receipt requested, to Barry M. Faber, Sinclair Broadcast 
Group, Inc., 10706 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
William T. Lake
Chief
Media Bureau
Federal Communications Commission DA 16-856
3
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, DC 20554
In the Matter of
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
)
)
)
)
)
Acct. No.:  MB- 201641420017 
FRN:  0004331096
CONSENT DECREE
1. The Media Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission and Sinclair Broadcast 
Group, Inc., by their authorized representatives, hereby enter into this Consent Decree for the purpose of 
resolving and terminating the Media Bureau’s Investigation into Sinclair’s practices, as defined and 
discussed below.
I. DEFINITIONS
2. For the purposes of this Consent Decree, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Act” means the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
3
(b) “Adopting Order” means an order of the Bureau adopting the terms of this Consent 
Decree without change, addition, deletion, or modification.
(c) “Applications” means the pending applications for license renewal of the Sinclair 
Stations, listed in the Appendix.
(d) “Attributable LMA” means an LMA pursuant to which a broadcast television station 
licensee brokers more than 15 percent of the weekly broadcast hours of another 
broadcast television station in the licensee’s Designated Market Area, as defined by 
Nielsen Media Research.
(e) “Bureau” means the Media Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission.
(f) “Commission” and “FCC” mean the Federal Communications Commission and all 
of its bureaus and offices.
(g) “Communications Laws” means collectively, the Act, the Rules, and the published 
and promulgated orders and decisions of the Commission to which Sinclair is subject 
by virtue of its business activities.
(h) “Cunningham” means Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation and all of its direct and 
indirect subsidiaries that hold authorizations issued by the FCC.
(i) “Effective Date” means the date by which both the Bureau and Sinclair have signed 
the Consent Decree.
(j) “Investigation” means the Bureau’s consideration of any alleged violations of the 
Communications Laws by Sinclair with respect to: (1) the good faith negotiation 
requirement of Section 325 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and 
Section 76.65 of the Commission’s rules; (2) whether Sinclair allegedly exercised de 
facto control over Cunningham Broadcast Corporation and allegedly violated the 
Commission’s News Distortion Policy, as well as other allegations reflected in the 
pending pleadings listed in the Appendix and in other pleadings or complaints 
                                          
3
47 U.S.C. § 151 et seq.
Federal Communications Commission DA 16-856
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pending before the Bureau related to the Sinclair Stations; and (3) whether Sinclair 
violated the Commission’s rules with respect to its operation of a non-grandfathered 
Local Marketing Agreement, as discussed in paragraphs 3-6 of this Consent Decree. 
(k) “JSA” means a joint sales agreement under which a broadcast licensee authorizes a 
broker to sell advertising time for the brokered station.
(l) “LMA” means a local marketing agreement under which a broadcast licensee sells 
blocks of time to a broker, who supplies the programming and sells the advertising 
for those blocks of time. 
(m)“Local Television Ownership Rule” means Section 73.3555(b) of the Rules, and the 
Notes thereto.
(n) “News Distortion Policy” means the Commission’s policy related to the “staging” of 
news events or stories.
(o) “Non-Sinclair Stations” are television broadcast stations that are not directly or 
indirectly under de jure control of Sinclair.
(p) “Ownership Rules” means Section 73.3555 of the Rules, and the Notes thereto.
(q) “Parties” means Sinclair and the Bureau, each of which is a “Party.”
(r) “Retransmission Consent Rules” means Section 325 of the Act and Part 76, Subpart 
D, of the Rules. 
(s) “Rules” means the Commission’s regulations found in Title 47 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations.
(t) “Sinclair” or “the Company” means Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. and its affiliates, 
subsidiaries, predecessors-in-interest, assigns, transferees, and successors-in-interest.
(u) “Sinclair Stations” are television broadcast stations or licensees that are under de jure
control of Sinclair.
(v) “SSA” means a shared services agreement between broadcasters to share services, 
such as (but not limited to) technical support, back-office support, or production of 
newscasts.
II. BACKGROUND
3. Good Faith Negotiation Issues.  Section 325 of the Act prohibits broadcast television 
stations and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) from “failing to negotiate in good 
faith” for consent to retransmit commercial television broadcast signals.
4
  In 2014, Congress amended 
Section 325 to establish that it would be a per se breach of a broadcaster’s good faith negotiation 
obligation to negotiate jointly for retransmission consent in certain circumstances.  Specifically, Congress 
directed the Commission to adopt rules that would “prohibit a television broadcast station from 
coordinating negotiations or negotiating on a joint basis with another television broadcast station in the 
same local market . . . to grant retransmission consent . . . unless such stations are directly or indirectly 
under common de jure control permitted under the regulations of the Commission.”
