Edgar Filing: SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

ý QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to .

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 000-26076

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



Maryland (State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization)		52-1494660 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

10706 Beaver Dam Road

Hunt Valley, Maryland 21030

(Address of principal executive office, zip code)

(410) 568-1500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.



Yes x		No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such file).



Yes x		No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one):



Large accelerated filer x	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o	Emerging growth company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).



Yes o		No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2). Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate the number of share outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.



		Number of shares outstanding as of
Title of each class		11/5/2018
Class A Common Stock		71,792,701
Class B Common Stock		25,670,684

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SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION	3

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)	3

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS	4

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS	5

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY	7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS	9

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	10

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	39

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	52

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	52

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION	54

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	54

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS	54

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS	54

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES	54

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES	54

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION	54

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS	55

SIGNATURE	56

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited)



	As of September 30, 2018			As of December 31, 2017
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,022,974		$	681,326
Restricted cash, current	—			313,110
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,367 and $2,590, respectively	609,742			566,464
Current portion of program contract costs	87,128			71,387
Income taxes receivable	—			28,150
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	70,891			54,310
Total current assets	1,790,735			1,714,747
Assets held for sale	5,590			—
Program contract costs, less current portion	13,080			3,202
Property and equipment, net	674,440			738,298
Restricted cash, less current portion	1,508			1,504
Goodwill	2,125,402			2,124,033
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	158,222			159,371
Definite-lived intangible assets, net	1,670,340			1,801,670
Other assets	188,097			241,645
Total assets (a)	$	6,627,414		$	6,784,470
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	428,471		$	370,403
Deferred spectrum auction proceeds	—			84,341
Income taxes payable	14,320			2,503
Current portion of notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing	43,698			161,049
Current portion of program contracts payable	114,115			108,053
Total current liabilities	600,604			726,349
Liabilities held for sale	4,083			—
Notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing, less current portion	3,858,558			3,887,601
Program contracts payable, less current portion	54,691			41,909
Deferred tax liabilities	444,940			515,236
Other long-term liabilities	78,984			79,009
Total liabilities (a)	5,041,860			5,250,104
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 4)

Shareholders' Equity:
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 74,978,424 and 76,071,145 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	750			761
Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value, 140,000,000 shares authorized, 25,670,684 and 25,670,684 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, convertible into Class A Common Stock	257			257
Additional paid-in capital	1,293,169			1,320,298
Retained earnings	330,780			248,845
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,423		)	(1,423		)
Total Sinclair Broadcast Group shareholders’ equity	1,623,533			1,568,738
Noncontrolling interests	(37,979		)	(34,372		)
Total equity	1,585,554			1,534,366
Total liabilities and equity	$	6,627,414		$	6,784,470

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

(a)

Our consolidated total assets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 include total assets of variable interest entities (VIEs) of $121.1 million and $130.6 million, respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. Our consolidated total liabilities as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 include total liabilities of VIEs of $22.9 million and $27.0 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to us. See Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

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SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
REVENUES:
Media revenues (a)	$	730,361		$	629,597		$	2,069,874		$	1,873,881
Non-media revenues	35,899			14,935			91,882			49,821
Total revenues	766,260			644,532			2,161,756			1,923,702

OPERATING EXPENSES:
Media production expenses	303,782			268,330			893,189			796,218
Media selling, general and administrative expenses	154,581			133,605			452,274			385,372
Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments	24,482			28,047			76,142			87,962
Non-media expenses	32,476			17,496			84,720			51,974
Depreciation of property and equipment	25,035			24,442			75,477			72,026
Corporate general and administrative expenses	34,322			25,831			88,603			71,458
Amortization of definite-lived intangible and other assets	44,600			43,368			131,322			132,299
Gain on asset dispositions, net of impairment	(10,828		)	(34		)	(36,678		)	(53,531		)
Total operating expenses	608,450			541,085			1,765,049			1,543,778
Operating income	157,810			103,447			396,707			379,924

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs	(75,753		)	(51,743		)	(237,766		)	(160,020		)
Loss from equity investments	(25,379		)	(4,362		)	(55,339		)	(4,221		)
Other income, net	5,674			2,342			13,129			4,197
Total other expense, net	(95,458		)	(53,763		)	(279,976		)	(160,044		)
Income before income taxes	62,352			49,684			116,731			219,880
INCOME TAX BENEFIT (PROVISION)	2,648			(17,118		)	21,573			(70,577		)
NET INCOME	65,000			32,566			138,304			149,303
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(1,125		)	(1,929		)	(3,264		)	(16,820		)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP	$	63,875		$	30,637		$	135,040		$	132,483

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP:
Basic earnings per share	$	0.63		$	0.30		$	1.32		$	1.34
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.62		$	0.30		$	1.31		$	1.32
Weighted average common shares outstanding	102,083			102,245			102,069			99,210
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding	102,789			103,055			102,898			100,173

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.


(a)	See Revenue Recognition within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for a discussion of the adoption of the new accounting principles for revenue recognition.

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SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands) (Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Net income	$	65,000		$	32,566		$	138,304		$	149,303
Comprehensive income	65,000			32,566			138,304			149,303
Comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(1,125		)	(1,929		)	(3,264		)	(16,820		)
Comprehensive income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$	63,875		$	30,637		$	135,040		$	132,483

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(in thousands) (Unaudited)



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
	Sinclair Broadcast Group Shareholders
	Class A Common Stock					Class B Common Stock			Additional Paid-In Capital			Accumulated Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
	Shares		Values			Shares	Values		Additional Paid-In Capital			Accumulated Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
BALANCE, December 31, 2016	64,558,207		$	646		25,670,684	$	257	$	843,691		$	(255,804	)	$	(807	)	$	(30,047	)	$	557,936
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	12,000,000		120			—	—		487,763			—			—			—			487,883
Dividends declared and paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock ($0.54 per share)	—		—			—	—		—			(53,049		)	—			—			(53,049		)
Repurchases of Class A Common Stock	(997,300	)	(10		)	—	—		(30,277		)	—			—			—			(30,287		)
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans	471,617		4			—	—		16,978			—			—			—			16,982
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	—		—			—	—		—			—			—			(20,469		)	(20,469		)
Net income	—		—			—	—		—			132,483			—			16,820			149,303
BALANCE, September 30, 2017	76,032,524		$	760		25,670,684	$	257	$	1,318,155		$	(176,370	)	$	(807	)	$	(33,696	)	$	1,108,299

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
	Sinclair Broadcast Group Shareholders
	Class A Common Stock					Class B Common Stock			Additional Paid-In Capital			Accumulated Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
	Shares		Values			Shares	Values		Additional Paid-In Capital			Accumulated Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
BALANCE, June 30, 2017	76,993,826		$	770		25,670,684	$	257	$	1,346,657		$	(188,701	)	$	(807	)	$	(33,204	)	$	1,124,972
Dividends declared and paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock ($0.18 per share)	—		—			—	—		—			(18,306		)	—			—			(18,306		)
Repurchases of Class A Common Stock	(997,300	)	(10		)	—	—		(30,277		)	—			—			—			(30,287		)
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans	35,998		—			—	—		1,775			—			—			—			1,775
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	—		—			—	—		—			—			—			(2,421		)	(2,421		)
Net income	—		—			—	—		—			30,637			—			1,929			32,566
BALANCE, September 30, 2017	76,032,524		$	760		25,670,684	$	257	$	1,318,155		$	(176,370	)	$	(807	)	$	(33,696	)	$	1,108,299

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(In thousands) (Unaudited)



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Sinclair Broadcast Group Shareholders
	Class A Common Stock					Class B Common Stock			Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
	Shares		Values			Shares	Values		Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
BALANCE, December 31, 2017	76,071,145		$	761		25,670,684	$	257	$	1,320,298		$	248,845		$	(1,423	)	$	(34,372	)	$	1,534,366
Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting standard	—		—			—	—		—			2,100			—			—			2,100
Dividends declared and paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock ($0.54 per share)	—		—			—	—		—			(55,205		)	—			—			(55,205		)
Repurchases of Class A Common Stock	(1,636,019	)	(16		)	—	—		(45,888		)	—			—			—			(45,904		)
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans	543,298		5			—	—		18,759			—			—			—			18,764
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	—		—			—	—		—			—			—			(6,871		)	(6,871		)
Net income	—		—			—	—		—			135,040			—			3,264			138,304
BALANCE, September 30, 2018	74,978,424		$	750		25,670,684	$	257	$	1,293,169		$	330,780		$	(1,423	)	$	(37,979	)	$	1,585,554

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Sinclair Broadcast Group Shareholders
	Class A Common Stock					Class B Common Stock			Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
	Shares		Values			Shares	Values		Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
BALANCE, June 30, 2018	76,576,980		$	766		25,670,684	$	257	$	1,336,251		$	285,316		$	(1,423	)	$	(35,749	)	$	1,585,418
Dividends declared and paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock ($0.18 per share)	—		—			—	—		—			(18,411		)	—			—			(18,411		)
Repurchases of Class A Common Stock	(1,636,019	)	(16		)	—	—		(45,888		)	—			—			—			(45,904		)
Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans	37,463		—			—	—		2,806			—			—			—			2,806
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	—		—			—	—		—			—			—			(3,355		)	(3,355		)
Net income	—		—			—	—		—			63,875			—			1,125			65,000
BALANCE, September 30, 2018	74,978,424		$	750		25,670,684	$	257	$	1,293,169		$	330,780		$	(1,423	)	$	(37,979	)	$	1,585,554

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands) (Unaudited)



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	138,304		$	149,303
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation of property and equipment	75,477			72,026
Amortization of definite-lived intangible and other assets	131,322			132,299
Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments	76,142			87,962
Stock-based compensation expense	20,832			12,905
Deferred tax benefit	(69,937		)	(13,285		)
Gain on asset disposition, net of impairment	(24,230		)	(53,531		)
Loss from equity investments	55,339			5,136
Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable	(47,923		)	2,167
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets	(20,321		)	(1,257		)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	54,057			(28,237		)
Net change in net income taxes payable/receivable	39,967			(21,571		)
Decrease in program contracts payable	(82,993		)	(84,499		)
Other, net	26,869			18,793
Net cash flows from operating activities	372,905			278,211

CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment	(77,618		)	(55,463		)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	—			(269,799		)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	1,087			195,182
Investments in equity investees	(25,624		)	(22,302		)
Distributions from equity investees	23,533			6,642
Spectrum auction proceeds	—			310,802
Other, net	(7,866		)	(13,414		)
Net cash flows (used in) from investing activities	(86,488		)	151,648

CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from notes payable and commercial bank financing	3,343			166,041
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases	(154,244		)	(318,309		)
Net proceeds from the sale of Class A Common Stock	—			487,883
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	(55,205		)	(53,049		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(6,871		)	(20,469		)
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock	(45,904		)	(30,287		)
Other, net	1,006			(5,357		)
Net cash flows (used in) from financing activities	(257,875		)	226,453
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH	28,542			656,312
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	995,940			260,184
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	$	1,024,482		$	916,496

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Nature of Operations

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (the Company) is a diversified television broadcasting company with national reach and a strong focus on providing high-quality content on our local television stations and digital platforms. The content, distributed through our broadcast platform, consists of programming provided by third-party networks and syndicators, local news, and other original programming produced by us. We also distribute our original programming, and owned and operated network affiliates, on other third-party platforms. Additionally, we own digital media products that are complementary to our extensive portfolio of television station related digital properties. Outside of our media related businesses, we operate technical services companies focused on supply and maintenance of broadcast transmission systems as well as research and development for the advancement of broadcast technology, and we manage other non-media related investments.

Our broadcast distribution platform is a single reportable segment for accounting purposes. It consists primarily of our broadcast television stations. We own, provide programming and operating services pursuant to agreements commonly referred to as local marketing agreements (LMAs), or provide sales services and other non-programming operating services pursuant to other outsourcing agreements (such as joint sales agreements (JSAs) and shared services agreements (SSAs)), to 191 stations in 89 markets. These stations broadcast 602 channels as of September 30, 2018. For the purpose of this report, these 191 stations and 602 channels are referred to as “our” stations and channels.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities (VIEs) for which we are the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interest represents a minority owner’s proportionate share of the equity in certain of our consolidated entities. All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Interim Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, such financial statements have been presented on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of equity, and consolidated statements of cash flows for these periods as adjusted for the adoption of recent accounting pronouncements discussed below.

As permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures normally included with audited consolidated financial statements and, accordingly, should be read together with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC. The consolidated statements of operations presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are not necessarily representative of operations for an entire year.

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Variable Interest Entities

In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE for financial reporting purposes, we consider whether we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and whether we have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE. We consolidate VIEs when we are the primary beneficiary.

Third-party station licensees. Certain of our stations provide services to other station owners within the same respective market through agreements, such as LMAs, where we provide programming, sales, operational, and administrative services; and JSAs and SSAs, where we provide non-programming, sales, operational, and administrative services. In certain cases, we have also entered into purchase agreements or options to purchase the license related assets of the licensee. We typically own the majority of the non-license assets of the stations, and in some cases where the licensee acquired the license assets concurrent with our acquisition of the non-license assets of the station, we have provided guarantees to the bank of the licensee’s acquisition financing. The terms of the agreements vary, but generally have initial terms of over five years with several optional renewal terms. Based on the terms of the agreements and the significance of our investment in the stations, we are the primary beneficiary when, subject to the ultimate control of the licensees, we have the power to direct the activities which significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE through the services we provide and we absorb losses and returns that would be considered significant to the VIEs. The fees paid between us and the licensees pursuant to these arrangements are eliminated in consolidation. Several of these VIEs are owned by a related party, Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation (Cunningham). See Note 7. Related Person Transactions for more information about the arrangements with Cunningham. See Changes in the Rules of Television Ownership, Local Marketing Agreements, Joint Sales Agreements, Retransmission Consent Negotiations, and National Ownership Cap under Note 4. Commitments and Contingencies for discussion of recent changes in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules related to JSAs.

