Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
Sinclair Rules Out Standalone Ventures Spin, Remains Open to Broadcast Deals
Sinclair will not spin off its ventures business on its own, deciding that doing so could limit its strategic flexibility.
The ventures business holds investments outside Sinclair’s core local television station operations, including interests in Tennis Channel and Digital Remedy.
A spin combined with a merger remains a priority, while Sinclair plans to sell some minority investments and put the money into other investments.
The company says it has acquired three local station groups in the past year and is open to larger broadcast combinations.
A lawsuit by state attorneys general and DirecTV over the proposed Nexstar-Tegna merger is holding back some dealmaking, Sinclair’s CEO said.
Sinclair is also negotiating with major networks about how payments for programming should be divided between streaming and traditional television, with its Fox deal due for renewal in December.
The company expects about $455 million in political ad revenue in 2026, up from $405 million in 2024, helped by demand around the US midterm elections.
Sinclair will not pursue a standalone separation of its ventures business, but says a spin merger remains a priority.
CEO Chris Ripley said the company remains open to larger broadcast deals and sees significant opportunities for station combinations.
Sinclair said broadcast mergers and acquisitions have been active amid regulatory changes, while it continues to assess opportunities.
The company is negotiating with Fox over a renewal due in December and is seeking a rebalancing of network content payments.
In the third quarter, revenue rose 33% to $893 million, while political advertising revenue reached a record $136 million.
- Who
- Sinclair, led by CEO Chris Ripley, and its ventures business.
- What
- Sinclair ruled out a standalone separation of its ventures business but remains open to broadcast M&A and says a spin merger is still a priority.
- When
- Sinclair announced its decision on Wednesday; the article was published on November 4, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Sinclair said a standalone separation could create value but would reduce strategic flexibility.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sinclair launched a strategic review of its ventures business.
Sinclair acquired three in-market station groups.
CEO Chris Ripley said Sinclair would not pursue a standalone separation of its ventures business.
Sinclair’s deal with Fox is due for renewal.
- Ventures decision
- No standalone separation; a spin merger remains a priority
- Third-quarter revenue
- $893 million, up 33%
- Third-quarter political ad revenue
- $136 million, a record
- Station acquisitions
- Three in-market station groups over the last 12 months
- Fox renewal
- Due in December
1 source
What people are saying
Certainly on paper, separating out ventures would create value, but it would also reduce strategic flexibility. So we concluded that we wouldn’t spin on a standalone basis.
But a spin merge is still a priority.
We’re ready and willing and able to jump on larger deals
Since our last renewal round, all of the networks now have streaming platforms, including Fox, and there needs to be a rebalance between how much is paid for this content by the streaming side of the house and within the linear side