5
  The Commission 
adopted a rule provision codifying the statutory language prohibiting joint negotiations in February 2015.
6
                                          
4
47 U.S.C. §325(b)(2)(C).
5
STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014 (STELAR), Pub. L. No. 113-200, § 103(a); 47 U.S.C. § 325(b)(3)(C)(iv).  In 
Commission regulations and precedent, the phrase “de jure control” refers to ownership of more than 50 percent of 
the voting interests in a licensee. 2000 Biennial Regulatory Review, Amendment of Parts 43 and 63 of the 
Commission's Rules, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 15 FCC Rcd 24624, para. 14 (2000) (“De jure control is 
Federal Communications Commission DA 16-856
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4. This Consent Decree resolves the Media Bureau’s investigation into whether Sinclair has 
violated its good faith negotiation obligation by engaging in prohibited joint negotiations.  In the course 
of the Investigation, the Bureau found that Sinclair represented numerous Non-Sinclair Stations in 
retransmission consent negotiations with MVPDs between April 2, 2015 (the effective date of the 
Commission’s rule implementing the statutory prohibition on joint negotiation) and November 30, 2015.  
More specifically, during this time period, Sinclair negotiated retransmission consent on behalf of, or 
coordinated negotiations with, a total of 36 Non-Sinclair Stations with which it had JSAs, LMAs, or 
SSAs, concurrently with its negotiation for retransmission consent of at least one Sinclair Station in the 
same local market.  These negotiations involved a total of six different MVPDs, and in some instances 
Sinclair represented the same Non-Sinclair Station in retransmission consent negotiations with multiple 
MVPDs.  
5. Licensing Issues.  This Consent Decree also resolves the Bureau’s consideration of the
pleadings listed in the Appendix and all other pleadings or complaints pending before the Bureau related 
to the Sinclair Stations, which raise, inter alia, allegations concerning Sinclair’s compliance with Section 
310(d) of the Act, the Local Television Ownership Rule, and the News Distortion Policy.  Section 310(d) 
prohibits any transfer of control of a Commission license (whether de jure or de facto) without prior 
Commission consent.
7
  The Local Television Ownership Rule permits common ownership of two full-
power television stations licensed to communities in the same Designated Market Area (DMA) only 
under specific circumstances.
8
  “News distortion” refers to the airing of intentionally false news events or 
                                                                                                                                       
present where equity-holders voting together own or control fifty percent or more of the licensee’s voting shares”); 
Federal Communications Bar Association's Petition for Forbearance from Section 310(d) of the Communications 
Act Regarding Non-Substantial Assignments of Wireless Licenses and Transfers of Control Involving 
Telecommunications Carriers and Personal Communications Industry Association's Broadband Personal 
Communications Services Alliance's Petition for Forbearance For Broadband Personal Communications Services, 
Memorandum Opinion and Order, 13 FCC Rcd 6293, para. 7 (1998) (De jure control “is present where a 
shareholder or shareholders voting together own or control fifty percent or more of the licensee’s voting shares”); 
Application of Fox Television Stations, Inc., 10 FCC Rcd 8452, 8513 (1995) (holding that a corporate licensee was 
under the de jure control of the shareholder who owned more than 50 percent of the shares); Metromedia, Inc., 98 
FCC 2d 300, 305-306 (1984) (stating that de jure control of a closely held licensee would constitute “ownership of 
over 50 percent of the corporation’s stock”).  In the case of a partnership, “de jure control” refers to ownership of a 
general partnership interest.  47 CFR § 1.2110(c)(2).  
6
Implementation of Sections 101, 103 and 105 of the STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014, Order, 30 FCC Rcd 2380 
at para. 4 (2015) (“STELAR Order”) (adopting 47 C.F.R. § 76.65(b)(1)(viii), among other changes to the Rules).  
See also Totality NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd 10327 at note 65 (reminding parties that “stations operating under … ‘sidecar’ 
arrangements, even if attributable, cannot jointly negotiate retransmission consent with a station in the same market
owned by the broker because they are not ‘under common de jure control’”).