The carrying amounts and classification of the assets and liabilities of the VIEs mentioned above, which have been included in our consolidated balance sheets for the periods presented, were as follows (in thousands):



	As of September 30, 2018		As of December 31, 2017
ASSETS
Current assets:
Accounts receivable	$	17,514	$	19,566
Other current assets	8,804		8,937
Total current assets	26,318		28,503

Program contract costs, less current portion	2,394		822
Property and equipment, net	5,575		6,215
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets	15,064		15,064
Definite-lived intangible assets, net	69,424		74,442
Other assets	2,374		5,601
Total assets	$	121,149	$	130,647

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Other current liabilities	$	19,720	$	23,564

Notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing, less current portion	18,673		23,217
Program contracts payable, less current portion	9,279		11,213
Other long-term liabilities	650		650
Total liabilities	$	48,322	$	58,644

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The amounts above represent the consolidated assets and liabilities of the VIEs described above, for which we are the primary beneficiary, and have been aggregated as they all relate to our broadcast business. Excluded from the amounts above are payments made to Cunningham under the LMAs and certain outsourcing agreements, which are treated as a prepayment of the purchase price of the stations, and capital leases between us and Cunningham, which are eliminated in consolidation. The total payments made under these LMAs and certain JSAs, which are excluded from the liabilities above, were $46.6 million and $44.0 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The total capital lease liabilities, net of capital lease assets, which are excluded from the above, were $4.5 million as of both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Total liabilities associated with certain outsourcing agreements and purchase options with certain VIEs excluded from above were $117.0 million and $116.5 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, as these amounts are eliminated in consolidation. The assets of each of these consolidated VIEs can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIE. As of September 30, 2018, all of the liabilities are non-recourse to us except for debt of certain VIEs. See Guarantees of third party debt under Note 3. Notes Payable and Commercial Bank Financing for further discussion. The risk and reward characteristics of the VIEs are similar.

Other investments. We have several investments which are considered VIEs. However, we do not participate in the management of these entities, including the day-to-day operating decisions or other decisions which would allow us to control the entity, and therefore, we are not considered the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. We account for these entities using the equity method of accounting; at cost, less impairment plus observable price changes; or at fair value.

The carrying amounts of our investments in these VIEs for which we are not the primary beneficiary as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were $74.9 million and $115.7 million, respectively, and are included in other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Our maximum exposure is equal to the carrying value of our investments. The income and loss related to these investments are recorded in income from equity investments on our consolidated statements of operations. We recorded losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 of $10.0 million and $33.5 million, respectively, and a loss of $1.3 million and income of $2.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses in the consolidated financial statements and in the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance on revenue recognition for revenue from contracts with customers, Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (ASC 606). This guidance requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers and will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance when it becomes effective. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Since Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09 was issued, several additional ASUs have been issued and incorporated within ASC 606 to clarify various elements of the guidance. We adopted this guidance retrospectively during the first quarter of 2018. The impact of the adoption did not have a material impact on our station advertising or distribution revenue. Under the new standard, certain barter revenue and expense related to syndicated programming is no longer recognized. See Revenue Recognition below for more information on the adoption.

In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The new guidance requires entities to measure equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that resulted in consolidation of the investee) at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The new standard is effective for the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2018. The impact of the adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements. Equity investments without a readily determinable fair value measured utilizing the measurement alternative at cost, less impairment plus observable price changes were $20.7 million and $32.3 million, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. There was a $10.1 million impairment to the carrying amount of one investment accounted for using the measurement alternative during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 which is recorded within loss from equity investments within our consolidated statement of operations. We also had other investments recorded at fair value of $18.7 million and $12.2 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. As a result of the adoption of this guidance, we recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings of $2.1 million for these investments, within our consolidated statement of equity.

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to accounting for leases, which requires the assets and liabilities that arise from leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. Currently, only capital leases are recorded on the balance sheet. This update will require the lessee to recognize a lease liability equal to the present value of the lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term for all leases longer than 12 months. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election, by class of underlying asset, not to recognize lease assets and liabilities and recognize the lease expense for such leases, generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The new standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We are still evaluating if this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated balance sheets, but we do not expect a material impact on our consolidated statements of operations. We plan to adopt using the optional transition method as well as the package of practical expedients on January 1, 2019.

In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments. The new standard includes eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice as to how cash receipts and cash payments are represented in the statement of cash flows. In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. This new guidance requires that the statement of cash flows explain changes during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. We adopted this guidance retrospectively during the first quarter of 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the adoption of this guidance resulted in an increase in cash flows from investing and financing activities of $312.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance which clarifies the definition of a business with additional guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The new standard should be applied prospectively and is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2018. The impact of the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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In March 2018, the FASB issued guidance, effective in the first quarter of 2018, for situations where the accounting under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 is incomplete for certain income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) upon issuance of an entity’s financial statements for the reporting period in which the TCJA was enacted. Any provisional amounts or adjustments to provisional amounts as a result of obtaining, preparing, or analyzing additional information about facts and circumstances related to the provisional amounts should be included in income (loss) from continuing operations as an adjustment to income tax expense in the reporting period the amounts are determined. As discussed in Income Taxes below, adjustments to the provisional amounts that are identified within a subsequent measurement period of up to one year from the enactment date will be included as an adjustment to tax expense from continuing operations in the period the amounts are determined.

In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software, with the capitalized implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement. The new standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 606 using the retrospective adoption method. The following table presents the effects of adoption on our consolidated financial statements for the comparative periods presented (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2017							September 30, 2017
	As Reported		Adoption of ASC 606			As Adjusted		As Reported		Adoption of ASC 606			As Adjusted
Revenues realized from station barter arrangements (a)	$	31,787	$	(26,359	)	$	5,428	$	91,817	$	(76,413	)	$	15,404
Expenses realized from barter arrangements (b)	$	26,696	$	(26,359	)	$	337	$	77,491	$	(76,413	)	$	1,078
Operating income	$	103,447	$	—		$	103,447	$	379,924	$	—		$	379,924
Net income	$	30,637	$	—		$	30,637	$	132,483	$	—		$	132,483
Basic EPS	$	0.30	$	—		$	0.30	$	1.34	$	—		$	1.34
Diluted EPS	$	0.30	$	—		$	0.30	$	1.32	$	—		$	1.32


(a)	The remaining balance in the "as adjusted" column relates to trade revenue, which was unaffected by the adoption and has been reclassified to media revenue.


(b)	The remaining balance in the "as adjusted" column relates to trade expense, which was unaffected by the adoption and has been reclassified to media production expense.

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The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by type and segment (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2018						September 30, 2017
	Broadcast		Other		Total		Broadcast		Other		Total
Advertising revenue	$	365,617	$	19,629	$	385,246	$	314,930	$	16,056	$	330,986
Distribution revenue	302,780		27,913		330,693		258,841		26,517		285,358
Other media and non-media revenues	10,274		40,047		50,321		11,170		17,018		28,188
Total revenues	$	678,671	$	87,589	$	766,260	$	584,941	$	59,591	$	644,532

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2018						September 30, 2017
	Broadcast		Other		Total		Broadcast		Other		Total
Advertising revenue	$	1,002,734	$	57,963	$	1,060,697	$	953,254	$	38,830	$	992,084
Distribution revenue	881,836		82,675		964,511		759,632		80,355		839,987
Other media and non-media revenues	32,274		104,274		136,548		32,891		58,740		91,631
Total revenues	$	1,916,844	$	244,912	$	2,161,756	$	1,745,777	$	177,925	$	1,923,702

Advertising Revenue. We generate advertising revenue primarily from the sale of advertising spots/impressions on our broadcast television and digital platforms. Advertising revenue is recognized in the period in which the advertising spots/impressions are delivered. In arrangements where we provide audience ratings guarantees; to the extent that there is a ratings shortfall, we will defer a portion of revenue until the ratings shortfall is settled. The term of our advertising arrangements is generally less than one year and the timing between when an advertisement is aired and when payment is due is not significant. In certain circumstances, we require customers to pay in advance; payments received in advance of satisfying our performance obligations are reflected as deferred revenue.

Distribution Revenue. The Company generates distribution revenue through fees received from multi-channel video programming distributors (MVPDs) and virtual MVPDs for the right to distribute our stations and other properties on their respective distribution platforms. We have determined that these arrangements represent licenses of intellectual property. Distribution arrangements are generally governed by multi-year contracts and the underlying fees are based upon a monthly amount per subscriber. We recognize revenue associated with these licensing arrangements when our customers distribute our stations and other properties on their respective distribution platforms, which is when our performance obligation has been satisfied. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant.

Practical Expedients and Exemptions. We expense sales commissions when incurred because the period of benefit for these costs is one year or less. These costs are recorded within media selling, general and administrative expenses. In accordance with ASC 606, we do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) distribution arrangements which are accounted for as a sales/usage based royalty.

Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations. Our contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, we allocate revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price which is generally based on the prices charged to customers.

Deferred Revenues. We record deferred revenues when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance, including amounts which are refundable. Deferred revenues as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were $127.6 million and $49.5 million, respectively. The increase in deferred revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was primarily driven by amounts received or due in advance of satisfying our performance obligations, offset by revenues recognized, including $28.8 million of revenues recognized that were included in the deferred revenues balance as of December 31, 2017. Deferred revenues for the periods ended September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were $31.3 million and $31.7 million, respectively. The decrease in deferred revenues as of the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily driven by revenues recognized, including $17.2 million of revenues recognized that were included in the deferred revenue as of December 31, 2016, offset by amounts received or due in advance of satisfying our performance obligations.

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Income Taxes

Our income tax provision for all periods consists of federal and state income taxes. The tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 is based on the estimated effective tax rate applicable for the full year after taking into account discrete tax items and the effects of the noncontrolling interests. We provide a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if we determine that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating our ability to realize net deferred tax assets, we consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, including our past operating results, tax planning strategies and forecasts of future taxable income. In considering these sources of taxable income, we must make certain judgments that are based on the plans and estimates used to manage our underlying businesses on a long-term basis. A valuation allowance has been provided for deferred tax assets related to a substantial portion of our available state net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards, based on past operating results, expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary book/tax basis differences, alternative tax strategies and projected future taxable income.

Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was less than the statutory rate primarily due to $15.0 million of federal tax credits related to investments in sustainability initiatives. Our effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was less than the statutory rate primarily due to a $17.7 million permanent tax benefit recognized from an IRS tax ruling on the treatment of the gain from the sale of certain broadcast spectrum in connection with the Broadcast Incentive Auction, as discussed in Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets, and $21.2 million of federal tax credits related to investments in sustainability initiatives. Our effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 approximated the statutory rate.

Pursuant to the guidance within SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118), as of September 30, 2018, the Company continues to analyze certain aspects of the TCJA and refine its assessment. The ultimate impact of the TCJA may differ from the provisional amounts recorded by the Company at December 31, 2017 due to its continued analysis or further regulatory guidance that may be issued as a result of the TCJA. Pursuant to SAB 118, adjustments to the provisional amounts that are identified within a subsequent measurement period of up to one year from the enactment date will be included as an adjustment to tax expense from continuing operations in the period the amounts are determined.

Share Repurchase Program

On September 6, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized a $150.0 million share repurchase authorization. On August 9, 2018, the Board of Directors authorized an additional $1.0 billion share repurchase authorization. There is no expiration date and currently, management has no plans to terminate this program. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we repurchased approximately 1.6 million shares of Class A Common Stock for $45.9 million. From October 1, 2018 through November 7, 2018, we repurchased an additional 3.4 million shares of Class A Common Stock for $96.7 million. As of November 7, 2018, the total remaining repurchase authorization was $946.4 million.

Network Affiliation Agreements

In August 2018, as a result of the termination of the Tribune transaction (including the sale of certain stations to FOX), FOX Broadcasting Company exercised its option to terminate the agreement entered May 8, 2018 which renewed affiliations with 22 of the Company's FOX affiliates, as well as affiliations with 4 FOX affiliates to which the Company provides services. As a result, such affiliation agreements currently have an end date of January 31, 2019 and new affiliation agreements for such stations must be negotiated and entered into.

Subsequent Events

In November 2018, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, payable on December 17, 2018 to holders of record at the close of business on November 30, 2018.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year's presentation.

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2. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS:

Acquisitions

Bonten. On September 1, 2017, we acquired the stock of Bonten Media Group Holdings, Inc. (Bonten) and Cunningham acquired the membership interest of Esteem Broadcasting LLC for an aggregate purchase price of $240.0 million plus a working capital adjustment, excluding cash acquired, of $2.2 million accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting. As a result of the transaction, we added 14 television stations in 8 markets: Tri-Cities, TN/VA; Greensville/New Bern/Washington, NC; Chico/Redding, CA; Abilene/Sweetwater, TX; Missoula, MT; Butte/Bozeman, MT; San Angelo, TX; and Eureka, CA. Cunningham assumed the joint sales agreement under which we will provide services to 4 additional stations. The transaction was funded with cash on hand. The acquisition will expand our regional presence in several states where we already operate and help us bring improvements to small market stations.

