Sinclair Inc

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

Nature of Operations

Sinclair Broadcast Group, LLC ("SBG"), a Maryland limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinclair, Inc. ("Sinclair"), is a diversified media company with national reach and a strong focus on providing high-quality content on SBG's local television stations and digital properties. The content, distributed through SBG's broadcast platform and third-party platforms, consists of programming provided by third-party networks and syndicators, local news, other original programming produced by SBG and SBG owned networks. Additionally, prior to the Reorganization (as defined below in Company Reorganization), SBG had interests in, owned, managed, and/or operated Tennis Channel, digital media companies, technical and software services companies, research and development companies for the advancement of broadcast technology, and other media and non-media related businesses and assets, including real estate, venture capital, private equity, and direct investments.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, SBG hadone reportable segment: local media. The local media segment consists primarily of SBG's 185 broadcast television stations in 86 markets, which SBG owns, provides programming and operating services pursuant to agreements commonly referred to as local marketing agreements ("LMA"), or provides sales services and other non-programming operating services pursuant to other outsourcing agreements (such as joint sales agreements ("JSA") and shared services agreements ("SSA")). These stations broadcast 639 channels as of March 31, 2024. For the purpose of this report, these 185 stations and 639 channels are referred to as "SBG" stations and channels.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include SBG's accounts and those of SBG's wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, and VIEs for which SBG is the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interests represent a minority owner’s proportionate share of the equity in certain of SBG's consolidated entities. Noncontrolling interests which may be redeemed by the holder, and the redemption is outside of SBG's control, are presented as redeemable noncontrolling interests. All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

SBG consolidates VIEs when SBG is the primary beneficiary. SBG is the primary beneficiary of a VIE when SBG has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE. See Note 7. Variable Interest Entities for more information on SBG's VIEs.

Investments in entities over which SBG has significant influence but not control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Income from equity method investments represents SBG's proportionate share of net income generated by equity method investees.

Company Reorganization

On April 3, 2023, the company formerly known as Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., a Maryland corporation ("Old Sinclair"), entered into an Agreement of Share Exchange and Plan of Reorganization (the "Share Exchange Agreement") with Sinclair and Sinclair Holdings, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company ("Sinclair Holdings"). The purpose of the transactions contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreement was to effect a holding company reorganization in which Sinclair would become the publicly-traded parent company of Old Sinclair.

Effective at 12:00 am Eastern U.S. time on June 1, 2023 (the "Share Exchange Effective Time"), pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement and Articles of Share Exchange filed with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, the share exchange between Sinclair and Old Sinclair was completed (the "Share Exchange"). Immediately following the Share Exchange Effective Time, Old Sinclair converted from a Maryland corporation to a Maryland limited liability company named Sinclair Broadcast Group, LLC. On the day following the Share Exchange Effective Time, Sinclair Holdings became the intermediate holding company between Sinclair and SBG, and SBG transferred certain of its assets (the "Transferred Assets") to Sinclair Ventures, LLC, a new indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Sinclair ("Ventures"). The Share Exchange and the related steps described above collectively are referred to as the "Reorganization." The Transferred Assets included technical and software services companies, intellectual property for the advancement of broadcast technology, and other media and non-media related businesses and assets including real estate, venture capital, private equity, and direct investments, as well as Compulse, a marketing technology and managed services company, and Tennis Channel and related assets.

As a result of the Reorganization, SBG's consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 includes three months of activity related to the Transferred Assets prior to the Reorganization. Subsequent to June 1, 2023, the assets and liabilities of the Transferred Assets are no longer included within SBG's consolidated balance sheets. Any discussions related to results, operations, and accounting policies associated with the Transferred Assets refer to the periods prior to the Reorganization.

Interim Financial Statements

SBG's consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 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 redeemable noncontrolling interests, and consolidated statements of cash flows for these periods as adjusted for the adoption of recent accounting pronouncements.

As permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, SBG's 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 Sinclair's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC. SBG's consolidated statements of operations presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are not necessarily representative of operations for an entire year.

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.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2021, the FASB issued guidance to improve the accounting for acquired revenue contracts with customers in a business combination by addressing diversity in practice. ASU 2021-08 requires that an acquiring entity recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606, as if it had originated the contracts. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. SBG adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2023. The impact of the adoption did not have a material impact on SBG's consolidated financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued guidance to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. SBG is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.