7
47 U.S.C. § 310(d).
8
47 C.F.R. § 73.3555(b).  Under the Local Television Ownership Rule, the Grade B contours may not overlap, 
unless, at the time the application to acquire the station(s) is filed: (1) at least one of the two stations is not ranked 
among the top four stations in the DMA, based on the most recent all-day audience share; and (2) at least eight 
independently owned and operating, full-power commercial and noncommercial television stations would remain in 
the DMA after the transaction.  Although the rule refers to Grade B contours, we note that, following the digital 
transition, the Commission developed the digital noise-limited contour (NLSC) to approximate the same probability 
of service as the analog Grade B contour, stated that the two are roughly equivalent, and proposed to replace the 
Grade B contour with the NLSC contour for purposes of the rule. See 47 C.F.R. § 73.622(e); 2014 Quadrennial 
Regulatory Review — Review of the Commission's Broadcast Ownership Rules and Other Rules Adopted Pursuant 
to Section 202 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Report and 
Order, 29 FCC Rcd 4371,4383-84 (2014) (2014 Quadrennial Review FNPRM and Report and Order).
Federal Communications Commission DA 16-856
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stories.
9
  Pending before the Bureau is one petition to deny filed by Free Press and one informal objection 
filed by Sinclair Media Watch, both of which allege that Sinclair licensees in North and South Carolina 
acquired control of same-market television stations without Commission consent and thereby violated 
Section 310(d) and the Local Television Ownership Rule.  In addition, the Bureau has before it a pending 
petition to deny the renewal of station WBFF(TV), Baltimore, MD, a Sinclair licensee, alleging news 
distortion on the part of the station.  
6. Attributable LMAs that otherwise would violate the Local Television Ownership Rule 
may be permissible if they have been grandfathered by the Commission.
10
  In connection with its review 
of the acquisition of Allbritton Communications Co. by Sinclair, the Bureau found that an LMA between 
WMMP(TV), Charleston, South Carolina, and WTAT-TV, Charleston, South Carolina, was both 
attributable and not entitled to grandfathering protection.
11
  That LMA also governed WVAH(TV), 
Charleston, WV and WRGT-TV, Dayton, OH, both licensed to Cunningham.  The LMA is no longer in 
effect.  This Consent Decree resolves the Bureau’s investigation of Sinclair’s operation of this LMA.
7. Sinclair and the Bureau have engaged in settlement negotiations regarding all facets of 
the Investigation and the aforementioned pleadings.  The Bureau and Sinclair agree to the following terms 
and conditions of settlement, and hereby enter into this Consent Decree as provided herein.
III. TERMS OF AGREEMENT
8. Adopting Order.  The provisions of this Consent Decree shall be incorporated by the 
Bureau in an Adopting Order.
9. Jurisdiction.  Sinclair agrees that the Bureau has jurisdiction over it and the matters 
contained in this Consent Decree and has the authority to enter into and adopt this Consent Decree.
10. Effective Date; Violations.  This Consent Decree shall become effective on the Effective 
Date as defined herein.  As of the Effective Date, the Parties agree that this Consent Decree shall have the 
same force and effect as any other order of the Commission.  Any violation of the Adopting Order or of 
the terms of this Consent Decree shall constitute a separate violation of a Commission order, entitling the 
Commission to exercise any rights and remedies attendant to the enforcement of a Commission order.
11. Non-Admission of Liability:  The Parties agree that, by entering into this Consent 
Decree, Sinclair makes no admission of liability of any kind.
12. Termination of Investigation.  In express reliance on the covenants and representations 
in this Consent Decree and to avoid further expenditure of public resources, the Bureau agrees to 
terminate the Investigation and any other investigations pending before the Bureau related to the matters 
discussed in paragraphs 3-6 above, dismiss with prejudice or deny any outstanding adversarial pleadings 
relating to the matters discussed in paragraphs 3-6 above, cancel any outstanding Forfeiture Order issued 
by the Bureau relating to the Sinclair Stations, and grant the Applications within 45 days after the timely 
                                          
9
See, e.g., Hunger in America, 20 F.C.C.2d 143, 151 (1969). But see, WGPR, Inc., and CBS, Memorandum 
Opinion and Order, 10 FCC Rcd 8140, 8146-8148 (1995), vacated and remanded sub. nom., Serafyn v. CBS, 149 
F.3d 1213 (D.C. Cir. 1998).
10
LMAs entered into prior to November 5, 1996, were grandfathered in those cases where attribution of a non-
grandfathered LMA would have resulted in violation of the local TV ownership rule.  Review of the Commission’s 
Regulations Governing Broadcasting, Report and Order, 14 FCC Rcd 12903, 12963 (1999).  Grandfathering was 
conditioned on the outcome of the Commission’s 2004 biennial review, at which time the Commission was to 
reconsider their status.  Id. at 12964.  On April 2, 2002, the D.C. Court of Appeals held, in part, that the 
Commission’s limited grandfathering of LMAs was permissible.  Sinclair Broadcast Group v. FCC, 284 F.3d 148, 
165-168 (DC Cir. 2002).
