Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.'s headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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• 

  Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.

  10706 Beaver Dam Rd Cockeysville, MD 21030-2207

• 

  Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.

  555 Pleasant St New Bedford, MA 02740

• 

  Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.

  23 Kenney Dr Cranston, RI 02920-4403

• 

  Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.

  2850 Ocean Park Blvd #150 Santa Monica, CA 90405-6217

• 

  Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.

  3003 Exposition Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90404-5026

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/14/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  The Tennis Channel, owned by Sinclair Broadcasting, charges about 120 a year to stream. I pay them every month, and today they accused me of not having a subscription. So I bought another one. I own 2 Roku TVs. Until today, I could watch Tennis Channel on both, as well as on my phone. Luckily, I can still watch on my phone. But I'm not going to continue paying these people for something I can't watch on TV. If I don't start seeing tennis on my living room TV by the end of the day, I may need you to get these thieves to refund my money for their non-exisitent service.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/24/2025

  Hello *****,

  We would be happy to find your original account, as we show that you originally signed up for an account on March 5, 2022, and nothing until now. Please respond to the email from our customer service team with your name, zip code, andthe last four digits of the card charged on prior to Jan 13, 2025, and billing zip code.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/26/2025

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** ******

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/28/2025

  Sinclair Broadcasting/The Tennis Channel worked with me to make sure the service I've been paying for is indeed on my TV. It took a while, but we figured it out together. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/09/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnresolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Since 3/10/2023, I have tried to log on to **** News and every time I could not because I never received a Confirmation email. I looked in my Junk Email box also. On 3/10/2023, I sent an email to ********************* but received no response. I also called **** News about the issue and it was not resolved. On 7/29/2024, I sent an email to ********************* about the issue but there was no response. On 8/9/2024, I called about the issue and was told to send an email to ****************** There was no response. On 9/9/2024 I called again and I was told to send another email and they would forward it, apparently to the correct place. There was no response. The last time I tried logging on was on 11/24/2024 and after waiting more than 24 hours and clicking on resend email three times after the initial click, I never received a Confirmation email.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/08/2025

  We are not able to replicate the issue the customer is experiencing. We went through the sign up process with no issue, received a confirmation email immediately, and have been able to log in and change message preferences.  We would encourage the customer to log into his account and update his preferences.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/09/2025

   
  Complaint: 22605741
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  The answer does not make sense. They wrote, "We would encourage the customer to log into his account and update his preferences" but I have made clear I cannot log in because I do NOT receive confirmation emails! Because I cannot log in, of course I cannot change my account settings. So after all this time, the company still has not resolved the issue I reported which is continuing. See attachment which shows my correct working email address that I received the BBB message at today but again, clicking Send or Resend does not result in my receiving a Confirm email.

  Please resolve the issue.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** *********

  Business Response

  Date: 01/10/2025

  Again - we have not been able to replicate the issue the customer is having. The customer can reach out directly to me and I will personally make sure someone resolves whatever is going on. 
  

  thanks 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/10/2025

   
  Complaint: 22605741
  
  I clicked on I am rejecting this response because:

  The response was, "The customer can reach out directly to me and I will personally make sure someone resolves whatever is going on" this sounds good but no way was provided to contact the person who offered to resolve the issue. Therefore, the issue still has no potential resolution.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** *********

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/24/2025

  I would like to add that since the company did not provide contact information which would allow me to contact them directly to help resolve the longstanding website issue, a woman from the BBB called me and helpfully gave me the email address of ***** which was: ******************** I understand. I sent him an email dated 1/13/2025 and there has been no response.
  
  I sent another email today which is below:
  

  "*****,
  
  I havent received a response yet as of today 1/24/2025, after sending the message below on 1/13/2025.
  
  In the last message I received concerning the issue, the person wrote, "Again - we have not been able to replicate the issue the customer is having. The customer can reach out directly to me and I will personally make sure someone resolves whatever is going on. 
  
  thanks"
  
  But the contact information was omitted so again, the BBB gave me your email address.
  
  Sincerely,
  

  ***** *********"

   

  Thank you
  

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/28/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I've complained to the Tennis Channel directly but never heard a response nor has the issue been fixed.I watch on my ******** When I click on the Tennis Channel, I'm forced to watch many commercials. This morning it was 13. That's 6+ minutes. And then, after all the commercials, the channel does not connect. So .. I have to start over and re-sign in. This morning it was another 11 commercials. STILL did not connect. Started over again. One more commercial, then it connected. But within minutes, the audio and video were out of sync.This is the ONLY channel that this happens with. It's rotten service. Please help.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/10/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I subscribed to their 20% discount offer. They did not give the discount. Unable to log in. Customer service could not resolve. Canceled account. Received plee to sign back up with 20% discount and working account. Signed up again. Once again they did not give the discount. Unable to log in. Customer service could not resolve. Canceled account. They only gave a partial refund stating 'company policy'. Requested full refund. Again they only gave a partial refund stating 'company policy'.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/22/2024

  We're sorry for the inconvenience this has caused you! Our records indicate that on July 8, 2024 we processed a full refund for your account and ensured that your membership will not renew in 2025. If you need any further assistance please let us know! 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/22/2024

  
  Complaint: 21967246
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  You state that you provided a refund on July 8th, 2024. The refund was for $98.99
  On may 17, 2024 you collected $134.42 from me.
  The refund amount I requested to the BBB was $119.99, was an error and should have been for the $134.42
  So you did not provide a full refund in any case.
  You still owe me $35.43
  and you should have to pay for my wasted time and your continued effort to avoid returning my money!
  I got no service from your company, and wasted several hours talking with your tech support.
  Now I have to waste more time because you do not do the right thing!
  No Service = no pay. Refund the remaining money.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *****

  Business Response

  Date: 07/22/2024

  Hello! 

  As shown on the screenshot provided we have submitted a full refund on July 8, 2024 in the amount totaling $143.92. Tennis Channel Plus charged you $124.46 and Paypal charged a convenience fee of $19 which should have been refunded! 

  Please let us know if there is any other confusion! 

  Thanks,

  Tennis Channel Team! 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/04/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  on 3/15/2024, I subscribed to Tennis Channel and paid $109.99 for the one year subscription. When I tried to set up the login, I found out that there is no carrier in our area allows us to watch Tennis Channel program. So I cancelled it right way, on the same date (3/15/2024). Please see attached email confirmations for both the subscription and the cancelation with dates on. I have never used the subscription. I called Tennis Channel at ###-###-#### and left messages. No one called me back. I ask for the full refund for the services did not work for us, we were not able to use the service at all. I ask for the full refund back to my original payment method, on my credit card.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/06/2024

  Hi ***,

  Our records show that we have canceled and refunded your subscription as on March 29, 2024 please see screenshot attached! We do not automatically refund customers as stated in the Terms of Service you have to email us requesting a refund. If you need any further assistance please let us know! 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/10/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am a subscriber to Tennis Channel Plus and have not been able to use it for over 2 weeks, because of an issue with sign in. I have called, emailed, used their customer service chat feature, submitted multiple service requests, sat on their customer service line for hours, and gotten no assistance with what is a very simple issue - should take only a few minutes to address. Their customer service is egregiously bad. If you on their customer service line, it repeatedly gives you false information with where you are in the queue for customer service.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/17/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I signed up for Tennis Channel Plus in 2023, I have decided not to renew and I am unable to contact the company and/or sign on to their website to advise them that I would like to cancel. I paid them $109.99. I want them to cancel my subscription and stop charging me the annual fee but can find no way to do that.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/24/2024

  Hi ******** 

  We're sorry to hear that you would like to cancel your Tennis Channel Plus subscription purchased in June 2023 at the discounted rate of $87.99 I see that you stated you were recently charged the $109.99 rate? If you would please provide us with any possible emails that you could have used we would be happy to cancel that account and process a refund! 

  Thanks,

  The Tennis Channel Plus Team!

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/23/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I renewed my annual subscription to Tennis Channel Plus in May 2023. In November 2023 my access was cut off with the message that my subscription had expired. After providing proof of my subscription my account was restored. It took 3 days because you can only email them and they take at least 24 hours to respond. On 2/15/2024, my access was again cut off with the same message that my subscription expired in May 2023. I’ve provided all of the exact same proof multiple times,(support ticket #********), but they continue to say they can’t find the account, and that their finance department is still “looking into it”. I asked for a manager to intervene, but there has been no response to that email request. Nine days and counting is too long to be without a service I’ve paid for. Thank you.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/18/2024

  Hi *******,

  Our records show that we have fixed your streaming issue and you have full access to stream The Tennis Channel Plus app. Please contact us directly if you're still having issues streaming Tennis via our app.

   

  Best,

  TC Support

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/09/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  May 9, 2022, I decided after retiring from the **** and teaching, I would splurge and get the tennis channel plus $125.00, so I could watch any tennis match I wanted. I decided I wouldn't renew when they contacted me. When I received my credit card to find out that they automatically renewed on May 9, 2023 I decided to investigate. I found I could go on line and cancel, yet it stated I would be cancelled May 9, 2024. I'm not eligible for a refund because I didn't cancel within 24 hours. Well I ask you, how could I cancel if I didn't know I was being renewed. 1; after retiring I don't check my emails often, 2) I never knew that I would be automatically renewed 3) I'm 65 years old and I don't always look at the fine print. I'm willing to pay for 1 month, May 9th - June 9th, yet I would like a refund for 11 months. I don't think this is unreasonable. I have since found out that even though I have paid for their program, yesterday I was told to go to a different site to watch the end of a match which I didn't have.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/12/2023

