ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITION OF ASSETS - Pro Forma Results (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Pro Forma Information
Total revenues	$ 2,751,441	$ 2,310,202	$ 2,150,124
Net Income	249,722	168,364	189,174
Net Income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$ 244,261	$ 163,789	$ 186,338
Basic earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group (in dollars per share)	$ 2.61	$ 1.72	$ 1.92
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group (in dollars per share)	$ 2.59	$ 1.71	$ 1.90