The following table summarizes the allocated fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities (in thousands):



Accounts receivable	$	14,536
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	699
Program contract costs	988
Property and equipment	27,295
Definite-lived intangible assets	161,936
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	425
Other assets	3,609
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(8,846		)
Program contracts payable	(988		)
Deferred tax liability	(66,158		)
Other long term liabilities	(12,265		)
Fair value of identifiable, net assets acquired	121,231
Goodwill	120,921
Total purchase price, net of cash acquired	$	242,152

The final purchase price allocation presented above is based upon management’s estimate of the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities using valuation techniques including income, cost, and market approaches. The fair value estimates are based on, but not limited to, expected future revenue and cash flows, expected future growth rates, and estimated discount rates.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we made certain measurement period adjustments to the initial Bonten purchase price allocation resulting in reclassifications between certain non-current assets and liabilities, including an increase to goodwill of $1.5 million.

The definite-lived intangible assets of $161.9 million are comprised of network affiliations of $53.3 million and customer relationships of $108.6 million. These intangible assets will be amortized over a weighted average useful life of 15 and 14 years for network affiliations and customer relationships, respectively. Acquired property and equipment will be depreciated on a straight-line basis over the respective estimated remaining useful lives. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired and represents the future economic benefits expected to arise from other intangible assets acquired that do not qualify for separate recognition, including assembled workforce and noncontractual relationships, as well as expected future synergies. We expect that goodwill deductible for tax purposes will be approximately $5.6 million.

Net revenues and operating income of the Bonten stations on our consolidated statements of operations were $25.9 million and $6.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, and $71.3 million and $11.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. Net revenues and operating income of the Bonten stations on our consolidated statements of operations were $7.6 million and $0.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

Other 2017 Acquisitions. During 2017, we acquired certain media assets for an aggregated purchase price of $27.4 million, less working capital of $2.7 million. The transaction was funded with cash on hand.

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Pro Forma Information. The following table sets forth unaudited pro forma results of operations, assuming that Bonten, occurred at the beginning of the year preceding the year of acquisition. The pro forma results exclude the Other 2017 Acquisitions discussed above, as they are not material both individually and in the aggregate (in thousands, except per share data):



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2017		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Total revenues	$	659,023	$	1,980,377
Net income	$	32,882	$	151,183
Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$	30,953	$	134,363
Basic earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$	0.30	$	1.35
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$	0.30	$	1.34

This pro forma financial information is based on historical results of operations, adjusted for the allocation of the purchase price and other acquisition accounting adjustments, and is not indicative of what our results would have been had we operated Bonten for the period presented because the pro forma results do not reflect expected synergies. The pro forma adjustments reflect depreciation expense and amortization of intangible assets related to the fair value adjustments of the assets acquired and any adjustments to interest expense to reflect the debt financing of the transactions. Depreciation and amortization expense are higher than amounts recorded in the historical financial statements of acquiree due to the fair value adjustments recorded for long-lived tangible and intangible assets in purchase accounting.

Termination of Material Definitive Agreement.

In August 2018, we received a termination notice from Tribune Media Company (Tribune), terminating the Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into on May 8, 2017, between the Company and Tribune (Merger Agreement), which provided for the acquisition by the Company of all of the outstanding shares of Tribune Class A common stock and Tribune Class B common stock (Merger). See Litigation and other legal matters under Note 4. Commitments and Contingencies for further discussion on our pending litigation related to the Tribune acquisition. As part of the termination, we withdrew with prejudice our Federal Communication Commission (FCC) application to acquire Tribune and terminated all of the divestiture agreements entered into in anticipation of the Merger, as discussed in Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale below.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we incurred $33.5 million and $99.7 million, respectively, of costs in connection with this acquisition and termination. These amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, included $11.3 million and $21.2 million, respectively, primarily related to legal and other professional services, which we expensed as incurred and classified as corporate general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statements of operations; and $22.2 million and $78.5 million, respectively, related to ticking fees and other capitalized costs associated with the financing commitments, which are recorded as interest expense on our consolidated statements of operations.

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Dispositions

Broadcast Incentive Auction. Congress authorized the FCC to conduct so-called “incentive auctions” to auction and re-purpose broadcast television spectrum for mobile broadband use. Pursuant to the auction, television broadcasters submitted bids to receive compensation for relinquishing all or a portion of its rights in the television spectrum of their full-service and Class A stations. Low power stations were not eligible to participate in the auction and are not protected and therefore may be displaced or forced to go off the air as a result of the post-auction repacking process. We received total proceeds of $310.8 million from the auction.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recognized a gain of $83.3 million which is included within gain on asset dispositions, net of impairment on our consolidated statements of operations. This gain relates to the auction proceeds associated with one market where the underlying spectrum was vacated during the first quarter of 2018. The results of the auction are not expected to produce any material change in operations of the Company as there is no change in on air operations.

In the repacking process associated with the auction, the FCC has reassigned some stations to new post-auction channels. We do not expect reassignment to new channels to have a material impact on our coverage. We have received notification from the FCC that 100 of our stations have been assigned to new channels. Legislation has provided the FCC with a $2.75 billion fund to reimburse reasonable costs incurred by stations that are reassigned to new channels in the repack. We expect that the reimbursements from the fund will cover the majority of our expenses related to the repack. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, capital expenditures related to the spectrum repack were $9.2 million and $20.9 million, respectively.

Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale. We classify assets and liabilities separately on our consolidated balance sheets at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell when the criteria for held for sale classification are met. Once assets are classified as held for sale, we do not record depreciation or amortization expense.

We agreed to sell the assets of certain consolidated television stations within our broadcast segment as part of Sinclair’s larger acquisition of Tribune. The assets and liabilities of these stations met the criteria for held for sale classification and were classified as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2018. In connection with the termination of the Tribune acquisition, it is no longer our intent to divest of these assets and therefore the assets and liabilities are no longer classified as held for sale as of September 30, 2018.

We have also classified one of our consolidated real estate development projects as held for sale based upon a pending transaction which is currently expected to close in 2018. The carrying value of these assets have been adjusted to fair value less costs to sell. We recorded impairment charges of $59.6 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2018, which is reflected in gains/losses on asset dispositions, net of impairments within our statements of operations. The fair value of the real estate investment was determined based on both observable and unobservable inputs, including the expected sales price as supported by a discounted cash flow model. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, actual results could differ from the estimates used in our analysis.

As of September 30, 2018, the major classes of assets and liabilities reported as held for sale on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are shown below (in thousands):



Current assets	$	411
Property and equipment	5,052
Definite-lived intangible assets	127
Assets held for sale	$	5,590

Current liabilities	$	1,167
Non-current liabilities	2,916
Liabilities held for sale	$	4,083

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3. NOTES PAYABLE AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING:

Notes payable and capital leases to affiliates

The current portion of notes payable, capital leases, and commercial bank financing on our consolidated balance sheets includes notes payable and capital leases to affiliates of $1.9 million and $1.7 million, net of deferred financing cost, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Notes payable, capital leases, and commercial bank financing, less current portion, on our consolidated balance sheets includes long-term notes payable and capital leases to affiliates of $11.1 million and $12.5 million, net of deferred financing cost, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Bank Credit Agreement

The balance of our Term Loan A-1 debt under the Bank Credit Agreement was $117.4 million as of December 31, 2017. This debt matured on April 9, 2018 and was paid with cash on hand.

Guarantees of third party debt

We jointly, severally, unconditionally, and irrevocably guarantee $78.5 million and $74.0 million of debt of certain third parties as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, of which $25.4 million and $29.3 million, net of deferred financing costs, related to consolidated VIEs included on our consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. See Variable Interest Entities under Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for more information.

4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

Litigation and other legal matters

We are a party to lawsuits and claims from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Actions currently pending are in various stages and no material judgments or decisions have been rendered by hearing boards or courts in connection with such actions.

On December 21, 2017, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture proposing a $13.4 million fine for alleged violations of the FCC's sponsorship identification rules by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. Based on a review of the current facts and circumstances, management has provided for what is believed to be a reasonable estimate of the loss exposure for this matter. We have responded to dispute the Commission's findings and the proposed fine; however, we cannot predict the outcome of any potential FCC action related to this matter. We do not believe that the ultimate outcome of this matter will have a material effect on the Company's financial statements.

On November 6, 2018, the Company agreed to enter into a proposed consent decree with the Department of Justice (DOJ). This consent decree resolves the Department of Justice’s investigation into the sharing of pacing information among certain stations in some local markets. The Company expects that the Department of Justice will file the consent decree and related documents in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in the near future. The consent decree is not an admission of any wrongdoing by the Company, and does not subject Sinclair to any monetary damages or penalties. The Company believes that even if the pacing information was shared as alleged, it would not have impacted any pricing of advertisements or the competitive nature of the market. The consent decree requires the Company to adopt certain antitrust compliance measures, including the appointment of an Antitrust Compliance Officer, consistent with what the Department of Justice has required in previous consent decrees in other industries. The consent decree also requires the Company stations not to exchange pacing and certain other information with other stations in their local markets, which the Company’s management has already instructed them not to do.

The Company is aware of twenty-two putative class action lawsuits filed in United States District Court against the Company and Tribune (Tribune Media Company, Tribune Broadcasting Company, LLC, or both). Most of these lawsuits were also brought against other broadcasters and other defendants, including, in certain cases, unidentified “John Doe” defendants. The lawsuits allege that the defendants conspired to fix prices for commercials to be aired on broadcast television stations throughout the United States, in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act, and, in one case, state consumer protection and tort laws. The lawsuits seek damages, attorneys’ fees, costs and interest, as well as injunctions against adopting practices or plans that would restrain competition in the ways the plaintiffs have alleged. The lawsuits followed published reports of a DOJ investigation earlier this year into the exchange of pacing data within the industry. The Company believes the class action lawsuits are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against all such claims.

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On July 19, 2018, the FCC released a Hearing Designation Order (HDO) to commence a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) with respect to the Company’s proposed acquisition of Tribune. The HDO directed the FCC's Media Bureau to hold in abeyance all other pending applications and amendments thereto related to the proposed Merger until the issues that are the subject of the HDO have been resolved with finality. The HDO asked the ALJ to determine (i) whether Sinclair was the real party in interest to the sale of WGN-TV, KDAF(TV), and KIAH(TV), (ii) if so, whether the Company engaged in misrepresentation and/or lack of candor in its applications with the FCC and (iii) whether consummation of the overall transaction would be in the public interest and compliance with the FCC’s ownership rules. The Company maintains that the overall transaction and the proposed divestitures complied with the FCC’s rules, and strongly rejects any allegation of misrepresentation or lack of candor. The Merger Agreement was terminated by Tribune on August 9, 2018, on which date the Company subsequently filed a letter with the FCC to withdraw the merger applications and have them dismissed with prejudice and filed with the ALJ a Notice of Withdrawal of Applications and Motion to Terminate Hearing (Motion). On August 10, 2018, the FCC's Enforcement Bureau filed a responsive pleading with the ALJ stating that it did not oppose dismissal of the merger applications and concurrent termination of the hearing proceeding. Action on the Motion remains pending. We cannot predict how the ALJ will act on the Motion or the timing for completion or the outcome of the ALJ hearing. While review of the issues raised by the HDO remains pending, the Company's ability to acquire additional TV stations may be impacted.

On August 9, 2018, Tribune filed a complaint (the Tribune Complaint) in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against the Company, which action is captioned Tribune Media Company v. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc, Case No. 2018-0593-JTL. The Tribune Complaint alleges that the Company breached the Merger Agreement by, among other things, failing to use its reasonable best efforts to secure regulatory approval of the Merger, and that such breach resulted in the failure of the Merger to obtain regulatory approval and close. The Tribune Complaint seeks declaratory relief, money damages in an amount to be determined at trial (but which the Tribune Complaint suggests could be in excess $1 billion), and attorney's fees and costs. On August 29, 2018, The Company filed its Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and Verified Counterclaim to the Verified Complaint. In its counterclaim, The Company alleges that Tribune breached the Merger Agreement and seeks declaratory relief, money damages in an amount to be determined at trial, and attorneys ' fees and costs. Sinclair believes that the allegations in the Tribune Complaint are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against such allegations.

On August 9, 2018, Edward Komito, a putative Company shareholder, filed a class action complaint (the “Komito Complaint”) in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland against the Company, Christopher Ripley and Lucy Rutishauser, which action is captioned Komito vs. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:18-CV-02445-CCB. The Komito Complaint alleges that defendants violated the federal securities laws by issuing false or misleading disclosures concerning the Merger prior to the termination thereof. The Komito Complaint seeks declaratory relief, money damages in an amount to be determined at trial, and attorney’s fees and costs. On September 26, 2018, Hartej Singh, a putative Company shareholder, filed a substantially identical class action complaint (the “Singh Complaint”), which action was captioned Hartej Singh vs. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., Case No. 1:18-CV-02967-CCB. The Singh complaint was subsequently dismissed voluntarily. The Company believes that the allegations in the Komito Complaint are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against the allegations.

In addition, beginning in late July 2018, Sinclair received letters from two putative Company shareholders requesting that the board of directors of the Company investigate whether any of the Company’s officers and directors committed nonexculpated breaches of fiduciary duties in connection with, or gross management with respect to: (i) seeking regulatory approval of the Tribune Merger and (ii) the HDO, and the allegations contained therein. A committee consisting of independent members of the board of directors has been formed to respond to these demands.