In December 2023, the FASB issued guidance to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures, requiring annual disclosure of consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation table; additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold (if the effect of those reconciling items is equal to or greater than 5 percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income or loss by the applicable statutory income tax rate); income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction; and income or loss before income tax disaggregated between foreign and domestic. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. SBG is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.

Broadcast Television Programming

SBG has agreements with programming syndicators for the rights to television programming over contract periods, which generally run fromone tothree years. Contract payments are made in installments over terms that are generally equal to or shorter than the contract period. Pursuant to accounting guidance for the broadcasting industry, an asset and a liability for the rights acquired and obligations incurred under a license agreement are reported on the balance sheet when the cost of each program is known or reasonably determinable, the program material has been accepted by the licensee in accordance with the conditions of the license agreement, and the program is available for its first showing or telecast. The portion of program contracts which becomes payable within one year is reflected as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The rights to this programming are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value. Program contract costs are amortized on a straight-line basis except for contracts greater than three years which are amortized utilizing an accelerated method. Program contract costs estimated by management to be amortized in the succeeding year are classified as current assets. Payments of program contract liabilities are typically made on a scheduled basis and are not affected by amortization or fair value adjustments.

Fair value is determined utilizing a discounted cash flow model based on management's expectation of future advertising revenues, net of sales commissions, to be generated by the program material. SBG assessesthe program contract costs on a quarterly basis to ensure the costs are recorded at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value.

Hedge Accounting

SBG entered into an interest rate swap effective February 7, 2023 and terminating on February 28, 2026 in order to manage a portion of SBG's exposure to variable interest rates. The swap agreement has a notional amount of $600 million, bears a fixed interest rate of 3.9%, and SBG receives a floating rate of interest based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR").

SBG has determined that the interest rate swap meets the criteria for hedge accounting. The initial value of the interest rate swap and any changes in value in subsequent periods is included inaccumulated other comprehensive income, with a corresponding change recorded in assets or liabilities depending on the position of the swap. Gains or losses on the monthly settlement of the interest rate swap are reflected in interest expense in SBG's consolidated statements of operations. Cash flows related to the interest rate swap are classified as operating activities in SBG's consolidated statements of cash flows. See Interest Rate Swap within Note 3. Notes Payable, Finance Leases, and Commercial Bank Financingfor further discussion.

Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities

Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities were $2 million and $3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities were $7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Non-cash investing activities included property and equipment purchases of $5 million and $6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Revenue Recognition

The following table presents SBG's revenue disaggregated by type and segment (in millions):

Distribution Revenue. SBG has agreements with multi-channel video programming distributors ("MVPD") and virtual MVPDs ("vMVPD," and together with MVPDs, "Distributors"). SBG generates distribution revenue through fees received from these Distributors for the right to distribute SBG's stations and other properties. Distribution arrangements are generally governed by multi-year contracts and the underlying fees are based upon a contractual monthly rate per subscriber. These arrangements represent licenses of intellectual property; revenue is recognized as the signal or network programming is provided to SBG's customers (as usage occurs) which corresponds with the satisfaction of SBG's performance obligation. Revenue is calculated based upon the contractual rate multiplied by an estimated number of subscribers. SBG's customers will remit payments based upon actual subscribers a short time after the conclusion of a month, which generally does not exceed 120 days. Historical adjustments to subscriber estimates have not been material.

Core Advertising Revenue. SBG generates advertising revenue primarily from the sale of advertising spots/impressions within broadcast television and digital platforms.

Political Advertising Revenue. SBG generates political advertising revenue primarily from the sale of political advertising spots/impressions within broadcast television and digital platforms.

In accordance with ASC 606, SBG does 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.

Deferred Revenue. SBG records deferred revenue when cash payments are received or due in advance of performance, including amounts which are refundable. SBG classifies deferred revenue as either current in other current liabilities or long-term in other long-term liabilities in SBG's consolidated balance sheets based on the timing of when SBG expects to satisfy performance obligations. Deferred revenue was $180 million and $171 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, of which $119 million and $124 million, respectively, was reflected in other long-term liabilities in SBG's consolidated balance sheets. Deferred revenue recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, included in the deferred revenue balance as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, was $15 million and $19 million, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, two customers accounted for 11% and 11%, respectively, of SBG's total revenues. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, two customers accounted for 11% and 10%, respectively, of SBG's total revenues. As of March 31, 2024, four customers accounted for 12%,11%,10%, and 10%, respectively, of SBG's accounts receivable, net. As of December 31, 2023, two customers accounted for 10% and 10%, respectively, of SBG's accounts receivable, net. For purposes of this disclosure, a single customer may include multiple entities under common control.