11
Letter from Barbara A. Kreisman, Chief, Video Division, to Clifford M. Harrington, Esq. (Dec. 6, 2013); 
Allbritton Communications Co., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 29 FCC Rcd 9156, 9164 n. 67 (MB 2014).
Federal Communications Commission DA 16-856
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and complete satisfaction by Sinclair of its obligation to make the Settlement Payment referenced in 
paragraph 18 of this Consent Decree.  In consideration for the termination of the Investigation, Sinclair
agrees to the terms, conditions, and procedures contained herein.  The Bureau further agrees that, in the 
absence of new material evidence, it will not use the facts developed in the Investigation or in connection 
with other Letters of Inquiry related to the Investigation through the Effective Date, or the existence of 
this Consent Decree, to institute or recommend that the Commission institute any new proceeding, formal 
or informal, or take any action on its own motion or recommend any such action by the Commission 
concerning the matters that were the subject of the Investigation or any other related investigations 
pending before the Bureau.  The Bureau also agrees that, in the absence of new material evidence, it will 
not use the facts developed in the Investigation through the Effective Date, or the existence of this 
Consent Decree, to institute any proceeding concerning, or to set for hearing, the question of Sinclair’s 
basic qualifications to be a Commission licensee or hold Commission licenses or authorizations, and that 
it will not recommend that the Commission take any such action.
12
13. Compliance Officer.  Within thirty (30) calendar days after the Effective Date, Sinclair 
shall appoint its Chief Accounting Officer to serve as Compliance Officer and to discharge the duties set 
forth below for the duration of the Compliance Plan.  The Compliance Officer shall be responsible for 
developing, implementing, and administering the Compliance Plan and ensuring that Sinclair complies 
with the terms and conditions of the Compliance Plan and this Consent Decree.  In addition to the general 
knowledge of the Communications Laws necessary to discharge his or her duties under this Consent 
Decree, the Compliance Officer shall have specific knowledge of the Retransmission Consent Rules and 
the Ownership Rules prior to assuming his or her duties.
14. Compliance Plan.  Sinclair agrees that it shall, within sixty (60) calendar days after the 
Effective Date, develop, implement, and maintain a Compliance Plan that is designed to ensure future 
compliance with the terms and conditions of this Consent Decree, including the following:
(a) Sinclair shall engage independent counsel familiar with the Retransmission Consent Rules to 
advise it in connection with Sinclair’s retransmission consent negotiations.  Such advice shall 
include periodic updates on developments in the rules and their implementation as well as 
updates on standard industry practices regarding retransmission consent.  
(b) Sinclair shall consult with such counsel during retransmission consent negotiations prior to 
proposing any non-industry-standard, non-price term, for the purpose of ensuring Sinclair’s 
compliance with its obligation to bargain in good faith under the Retransmission Consent 
Rules.  
15. Reporting Noncompliance.  Sinclair shall report any noncompliance with the 
Retransmission Consent Rules, the Ownership Rules, or the terms and conditions of this Consent Decree, 
within thirty (30) calendar days after discovery of such noncompliance.  Such reports shall include a 
detailed explanation of: (i) each instance of noncompliance and the circumstances under which it 
occurred; (ii) the steps that Sinclair has taken or will take to remedy such noncompliance; (iii) the 
schedule on which such remedial actions will be taken; (iv) the steps that Sinclair has taken or will take to 
prevent the recurrence of any such noncompliance; and (v) the schedule on which such preventive actions 
will be taken.  All reports of noncompliance shall be submitted to Martha Heller, Chief, Policy Division, 
Media Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Room 4-A766, Washington, 
DC 20554, and submitted electronically to Martha Heller at Martha.Heller@fcc.gov and Lyle Elder at 
Lyle.Elder@fcc.gov.
16. Compliance Reports.  Sinclair shall file confidential Compliance Reports with the 
Commission six (6) calendar months after the Effective Date and every six (6) months thereafter, with the 
final report to be submitted one week after the termination date of the Compliance Plan.
                                          
12
See 47 C.F.R. § 1.93(b).
Federal Communications Commission DA 16-856
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(a) Each Compliance Report shall include:
13. a detailed description of Sinclair’s efforts during the relevant period (ending one week 
before the filing date of each report) to comply with the terms and conditions of this 
Consent Decree, the Ownership Rules, and the Retransmission Consent Rules;
14. a chart listing all Non-Sinclair Stations with which Sinclair has an LMA, a JSA, an SSA, 
a time brokerage agreement (TBA),
13
or other similar agreement (with any necessary 
explanation), the licensee of each station, the station’s DMA, and whether Sinclair has an 
attributable interest in the station’s licensee; and
15. a list of MVPDs with which Sinclair negotiated retransmission consent at any time during 
the relevant period, identifying, if applicable, the date on which the negotiation ended, as 
well as the date on which any then-current carriage agreement was or is scheduled to 
expire.  For each MVPD, Sinclair shall provide a list of any Non-Sinclair Stations 
represented by Sinclair in those negotiations, the licensee of each station, the station’s 
DMA, and whether Sinclair has an attributable interest in the station’s licensee. 
(b) In addition, each Compliance Report shall include a certification by the Compliance Officer, 
as an agent of and on behalf of Sinclair, stating that the Compliance Officer has personal 
knowledge that Sinclair has established, implemented, and is maintaining the Compliance 
Plan and is not aware of any instances of noncompliance with the terms and conditions of this 
Consent Decree.
(c) The Compliance Officer’s certification shall be accompanied by a statement explaining the 
basis for such certification and must be in the form set forth in Section 1.16 of the Rules
14
and 
be subscribed to as true under penalty of perjury in substantially the form set forth therein.
(d) If the Compliance Officer cannot provide the requisite certification, the Compliance Officer, 
as an agent of and on behalf of Sinclair, shall provide the Commission with a detailed 
explanation of the reason(s) why.  Such reports shall include a detailed explanation of: (i) 
each instance of noncompliance and the circumstances under which it occurred; (ii) the steps 
that Sinclair has taken or will take to remedy such noncompliance; (iii) the schedule on which 
such remedial actions will be taken; (iv) the steps that Sinclair has taken or will take to 
prevent the recurrence of any such noncompliance; and (v) the schedule on which such 
preventive actions will be taken. 
(e) All Compliance Reports shall be submitted to the Chief, Policy Division, Media Bureau, 
Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Room 4-A766, Washington, DC 
20554, and submitted electronically to Martha Heller at Martha.Heller@fcc.gov and Lyle 
Elder at Lyle.Elder@fcc.gov.
17. Termination Date.  Unless stated otherwise, the requirements set forth in paragraphs 13-
16 shall expire thirty-six (36) months after the Effective Date.
18. Settlement Payment.  Sinclair will make a settlement payment to the United States 
Treasury in the amount of nine million, four hundred ninety-five thousand dollars ($9,495,000) within 
ninety (90) calendar days after the Effective Date (Settlement Payment).  Sinclair acknowledges and 
                                          
13
Like an LMA, a TBA refers to “the sale by a licensee of discrete blocks of time to a ‘broker’ that supplies the 
programming to fill that time and sells the commercial spot announcements in it.”  See 47 C.F.R. § 73.3555, Note 
2(j).
14
47 C.F.R. § 1.16.
Federal Communications Commission DA 16-856
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agrees that, upon execution of this Consent Decree, the Settlement Payment shall become a “Claim” or 
“Debt” as defined in 31 U.S.C. § 3701(b)(1).
15
  Sinclair shall send electronic notification of payment to 
Martha Heller at Martha.Heller@fcc.gov, copying Lyle Elder at Lyle.Elder@fcc.gov, on the date said 
payment is made.  The payment must be made by check or similar instrument, wire transfer, or credit 
card, and must include the Account Number and FRN referenced above.  Regardless of the form of 
payment, a completed FCC Form 159 (Remittance Advice) must be submitted.
16
  When completing the 
FCC Form 159, enter the Account Number in block number 23A (call sign/other ID) and enter the letters 
“FORF” in block number 24A (payment type code).  Below are additional instructions that should be 
followed based on the form of payment selected:
? Payment by check or money order must be made payable to the order of the Federal 
Communications Commission. Such payments (along with the completed Form 159) must be 
mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000, or sent via overnight mail to U.S. Bank – Government Lockbox #979088, 
SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101.
? Payment by wire transfer must be made to ABA Number 021030004, receiving bank 
TREAS/NYC, and Account Number 27000001.  To complete the wire transfer and ensure 
appropriate crediting of the wired funds, a completed Form 159 must be faxed to U.S. Bank 
at (314) 418-4232 on the same business day the wire transfer is initiated.
? Payment by credit card must be made by providing the required credit card information on 
FCC Form 159 and signing and dating the Form 159 to authorize the credit card payment.  
The completed Form 159 must then be mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P.O. 
Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000, or sent via overnight mail to U.S. Bank –
Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 
63101.
Questions regarding payment procedures should be addressed to the Financial Operations Group Help 
Desk by phone, 1-877-480-3201, or by e-mail, ARINQUIRIES@fcc.gov.
19. Waivers.  As of the Effective Date, each Party hereto waives any and all rights it may 
have to seek administrative or judicial reconsideration, review, appeal or stay, or to otherwise challenge 
or contest the validity of this Consent Decree and the Adopting Order.  Sinclair shall retain the right to 
challenge Commission interpretation of the Consent Decree.  If either Party (or the United States on 
behalf of the Commission) brings a judicial action to enforce the terms of the Consent Decree or the 
Adopting Order, neither Sinclair nor the Commission shall contest the validity of the Consent Decree or 
the Adopting Order, and Sinclair shall waive any statutory right to a trial de novo.  Sinclair hereby agrees 
to waive any claims it may otherwise have under the Equal Access to Justice Act
17
relating to the matters 
addressed in this Consent Decree.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Consent Decree or the Adopting 
Order, this Consent Decree shall be void and of no further force and effect if the condition specified in 
paragraph 18 is not satisfied by Sinclair within the time period specified, or if the conditions specified in 
paragraph 12 are not satisfied by the Bureau within the time period specified.
20. Severability.  The Parties agree that if any of the provisions of the Consent Decree shall 
be held unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such unenforceability shall not render 
unenforceable the entire Consent Decree, but rather the entire Consent Decree shall be construed as if not 
containing the particular unenforceable provision or provisions, and the rights and obligations of the 
Parties shall be construed and enforced accordingly.
                                          
15
Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, 1358 (1996).
16
An FCC Form 159 and detailed instructions for completing the form may be obtained at 
http://www.fcc.gov/Forms/Form159/159.pdf.
17
See 5 U.S.C. § 504; 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1501–1.1530.
Federal Communications Commission DA 16-856
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21. Invalidity.  In the event that this Consent Decree in its entirety is rendered invalid by any 
court of competent jurisdiction, it shall become null and void and may not be used in any manner in any 
legal proceeding.
22. Subsequent Rule or Order.  The Parties agree that, if any provision of the Consent 
Decree conflicts with any subsequent Rule or Order adopted by the Commission (except an Order 
specifically intended to revise the terms of this Consent Decree to which Sinclair does not expressly 
consent), that provision will be superseded by such Rule or Order.
23. Successors and Assigns.  Sinclair agrees that the provisions of this Consent Decree shall 
be binding on its subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, assigns, and transferees.
24. Final Settlement.  The Parties agree and acknowledge that this Consent Decree shall 
constitute a final settlement between the Parties with respect to the Investigation. 
25. Modifications.  This Consent Decree cannot be modified without the advance written 
consent of both Parties.
26. Paragraph Headings.  The headings of the paragraphs in this Consent Decree are 
inserted for convenience only and are not intended to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Consent 
Decree.
27. Authorized Representative.  Each Party represents and warrants to the other that it has 
full power and authority to enter into this Consent Decree.  Each person signing this Consent Decree on 
behalf of a Party hereby represents that he or she is fully authorized by the Party to execute this Consent 
Decree and to bind the Party to its terms and conditions.
28. Counterparts.  This Consent Decree may be signed in any number of counterparts 
(including electronically or by facsimile).  Each counterpart, when executed and delivered, shall be an 
original, and all of the counterparts together shall constitute one and the same fully executed instrument.
______________________________ __________________________
William T. Lake Barry M. Faber
Chief Executive Vice President / 
Media Bureau General Counsel
Federal Communications Commission Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
Date:  _________________________ Date:  _____________________
Federal Communications Commission DA 16-856
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APPENDIX
Pleadings and Other Matters Resolved
? Petition to Deny filed by C. Richard D’Amato on 9/1/2004.  Sinclair filed an Opposition on 
10/1/2004.
? Petition to Deny filed by Free Press on 11/1/2004.  Sinclair filed an Opposition on 12/1/2004.
? Several individuals and an organization named “Sinclair Media Watch” filed informal objections 
to the license renewal applications of WLOS(TV) and WMYA-TV.  Sinclair opposed the 
informal objections.
? Jan and Durl Kruse filed an informal objection to the license renewal application of WICD(TV) 
on 8/2/2005.  
? Kathleen Robbins filed an informal objection to the license renewal applications of WICD(TV) 
and WICS(TV) on 8/22/2005.  Sinclair opposed the informal objection on 9/2/2005.
? Maureen Holtz filed an informal objection to the license renewal applications of WICD(TV) on 
8/24/2005 and WICS(TV) on 8/25/2005.  Sinclair opposed the informal objection regarding 
WICD(TV) on 9/2/2005 and opposed the information objection regarding WICS(TV) on 
9/12/2005. 