Changes in the Rules of Television Ownership, Local Marketing Agreements, Joint Sales Agreements, Retransmission Consent Negotiations, and National Ownership Cap

Certain of our stations have entered into what have commonly been referred to as local marketing agreements or LMAs. One typical type of LMA is a programming agreement between two separately owned television stations serving the same market, whereby the licensee of one station programs substantial portions of the broadcast day and sells advertising time during such programming segments on the other licensee’s station subject to the latter licensee’s ultimate editorial and other controls. We believe these arrangements allow us to reduce our operating expenses and enhance profitability.

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In 1999, the FCC established a new local television ownership rule which made LMAs attributable. However, the rule grandfathered LMAs that were entered into prior to November 5, 1996, and permitted the applicable stations to continue operations pursuant to the LMAs until the conclusion of the FCC’s 2004 biennial review. The FCC stated it would conduct a case-by-case review of grandfathered LMAs and assess the appropriateness of extending the grandfathering periods. The FCC did not initiate any review of grandfathered LMAs in 2004 or as part of its subsequent quadrennial reviews. We do not know when, or if, the FCC will conduct any such review of grandfathered LMAs. Currently, all of our LMAs are grandfathered under the local television ownership rule because they were entered into prior to November 5, 1996. If the FCC were to eliminate the grandfathering of these LMAs, we would have to terminate or modify these LMAs.

In February 2015, the FCC issued an order implementing certain statutorily required changes to its rules governing the duty to negotiate retransmission consent agreements in good faith. With these changes, a television broadcast station is prohibited from negotiating retransmission consent jointly with another television station in the same market unless the “stations are directly or indirectly under common de jure control permitted under the regulations of the Commission.” During a 2015 retransmission consent negotiation, a MVPD filed a complaint with the FCC accusing us of violating this rule. Although we reached agreement with the MVPD, the FCC initiated an investigation. In order to resolve the investigation and all other pending matters before the FCC's Media Bureau (including the grant of all outstanding renewals and dismissal or cancellation of all outstanding adversarial pleadings or forfeitures before the Media Bureau), the Company, on July 29, 2016, without any admission of liability, entered into a consent decree with the FCC pursuant to which the Company paid a settlement payment and agreed to be subject to ongoing compliance monitoring by the FCC for a period of 36 months.

In September 2015, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in response to a Congressional directive in STELAR to examine the “totality of the circumstances test” for good-faith negotiations of retransmission consent. The proposed rulemaking sought comment on new factors and evidence to consider in the FCC's evaluation of claims of bad faith negotiation, including service interruptions prior to a “marquee sports or entertainment event,” restrictions on online access to broadcast programming during negotiation impasses, broadcasters’ ability to offer bundles of broadcast signals with other broadcast stations or cable networks, and broadcasters’ ability to invoke the FCC’s exclusivity rules during service interruptions. On July 14, 2016, then-Chairman Wheeler announced that the FCC would not, at such time, proceed to adopt additional rules governing good faith negotiations of retransmission consent. No formal action has yet been taken on this Proposed Rulemaking, and we cannot predict if the full Commission will agree to terminate the Rulemaking without action.

In August 2016, the FCC completed both its 2010 and 2014 quadrennial reviews of its media ownership rules and issued an order (Ownership Order) which left most of the existing multiple ownership rules intact, but amended the rules to provide for the attribution of JSAs where two television stations are located in the same market, and a party with an attributable interest in one station sells more than 15% of the advertising time per week of the other station. JSAs existing as of March 31, 2014, were grandfathered until October 1, 2025, at which point they would have to be terminated, amended or otherwise come into compliance with the JSA attribution rule. On November 20, 2017, the FCC released an Ownership Order on Reconsideration that, among other things, eliminated the JSA attribution rule. The rule changes adopted in the Ownership Order on Reconsideration became effective on February 7, 2018. A Petition for Review of the Ownership Order on Reconsideration, including the elimination of the JSA attribution rule, are currently pending in a consolidated proceeding before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding. If we are required to terminate or modify our LMAs or JSAs, our business could be adversely affected in several ways, including losses on investments and termination penalties.

If we are required to terminate or modify our LMAs or JSAs, our business could be affected in the following ways:

Losses on investments. In some cases, we own the non-license assets used by the stations we operate under LMAs and JSAs. If certain of these arrangements are no longer permitted, we could be forced to sell these assets, restructure our agreements or find another use for them. If this happens, the market for such assets may not be as good as when we purchased them and, therefore, we cannot be certain of a favorable return on our original investments.

Termination penalties. If the FCC requires us to modify or terminate existing LMAs or JSAs before the terms of the agreements expire, or under certain circumstances, we elect not to extend the terms of the agreements, we may be forced to pay termination penalties under the terms of some of our agreements. Any such termination penalties could be material.

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On September 6, 2016, the FCC released the UHF Discount Order, eliminating the UHF Discount. The UHF discount allowed television station owners to discount the coverage of UHF stations when calculating compliance with the FCC’s national ownership cap, which prohibits a single entity from owning television stations that reach, in total, more than 39% of all the television households in the nation. All but 34 of the stations we currently own and operate, or to which we provide programming services are UHF. On April 20, 2017, the FCC acted on a Petition for Reconsideration of the UHF Discount Order and adopted the UHF Discount Order on Reconsideration which reinstated the UHF discount, which became effective June 15, 2017 and is currently in effect. A Petition for Review of the UHF Discount Order on Reconsideration was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on May 12, 2017. The court dismissed the Petition for Review on July 25, 2018. On December 18, 2017, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to examine the national audience reach cap, including the UHF discount. We cannot predict the outcome of the rulemaking proceeding. With the application of the UHF discount counting all our present stations we reach approximately 25% of U.S. households. Changes to the national ownership cap could limit our ability to make television station acquisitions.

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5. EARNINGS PER SHARE:

The following table reconciles income (numerator) and shares (denominator) used in our computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Income (Numerator)
Net income	$	65,000		$	32,566		$	138,304		$	149,303
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,125		)	(1,929		)	(3,264		)	(16,820		)
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share available to common shareholders	$	63,875		$	30,637		$	135,040		$	132,483

Shares (Denominator)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	102,083			102,245			102,069			99,210
Dilutive effect of stock-settled appreciation rights and outstanding stock options	706			810			829			963
Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding	102,789			103,055			102,898			100,173

The following table shows the weighted-average stock-settled appreciation rights and outstanding stock options (in thousands) that are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share as the inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive:



	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018	2017	2018	2017
Weighted-average stock-settled appreciation rights and outstanding stock options excluded	1,600	1,150	1,233	383

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6. SEGMENT DATA:

We measure segment performance based on operating income (loss). Our broadcast segment includes stations in 89 markets located throughout the continental United States. Other primarily consists of original networks and content, non-broadcast digital and internet solutions, technical services, and other non-media investments. All of our businesses are located within the United States. Corporate costs primarily include our costs to operate as a public company and to operate our corporate headquarters location. Other and Corporate are not reportable segments but are included for reconciliation purposes.

We had approximately $155.8 million and $172.7 million of intercompany loans between the broadcast segment, other, and corporate as of September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We had $3.9 million and $4.3 million in intercompany interest expense related to intercompany loans between the broadcast segment, other, and corporate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We had $11.5 million and $14.2 million in intercompany interest expense related to intercompany loans between the broadcast segment, other, and corporate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Segment financial information is included in the following tables for the periods presented (in thousands):



For the three months ended September 30, 2018	Broadcast			Other			Corporate			Consolidated
Revenue	$	678,671		$	87,589		$	—		$	766,260
Depreciation of property and equipment	23,134			1,882			19			25,035
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets	39,267			5,333			—			44,600
Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments	24,482			—			—			24,482
Corporate general and administrative expenses	31,537			132			2,653			34,322
Gain on asset dispositions, net of impairment	(10,828		)	—			—			(10,828		)
Operating income (loss)	169,773			(9,291		)	(2,672		)	157,810
Interest expense	1,523			200			74,030			75,753
Loss from equity investments	—			24,893			486			25,379
Assets	4,854,780			730,888			1,041,746			6,627,414



For the three months ended September 30, 2017	Broadcast			Other			Corporate			Consolidated
Revenue (a)	$	584,941		$	59,591		$	—		$	644,532
Depreciation of property and equipment	22,344			1,851			247			24,442
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets	38,186			5,182			—			43,368
Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments	28,047			—			—			28,047
Corporate general and administrative expenses	23,582			224			2,025			25,831
Gain on asset dispositions, net of impairment	(22		)	(12		)	—			(34		)
Operating income (loss)	115,571			(9,852		)	(2,272		)	103,447
Interest expense	1,281			204			50,258			51,743
Loss from equity investments	—			4,362			—			4,362

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2018	Broadcast				Other				Corporate			Consolidated
Revenue	$	1,916,844			$	244,912			$	—		$	2,161,756
Depreciation of property and equipment	69,711				5,709				57			75,477
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets	115,524				15,798				—			131,322
Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments	76,142				—				—			76,142
Corporate general and administrative overhead expenses	79,870				609				8,124			88,603
(Gain) loss on asset dispositions, net of impairment	(96,229		)	(d)	59,629			(c)	(78		)	(36,678		)
Operating income (loss)	486,546			(d)	(81,735		)	(c)	(8,104		)	396,707
Interest expense	4,331				600				232,835			237,766
Loss from equity investments	—				54,876				463			55,339



For the nine months ended September 30, 2017	Broadcast			Other				Corporate			Consolidated
Revenue (a)	$	1,745,777		$	177,925			$	—		$	1,923,702
Depreciation of property and equipment	65,850			5,438				738			72,026
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and other assets	114,810			17,489				—			132,299
Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments	87,962			—				—			87,962
Corporate general and administrative overhead expenses	65,059			785				5,614			71,458
Gain on asset dispositions, net of impairment	(402		)	(53,129		)	(b)	—			(53,531		)
Operating income (loss)	361,259			25,016			(b)	(6,351		)	379,924
Interest expense	3,976			1,633				154,411			160,020
Loss from equity investments	—			4,221				—			4,221


(a)	Revenue has been adjusted for the adoption of ASC 606. See Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.


(b)	Includes a gain on the sale of Alarm of $53.0 million, of which $12.3 million was attributable to noncontrolling interests.


(c)	Includes a $59.6 million impairment to the carrying value of a consolidated real estate venture. See Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets.


(d)	Includes a gain of $83.3 million related to the auction proceeds. See Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets.

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7. RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS:

Transactions with our controlling shareholders

David, Frederick, J. Duncan, and Robert Smith (collectively, the controlling shareholders) are brothers and hold substantially all of our Class B Common Stock and some of our Class A Common Stock. We engaged in the following transactions with them and/or entities in which they have substantial interests.

Leases. Certain assets used by us and our operating subsidiaries are leased from Cunningham Communications Inc. (an owner of broadcast towers), Keyser Investment Group, Gerstell Development Limited Partnership, and Beaver Dam, LLC (entities owned by the controlling shareholders). Lease payments made to these entities were $0.9 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $3.6 million and $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Charter Aircraft. We lease aircraft owned by certain controlling shareholders. For all aircraft leases, we incurred expenses of $0.5 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $1.3 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation

Cunningham owns a portfolio of television stations, including: WNUV-TV Baltimore, Maryland; WRGT-TV Dayton, Ohio; WVAH-TV Charleston, West Virginia; WMYA-TV Anderson, South Carolina; WTTE-TV Columbus, Ohio; WDBB-TV Birmingham, Alabama; WBSF-TV Flint, Michigan; WGTU-TV/WGTQ-TV Traverse City/Cadillac, Michigan; WEMT-TV Tri-Cities, Tennessee; WYDO-TV Greenville, North Carolina; KBVU-TV/KCVU-TV Eureka/Chico-Redding, California; WPFO-TV Portland, Maine; and KRNV-DT/KENV-DT Reno, Nevada/Salt Lake City, Utah (collectively, the Cunningham Stations). Certain of our stations provide services to these Cunningham Stations pursuant to LMAs or JSAs and SSAs. See Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for further discussion of the scope of services provided under these types of arrangements. As of September 30, 2018, we have jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed $51.4 million of Cunningham's debt, of which $10.3 million, net of $0.7 million deferred financing costs, relates to the Cunningham VIEs that we consolidate, as discussed further below.

The voting stock of the Cunningham Stations was owned by the estate of Carolyn C. Smith, the mother of our controlling shareholders, until January 2018, when the voting stock was purchased by an unrelated party after receiving FCC approval. All of the non-voting stock is owned by trusts for the benefit of the children of our controlling shareholders. We consolidate certain subsidiaries of Cunningham with which we have variable interests through various arrangements related to the Cunningham Stations, as discussed further below.

