GOODWILL, BROADCAST LICENSES AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS: (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill related to continuing operations
Goodwill	$ 1,487,605us-gaap_GoodwillGross		$ 2,378,126us-gaap_GoodwillGross
Accumulated impairment losses	(413,573)		(413,573)
Goodwill, net	1,074,032us-gaap_Goodwill		1,964,553us-gaap_Goodwill
Acquisition of television stations	701,854us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod	330,309us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
Sale of broadcast assets	(26,731)	(14,724)
Deconsolidation of variable interest entities	(21,357)
Measurement period adjustments related to acquisitions	(66,320)	(9,535)
Assets held for sale	(2,975)sbgi_GoodwillAssetsHeldForSale
Goodwill	1,793,655us-gaap_GoodwillGross	1,487,605us-gaap_GoodwillGross	2,378,126us-gaap_GoodwillGross
Accumulated impairment losses	(413,573)	(413,573)	(413,573)
Goodwill, net	1,380,082us-gaap_Goodwill	1,074,032us-gaap_Goodwill	1,964,553us-gaap_Goodwill
VIEs which are not primary beneficiary
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill related to continuing operations
Goodwill, net			800
Goodwill, net	6,400		800
Broadcast
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill related to continuing operations
Goodwill	1,484,117		2,377,613
Accumulated impairment losses	(413,573)		(413,573)
Goodwill, net	1,070,544		1,964,040
Acquisition of television stations	701,854	330,309
Sale of broadcast assets	(26,731)	(14,724)
Deconsolidation of variable interest entities	(21,357)
Measurement period adjustments related to acquisitions	(66,320)	(9,535)
Goodwill	1,790,167	1,484,117	2,377,613
Accumulated impairment losses	(413,573)	(413,573)	(413,573)
Goodwill, net	1,376,594	1,070,544	1,964,040
Other operating divisions segment
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill related to continuing operations
Goodwill	3,488		513
Goodwill, net	3,488		513
Assets held for sale	(2,975)
Goodwill	3,488		513
Goodwill, net	$ 3,488		$ 513

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- Definition

Represents the amount of change in goodwill through deconsolidation of variable interest entities.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the amount of change in goodwill through proceeds from the sales of broadcast.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

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- Definition

Amount of increase in asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized resulting from a business combination.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount before accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount of accumulated impairment loss for an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) from adjustments after acquisition date under purchase accounting of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 16

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21917927&loc=d3e961-128460

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