Sinclair Broadcast Group agrees to buy WSBT 22

The country's largest broadcasting group has agreed to purchase WSBT 22.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. announced Thursday it will purchase the station as part of a deal with Gray Television, Inc.

Gray agreed in September to purchase the television and radio assets of Mishawaka-based Schurz Communications, including WSBT 22.

The sale to Sinclair was needed because the Federal Communication Commission prohibits companies from owning two stations in the South Bend market. FCC approval of the sale is expected by the end of 2015 or early 2016.

Sinclair is the largest and one of the most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country with 164 television stations it owns, operates, and/or provides services to in 79 markets; broadcasting 384 channels and affiliations with all the major networks, including pending transactions.

Sinclair is the leading local news provider in the country, as well as a producer of sports content. Sinclair's broadcast content is delivered via multiple-platforms, including over-the-air, multichannel video program distributors, and digital platforms.