Broadcast Incentive Auction, Gain (Loss) Recognized On Sale

No definition available.

Name:	sbgi_BroadcastIncentiveAuctionGainLossRecognizedOnSale
Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Broadcast Incentive Auction, Total Capital Expenditure

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Broadcast Incentive Auction, Total Legislation Funds to Reimburse Stations

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Business Acquisition, Number Of Brands Acquired

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Business Acquisition, Number Of Professional Teams With Exclusive Regional Distribution Rights

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Working Capital Adjustments

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sbgi_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredWorkingCapitalAdjustments
Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Business Combination, Unadjusted Initial Consideration Expected To Be Transferred

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sbgi_BusinessCombinationUnadjustedInitialConsiderationExpectedToBeTransferred
Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Sales Agreement Price

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sbgi_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationSalesAgreementPrice
Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Working Capital and Transaction Costs from Sale

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sbgi_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationWorkingCapitalandTransactionCostsfromSale
Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal, Attributable To Non-Controlling Interest

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sbgi_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossonDisposalAttributableToNonControllingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represent the number of markets in which broadcasting and media stations are operated.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the number of stations to which sales services were provided by the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sbgi_NumberOfStationsToWhichSalesServicesWereProvided
Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of television stations owned by the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of Stations Assigned New Channels

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sbgi_NumberofStationsAssignedNewChannels
Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average amortization period of finite-lived intangible assets acquired either individually or as part of a group of assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16265-109275

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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

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

- Definition

The amount of goodwill arising from a business combination that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillExpectedTaxDeductibleAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 23
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116868678&loc=d3e1043-128460

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of consideration transferred, consisting of acquisition-date fair value of assets transferred by the acquirer, liabilities incurred by the acquirer, and equity interest issued by the acquirer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 30
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116859721&loc=d3e6613-128477

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 30
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116859721&loc=d3e6578-128477

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount before tax of gain (loss) recognized on the sale or disposal of a disposal group. Excludes discontinued operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226348&loc=d3e2443-110228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226691&loc=d3e2941-110230

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of increase in assets, excluding financial assets, lacking physical substance with a definite life, from an acquisition.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16265-109275

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) from the difference between the sale price or salvage price and the book value of an asset that was sold or retired, and gain (loss) from the write down of assets from their carrying value to fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) from adjustments after acquisition date under purchase accounting of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 16
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116868678&loc=d3e961-128460

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108376223&loc=d3e13816-109267

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period. The cash portion only of the acquisition price.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=sbgi_RegionalSportsNetworksAndFoxCollegeSportsRSNsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=sbgi_BontenMediaGroupHoldingsInc.Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=us-gaap_SeriesOfIndividuallyImmaterialBusinessAcquisitionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=sbgi_TribuneMediaCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=sbgi_SpectrumAuctionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis=us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=sbgi_AlarmFundingAssociatesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=sbgi_SportsContractsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_TrademarksAndTradeNamesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=sbgi_NetworkAffiliationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	sbgi_ProfessionalSportsTeamAxis=sbgi_MajorLeagueBaseballMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	sbgi_ProfessionalSportsTeamAxis=sbgi_NationalBasketballAssociationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	sbgi_ProfessionalSportsTeamAxis=sbgi_NationalHockeyLeagueMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_StatementScenarioAxis=srt_ScenarioForecastMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=sbgi_WDKYAndKGBTNonLicenseAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions			1 Months Ended			4 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
	Aug. 23, 2019 USD ($) national_basketball_association_team major_league_baseball_team national_hockey_league_team professional_team	Sep. 01, 2017 USD ($) station market	May 31, 2019 USD ($) brand	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($) station	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) station market	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) station market	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) station market	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)
Acquisitions
Cash paid										$ 9,300
Number of television stations owned \| station						191	191			191
Number of markets \| market						89	89			89
Goodwill								$ 0
Amortization period, weighted average useful life							13 years
Acquisition costs related to legal and other professioanl services							$ 96		$ 1
Deferred spectrum auction proceeds							92	40	279
Number of stations assigned new channels \| station					100
Total legislation funds to reimburse stations					$ 2,750
Gain (loss) recognized on sale							62	6
Total capital expenditure							66	31
RSN
Acquisitions
Number of brands \| brand			21
Purchase price, unadjusted initial consideration expected to be transferred			$ 9,600
Purchase price	$ 9,817
Number of professional teams \| professional_team	42
Goodwill						$ 691
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 6,725						$ 6,700
Goodwill, expected tax deductible amount	2,340
Bonten
Acquisitions
Cash paid		$ 240
Working capital adjustment		$ 2
Number of television stations owned \| station		14
Number of markets \| market		8
Number of stations to which sales services were provided \| station		4
Goodwill								2
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired		$ 162
Goodwill, expected tax deductible amount		6
Other Acquisitions
Acquisitions
Cash paid									27
Working capital adjustment									3
Tribune Media Company
Acquisitions
Acquisition costs related to legal and other professioanl services								100	21
Spectrum Auction
Acquisitions
Deferred spectrum auction proceeds								83	$ 225
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations \| Alarm Funding Associates
Acquisitions
Sales agreement price				$ 200
Working capital and transaction costs from sale				5
Gain recognized on sale of broadcast assets				53
Gain (loss) on disposal, attributable to non-controlling interest				$ 12
Customer relationships
Acquisitions
Amortization period, weighted average useful life							13 years
Customer relationships \| RSN
Acquisitions
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 5,439
Amortization period, weighted average useful life	13 years
Customer relationships \| Bonten
Acquisitions
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired		$ 109
Amortization period, weighted average useful life		14 years
Favorable sports contracts
Acquisitions
Amortization period, weighted average useful life							12 years
Favorable sports contracts \| RSN
Acquisitions
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 1,271
Amortization period, weighted average useful life	12 years
Trademarks and trade names \| RSN
Acquisitions
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 15
Amortization period, weighted average useful life	2 years
Network affiliation
Acquisitions
Amortization period, weighted average useful life							15 years
Network affiliation \| Bonten
Acquisitions
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired		$ 53
Amortization period, weighted average useful life		15 years
General and administrative expense \| Tribune Media Company
Acquisitions
Acquisition costs related to legal and other professioanl services								21
Interest expense \| Tribune Media Company
Acquisitions
Acquisition costs related to legal and other professioanl services								$ 79
Major league baseball \| RSN
Acquisitions
Number of professional teams \| major_league_baseball_team	14
National basketball association \| RSN
Acquisitions
Number of professional teams \| national_basketball_association_team	16
National hockey league \| RSN
Acquisitions
Number of professional teams \| national_hockey_league_team	12
Forecast \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations \| WDKY And KGBT Non-License Assets
Acquisitions
Sales agreement price											$ 36