The services provided to WNUV-TV, WMYA-TV, WTTE-TV, WRGT-TV and WVAH-TV are governed by a master agreement which has a current term that expires on July 1, 2023 and we have two additional 5-year renewal terms remaining with final expiration on July 1, 2033. We also executed purchase agreements to acquire the license related assets of these stations from Cunningham, which grant us the right to acquire, and grant Cunningham the right to require us to acquire, subject to applicable FCC rules and regulations, 100% of the capital stock or the assets of these individual subsidiaries of Cunningham. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement we are obligated to pay Cunningham an annual fee for the television stations equal to the greater of (i) 3% of each station’s annual net broadcast revenue or (ii) $5.0 million. The aggregate purchase price of these television stations increases by 6% annually. A portion of the fee is required to be applied to the purchase price to the extent of the 6% increase. The remaining aggregate purchase price of these stations as of September 30, 2018 was approximately $53.6 million. Additionally, we provide services to WDBB-TV pursuant to an LMA, which expires April 22, 2025, and own a purchase option to acquire this station for $0.2 million. We paid Cunningham, under these agreements, $2.0 million and $2.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $6.7 million and $6.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The agreements with KBVU-TV/KCVU-TV, KRNV-DT/KENV-DT, WBSF-TV, WEMT-TV, WGTU-TV/WGTQ-TV, WPFO-TV, and WYDO-TV expire in December 2020, November 2021, November 2021, May 2023, August 2023, December 2023, and August 2025, respectively, and each has renewal provisions for successive eight year periods. We earned $19.7 million and $6.6 million from the services we performed for these stations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $48.6 million and $10.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Cunningham assumed the joint sales agreement under which we provide services to WEMT-TV, WYDO-TV, and KBVU-TV/KCVU-TV in September 2017 with the acquisition of the membership interest of Esteem Broadcasting LLC in connection with our acquisition of Bonten Media Group, as discussed in Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets.

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As we consolidate the licensees as VIEs, certain amounts we earn or pay under the arrangements are eliminated in consolidation and the gross revenues of the stations are reported on our consolidated statements of operations. Our consolidated revenues include $43.1 million and $31.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $119.5 million and $84.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to the Cunningham Stations.

In April 2016, we entered into an agreement with Cunningham to provide master control equipment and provide master control services to a station in Johnstown, PA with which Cunningham has an LMA that expires in April 2019. Under the agreement, Cunningham paid us an initial fee of $0.7 million and pays us $0.2 million annually for master control services plus the cost to maintain and repair the equipment. In August 2016, we entered into an agreement, expiring in October 2021, with Cunningham to provide a news share service with the Johnstown, PA station beginning in October 2016 for an annual fee of $1.0 million.

In 2017, Cunningham repaid, in its entirety, a January 2016 promissory note to borrow $19.5 million from us. Interest income from the note receivable was $0.2 million and $0.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

Atlantic Automotive Corporation

We sell advertising time to Atlantic Automotive Corporation (Atlantic Automotive), a holding company that owns automobile dealerships and an automobile leasing company. David D. Smith, our Executive Chairman, has a controlling interest in, and is a member of the Board of Directors of, Atlantic Automotive. We received payments for advertising totaling less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Additionally, Atlantic Automotive leased office space owned by one of our non-media investments accounted for under the equity method. This investment was sold in May 2017. Atlantic Automotive paid $0.4 million in rent for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Leased property by real estate ventures

Certain of our real estate ventures have entered into property leases with entities owned by members of the Smith Family. Total rent received under these leases was $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $0.4 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

Other transactions with equity method investees

During the quarter ended September 30, 2018, 120 Sports Holding, LLC (120 Sports), an equity method investee, entered into a convertible promissory note to borrow $3.75 million from us, maturing on July 30, 2021. The note bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.0% per annum.

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8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:

Accounting guidance provides for valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). A fair value hierarchy using three broad levels prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The following is a brief description of those three levels:


•	Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.


•	Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.


•	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

The following table sets forth the face value and fair value of our notes and debentures for the periods presented (in thousands):



	As of September 30, 2018				As of December 31, 2017
	Face Value (a)		Fair Value		Face Value (a)		Fair Value
Level 2:
6.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022	$	500,000	$	510,000	$	500,000	$	515,535
5.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026	350,000		341,285		350,000		363,475
5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024	550,000		538,313		550,000		568,205
5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021	600,000		600,000		600,000		610,440
5.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027	400,000		367,500		400,000		396,088
Term Loan A-1 (b)	—		—		117,370		117,370
Term Loan A-2	100,251		100,251		113,327		113,327
Term Loan B	1,346,025		1,349,390		1,356,300		1,357,995
Debt of variable interest entities	26,363		26,363		29,614		29,614
Debt of other operating divisions	21,269		21,269		25,238		25,238


(a)	Amounts are carried on our consolidated balance sheets net of debt discount and deferred financing cost, which are excluded in the above table, of $34.6 million and $39.0 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.


(b)	Term Loan A-1 debt matured in April 2018. For additional information, see Note 3. Notes Payable and Commercial Bank Financing.

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9. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

STG, a wholly-owned subsidiary and the television operating subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (SBG), is the primary obligor under the Bank Credit Agreement, the 5.375% Notes, 5.625% Notes, 6.125% Notes, 5.875% Notes, and 5.125% Notes. Our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as of September 30, 2018, were obligations or securities of SBG and not obligations or securities of STG. SBG is a guarantor under the Bank Credit Agreement, the 5.375% Notes, 5.625% Notes, 6.125% Notes, 5.875% Notes, and 5.125% Notes. As of September 30, 2018, our consolidated total debt, net of deferred financing costs and debt discounts, of $3,902.3 million included $3,881.2 million related to STG and its subsidiaries of which SBG guaranteed $3,838.3 million.

SBG, KDSM, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBG, and STG’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (guarantor subsidiaries) have fully and unconditionally guaranteed, subject to certain customary automatic release provisions, all of STG’s obligations. Those guarantees are joint and several. There are certain contractual restrictions on the ability of SBG, STG, or KDSM, LLC to obtain funds from their subsidiaries in the form of dividends or loans.

The following condensed consolidating financial statements present the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, and consolidated statements of cash flows of SBG, STG, KDSM, LLC, and the guarantor subsidiaries, the direct and indirect non-guarantor subsidiaries of SBG and the eliminations necessary to arrive at our information on a consolidated basis. The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The consolidating financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, have been revised for the adoption of ASC 606 as discussion under Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Revenue Recognition within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

These statements are presented in accordance with the disclosure requirements under SEC Regulation S-X, Rule 3-10.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(in thousands) (unaudited)



	Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.		Sinclair Television Group, Inc.		Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Sinclair Consolidated
Cash	$	—	$	946,760	$	11,699	$	64,515		$	—		$	1,022,974
Accounts receivable	—		—		542,740		67,002			—			609,742
Other current assets	4,392		5,695		137,104		39,885			(29,057		)	158,019
Total current assets	4,392		952,455		691,543		171,402			(29,057		)	1,790,735

Property and equipment, net	773		31,782		589,183		65,756			(13,054		)	674,440

Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	1,587,271		3,707,696		4,179		—			(5,299,146		)	—
Goodwill	—		—		2,121,535		3,867			—			2,125,402
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	—		—		143,924		14,298			—			158,222
Definite-lived intangible assets	—		—		1,651,692		72,264			(53,616		)	1,670,340
Other long-term assets	31,324		818,087		114,135		177,086			(932,357		)	208,275
Total assets	$	1,623,760	$	5,510,020	$	5,316,191	$	504,673		$	(6,327,230	)	$	6,627,414

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	99	$	73,737	$	287,513	$	97,115		$	(29,993	)	$	428,471
Current portion of long-term debt	—		31,135		3,940		8,990			(367		)	43,698
Other current liabilities	—		—		116,823		11,611			1			128,435
Total current liabilities	99		104,872		408,276		117,716			(30,359		)	600,604

Long-term debt	—		3,781,735		37,597		379,720			(340,494		)	3,858,558
Other liabilities	128		43,064		1,161,978		174,407			(796,879		)	582,698
Total liabilities	227		3,929,671		1,607,851		671,843			(1,167,732		)	5,041,860

Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity (deficit)	1,623,533		1,580,349		3,708,340		(124,742		)	(5,163,947		)	1,623,533
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	—		—		—		(42,428		)	4,449			(37,979		)
Total liabilities and equity (deficit)	$	1,623,760	$	5,510,020	$	5,316,191	$	504,673		$	(6,327,230	)	$	6,627,414

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017

(in thousands)



	Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.		Sinclair Television Group, Inc.		Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Sinclair Consolidated
Cash	$	—	$	645,830	$	12,273	$	23,223		$	—		$	681,326
Restricted Cash	—		—		311,110		2,000			—			313,110
Accounts receivable	—		—		530,273		36,191			—			566,464
Other current assets	3,034		5,758		145,637		9,687			(10,269		)	153,847
Total current assets	3,034		651,588		999,293		71,101			(10,269		)	1,714,747

Property and equipment, net	829		31,111		586,950		132,010			(12,602		)	738,298

Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	1,537,337		4,116,241		4,179		—			(5,657,757		)	—
Goodwill	—		—		2,120,166		3,867			—			2,124,033
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	—		—		145,073		14,298			—			159,371
Definite-lived intangible assets	—		—		1,781,045		77,944			(57,319		)	1,801,670
Other long-term assets	31,757		770,312		104,363		208,367			(868,448		)	246,351
Total assets	$	1,572,957	$	5,569,252	$	5,741,069	$	507,587		$	(6,606,395	)	$	6,784,470

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	1,100	$	84,326	$	261,266	$	36,029		$	(12,318	)	$	370,403
Current portion of long-term debt	—		148,505		3,445		9,645			(546		)	161,049
Other current liabilities	—		—		180,616		14,281			—			194,897
Total current liabilities	1,100		232,831		445,327		59,955			(12,864		)	726,349

Long-term debt	—		3,799,987		39,730		381,127			(333,243		)	3,887,601
Other liabilities	3,119		38,282		1,141,266		187,569			(734,082		)	636,154
Total liabilities	4,219		4,071,100		1,626,323		628,651			(1,080,189		)	5,250,104

Total Sinclair Broadcast Group equity (deficit)	1,568,738		1,498,152		4,114,746		(82,051		)	(5,530,847		)	1,568,738
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	—		—		—		(39,013		)	4,641			(34,372		)
Total liabilities and equity (deficit)	$	1,572,957	$	5,569,252	$	5,741,069	$	507,587		$	(6,606,395	)	$	6,784,470

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(in thousands) (unaudited)



	Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.			Sinclair Television Group, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Sinclair Consolidated
Net revenue	$	—		$	6		$	714,387		$	76,827		$	(24,960	)	$	766,260

Media program and production expenses	—			1			288,651			35,975			(20,845		)	303,782
Selling, general and administrative	2,653			31,546			149,898			5,318			(512		)	188,903
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses	19			1,227			77,851			38,863			(2,195		)	115,765
Total operating expenses	2,672			32,774			516,400			80,156			(23,552		)	608,450

Operating (loss) income	(2,672		)	(32,768		)	197,987			(3,329		)	(1,408		)	157,810

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	65,301			154,948			(611		)	—			(219,638		)	—
Interest expense	—			(74,031		)	(1,029		)	(4,740		)	4,047			(75,753		)
Other income (expense)	296			(6,368		)	(15,048		)	1,415			—			(19,705		)
Total other income (expense)	65,597			74,549			(16,688		)	(3,325		)	(215,591		)	(95,458		)

Income tax benefit (provision)	950			27,660			(24,999		)	(963		)	—			2,648
Net income (loss)	63,875			69,441			156,300			(7,617		)	(216,999		)	65,000
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(1,132		)	7			(1,125		)
Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$	63,875		$	69,441		$	156,300		$	(8,749	)	$	(216,992	)	$	63,875
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	63,875		$	69,441		$	156,300		$	(7,617	)	$	(216,999	)	$	65,000

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

(in thousands) (unaudited)



	Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.			Sinclair Television Group, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Sinclair Consolidated
Net revenue	$	—		$	—		$	614,881		$	47,676		$	(18,025	)	$	644,532

Media program and production expenses	—			—			255,293			29,376			(16,339		)	268,330
Selling, general and administrative	2,027			23,534			130,289			3,582			4			159,436
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses	247			1,591			88,293			24,018			(830		)	113,319
Total operating expenses	2,274			25,125			473,875			56,976			(17,165		)	541,085

Operating (loss) income	(2,274		)	(25,125		)	141,006			(9,300		)	(860		)	103,447

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	32,196			90,445			114			—			(122,755		)	—
Interest expense	(10		)	(50,247		)	(1,013		)	(4,968		)	4,495			(51,743		)
Other income (expense)	(92		)	1,869			(2,673		)	(1,124		)	—			(2,020		)
Total other income (expense)	32,094			42,067			(3,572		)	(6,092		)	(118,260		)	(53,763		)

Income tax benefit (provision)	817			25,364			(46,987		)	3,688			—			(17,118		)
Net income (loss)	30,637			42,306			90,447			(11,704		)	(119,120		)	32,566
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(1,730		)	(199		)	(1,929		)
Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$	30,637		$	42,306		$	90,447		$	(13,434	)	$	(119,319	)	$	30,637
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	30,637		$	42,306		$	90,447		$	(11,704	)	$	(119,120	)	$	32,566

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(in thousands) (unaudited)



	Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.			Sinclair Television Group, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Sinclair Consolidated
Net revenue	$	—		$	6		$	2,020,201		$	206,568		$	(65,019	)	$	2,161,756

Media program and production expenses	—			1			848,005			101,170			(55,987		)	893,189
Selling, general and administrative	8,124			79,885			440,380			13,954			(1,466		)	540,877
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses	58			3,612			168,838			163,095			(4,620		)	330,983
Total operating expenses	8,182			83,498			1,457,223			278,219			(62,073		)	1,765,049

Operating (loss) income	(8,182		)	(83,492		)	562,978			(71,651		)	(2,946		)	396,707

