CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
REVENUES:
Station broadcast revenues, net of agency commissions	$ 648,002	$ 655,836	$ 555,110
Revenues realized from station barter arrangements	72,773	75,210	58,182
Other operating divisions revenues	44,513	36,598	43,698
Total revenues	765,288	767,644	656,990
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Station production expenses	178,612	154,133	142,415
Station selling, general and administrative expenses	123,938	127,091	122,833
Expenses recognized from station barter arrangements	65,742	67,083	48,119
Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments	52,079	60,862	73,087
Other operating divisions expenses	39,486	30,916	45,520
Depreciation of property and equipment	32,874	36,307	42,892
Corporate general and administrative expenses	28,310	26,800	25,632
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets	18,229	18,834	22,355
Gain on asset exchange			(4,945)
Impairment of goodwill, intangible and other assets	398	4,803	249,799
Total operating expenses	539,668	526,829	767,707
Operating income (loss)	225,620	240,815	(110,717)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs	(106,128)	(116,046)	(80,021)
(Loss) gain from extinguishment of debt	(4,847)	(6,266)	18,465
Income (loss) from equity and cost method investments	3,269	(4,861)	354
Gain on insurance settlement	1,742	344	11
Other income, net	1,717	1,865	1,448
Total other expense	(104,247)	(124,964)	(59,743)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	121,373	115,851	(170,460)
INCOME TAX (PROVISION) BENEFIT	(44,785)	(40,226)	32,512
Income (loss) from continuing operations	76,588	75,625	(137,948)
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Loss from discontinued operations, net of related income tax provision of ($477), ($77) and ($350), respectively	(411)	(577)	(81)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	76,177	75,048	(138,029)
Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(379)	1,100	2,335
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP	75,798	76,148	(135,694)
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.43
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP:
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.95	$ 0.96	$ (1.70)
Basic loss per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.94	$ 0.95	$ (1.70)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.95	$ 0.95	$ (1.70)
Diluted loss per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.94	$ 0.94	$ (1.70)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	80,217	80,245	79,981
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)	80,532	83,606	79,981
AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	76,209	76,725	(135,613)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(411)	(577)	(81)
Net income (loss)	$ 75,798	$ 76,148	$ (135,694)