Income Taxes

SBG’s income tax provision for all periods consists of federal and state income taxes. The tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 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. SBG provides a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is determined that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating SBG’s ability to realize net deferred tax assets, SBG considers all available evidence, both positive and negative, including past operating results, tax planning strategies, current and cumulative losses, and forecasts of future taxable income. In considering these sources of taxable income, SBG must make certain judgments that are based on the plans and estimates used to manage SBG’s underlying businesses on a long-term basis. A valuation allowance has been provided for deferred tax assets related to a substantial amount of SBG’s available state net operating loss carryforwards based on past operating results, expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary basis differences, alternative tax strategies, and projected future taxable income.

SBG’s effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to an immaterial $7.5 million correcting adjustment related to the accrual of interest income attributable to prior years’ pending income tax refund claims. SBG’s effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to a release of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets relating to deductibility of interest expense under the IRC Section 163(j) as a result of the change in the tax classification of the legal entity owning the Diamond Sports business because of the exit of the sole minority investor.

SBG does not believe that our liability for unrecognized tax benefits would be materially impacted, in the next twelve months, as a result of the expected statute of limitations expirations, the application of limits under available state administrative practice exceptions, and the resolution of examination issues and settlements with federal and certain state tax authorities.

Reclassifications

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

2. OTHER ASSETS:

Other assets as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 consisted of the following (in millions):

Equity Method Investments

Prior to the Reorganization, SBG had a portfolio of investments, including a number of entities that are primarily focused on the development of real estate and other media and non-media businesses. SBG has an investment in Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC ("DSIH"). No investments were individually significant for the periods presented.

Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC. SBG's equity interest in DSIH is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. As of March 1, 2022, SBG reflected the investment in DSIH at fair value, which was determined to benominal. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, SBG recordedno equity method loss related to the investment because the carrying value of the investment iszero and SBG is not obligated to fund losses incurred by DSIH.

Other Investments

SBG's investments, excluding equity method investments, were accounted for at fair value or, in situations where fair value is not readily determinable, SBG had the option to value investments at cost plus observable changes in value, less impairment. Additionally, certain investments were measured at net asset value ("NAV").

All of the investments measured at fair value and NAV were transferred to Ventures as part of the Reorganization. SBG recognized a fair value adjustment loss of $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 associated with these investments, which is reflected in other income, net in SBG's consolidated statements of operations.

Investments accounted for utilizing the measurement alternative were $3 million as of March 31, 2024. There wereno adjustments to the carrying amount of investments accounted for utilizing the measurement alternative for either of the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the three months ended March 31, 2023.

3. NOTES PAYABLE, FINANCE LEASES, AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING:

Bank Credit Agreement and Notes

The bank credit agreement of Sinclair Television Group, Inc. ("STG"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBG (the "Bank Credit Agreement"), includes a financial maintenance covenant, the first lien leverage ratio (as defined in the Bank Credit Agreement), which requires such ratio not to exceed 4.5 x, measured as of the end of each fiscal quarter. As of March 31, 2024, the STG first lien leverage ratio was below 4.5 x. Under the Bank Credit Agreement, a financial maintenance covenant is only applicable if 35% or more of the capacity (as a percentage of total commitments) under the revolving credit facility, measured as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, is utilized under the revolving credit facility as of such date. Since there wasno utilization under the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2024, STG was not subject to the financial maintenance covenant under the Bank Credit Agreement. The Bank Credit Agreement contains other restrictions and covenants with which STG was in compliance as of March 31, 2024.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, STG purchased $27 million aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan B-2, due September 30, 2026, for consideration of $25 million. The portions of the Term Loan B-2 purchased were canceled immediately following their acquisition. STG recognized a gain on extinguishment of the Term Loan B-2 of $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Finance Leases to Affiliates

The current portion of notes payable, finance leases, and commercial bank financing in SBG's consolidated balance sheets includes finance leases to affiliates of $2 million as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Notes payable, finance leases, and commercial bank financing, less current portion, in SBG's consolidated balance sheets includes finances leases to affiliates of $11 million and $5 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. See Note. 8 Related Person Transactions.

Debt of Variable Interest Entities and Guarantees of Third-Party Obligations

STG jointly, severally, unconditionally, and irrevocably guaranteed $2 million of debt of certain third parties as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, all of which relate to consolidated VIEs and is included in SBG's consolidated balance sheets as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. SBG provides a guarantee of certain obligations of a regional sports network subject to a maximum annual amount of $117 million with annual escalations of 4% for the next five years. SBG has determined that, as of March 31, 2024, it is not probable that SBG would have to perform under any of these guarantees.

Interest Rate Swap

SBG entered into an interest rate swap effective February 7, 2023 and terminates on February 28, 2026 in order to manage a portion of SBG's exposure to variable interest rates. The swap agreement has a notional amount of$600 million, bears a fixed interest rate of 3.9%, and SBG receives a floating rate of interest based on SOFR. See Hedge Accounting within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further discussion. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of the interest rate swap was an asset of$7 million and $1 million, respectively, which are recorded in other assetsin SBG's consolidated balance sheets.

4. REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS:

SBG accounts for redeemable noncontrolling interests in accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and classifies them as mezzanine equity in SBG's consolidated balance sheets because their possible redemption is outside of the control of SBG. SBG's redeemable non-controlling interests consist of the following:

Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Equity. On August 23, 2019, Diamond Sports Holdings LLC ("DSH"), an indirect parent of Diamond Sports Group, LLC ("DSG") and indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of SBG, issued preferred equity (the "Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Equity").

On February 10, 2023, SBG purchased the remaining 175,000 units of the Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Equity for an aggregate purchase price of $190 million, representing 95% of the sum of the remaining unreturned capital contribution of $175 million, and accrued and unpaid distributions up to, but not including, the date of purchase.

Distributions accrued during the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $3 million and are reflected in net loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests in SBG's consolidated statements of operations. Distributions accrued during the three months ended March 31, 2023 were paid-in-kind and added to the liquidation preference, which was partially offset by certain required cash tax distributions.

5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

Litigation

SBG is a party to lawsuits, claims, and regulatory matters 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. Except as noted below, SBG does not believe the outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on SBG's financial statements.

FCC Litigation Matters

On May 22, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") released an Order and Consent Decree pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay $48 million to resolve the matters covered by a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture ("NAL") issued in December 2017 proposing a $13 million fine for alleged violations of the FCC's sponsorship identification rules by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, the FCC's investigation of the allegations raised in the Hearing Designation Order issued in connection with the Company's proposed acquisition of Tribune, and a retransmission related matter. The Company submitted the $48 million payment on August 19, 2020. As part of the consent decree, the Company also agreed to implement a 4-year compliance plan. Two petitions were filed on June 8, 2020 seeking reconsideration of the Order and Consent Decree. The Company filed an opposition to the petitions on June 18, 2020, and the petitions remain pending.

On September 1, 2020, one of the individuals who filed a petition for reconsideration of the Order and Consent Decree filed a petition to deny the license renewal application of WBFF(TV), Baltimore, MD, and the license renewal applications of two other Baltimore, MD stations with which the Company has a JSA or LMA, Deerfield Media station WUTB(TV) and Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation ("Cunningham") station WNUV(TV). The Company filed an opposition to the petition on October 1, 2020. On January 18, 2024, a motion was filed to request substitution of the petitioner, who is deceased. On January 29, 2024, the Company filed (1) an opposition to the motion for substitution and (2) a motion to dismiss the petition to deny the renewal applications. An opposition was filed to the motion to dismiss on February 5, 2024, and the Company timely filed its reply on February 13, 2024, and the matter remains pending.

