According to press reports, Sinclair Broadcast Group, headed by President/CEO Christopher Ripley, has filed applications to formally acquire stations it has been operating under shared services agreements.  These include three television stations and their associated digital subchannels here in Michigan.

In the Flint/Saginaw/Bay City market, Sinclair has filed to purchase WEYI-TV (Saginaw) from Howard Stirk Holdings LLC, headed by Founder/CEO Armstrong Williams.  Howard Stirk Holdings acquired WEYI in 2013 as part of the purchase of Barrington Broadcasting by Sinclair Broadcast Group, with which Howard Stirk stations contract for services and management.  Sinclair also owns WSMH-TV in the same market and also operates WBSF-TV through an SSA with Cunningham Broadcasting Corp.

In the northern Michigan, Sinclair will acquire WGTU-TV (Traverse City) along with simulcast partner WGTQ-TV (Sault Ste. Marie) from Cunningham Broadcasting Corp., headed by President Michael Anderson.  Cunningham acquired the stations in 2013 as part of the same purchase of Barrington by Sinclair.  Sinclair also owns WPBN/WTOM in the Traverse City market.

Sinclair Broadcast Group owns 158 other stations.