Debt Instrument, Covenant, First Lien Leverage Ratio Test, Borrowings Exceed Total Commitments, Percent

No definition available.

Name:	sbgi_DebtInstrumentCovenantFirstLienLeverageRatioTestBorrowingsExceedTotalCommitmentsPercent
Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Prepayment Premium, Percent

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sbgi_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPremiumPercent
Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Quarterly Aggregate Payment, Percent

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sbgi_DebtInstrumentQuarterlyAggregatePaymentPercent
Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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

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

- Definition

Percentage price of original principal amount of debt at which debt can be redeemed by the issuer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph e
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of principal amount of debt redeemed.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentageOfPrincipalAmountRedeemed
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt discount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

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

- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117329964&loc=d3e12355-112629

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117329964&loc=d3e12317-112629

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-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_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sbgi_STG6.125SeniorUnsecuredNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sbgi_STG5.500UnsecuredNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=sbgi_TermLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sbgi_TermLoanB2bMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sbgi_TermLoanB2aMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sbgi_TermLoanB2Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sbgi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.375PercentDue2021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sbgi_STG5.00UnsecuredNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sbgi_STG5.625UnsecuredNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sbgi_STG5.875UnsecuredNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sbgi_STGNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodThreeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodFourMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodFiveMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sbgi_STG5.125UnsecuredNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=sbgi_STGRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=sbgi_STGLettersOfCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=sbgi_STGSwinglineLoansFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING - STG Bank Credit Agreement (Details) - USD ($)				12 Months Ended
	Nov. 27, 2019	Aug. 23, 2019	Aug. 13, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Nov. 30, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on extinguishment of debt				$ (10,000,000)	$ 0	$ (1,000,000)
STG 6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate							6.125%
5.500% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate							5.50%
Term Loan \| Term Loan B-2b
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term			7 years
Debt issued			$ 600,000,000
Unamortized debt discount			$ 3,000,000
Term Loan \| Term Loan B-2b \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			2.50%
Term Loan \| Term Loan B-2a
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term		7 years
Debt issued		$ 700,000,000
Unamortized debt discount		$ 4,000,000
Term Loan \| Term Loan B-2a \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		2.50%
Term Loan \| Term Loan B-2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Prepayment premium, percent		1.00%
Quarterly payment, percent		1.00%
Term Loan \| 5.500% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate							5.50%
Senior Notes \| STG 6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued	$ 500,000,000
Interest rate	6.125%			6.125%			6.125%
Amount extinguished				$ 510,000,000
Gain (Loss) on extinguishment of debt				(8,000,000)
Senior Notes \| 5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt			$ 600,000,000
Interest rate			5.375%
Gain (Loss) on extinguishment of debt				$ (2,000,000)
Senior Notes \| STG 5.00 Unsecured Notes Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.50%
Senior Notes \| STG 5.625% Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.625%			5.63%
Senior Notes \| STG 5.875% Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.875%			5.88%
Senior Notes \| STG Notes \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of principal amount redeemed				35.00%
Senior Notes \| STG Notes \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of principal amount redeemed				100.00%
Senior Notes \| 5.500% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued	$ 500,000,000
Interest rate	5.50%			5.50%
Senior Notes \| 5.500% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2030 \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, redemption price (as a percent)	100.00%
Percentage of principal amount redeemed	40.00%
Senior Notes \| 5.500% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2030 \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, redemption price (as a percent)	102.75%
Senior Notes \| 5.500% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2030 \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, redemption price (as a percent)	101.833%
Senior Notes \| 5.500% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2030 \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Four
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, redemption price (as a percent)	100.917%
Senior Notes \| 5.500% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2030 \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Five
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, redemption price (as a percent)	100.00%
Senior Notes \| STG 5.125% Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.125%			5.13%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 650,000,000
STG Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term		5 years
Percent of borrowings exceeding total commitments		35.00%
STG Revolving Credit Facility \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		2.00%
STG Revolving Credit Facility \| Line of credit \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate				2.00%
STG Letters Of Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 50,000,000
STG Swingline Loans Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 50,000,000