Represents the fair value of future program liabilities.

No definition available.

Name:	sbgi_FutureProgramLiabilityFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the fair value of active program contracts payable.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sbgi_ProgramContractsPayableFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 12

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13476-108611

+ Details

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

- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-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

- Details

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

- Definition

Interest rate used to find the present value of an amount to be paid or received in the future as an input to measure fair value. For example, but not limited to, weighted average cost of capital (WACC), cost of capital, cost of equity and cost of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (bbb)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

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

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS: (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 12, 2012
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)			6.125%
Discount rate used to determine the fair value of active and future program liabilities (as a percent)	8.00%	8.00%
4.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2018
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)	4.875%
3.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.00%
8.375% Senior Notes due 2018
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)	8.375%
9.25% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2017
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Interest rate (as a percent)	9.25%
Level 2 \| Carrying Value \| 8.375% Senior Notes due 2018
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Fair Value	234,764	234,512
Level 2 \| Carrying Value \| 9.25% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2017
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Fair Value	490,135	489,052
Level 2 \| Carrying Value \| Term Loan A
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Fair Value	266,031	115,000
Level 2 \| Carrying Value \| Term Loan B
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Fair Value	582,202	217,002
Level 2 \| Carrying Value \| Cunningham bank credit facility
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Fair Value	2,742	10,967
Level 2 \| Fair Value \| 8.375% Senior Notes due 2018
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Fair Value	261,877	246,884
Level 2 \| Fair Value \| 9.25% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2017
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Fair Value	555,315	549,690
Level 2 \| Fair Value \| Term Loan A
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Fair Value	264,701	112,700
Level 2 \| Fair Value \| Term Loan B
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Fair Value	591,623	221,700
Level 2 \| Fair Value \| Cunningham bank credit facility
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Fair Value	2,742	11,100
Level 3 \| Carrying Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Active program contracts payable	110,791	91,450
Future program liabilities	132,653	125,075
Level 3 \| Carrying Value \| 4.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2018
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Fair Value	5,685	5,685
Level 3 \| Carrying Value \| 3.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Fair Value	5,400	5,400
Level 3 \| Fair Value
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Active program contracts payable	104,107	88,699
Future program liabilities	106,324	105,166
Level 3 \| Fair Value \| 4.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2018
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Fair Value	5,685	5,685
Level 3 \| Fair Value \| 3.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
Fair Value	5,400	5,400