SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Reduction in liability for unrecognized tax benefits, discontinued operation	$ 5.1	$ 5.1
Amount of valuation allowance for deferred tax asset of consolidated VIEs released			$ 7.7

The expected reduction in liability for unrecognized tax benefits related to certain discontinued operations as a result of application of limits under available state administrative practice exception.

No definition available.

Name:	sbgi_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingUponApplicationOfLimitsDiscontinuedOperation
Namespace Prefix:	sbgi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration