SOUTH BEND — The biggest TV station group in the nation has acquired a new broadcaster.

It was announced on Thursday that Sinclair Broadcast Group has bought WSBT. Sinclair is headquartered in Baltimore and owns 164 stations in 79 markets throughout the country. The addition of WSBT will extend Sinclair’s reach to almost 38 percent of U.S. households.

Sally Brown, president and general manager at WSBT-TV, wrote in an email that the station’s employees are looking forward to becoming part of Sinclair.

“They’re a great fit for us because they’re seriously committed to local news and so are we,” Brown said.

“Sinclair understands how important their customers are — both the audience and advertisers,” she said. “They’re the largest broadcast company in the U.S. and they understand the vital role broadcast television plays in the communities in which they’re located.”

The company that previously owned WSBT is also selling six other stations and 13 radio stations.

Source:  The South Bend Tribune