On September 2, 2020, the FCC adopted a Memorandum Opinion and Order and NAL against the licensees of several stations with whom the Company has LMAs, JSAs, and/or SSAs in response to a complaint regarding those stations' retransmission consent negotiations. The NAL proposed a $0.5 million penalty for each station, totaling $9 million. The licensees filed a response to the NAL on October 15, 2020, asking the Commission to dismiss the proceeding or, alternatively, to reduce the proposed forfeiture to $25,000 per station. On July 28, 2021, the FCC issued a forfeiture order in which the $0.5 million penalty was upheld for all but one station. A Petition for Reconsideration of the forfeiture order was filed on August 7, 2021. On March 14, 2022, the FCC released a Memorandum Opinion and Order and Order on Reconsideration, reaffirming the forfeiture order and dismissing (and in the alternative, denying) the Petition for Reconsideration. The Company is not a party to this forfeiture order; however, SBG's consolidated financial statements include an accrual of additional expenses of $8 million for the above legal matters during the year ended December 31, 2021, as SBG consolidates these stations as VIEs.

On September 21, 2022, the FCC released an NAL against the licensees of a number of stations, including 83 SBG stations and several stations with whom SBG has LMAs, JSAs, and/or SSAs, for violation of the FCC's limitations on commercial matter in children’s television programming related to KidsClick network programming distributed by the Company in 2018. The NAL proposed a fine of $2.7 million against SBG, and fines ranging from $20,000 to $26,000 per station for the other licensees, including the LMA, JSA, and/or SSA stations, for a total of $3.4 million. As of March 31, 2024, SBG has accrued $3.4 million. On October 21, 2022, the Company filed a written response seeking reduction of the proposed fine amount, and the matter remains pending.

Other Litigation Matters

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 DOJ's investigation into the sharing of pacing information among certain stations in some local markets. The DOJ filed the consent decree and related documents in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on November 13, 2018. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia entered the consent decree on May 22, 2019. The consent decree is not an admission of any wrongdoing by the Company and does not subject the Company 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 DOJ has required in previous consent decrees in other industries. The consent decree also requires the Company's stations not to exchange pacing and certain other information with other stations in their local markets, which the Company's management had already instructed them not to do.

The Company is aware oftwenty-two putative class action lawsuits that were filed against the Company following published reports of the DOJ investigation into the exchange of pacing data within the industry. On October 3, 2018, these lawsuits were consolidated in the Northern District of Illinois. The consolidated action alleges that the Company andthirteen other broadcasters conspired to fix prices for commercials to be aired on broadcast television stations throughout the United States and engaged in unlawful information sharing, in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. The consolidated action seeks 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 Court denied the defendants' motion to dismiss on November 6, 2020. Discovery commenced shortly after that and is continuing. Under the current schedule set by the Court, fact discovery is scheduled to close 90 days after a Special Master completes his review of the plaintiffs' objections to the defendant's privilege claims. That privilege review is ongoing. On August 18, 2023, the defendants filed objections to the Special Master’s First Report and Recommendations with the Court. The Court overruled the defendants’ objections on January 31, 2024. The Special Master has not indicated when he expects to complete his privilege review. On December 8, 2023, the Court granted final approval of the settlements the plaintiffs had reached with four of the original defendants (CBS, Fox, Cox Media, and ShareBuilders), who agreed to pay a total of $48 million to settle the plaintiffs' claims against them. The Company and the other non-settling defendants continue to believe the lawsuits are without merit and intend to vigorously defend themselves against all such claims.

On July 19, 2023, as part of the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings of DSG, an independently managed and unconsolidated subsidiary of Sinclair, DSG and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Diamond Sports Net, LLC, filed a complaint (the "DSG Litigation"), under seal, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas naming certain subsidiaries of Sinclair, including SBG and STG, David D. Smith, Sinclair's Executive Chairman, Christopher S. Ripley, Sinclair's President and Chief Executive Officer, Lucy A. Rutishauser, Sinclair's Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, and Scott Shapiro, Sinclair's Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy, as defendants.

In the complaint, plaintiffs challenge a series of transactions involving SBG and certain of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and DSG and its subsidiaries, on the other hand, since SBG acquired the former Fox Sports regional sports networks from The Walt Disney Company in August 2019. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the management services agreement (the "MSA") entered into by STG and DSG was not fair to DSG and was designed to benefit STG and SBG; that the Bally's Corporation ("Bally's") transaction in November 2020 through which Bally's acquired naming rights to certain regional sports networks was not fair to DSG and was designed to benefit STG and SBG; and that certain distributions made by DSG that were used to pay down preferred equity of DSH, were inappropriate and were conducted at a time when DSG was insolvent. The complaint alleges that SBG and its subsidiaries (other than DSG and its subsidiaries) received payments or indirect benefits of approximately $1.5 billion as a result of the alleged misconduct. The complaint asserts a variety of claims, including certain fraudulent transfers of assets, unlawful distributions and payments, breaches of contracts, unjust enrichment and breaches of fiduciary duties. The plaintiffs are seeking, among other relief, avoidance of fraudulent transfers and unlawful distributions, and unspecified monetary damages to be determined. The defendants believe the allegations in this lawsuit are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against plaintiffs' claims.