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	139,684			454,881			(366		)	—			(594,199		)	—
Interest expense	(1		)	(232,833		)	(2,991		)	(13,933		)	11,992			(237,766		)
Other income (expense)	1,619			(817		)	(42,753		)	(259		)	—			(42,210		)
Total other income (expense)	141,302			221,231			(46,110		)	(14,192		)	(582,207		)	(279,976		)

Income tax benefit (provision)	1,920			65,114			(58,283		)	12,822			—			21,573
Net income (loss)	135,040			202,853			458,585			(73,021		)	(585,153		)	138,304
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(3,456		)	192			(3,264		)
Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$	135,040		$	202,853		$	458,585		$	(76,477	)	$	(584,961	)	$	135,040
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	135,040		$	202,853		$	458,585		$	(73,021	)	$	(585,153	)	$	138,304

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

(in thousands) (unaudited)



	Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.			Sinclair Television Group, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Sinclair Consolidated
Net revenue	$	—		$	—		$	1,833,208		$	148,690		$	(58,196	)	$	1,923,702

Media program and production expenses	—			—			761,720			88,296			(53,798		)	796,218
Selling, general and administrative	5,615			64,903			377,177			9,135			—			456,830
Depreciation, amortization and other operating expenses	738			4,967			266,371			20,702			(2,048		)	290,730
Total operating expenses	6,353			69,870			1,405,268			118,133			(55,846		)	1,543,778

Operating (loss) income	(6,353		)	(69,870		)	427,940			30,557			(2,350		)	379,924

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	136,311			274,850			257			—			(411,418		)	—
Interest expense	(81		)	(154,330		)	(3,557		)	(16,740		)	14,688			(160,020		)
Other income (expense)	731			2,392			(4,071		)	924			—			(24		)
Total other income (expense)	136,961			122,912			(7,371		)	(15,816		)	(396,730		)	(160,044		)

Income tax benefit (provision)	1,875			75,105			(143,059		)	(4,498		)	—			(70,577		)
Net income (loss)	132,483			128,147			277,510			10,243			(399,080		)	149,303
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(16,608		)	(212		)	(16,820		)
Net income (loss) attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$	132,483		$	128,147		$	277,510		$	(6,365	)	$	(399,292	)	$	132,483
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	132,483		$	128,147		$	277,510		$	10,243		$	(399,080	)	$	149,303

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(in thousands) (unaudited)



	Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.			Sinclair Television Group, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Sinclair Consolidated
NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$	(8,331	)	$	(232,158	)	$	622,165		$	(18,789	)	$	10,018		$	372,905
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment	(1		)	(5,315		)	(71,639		)	(3,352		)	2,689			(77,618		)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	—			—			1,087			—			—			1,087
Investments in equity investees	(1,767		)	(1,488		)	(20,863		)	(1,506		)	—			(25,624		)
Distributions from equity investees	6,398			—			—			17,135			—			23,533
Loans to affiliates	—			—			—			—			—			—
Other, net	—			(7,866		)	—			—			—			(7,866		)
Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities	4,630			(14,669		)	(91,415		)	12,277			2,689			(86,488		)

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from notes payable and commercial bank financing	—			—			—			3,343			—			3,343
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases	—			(140,721		)	(2,653		)	(11,159		)	289			(154,244		)
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	(55,205		)	—			—			—			—			(55,205		)
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock	(45,904		)	—			—			—			—			(45,904		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(6,871		)	—			(6,871		)
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	102,927			688,478			(839,781		)	61,372			(12,996		)	—
Other, net	1,883			—			—			(877		)	—			1,006
Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities	3,701			547,757			(842,434		)	45,808			(12,707		)	(257,875		)

NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH	—			300,930			(311,684		)	39,296			—			28,542
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	—			645,830			323,383			26,727			—			995,940
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	$	—		$	946,760		$	11,699		$	66,023		$	—		$	1,024,482

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

(in thousands) (unaudited)



	Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.			Sinclair Television Group, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries and KDSM, LLC			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Sinclair Consolidated
NET CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$	(5,605	)	$	(141,240	)	$	433,236		$	(12,959	)	$	4,779		$	278,211
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment	(131		)	(6,088		)	(47,564		)	(2,677		)	997			(55,463		)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	—			(8,308		)	(261,491		)	—			—			(269,799		)
Investments in equity investees	(945		)	(1,101		)	(15,469		)	(4,787		)	—			(22,302		)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	—			—			541			194,641			—			195,182
Distributions from equity investees	3,903			—			—			2,739			—			6,642
Spectrum auction proceeds	—			—			187,854			122,948			—			310,802
Other, net	—			(7,732		)	—			(5,682		)	—			(13,414		)
Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities	2,827			(23,229		)	(136,129		)	307,182			997			151,648

CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from notes payable and commercial bank financing	—			159,669			—			6,372			—			166,041
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases	—			(200,119		)	(1,367		)	(116,823		)	—			(318,309		)
Proceeds from the sale of Class A Common Stock	487,883			—			—			—			—			487,883
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	(53,049		)	—			—			—			—			(53,049		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(20,469		)	—			(20,469		)
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock	(30,287		)	—			—			—			—			(30,287		)
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	(400,451		)	524,016			(92,993		)	(24,750		)	(5,822		)	—
Other, net	(1,318		)	(45		)	(3,607		)	(433		)	46			(5,357		)
Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities	2,778			483,521			(97,967		)	(156,103		)	(5,776		)	226,453

NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH	—			319,052			199,140			138,120			—			656,312
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	—			232,297			10,875			17,012			—			260,184
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	$	—		$	551,349		$	210,015		$	155,132		$	—		$	916,496

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report includes or incorporates forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, including, among other things, the following risks:

General risks


•	the impact of changes in national and regional economies and credit and capital markets;


•	the impact of changes in consumer confidence;


•	the potential impact of changes in tax law;


•	the activities of our competitors;


•	terrorist acts of violence or war and other geopolitical events;


•	natural disasters that impact our advertisers and our stations; and


•	the impact of cyber incidents, data privacy, and other information technology failures;

Industry risks


•	the business conditions of our advertisers particularly in the automotive and service industries;


•	competition with other broadcast television stations, radio stations, multi-channel video programming distributors (MVPDs), internet and broadband content providers and other print and media outlets serving in the same markets;


•	the performance of networks and syndicators that provide us with programming content, as well as the performance of internally originated programming;


•	the availability and cost of programming from networks and syndicators, as well as the cost of internally originated programming;


•	our relationships with networks and their strategies to distribute their programming via means other than their local television affiliates, such as over-the-top content;


•	the effects of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) National Broadband Plan, the impact of the repacking of our broadcasting spectrum, as a result of the incentive auction, within a limited timeframe and funding allocated;

•

the potential for additional governmental regulation of broadcasting or changes in those regulations and court actions interpreting those regulations, including ownership regulations limiting over-the-air television's ability to compete effectively (including regulations relating to Joint Sales Agreements (JSA), Shared Services Agreements (SSA), and the national ownership cap), arbitrary enforcement of indecency regulations, retransmission consent regulations and political or other advertising restrictions, such as payola rules;


•	the impact of FCC and Congressional efforts which may restrict a television station's retransmission consent negotiations;


•	the impact of FCC rules requiring broadcast stations to publish, among other information, political advertising rates online;


•	the impact of foreign government rules related to digital and online assets;


•	labor disputes and legislation and other union activity associated with film, acting, writing and other guilds and professional sports leagues;


•	the broadcasting community’s ability to develop and adopt a viable mobile digital broadcast television (mobile DTV) strategy and platform, such as the adoption of ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard, and the consumer’s appetite for mobile television;


•	the impact of programming payments charged by networks pursuant to their affiliation agreements with broadcasters requiring compensation for network programming;


•	the effects of declining live/appointment viewership as reported through rating systems and local television efforts to adopt and receive credit for same day viewing plus viewing on-demand thereafter;


•	changes in television rating measurement methodologies that could negatively impact audience results;


•	the ability of local MVPDs to coordinate and determine local advertising rates as a consortium;


•	changes in the makeup of the population in the areas where stations are located;


•	the operation of low power devices in the broadcast spectrum, which could interfere with our broadcast signals;


•	Over-the-top (OTT) technologies and their potential impact on cord-cutting;

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•	the impact of MVPDs, virtual MVPDs (vMVPDs), and OTTs offering “skinny” programming bundles that may not include television broadcast stations or our other properties, such as Tennis Channel and our emerging networks; and


•	fluctuations in advertising rates and availability of inventory.

Risks specific to us


•	the effectiveness of our management;


•	our ability to attract and maintain local, national, and network advertising and successfully participate in new sales channels such as programmatic and addressable advertising through business partnership ventures and the development of technology;


•	our ability to service our debt obligations and operate our business under restrictions contained in our financing agreements;


•	our ability to successfully implement and monetize our own content management system (CMS) designed to provide our viewers significantly improved content via the internet and other digital platforms;


•	our ability to successfully renegotiate retransmission consent and affiliation fees (cable network fees) agreements;


•	our ability to renew our FCC licenses;


•	our ability to obtain FCC approval for any future acquisitions, as well as, in certain cases, customary antitrust clearance for any future acquisitions;


•	adverse results from litigation and governmental investigations;


•	our exposure to any wrongdoing by those outside the Company, but which could affect our business or pending acquisitions;


•	our ability to identify media business investment opportunities and to successfully integrate any acquired businesses, as well as the success of our digital initiatives in a competitive environment;


•	our ability to maintain our affiliation and programming service agreements with our networks and program service providers and at renewal, to successfully negotiate these agreements with favorable terms;


•	our ability to effectively respond to technology affecting our industry and to increasing competition from other media providers;


•	our ability to deploy a nationwide next generation broadcast platforms network (NextGen);


•	the strength of ratings for our local news broadcasts including our news sharing arrangements;


•	the successful execution of our program development and multi-channel broadcasting initiatives including CHARGE!, TBD, Comet, other original programming, and mobile DTV; and


•	the results of prior year tax audits by taxing authorities.

Other matters set forth in this report and other reports filed with the SEC, including the Risk Factors set forth in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 may also cause actual results in the future to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. However, additional factors and risks not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also cause actual results in the future to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, events described in the forward-looking statements discussed in this report might not occur.

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The following table sets forth certain operating data for the periods presented:

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA

(in thousands, except for per share data) (Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Statement of Operations Data:
Media revenues (a)	$	730,361		$	629,597		$	2,069,874		$	1,873,881
Non-media revenues	35,899			14,935			91,882			49,821
Total revenues	766,260			644,532			2,161,756			1,923,702

Media production expenses	303,782			268,330			893,189			796,218
Media selling, general and administrative expenses	154,581			133,605			452,274			385,372
Depreciation and amortization expenses (b)	94,117			95,857			282,941			292,287
Non-media expenses	32,476			17,496			84,720			51,974
Corporate general and administrative expenses	34,322			25,831			88,603			71,458
Gain on asset dispositions, net of impairment	(10,828		)	(34		)	(36,678		)	(53,531		)
Operating income	157,810			103,447			396,707			379,924

Interest expense and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs	(75,753		)	(51,743		)	(237,766		)	(160,020		)
Loss from equity investments	(25,379		)	(4,362		)	(55,339		)	(4,221		)
Other income, net	5,674			2,342			13,129			4,197
Income before income taxes	62,352			49,684			116,731			219,880
Income tax benefit (provision)	2,648			(17,118		)	21,573			(70,577		)
Net income	65,000			32,566			138,304			149,303
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(1,125		)	(1,929		)	(3,264		)	(16,820		)
Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$	63,875		$	30,637		$	135,040		$	132,483

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group:
Basic earnings per share	$	0.63		$	0.30		$	1.32		$	1.34
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.62		$	0.30		$	1.31		$	1.32



	As of September 30, 2018		As of December 31, 2017
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,022,974	$	681,326
Total assets	$	6,627,414	$	6,784,470
Total debt (c)	$	3,902,256	$	4,048,650
Total equity	$	1,585,554	$	1,534,366


(a)	Media revenues are defined as television advertising revenue; distribution revenue; and other media revenues. See Revenue Recognition under Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies within the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the adoption of the new accounting principles for revenue recognition.


(b)	Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation and amortization of property and equipment, definite-lived intangible assets, program contract costs, and other assets.


(c)	Total debt is defined as current and long-term notes payable, capital leases, and commercial bank financing, including notes payable and capital leases of affiliates.

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The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis provides qualitative and quantitative information about our financial performance and condition and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to those statements. This discussion consists of the following sections:

Summary of Significant Events — financial events during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and through the date this Report on Form 10-Q is filed.

Results of Operations — an analysis of our revenues and expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, including comparisons between quarters and expectations for the three months ended December 31, 2018.

Liquidity and Capital Resources — a discussion of our primary sources of liquidity, an analysis of our cash flows from or used in operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Summary of Significant Events and Financial Highlights

Content and Distribution


•	In August 2018, the Company entered into a multi-year retransmission renewal with Altice for the carriage of Sinclair stations, Tennis Channel, and Sinclair's national networks on its Optimum and Suddenlink owned systems.


•	In October 2018, Sinclair entered a distribution agreement for its ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC affiliates to be re-launched on Sony’s Playstation Vue where PlayStation Vue carries local channels, and announced that Playstation Vue will also be launching Tennis Channel and Sinclair's 24-hour science fiction channel, Comet.

•

In August 2018, the Company and the DISH Network (DISH) reached an agreement in principle for the continued carriage of the Company’s broadcast television stations and Tennis Channel on DISH's direct broadcast satellite platform and additional carriage of one of Sinclair's emerging networks. The companies also agreed to carriage of Sinclair-owned networks, including Tennis Channel, on DISH's Sling TV.