? The Commission issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture to KATV(TV) on 5/7/2007.  
The former owner of the station submitted an Opposition on 5/31/2007.  On 4/9/2010, the 
Commission issued a Forfeiture Order rejecting the Opposition and imposing an $8,000 fine.  The 
former owner of the station filed a Petition for Reconsideration in April 2010.
Sinclair Station Renewal Applications to be Granted
18
Call Sign Fac. ID Community of 
License
File No.
1. WBFF(TV) 10758 Baltimore, MD BRCDT-20120601APF
BRCT-20040527ASQ
2. WCIV(TV) 9015 Charleston, SC BRCDT-20120801AJY
BRCT-20040730APZ
3. WLFL(TV) 73205 Raleigh, NC BRCDT-20120801AKV
BRCT-20040730ARF
4. WLOS(TV) 56537 Asheville, NC BRCDT-20120801ALK
BRCT-20040730AQF
5. WMYV(TV) 25544 Greensboro, NC BRCDT-20120801AKM
                                          
18
Some of the applications listed below include one or more low power television stations or translators that is 
associated with the main station license being renewed.  The Bureau will grant the renewals of such low power 
television stations and/or translators in connection with its renewal of the associated main stations’ licenses. 
Federal Communications Commission DA 16-856
12
Call Sign Fac. ID Community of 
License
File No.
BRCT-20040730ARP
6. WRDC(TV) 54963 Durham, NC BRCDT-20120801ALA
BRCT-20040730ARG
7. WXLV-TV 414 Winston-Salem, NC BRCDT-20120801AKP
BRCT-20040730ART
8. WTTO(TV) 74138 Homewood, AL BRCDT-20121203AQC
BRCT-20041201AWE
9. WICS(TV) 25686 Springfield, IL BRCDT-20130801AKY
BRCT-20050801ASO
10. WJLA-TV 1051 Washington, DC BRCDT-20120529AFT
11. WCHS-TV 71280 Charleston, WV BRCDT-20120601APM
12. WRLH-TV 412 Richmond, VA BRCDT-20120601APJ
13. WTVZ-TV 40759 Norfolk, VA BRCDT-20120601APP
14. WEAR-TV 71363 Pensacola, FL BRCDT-20121001ASC
15. WFGX(TV) 6554 Fort Walton Beach, 
FL
BRCDT-20121001ASO
16. WTCN-CA 70865 Palm Beach, FL BRTTA-20121001AVD
17. WTVX(TV) 35575 Fort Pierce, FL BRCDT-20121001AUI
18. WTWC-TV 66908 Tallahassee, FL BRCDT-20121001ATE
19. WWHB-CA 63557 Stuart, FL BRTTA-20121001AVH
20. WDKY-TV 64017 Danville, KY BRCDT-20130401AOM
21. WTVC(TV) 22590 Chattanooga, TN BRCDT-20130401AOP
22. WUXP-TV 9971 Nashville, TN BRCDT-20130401AQT
23. WZTV(TV) 418 Nashville, TN BRCDT-20130401AQI
24. WKEF(TV) 73155 Dayton, OH BRCDT-20130603AJF
Federal Communications Commission DA 16-856
13
Call Sign Fac. ID Community of 
License
File No.
25. WKRC-TV 11289 Cincinnati, OH BRCDT-20130603AJX
26. WSMH(TV) 21737 Flint, MI BRCDT-20130603AKL
27. WSYX(TV) 56549 Columbus, OH BRCDT-20130603ALD
28. WTOV-TV 74122 Steubenville, OH BRCDT-20130603AWN
29. WWMT(TV) 74195 Kalamazoo, MI BRCDT-20130603AJK
30. WCGV-TV 71278 Milwaukee, WI BRCDT-20130801AMA
BRCT-20050801BBZ
31. WICD(TV) 25684 Champaign, IL BRCDT-20130801ALL
32. WMSN-TV 10221 Madison, WI BRCDT-20130801AHM
33. WVTV(TV) 74174 Milwaukee, WI BRCDT-20130801AMD
34. KBSI(TV) 19593 Cape Girardeau, 
MO
BRCDT-20131017AJD
35. KDNL-TV 56524 St. Louis, MO BRCDT-20131017CDZ
36. KDSM-TV 56527 Des Moines, IA BRCDT-20131017AJJ
37. KGAN(TV) 25685 Cedar Rapids, IA BRCDT-20131017AJO
38. KPTH(TV) 77451 Sioux City, IA BRCDT-20131017AJT
39. WUCW(TV) 36395 Minneapolis, MN BRCDT-20131202CEV
40. KAAS-TV 11912 Salinas,  KS BRCDT-20140131ANY
41. KOCB(TV) 50170 Oklahoma City, OK BRCDT-20140131ANA
42. KOCW(TV) 83181 Hoisington, KS BRCDT-20140131AOC
43. KOKH-TV 35388 Oklahoma City, OK BRCDT-20140131ANJ
44. KSAS-TV 11911 Wichita, KS BRCDT-20140131ANT
45. KPTM(TV) 51491 Omaha, NE BRCDT-20140203ATR
46. KABB(TV) 56528 San Antonio, TX BRCDT-20140327BHB
47. KFDM(TV) 22589 Beaumont, TX BRCDT-20140327BJB
Federal Communications Commission DA 16-856
14
Call Sign Fac. ID Community of 
License
File No.
48. KGBT-TV 34457 Harlingen, TX BRCDT-20140327BIZ
49. KVII-TV 40446 Amarillo, TX BRCDT-20140327BHP
50. WOAI-TV 69618 San Antonio, TX BRCDT-20140327BHE
51. KDBC-TV 33764 El Paso, TX BRCDT-20140401AFE
52. KEYE-TV 33691 Austin, TX BRCDT-20140401AFL
53. KFOX-TV 33716 El Paso, TX BRCDT-20140401AFT
54. KBOI-TV 49760 Boise, ID BRCDT-20140602ASW
55. KLEW-TV 56032 Lewiston, ID BRCDT-20140602ATC
56. KMYU(TV) 35822 St. George, UT BRCDT-20140602AVC
57. KRXI-TV 48360 Reno, NV BRCDT-20140602BEA
58. KSNV(TV) 10179 Las Vegas, NV BRCDT-20140602AVR
59. KUTV(TV) 35823 Salt Lake City, UT BRCDT-20140602AUJ
60. KVCW(TV) 10195 Las Vegas, NV BRCDT-20140602AVN
61. KVIH-TV 40450 Clovis, NM BRCDT-20140602AST
62. KBAK-TV 4148 Bakersfield, CA BRCDT-20140801AFI
63. KBFX-CD 51501 Bakersfield, CA BRDTA-20140801AFH
64. KFRE-TV 59013 Sanger, CA BRCDT-20140801AFL
65. KMPH-CD 168338 Merced-Mariposa, 
CA
BRDTA-20140801AFN
66. KMPH-TV 51488 Visalia, CA BRCDT-20140801AFO
67. KATU(TV) 21649 Portland, OR BRCDT-20141001CAQ
68. KCBY-TV 49750 Coos Bay, OR BRCDT-20141001CDG
69. KEPR-TV 56029 Pasco, WA BRCDT-20141001BYM
70. KIMA-TV 56033 Yakima, WA BRCDT-20141001BYN
71. KOMO-TV 21656 Seattle, WA BRCDT-20141001CEA
Federal Communications Commission DA 16-856
15
Call Sign Fac. ID Community of 
License
File No.
72. KORX-CD 71072 Walla Walla, WA BRTTA-20141001BYA
73. KPIC(TV) 61551 Roseburg, OR BRCDT-20141001CDP
74. KTVL(TV) 22570 Medford, OR BRCDT-20141001BAY
75. KUNP(TV) 81447 La Grande, OR BRCDT-20141001CBA
76. KUNS-TV 4624 Bellevue, WA BRCDT-20141001CDZ
77. KUNW-CD 167797 Yakima, WA BRDTA-20141001BXZ
78. KVAL-TV 49766 Eugene, OR BRCDT-20141001CDL
79. KVVK-CD 25358 Kennewick, etc., 
WA
BRDTA-20141001BXX
80. WGME-TV 25683 Portland, ME BRCDT-20141201BBD
81. WCWN(TV) 73264 Schenectady, NY BRCDT-20150202ADV
82. WNYO-TV 67784 Buffalo, NY BRCDT-20150202ABF
83. WRGB(TV) 73942 Schenectady, NY BRCDT-20150202ADT
84. WSTM-TV 21252 Syracuse, NY BRCDT-20150202ABX
85. WUHF(TV) 413 Rochester, NY BRCDT-20150202ABL
86. WUTV(TV) 415 Buffalo, NY BRCDT-20150202ABH
87. WHP-TV 72313 Harrisburg, PA BRCDT-20150401ADN
88. WJAC-TV 73120 Johnstown, PA BRCDT-20150401ADZ
89. WPGH-TV 73875 Pittsburgh, PA BRCDT-20150401ADV
90. WPNT(TV) 73907 Pittsburgh, PA BRCDT-20150401ADX