On January 17, 2024, Sinclair announced that it had agreed, subject to definitive documentation and final court approval, to a global settlement and release of all claims associated with the Diamond Litigation, which settlement includes an amendment to the MSA. On March 1, 2024, the court approved the settlement. Sinclair has entered into the settlement, without admitting any fault or wrongdoing. The settlement terms include, among other things, DSG’s dismissal with prejudice of its $1.5 billion litigation against Sinclair and all other defendants, along with the full and final satisfaction and release of all claims in that litigation against all defendants, including Sinclair and its subsidiaries, in exchange for Sinclair’s cash payment to DSG of $495 million. Additionally, under the terms of the settlement, Sinclair will provide transition services to DSG to allow DSG to become a self-standing entity going forward. During the first quarter of 2024, SBG paid $50 million of the total settlement, which was funded by Ventures, and as of March 31, 2024, SBG has accrued $445 million, exclusive of any potential offsetting benefits to be received, related to the above matter, which is recorded within accounts payable and accrued liabilities in SBG's consolidated balance sheets. The final settlement payment was made on April 30, 2024 and of the total $495 million settlement amount paid, $347 million was paid by STG and $148 million was paid by Ventures.

6. SEGMENT DATA:

During the period ended June 30, 2023, SBG modified its segment reporting to align with the new organizational structure of SBG discussed within Company Reorganization under Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The segment information within the comparative periods has been recast to reflect this new presentation. During the period ended March 31, 2024, SBG measured segment performance based on operating income (loss). For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, SBG hadone reportable segment: local media. The local media segment includes SBG's television stations, original networks, and content and provides these through free over-the-air programming to television viewing audiences for stations in markets located throughout the continental United States, as well as distributes the content of these stations to MVPDs for distribution to their customers in exchange for contractual fees. See Revenue Recognition under Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policiesfor further detail. Other and corporate are not reportable segments but are included for reconciliation purposes. Other primarily consists of tennis, non-broadcast digital and internet solutions, technical services, and non-media investments. Corporate costs primarily include SBG's costs to operate as the parent company of its subsidiaries. All of SBG's businesses are located within the United States. The businesses included in other were transferred to Ventures as part of the Reorganization discussed within Company Reorganization under Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

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

(a)Represents the activity in tennis, non-broadcast digital and internet solutions, technical services, and non-media investments (collectively, other) prior to the Reorganization on June 1, 2023 and the activity in corporate prior and subsequent to the Reorganization. See Company Reorganization within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

7. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES:

Certain of SBG's stations provide services to other station owners within the same respective market through agreements, such as LMAs, where SBG provides programming, sales, operational, and administrative services, and JSAs and SSAs, where SBG provides non-programming, sales, operational, and administrative services. In certain cases, SBG has also entered into purchase agreements or options to purchase the license related assets of the licensee. SBG typically owns the majority of the non-license assets of the stations, and in some cases where the licensee acquired the license assets concurrent with SBG's acquisition of the non-license assets of the station, SBG has provided guarantees to the bank for 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 SBG's investment in the stations, SBG is the primary beneficiary when, subject to the ultimate control of the licensees, SBG has the power to direct the activities which significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE through the services SBG provides and SBG absorbs losses and returns that would be considered significant to the VIEs. The fees paid between SBG and the licensees pursuant to these arrangements are eliminated in consolidation.

The carrying amounts and classification of the assets and liabilities of the VIEs mentioned above, which have been included in SBG's consolidated balance sheets as of the dates presented, were as follows (in millions):

The amounts above represent the combined assets and liabilities of the VIEs described above, for which SBG is the primary beneficiary. Total liabilities associated with certain outsourcing agreements and purchase options with certain VIEs, which are excluded from the above, were $130 million as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 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 March 31, 2024, all of the liabilities are non-recourse to SBG except for the debt of certain VIEs. See Debt of variable interest entities and guarantees of third-party obligations under Note 3. Notes Payable, Finance Leases, and Commercial Bank Financing for further discussion. The risk and reward characteristics of the VIEs are similar.