•

In August 2018, as a result of the failure of the Tribune transaction (including the sale of certain stations to FOX) to close by December 31, 2018, FOX Broadcasting Company exercised its option to terminate the agreement entered May 8, 2018 which renewed affiliations with 22 of the Company's FOX affiliates, as well as affiliations with 4 FOX affiliates to which the Company provides services. As a result, affiliations renewed under the agreement will terminate as of January 31, 2019.


•	Sinclair’s newsrooms, dedicated to impactful journalism with a local focus, have won 300 awards thus far in 2018, including two National RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards at Circa and KOMO-TV awarded in May; 45 Regional RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards by 21 newsrooms; and 75 Emmy's at 20 newsrooms.


•	The Company produced and/or aired 93 debates during the 2018 election cycle, including hosting debates for US Senate, House of Representatives, Gubernatorial, Mayor, County Executive, City and County Council, and Attorney General races.

Capital Allocation and Shareholder Returns


•	In August and November 2018, we declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.18 per share and $0.20 per share, respectively.

•

On September 6, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized a $150.0 million share repurchase authorization. On August 9, 2018, the Board of Directors authorized an additional $1.0 billion share repurchase authorization. There is no expiration date and currently, management has no plans to terminate this program. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we repurchased approximately 1.6 million shares of Class A Common Stock for $45.9 million. From October 1, 2018 through November 7, 2018, we repurchased an additional 3.4 million shares for $96.7 million. As of November 7, 2018, the total remaining repurchase authorization is $946.4 million.

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Other Legal and Regulatory

•

In July 2018, the FCC released an HDO to commence a hearing before an ALJ with respect to the Company’s proposed acquisition of Tribune. In August 2018, Sinclair received a termination notice of its Merger Agreement from Tribune. In response, Sinclair withdrew with prejudice its FCC application to acquire Tribune and filed with the ALJ a notice of withdrawal of the applications and motion to terminate the hearing. In September, the FCC's Enforcement Bureau notified the ALJ that it did not oppose the termination of the hearing. The motion remains pending at the office of the ALJ. See Note 4. Commitments and Contingencies within the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.


•	In August 2018, Tribune filed a lawsuit against Sinclair in the Delaware Chancery Court for breach of contract. On August 29, 2018, Sinclair filed its Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and Verified Counterclaim to the Verified Complaint filed by Tribune in the Delaware Court of Chancery. See Note 4. Commitments and Contingencies within the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.


•	In August 2018, a putative Sinclair shareholder, filed a class action complaint alleging that the Company and other defendents violated the federal securities laws by issuing false or misleading disclosures concerning the Merger prior to the termination thereof. See Note 4. Commitments and Contingencies within the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

•

During the quarter, twenty-two putative class action lawsuits have been filed against the Company and Tribune (Tribune Media Company, Tribune Broadcasting Company, LLC, or both) alleging that the defendants conspired to fix prices for commercials to be aired on broadcast television stations throughout the United States, in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act, and, in one case, state consumer protection and tort laws. See Note 4. Commitments and Contingencies within the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

•

On November 6, 2018, Sinclair agreed to enter into a proposed consent decree with the Department of Justice (DOJ) that resolves its investigation into the sharing of pacing information among certain stations in some local markets. Sinclair expects that the DOJ will file the consent decree by November 8, 2018. The consent decree is not an admission of any wrongdoing by Sinclair, and does not subject Sinclair to any monetary damages or penalties. See Note 4. Commitments and Contingencies within the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Other Events


•	In July 2018, Sinclair stations News 3 (KSNV) and the CW Las Vegas (KVCW) were named “2018 St. Jude Dream Home Station of the Year” for their successful campaign to raise $850,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the giveaway of a home.


•	In August 2018, Sinclair's station, KRCR in Redding CA, partnered with the Salvation Army to aid short- and long-term disaster relief efforts for the victims of the Carr fire, with a mission to raise money to provide evacuees with basic necessities. Sinclair and viewers in our markets combined to contribute more than $400,000 to the fundraising effort.


•	In September 2018, the Company held a coordinated "Stand Strong for the Carolina's" relief-effort, in which Sinclair and viewers in our markets combined to contribute $240,000 to the Salvation Army, who was helping victims of Hurricane Florence in North Carolina and the surrounding impacted region.


•	In October 2018, the Company held a coordinated "Stand Strong for the Gulf Coast" relief-effort, in which Sinclair and viewers in our markets combined to contribute more than $85,000 to the Salvation Army, who was helping victims of Hurricane Michael in the Florida Panhandle and the surrounding impacted region.


•	So far in 2018, Sinclair has donated a total of $150,000 to support the Salvation Army's disaster relief work related to the California wildfires, Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Michael.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The results of the businesses acquired during 2017 are included in our results of operations from their respective dates of acquisition. See Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets within the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of acquisitions. Additionally, any references to the first, second, or fourth quarters are to the three months ended March 31, June 30, or December 31, respectively, for the year being discussed. We have one reportable segment, “broadcast,” that is disclosed separately from our other and corporate activities.

SEASONALITY/CYCLICALITY

Our operating results are usually subject to seasonal fluctuations. Usually, the second and fourth quarter operating results are higher than first and third quarters’ because advertising expenditures are increased in anticipation of certain seasonal and holiday spending by consumers.

Our operating results are usually subject to fluctuations from political advertising. In even numbered years, political spending is usually significantly higher than in odd numbered years due to advertising expenditures preceding local and national elections. Additionally, every four years, political spending is usually elevated further due to advertising expenditures preceding the presidential election.

Operating Data

The following table sets forth our consolidated operating data for the periods presented (in millions):



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017		2018			2017
Media revenues (a) (b)	$	730.4		$	629.6	$	2,069.9		$	1,873.9
Non-media revenues	35.9			14.9		91.9			49.8
Total revenues	766.3			644.5		2,161.8			1,923.7
Media production expenses (a)	303.8			268.3		893.2			796.2
Media selling, general and administrative expenses (a)	154.6			133.6		452.3			385.4
Depreciation and amortization expenses	94.1			95.9		282.9			292.3
Non-media expenses	32.5			17.5		84.7			52.0
Corporate general and administrative expenses	34.3			25.8		88.6			71.4
Gain on asset dispositions, net of impairment	(10.8		)	—		(36.6		)	(53.5		)
Operating income	$	157.8		$	103.4	$	396.7		$	379.9
Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$	63.9		$	30.6	$	135.0		$	132.5

(a)

Our media related revenues and expenses are primarily derived from our broadcast segment, but also from our other media related business, including our national networks and content such as Tennis Channel, Comet, CHARGE!, and non-broadcast digital properties. The results of our broadcast segment and the other media businesses are discussed further below under Broadcast Segment and Other, respectively.


(b)	See Revenue Recognition under Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies within the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the adoption of the new accounting principles for revenue recognition.

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BROADCAST SEGMENT

The following table sets forth our revenue and expenses for our broadcast segment for the periods presented (in millions):



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Percent Change Increase / (Decrease)	Nine Months Ended September 30,				Percent Change Increase / (Decrease)
	2018		2017		Percent Change Increase / (Decrease)	2018		2017		Percent Change Increase / (Decrease)
Revenue:
Advertising revenue	$	365.6	$	314.9	16.1%	$	1,002.7	$	953.3	5.2%
Distribution revenue	302.8		258.8		17.0%	881.8		759.6		16.1%
Other media revenues	10.3		11.2		(8.0)%	32.3		32.9		(1.8)%
Media revenues	$	678.7	$	584.9	16.0%	$	1,916.8	$	1,745.8	9.8%

Operating Expenses:
Media production expenses	$	273.8	$	242.9	12.7%	$	806.9	$	712.4	13.3%
Media selling, general and administrative expenses	$	127.5	$	114.4	11.5%	$	378.4	$	338.9	11.7%
Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments	$	24.5	$	28.0	(12.5)%	$	76.1	$	88.0	(13.5)%
Corporate general and administrative expenses	$	31.5	$	23.6	33.5%	$	79.9	$	65.1	22.7%
Depreciation and amortization expenses	$	62.4	$	60.5	3.1%	$	185.2	$	180.7	2.5%

Revenue

Advertising revenue. Advertising revenue increased $50.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017. The increase is primarily related to an increase in political advertising revenue of $60.7 million, as 2018 is a political year and $8.9 million related to stations not included in the same period in 2017. These increases were partially offset by decreases in certain categories, notably a $5.8 million and $2.4 million decrease in automotive and schools, respectively.

Advertising revenue increased $49.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017. The increase is primarily related to an increase in political advertising revenue of $87.2 million, as 2018 is a political year and $32.9 million related to stations not included in the same period in 2017. These increases were partially offset by decreases in certain categories, notably a $28.1 million and $10.9 million decrease in automotive and fast food, respectively.

No advertiser accounted for more than 1.1% of our advertising revenue for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

The following table sets forth our primary types of programming and their approximate percentages of advertising revenue, excluding digital revenue, for the periods presented:



	Percent of Advertising Revenue for the
	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018	2017	2018	2017
Local news	34.7%	33.3%	34.2%	32.3%
Syndicated/Other programming	28.9%	31.4%	29.6%	30.9%
Network programming	24.0%	23.8%	24.8%	25.6%
Sports programming	9.6%	8.2%	8.1%	7.5%
Paid programming	2.8%	3.3%	3.3%	3.7%

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The following table sets forth our affiliate percentages of advertising revenue for the periods presented:



		Percent of Advertising Revenue for the
		Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	# of Channels	2018	2017	2018	2017
ABC	34	27.6%	29.5%	29.1%	29.2%
FOX	47	23.2%	24.1%	23.2%	24.9%
CBS	27	20.3%	19.0%	19.6%	19.7%
NBC	21	17.0%	13.2%	15.5%	12.3%
CW	25	6.1%	7.1%	6.6%	7.1%
MNT	19	4.4%	5.5%	4.5%	5.4%
Other (a)	18	1.4%	1.6%	1.5%	1.4%
Total	191


(a)	We broadcast other programming from the following providers on our channels including: Antenna TV, Azteca, Bounce Network, CHARGE!, Comet, CoziTV, Estrella TV, Get TV, Grit, Me TV, Movies!, Stadium Network, TBD, Telemundo, This TV, UniMas, Univision, and Weather.

Distribution revenue. Distribution revenue, which includes payments from MVPDs, virtual MVPDs, and OTT distributors for our broadcast signals, increased $44.0 million and $122.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, when compared to the same period in 2017. Distribution revenue related to stations not included in the same three and nine month period in 2017 was $7.4 million and $28.1 million, respectively. The remaining increase for the three and nine month period was primarily related to an increase in rates, partially offset by fewer subscribers.

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Expenses

Media production expenses. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, primarily relates to $6.4 million from acquired stations not included in the same period of 2017 and $26.9 million from increases in fees pursuant to network affiliation agreements, partially offset by a $4.5 million decrease in fees related to rating services. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, primarily relates to $25.5 million from acquired stations not included in the same period of 2017, $85.1 million from increases in fees pursuant to network affiliation agreements and a $7.8 million increase related to employee compensation cost, partially offset by a $12.4 million decrease in fees related to rating services.

Media selling, general and administrative expenses. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, primarily relates to $3.4 million from acquired stations not included in the same period of 2017, a $2.4 million increase related to information technology costs and a $1.0 million increase to third-party license costs for our digital business. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, primarily relates to $13.4 million from acquired stations not included in the same period of 2017, a $6.5 million increase to third-party license costs for our digital business, a $4.8 million increase related to employee compensation cost, and a $4.3 million increase to information technology costs.

Amortization of program contract costs and net realizable value adjustments. The decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, primarily relates to $4.8 million due to timing of amortization on long-term contracts and reduced renewal costs, partially offset by an increase of cost due to new programs added since the same period in 2017 and by amortization related to stations not included in the same period of 2017. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, primarily relates to $15.9 million due to timing of amortization on long-term contracts and reduced renewal costs, partially offset by an increase of cost due to new programs added since the same period in 2017 and by amortization related to stations not included in the same period of 2017.

Corporate general and administrative expenses. See explanation under Corporate and Unallocated Expenses.

Depreciation and amortization expenses. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, relates to $2.8 million of depreciation and amortization from acquired stations not included in the same period of 2017 and $1.2 million of depreciation related to assets previously classified as held for sale in connection with the Tribune acquisition, partially offset by assets becoming fully depreciated. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, primarily relates to $11.9 million of depreciation and amortization from acquired stations not included in the same period of 2017 and an increase from new projects placed in service during the first quarter of 2018, partially offset by assets becoming fully depreciated.

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OTHER

The following table sets forth our revenues and expenses for our original networks and content, non-broadcast digital and internet solutions, technical services, and non-media investments (Other) for the periods presented (in millions):



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Percent Change Increase / (Decrease)	Nine Months Ended September 30,					Percent Change Increase/(Decrease)
	2018		2017		Percent Change Increase / (Decrease)	2018		2017			Percent Change Increase/(Decrease)
Revenue:
Advertising revenue	$	19.6	$	16.1	21.7%	$	57.9	$	38.8		49.2%
Distribution revenue	27.9		26.5		5.3%	82.7		80.4			2.9%
Other media revenues	4.2		2.1		100.0%	12.4		8.9			39.3%
Media revenues	$	51.7	$	44.7	15.7%	$	153.0	$	128.1		19.4%
Non-media revenues	$	35.9	$	14.9	140.9%	$	91.9	$	49.8		84.5%

Operating Expenses:
Media expenses	$	57.1	$	44.4	28.6%	$	160.2	$	129.3		23.9%
Non-media expenses	$	32.5	$	17.5	85.7%	$	84.7	$	52.0		62.9%
Corporate general and administrative expenses	$	0.1	$	0.2	(50.0)%	$	0.6	$	0.8		(25.0)%
Loss (gain) on asset dispositions and impairments	$	—	$	—	n/m	$	59.6	$	(53.2	)	n/m
Loss from equity investments	$	24.9	$	4.4	n/m	$	54.9	$	4.2		n/m

n/m — not meaningful

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Media revenues and expenses. Media revenue included within Other primarily relates to our original networks and content, as well as our non-broadcast digital businesses. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, is primarily related to a $3.6 million increase in advertising revenue related our owned networks and expansion of our non-broadcast digital initiatives and a $1.4 million increase in distribution revenue related to our owned networks. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, is primarily related to a $19.1 million increase in advertising revenue, mostly related to the expansion of our non-broadcast digital initiatives and from our owned networks and a $2.3 million increase in distribution revenue related to our owned networks.

Media expenses included within Other relate to the media production expenses and media selling, general and administrative expenses related to the operations of our network, content, and non-broadcast digital businesses. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, is primarily related to a $5.0 million increase to selling, general and administrative cost related to our non-broadcast digital initiatives, a $3.4 million increase to program and production expenses related to our owned networks and content business, $2.1 million increase related to higher distribution cost for our owned networks, and a $1.8 million increase to information technology cost. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, is primarily related to a $20.5 million increase to selling, general and administrative costs related to our non-broadcast digital initiatives, a $2.2 million increase to program and production expenses related to our owned networks and content business, a $7.8 million increase to employee compensation cost, a $4.3 million increase related to information technology services, and a $3.6 million increase related to higher distribution cost for our owned networks. The increases were partially offset by a $9.8 million decrease to our college and local sports network.

Non-media revenues and expenses. Non-media revenue included within Other primarily relates to our broadcast technical businesses and consolidated investments in real estate and other business ventures. The increase to revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, is primarily related to a $20.5 million increase in broadcast equipment sales. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, is primarily related to a $49.5 million increase in broadcast equipment sales, partially offset by a $7.8 million decrease due to the sale of a consolidated investment in an alarm monitoring business in March 2017.

Non-media expenses included within Other primarily relate to our broadcast technical businesses and consolidated investments in real estate and other business ventures. Additionally, non-media expenses include costs to develop the Advanced Television Systems Committee's 3.0 standard (ATSC 3.0). The increase to expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, is primarily related to a $10.6 million increase in costs due to the increased volume of broadcast equipment sales and a $1.4 million increase in ATSC 3.0 development expenses. The increase in expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, is primarily related to a $24.9 million due to increased volume of broadcast equipment sales, a $4.7 million increase in ATSC 3.0 development costs, and a $3.0 million increase to employee compensation cost. The increases were partially offset by a $3.8 million decrease in expenses related to the sale of a consolidated investment in an alarm monitoring business in early March 2017.

Corporate general and administrative expenses. See explanation under Corporate and Unallocated Expenses.

Loss (gain) on asset dispositions and impairments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recorded a non-cash impairment of $59.6 million related to a real estate development project which is currently reflected as held for sale in our consolidated financial statements. During the first quarter of 2017, we recognized a gain of $53.0 million related to the sale of Alarm in March 2017, of which $12.3 million was attributable to non-controlling interests recorded within net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest on our consolidated statements of operations.

Loss from equity investments. Losses from equity investments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $24.9 million and $54.9 million, respectively. Losses from equity investments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $4.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively. The decrease primarily related to investments in sustainability initiatives in 2018.

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CORPORATE AND UNALLOCATED EXPENSES

The following table presents our corporate and unallocated expenses for the periods presented (in millions):



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Percent Change Increase/ (Decrease)	Nine Months Ended September 30,					Percent Change Increase/ (Decrease)
	2018		2017			Percent Change Increase/ (Decrease)	2018		2017			Percent Change Increase/ (Decrease)
Corporate general and administrative expenses	$	34.3	$	25.8		32.9%	$	88.6	$	71.5		23.9%
Interest expense	$	75.8	$	51.7		46.6%	$	237.8	$	160.0		48.6%
Income tax benefit (provision)	$	2.6	$	(17.1	)	n/m	$	21.6	$	(70.6	)	n/m
Loss from extinguishment of debt	$	—	$	—		n/m	$	—	$	(1.4	)	n/m

n/m — not meaningful

Corporate general and administrative expenses. We allocate most of our corporate general and administrative expenses to the broadcast segment. The table above and the explanation that follows cover total consolidated corporate general and administrative expenses.

Corporate general and administrative expenses increased in total by $8.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, primarily related to a $4.5 million increase to legal and consulting fees primarily related to the Tribune acquisition which was terminated, a $1.2 million increase in group health insurance costs, and a $1.0 million increase to employee compensation cost. Corporate general and administrative expenses increased in total by $17.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017, primarily related to a $8.7 million increase to legal and consulting fees primarily related to the Tribune acquisition which was terminated, as well as a $7.0 million a increase to group health insurance costs, and a $2.1 million increase to employee compensation cost.

We expect corporate general and administrative expenses to decrease in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2018.

Interest expense. The table above and explanation that follows cover total consolidated interest expense. Interest expense increased by $24.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017. The increase is primarily related to $22.3 million in ticking fees and the write-off of previously capitalized debt issuance costs associated with the Tribune acquisition which was subsequently terminated. Interest expense increased by $77.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017. The increase is primarily related to $78.5 million in ticking fees, the write off of previously capitalized costs associated with the Tribune acquisition which was subsequently terminated, and the year-over-year increases in LIBOR.

Income tax benefit (provision). The income tax benefit for the three months ended September 30, 2018, including the effects of the noncontrolling interest, was $2.6 million as compared to an income tax provision of $17.1 million during the same period in 2017. The change in the provision to a benefit for the three months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, is primarily due to a lower federal statutory rate in 2018 as a result of the enactment of the TCJA and $15.0 million of federal tax credits related to investments in sustainability initiatives in 2018.

The income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 including the effects of the noncontrolling interest was $21.6 million as compared to an income tax provision of $70.6 million during the same period in 2017. The change in the provision to a benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, is primarily due to a lower federal statutory rate in 2018 as a result of the enactment of the TCJA; lower book income in 2018; $21.2 million of federal tax credits related to investments in sustainability initiatives in 2018; and a $17.7 million permanent benefit recognized from an IRS tax ruling on the treatment of the gain from the sale of certain broadcast spectrum in connection with the Broadcast Incentive Auction, as discussed in Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets within the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of September 30, 2018, we had net working capital of approximately $1,190.1 million, including $1,023.0 million in cash and cash equivalent balances. Borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility was $484.5 million as of September 30, 2018. Cash generated by our operations and borrowing capacity under the Bank Credit Agreement are used as our primary sources of liquidity.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, $313.1 million of restricted cash as of December 31, 2017, became unrestricted. See Broadcast Incentive Auction under Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets within the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

We anticipate that existing cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from our operations, and borrowing capacity under the Bank Credit Agreement will be sufficient to satisfy our debt service obligations, capital expenditure requirements, and working capital needs for the next twelve months. For our long-term liquidity needs, in addition to the sources described above, we may rely upon the issuance of long-term debt, the issuance of equity or other instruments convertible into or exchangeable for equity, or the sale of non-core assets. However, there can be no assurance that additional financing or capital or buyers of our non-core assets will be available, or that the terms of any transactions will be acceptable or advantageous to us.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2018, we were in compliance with all of the covenants related to our Bank Credit Agreement and senior unsecured notes.

Sources and Uses of Cash

The following table sets forth our cash flows for the periods presented (in millions):



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Net cash flows from operating activities	$	116.2		$	136.9		$	372.9		$	278.2

Cash flows from (used in) investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment	$	(25.3	)	$	(22.0	)	$	(77.6	)	$	(55.5	)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	—			(241.5		)	—			(269.8		)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	—			0.5			1.1			195.2
Investments in equity investees	(7.6		)	(1.6		)	(25.6		)	(22.3		)
Distributions from equity investees	8.4			2.3			23.5			6.6
Proceeds Spectrum Repack	—			310.8			—			310.8
Other	(4.5		)	(0.3		)	(7.9		)	(13.4		)
Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities	$	(29.0	)	$	48.2		$	(86.5	)	$	151.6

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities:
Proceeds from notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases	$	1.3		$	3.0		$	3.3		$	166.0
Repayments of notes payable, commercial bank financing and capital leases	(12.2		)	(17.1		)	(154.2		)	(318.3		)
Net proceeds from the sale of Class A Common Stock	—			—			—			487.9
Dividends paid on Class A and Class B Common Stock	(18.4		)	(18.3		)	(55.2		)	(53.0		)
Repurchase of outstanding Class A Common Stock	(45.9		)	(30.3		)	(45.9		)	(30.3		)
Other	(3.7		)	(5.5		)	(5.9		)	(25.8		)
Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities	$	(78.9	)	$	(68.2	)	$	(257.9	)	$	226.5

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Operating Activities

Net cash flows from operating activities decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease is primarily related to interest paid associated with ticking fees on Term B loans that would have been issued and drawn at closing of the Tribune acquisition, partially offset by higher cash received from customers.

Net cash flows from operating activities increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The increase is primarily related to higher cash received from customers, partially offset by interest paid associated with ticking fees on Term B loans that would have been issued and drawn at closing of the Tribune acquisition.

Investing Activities

Net cash flows from investing activities decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease is primarily related to the proceeds received from the Broadcast Incentive Auction offset by a reduction in cash paid for acquisitions of businesses and investments during the third quarter of 2017. See Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets within the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Net cash flows from investing activities decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease is primarily related to the sale of our alarm business during the first quarter of 2017 and proceeds received from the Broadcast Incentive Auction during the third quarter of 2017, offset by a reduction in cash paid for acquisitions of businesses and investments during the third quarter of 2017.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, we anticipate capital expenditures to increase from the third quarter of 2018. As discussed in Note 2. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Assets within the Consolidated Financial Statements, certain of our channels have been reassigned in conjunction with the FCC repacking process. For the fourth quarter, we expect total capital expenditures related to the spectrum repack to be $15 million. We expect that the majority of expenditures will be reimbursed from the fund administered by the FCC.

Financing Activities

Net cash flows used in financing activities increased during the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017. The increase is primarily due to higher repurchases of Class A common stock.

Net cash flows from financing activities decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease is primarily related to the receipt of proceeds from the public offering of Class A Common Stock during the first quarter of 2017.

In November 2018, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share. Future dividends on our common shares, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on several factors including our results of operations, cash requirements and surplus, financial condition, covenant restrictions, and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

CONTRACTUAL CASH OBLIGATIONS

During 2018, we renewed certain network affiliation agreements which increased estimated contractual amounts owed for program content, some of which include variable fee components based on subscriber levels, as of September 30, 2018 by $926.6 million through 2022. As of September 30, 2018, there were no other material changes to our contractual cash obligations.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Other than discussed below, there were no changes to critical accounting policies and estimates from those disclosed in Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates under Part II. Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

See Recent Accounting Pronouncements under Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies within the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of new accounting guidance. See Revenue Recognition under Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies within the Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed discussion of the adoption of the new accounting principles for revenue recognition.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes from the quantitative and qualitative discussion about market risk previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2018.

The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

The term “internal control over financial reporting,” as defined in Rules 13a-15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, means a process designed by, or under the supervision of our Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and includes those policies and procedures that:


•	pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;


•	provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and that our receipts and expenditures are being made in accordance with authorizations of management or our Board of Directors; and


•	provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material adverse effect on our financial statements.

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Assessment of Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2018, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2018, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management’s override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are party to lawsuits and claims from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Actions currently pending are in various stages and no material judgments or decisions have been rendered by hearing boards or courts in connection with such actions.

See Litigation and other legal matters under Note 4. Commitments and Contingencies within the Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion related to certain class action lawsuits filed in United States District Court against the Company, Tribune Media Company, Tribune Broadcasting Company, LLC, Hearst Communications, Inc., Gray Television, Inc., Nexstar Media Group, Inc., Tegna, Inc. and other defendants that are unnamed.

See Litigation and other legal matters under Note 4. Commitments and Contingencies within the Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion related to the Tribune Complaint.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table summarizes repurchases of our stock in the quarter ended September 30, 2018:



Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased (a)	Average Price Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Program	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program (in millions)
Class A Common Stock : (b)
07/01/18 – 07/31/18	—	—		—	—
08/01/18 – 08/31/18
09/01/18 – 09/30/18	1,636,019	$	28.06	1,636,019	$	1,043.1


(a)	All repurchases were made in open-market transactions.

(b)

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS



Exhibit Number		Description

31.1		Certification by Christopher S. Ripley, as Chief Executive Officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. § 7241).

31.2		Certification by Lucy Rutishauser, as Chief Financial Officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. § 7241).

32.1		Certification by Christopher S. Ripley, as Chief Executive Officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C § 1350).

32.2		Certification by Lucy Rutishauser, as Chief Financial Officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C § 1350).

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report on Form 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized on the 8th day of November 2018.



	SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.


	By:	/s/ David R. Bochenek
		David R. Bochenek
		Senior Vice President/Chief Accounting Officer/Corporate Controller
		(Authorized Officer and Chief Accounting Officer)