ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS - Pro Forma Information (Details) - RSNs - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 1,632	$ 1,732	$ 5,067	$ 5,058
Net income	1	248	319	475
Net income attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group	$ (48)	$ 199	$ 166	$ 330
Basic earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group (USD per share)	$ (0.52)	$ 1.95	$ 1.80	$ 3.24
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Sinclair Broadcast Group (USD per share)	$ (0.51)	$ 1.94	$ 1.78	$ 3.21