Other VIEs

Prior to the Reorganization, SBG had several investments in entities which are considered VIEs. However, SBG did not participate in the management of these entities, including the day-to-day operating decisions or other decisions which would allow SBG to control the entity, and therefore, SBG was not considered the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. SBG's investments in these VIEs for which SBG was not the primary beneficiary were transferred to Ventures as part of the Reorganization. The income and loss related to equity method investments and other investments are recorded in income from equity method investments and other income, net, respectively, in SBG's consolidated statements of operations. SBG recorded again of $35 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, related to these investments.

SBG holds substantially all of the equity of DSIH and provides certain management and general and administrative services to DSIH. However, it was determined that SBG is not the primary beneficiary because SBG lacks the ability to control the activities that most significantly drive the economics of the business. The carrying amount of SBG's investment in DSIH iszero and there is no obligation for SBG to provide additional financial support.

8. RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS:

Transactions With SBG's Indirect Controlling Shareholders

David, Frederick, J. Duncan, and Robert Smith (collectively, the "Sinclair controlling shareholders") are brothers and hold substantially all of the Sinclair Class B Common Stock and some of the Sinclair Class A Common Stock and, subsequent to the Reorganization, the Sinclair controlling shareholders are on the Board of Managers of SBG. SBG engaged in the following transactions with them and/or entities in which they have substantial interests:

Leases. Certain assets used by SBG and SBG's operating subsidiaries are leased from entities owned by the Sinclair controlling shareholders. Lease payments made to these entities were $2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. For further information, see Note 3. Notes Payable, Finance Leases, and Commercial Bank Financing.

Charter Aircraft. SBG leases aircraft owned by certain Sinclair controlling shareholders. For all leases, SBG incurred expenses of less than $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

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; KRNV-DT/KENV-DT Reno, Nevada/Salt Lake City, Utah; and KTXD-TV in Dallas, Texas (collectively, the "Cunningham Stations"). Certain of SBG's stations provide services to the Cunningham Stations pursuant to LMAs or JSAs and SSAs. See Note 7. Variable Interest Entities, for further discussion of the scope of services provided under these types of arrangements.

All of the non-voting stock of the Cunningham Stations is owned by trusts for the benefit of the children of the Sinclair controlling shareholders. SBG consolidates certain subsidiaries of Cunningham with which SBG has variable interests through various arrangements related to the Cunningham Stations.

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, 2028 and there isone additional five-year renewal term remaining with final expiration on July 1, 2033. SBG also executed purchase agreements to acquire the license related assets of these stations from Cunningham, which grant SBG the right to acquire, and grant Cunningham the right to require SBG 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 SBG is 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) $6 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 cumulative prepayments made under these purchase agreements were $66 million and $65 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The remaining aggregate purchase price of these stations, net of prepayments, as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, was approximately $54 million. Additionally, SBG provides services to WDBB-TV pursuant to an LMA, which expires April 22, 2025, and has a purchase option to acquire for $0.2 million. SBG paid Cunningham, under these agreements, $3 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

The agreements with KBVU-TV/KCVU-TV, KRNV-DT/KENV-DT, WBSF-TV, WDBB-TV, WEMT-TV, WGTU-TV/WGTQ-TV, WPFO-TV, and WYDO-TV expire between April 2025 and November 2029 and certain stations have renewal provisions for successive eight-year periods.

As SBG consolidates the licensees as VIEs, the amounts SBG earns or pays under the arrangements are eliminated in consolidation and the gross revenues of the stations are reported in SBG's consolidated statements of operations. SBG's consolidated revenues include $34 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and $36 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, related to the Cunningham Stations.

SBG has 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 June 2025. Under the agreement, Cunningham paid SBG an initial fee of $1 million and pays SBG $0.3 million annually for master control services plus the cost to maintain and repair the equipment. In addition, SBG has an agreement with Cunningham to provide a news share service with the Johnstown, PA station for an annual fee of $0.6 million, which increases by 3% on each anniversary and expires in November 2024.

