Sinclair Opens Applications for Broadcast Diversity Scholarships

BALTIMORE, Dec. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) has begun accepting applications for the second year of its Broadcast Diversity Scholarship Fund.  The $500,000 scholarship fund was established in 2015 to help minority students finance undergraduate educations in broadcasting or journalism.

In its inaugural year, the fund awarded $43,000 in scholarships to students throughout the country. The nine recipients were impressive applicants who represent the next generation of the broadcasting industry.

In 2017 Sinclair plans to build on that success and distribute up to $50,000 in grants up to $5,000 each. 

"We are thrilled to be entering into the second year of a program that represents our commitment to the future of broadcasting," said Don Thompson, SVP of Human Resources for Sinclair.  "After seeing such promising talent in the applicants from the program's first year, we look forward to hearing from more students who see their future in our industry."

The scholarship application period will run through March 10th, at which point a committee of Sinclair employees will review the entries.  These employees will come from all areas of the Sinclair family, from on-air talent to members of the Human Resources team.

"Having our employees involved in the selection of our scholarship recipients is an especially important part of this program," said Steve Marks, COO of Sinclair Television Group, Inc. "Their willingness to share their time to make this effort a success speaks volumes of them and we are proud to have them as a part of this initiative and the greater Sinclair organization."

The scholarship is open to sophomore and junior minority students enrolled at an accredited four-year college and who have a demonstrated financial need.  Students interested in applying can find additional information and fill-out an online application here: http://sbgi.net/scholarship/.

Winners of the scholarship will be announced in June of 2017.

About Sinclair:

Sinclair is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country. Including pending transactions, the Company owns, operates and/or provides services to 173 television stations in 81 markets, broadcasting 482 channels and having affiliations with all the major networks. Sinclair is the leading local news provider in the country, as well as a producer of live sports content. Sinclair's content is delivered via multiple-platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and digital platforms. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.  

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SOURCE Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.