Represents the number of real estate ventures.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of restaurants owned by related parties.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the amount paid for transactions to related party during the financial reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sbgi_RelatedPartyTransactionPaymentsToRelatedParty
Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of separate real estate development properties located on land subject to ground leases.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reflects the sum of all other revenue and income realized from sales and other transactions (excluding transactions that are eliminated in consolidated or combined financial statements) with related party during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sbgi_ThomasAndLibowitzPAMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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- Details

Name:	sbgi_RelatedPartyTransactionsByTypeOfServicesAxis=sbgi_AdvertisingTimeServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sbgi_AtlanticAutomotiveCorporationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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- Details

Name:	sbgi_RelatedPartyTransactionsByTypeOfServicesAxis=sbgi_VehiclesAndRelatedVehicleServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	sbgi_RelatedPartyTransactionsByTypeOfServicesAxis=sbgi_LeaseServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=us-gaap_ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember
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Data Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=sbgi_RealEstateVenturesInTowsonMDMember
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RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS - Atlantic Automotive Corporation (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) lease real_estate_venture restaurant	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Thomas And Libowitz P A
Related person transactions
Amount paid			$ 1.6
Advertising time \| Atlantic Automotive
Related person transactions
Amount received	$ 0.4	$ 0.4	0.2
Vehicles and related vehicle services \| Atlantic Automotive
Related person transactions
Amount paid	0.0	0.0	1.1
Leased assets or facilities \| Atlantic Automotive
Related person transactions
Amount received	$ 1.2	1.0	1.0
Number of real estate ventures \| real_estate_venture	1
Real estate ventures in Baltimore, MD \| Leased assets or facilities \| Chief Executive Officer
Related person transactions
Amount received	$ 0.6	0.5	0.5
Amount paid	$ 0.1
Number of real estate ventures \| real_estate_venture	1
Number of ground lease properties \| lease	1
Number of restaurants owned by a related party \| restaurant	3
Real Estate Ventures In Towson M D \| Leased assets or facilities \| Chief Executive Officer
Related person transactions
Amount received	$ 0.3	$ 0.3	$ 0.2