SBG has multi-cast agreements with Cunningham Stations in the Eureka/Chico-Redding, California; Tri-Cities, Tennessee; Anderson, South Carolina; Baltimore, Maryland; Portland, Maine; Charleston, West Virginia; Dallas, Texas; and Greenville, North Carolina markets. In exchange for carriage of these networks in their markets, SBG paid $0.5 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, under these agreements.

Leased Property by Real Estate Ventures

Certain of SBG's real estate ventures have entered into leases with entities owned by members of the Smith Family. Total rent payments received under these leases were $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Sinclair, Inc.

Subsequent to the Reorganization, Sinclair is the sole member of SBG. See Company Reorganization within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further discussion.

SBG recorded revenue of $2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, within the local media segment related to sales services provided by SBG to Sinclair, and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

SBG recorded expenses of $2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, within the local media segment related to digital advertising services provided by Sinclair, and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, to SBG.

SBG received net cash payments of $15 million from Sinclair, and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

As of March 31, 2024, SBG had a payable to Sinclair, and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, of $6 million, included within other current liabilities in SBG's consolidated balance sheets, and as of December 31, 2023, SBG had a receivable from Sinclair, and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, of $3 million, included within prepaid expenses and other current assets in SBG's consolidated balance sheets.

Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC

SBG's equity interest in DSIH is accounted for as an equity method investment.

Management Services Agreement. SBG has a management services agreement with DSG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DSIH, in which SBG provides DSG with affiliate sales and marketing services and general and administrative services. Pursuant to this agreement, SBG recorded $13 million of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and $9 million of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Note receivable. SBG received payments of $3 million from DSPV during the three months ended March 31, 2023 related to the note receivable associated with the A/R Facility. The loans under the A/R Facility were transferred to Ventures as part of the Reorganization. The A/R Facility was terminated on March 14, 2024.

SBG recorded revenue of $1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and $5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023 within the local media segment and other related to certain other transactions between DSIH and SBG.

Employees

Jason Smith, an employee of SBG, is the son of Frederick Smith, who is a Vice President of SBG and a member of SBG's Board of Managers. Jason Smith received total compensation of $0.2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, consisting of salary and bonus, and was granted 37,566 shares of restricted stock, vesting overtwo years, and 500,000 stock appreciation rights, vesting overtwo years, during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Ethan White, an employee of SBG, is the son-in-law of J. Duncan Smith, who is a Vice President of SBG and member of SBG's Board of Managers. Ethan White received total compensation of $0.1 million, consisting of salary, and less than $0.1 million, consisting of salary and bonus, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and was granted 1,503 and 1,252 shares of restricted stock, vesting overtwo years, during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Amberly Thompson, an employee of SBG, is the daughter of Donald Thompson, who is an Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of SBG. Amberly Thompson received total compensation of less than $0.1 million, consisting of salary, and $0.1 million, consisting of salary and bonus, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Edward Kim, an employee of SBG, is the brother-in-law of Christopher Ripley, who is the President and Chief Executive Officer of SBG. Edward Kim received total compensation of less than $0.1 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, consisting of salary, and was granted 656 and 516 shares of restricted stock, vesting overtwo years, during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Frederick Smith is the brother of David Smith, Executive Chairman of SBG and a member of SBG's Board of Managers; Robert Smith, a member of the SBG's Board of Managers; and J. Duncan Smith. Frederick Smith received total compensation of $0.2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, consisting of salary and bonus. J. Duncan Smith is the brother of David Smith and Frederick Smith, and Robert Smith. J. Duncan Smith received total compensation of $0.2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, consisting of salary and bonus.

9. 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 SBG's financial assets and liabilities for the periods presented (in millions):

N/A - Not applicable

(a)SBG entered into an interest rate swap effective February 7, 2023 and terminating on February 28, 2026 in order to manage a portion of SBG's exposure to variable interest rates. The swap agreement has a notional amount of$600 million, bears a fixed interest rate of 3.9%, and SBG receives a floating rate of interest based on SOFR. The fair value of the interest rate swap was an asset as of March 31, 2024. See Hedge Accounting within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policiesand Interest Rate Swap within Note 3. Notes Payable, Finance Leases, and Commercial Bank Financing.

(b)Amounts are carried in SBG's consolidated balance sheets net of debt discount, premium, and deferred financing cost, which are excluded in the above table, of $43 million and $46 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.