  Consumer contacted the Tennis Channel Digital Products Voicemail on June 5, 2024 7:25 AM PT and left the following message as noted on the computerized transcript Good morning, this is ***** ****** ACARIAI started the Tennis Channel app last May, May 9th to be exact. And I did not want to renew and was not asked to renew and I got a charge on May 9th of 2023. I want this to be cancelled. I went online to try to cancel it and said I could cancel it but I still have it till 2024. I'm willing to pay for May and get a refund. I have requested my charge card to do a fraudulent charge. I don't think this is right. You can cancel anything anywhere and. And not keep it for a whole year. So I don't really understand why this is not the case. My number is ************. It's ************ and I would, yes, appreciate a call back. Thank you (Fig. 1 on attachment).
  Because the consumer stated I have requested my charge card to do a fraudulent charge. our platform provider ****** was notified. Once a dispute is filed, ****** is no longer able to process a refund as the bank puts a hold on the funds until their investigation is completed.
  Further, consumers are notified the Tennis Channel Plus subscription auto renews annually prior to purchase. Prior to entering their payment information, our website states Auto renews in one year unless canceled directly beneath the price of the annual subscription (Fig. 2 on attachment).
  
  All accounts scheduled for auto-renewal are sent an email to the email address associated with the account one month prior to the renewal date. This notification is sent out so subscribers who no longer wish to continue the subscription can cancel the auto-renewal. Further, all accounts are sent an email receipt to the email address associated with the account on the date any charge is made, which in this case was May 9, 2023.
  
  Auto renewal was May 9, 2023, and cancellation was June 4, 2023. When a Tennis ************ subscription has been cancelled, the subscriber has access until the end of the billing period. This is standard to online subscriptions and the terms that consumers agree to when subscribing. Our website specifically states on the How To Cancel Subscription instructions NOTE: Cancelling your subscription doesnt mean that youll automatically be granted of refund.  Per our refund policy, only subscriptions that are cancelled within 24 hours of initial purchase are refundable and prorated refunds are not included in the terms of the subscription. Our cancellation and refund policy is available to consumers prior to purchasing a subscription.
  
  Not only was the account not eligible for a refund based on the refund policy, but the consumer also stated she notified her credit card company the subscription charge was fraudulent. Therefore, the consumer will need to contact her credit card company directly for a status of her fraudulent charge complaint.
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/15/2023

   
  Complaint: 20147759
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I realize what the company is saying that I should have known better, yet I'm so sure that I'm not the only one that hasn't looked at the fine print. i'm not asking for anything free, I just don't want it any longer and I should be able to cancel, even with an exception, if it has to be. ************** who holds my ****** club credit card has refunded me the $125.01. I hope that tennis channel or whoever holds the power will honor their refund. I have learned my ****** and will not order another thing without knowing that I have the right to cancel at "ANY TIME' without repercussions. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** *******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/01/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On July 3, 2022, I paid for a one subscription to the **************. That evening I attempted to connect my TV to the Tennis Channel but was unable to connect. The next day July 4, 2022, I attempted to cancel my subscription and ask for a refund of the $117.96. Several times I received the same error message that the Tennis Channel's program to process refunds did not recognize my E-Mail address as having a current subscription. The following day, July 5, 2022, I once again attempted to request a refund and was told that I did have an one year subscription but that I had gone beyond the 1 day limit to request a refund. I did cancel my annual subscription on July 5, 2022, and have not received a refund. I would still like to receive a refund of $117.96.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/06/2023

  We have contacted our platform provider ****** for the details regarding this consumers Tennis Channel Plus subscription. According to the account details the subscription was purchased on July 3, 2022 22:23:58 GMT and canceled on July 5, 2022 20:54:41 GMT ******* 1 on attachment]. The cancellation was nearly 48 hours after purchase thus not eligible for a refund per the refund policy on our subscription FAQs page ******* 2 on attachment].
  
  When the subscription was canceled, an email was automatically generated to the email address associated with the account. The email stated Hi, This is to confirm that your subscription to Tennis Channel Plus has been cancelled. You will have access until July 3, 2023, at which point the subscription will expire. Would you want to resume the subscription, you can do this anytime. Hope you enjoyed this service, and see you soon! On behalf of *******************, Thank you
  
  The first date this subscriber contacted CLEENG to inquire about a refund was on May 26, 2023 9:10 PM GMT stating Hello, this is **** ******, last July 3rd, I paid for a one year subscription to the **************. I was unable to connect my TV to the Tennis Channel and I attempted to cancel my subscription on July 4th. I never received a refund. Now I wish to confirm that my subscription was cancelled and that come on July 3rd this year, I will not be charged for another year. The representative confirmed the details on the account and advised the subscriber that it was not eligible for a refund and provided him with a link to the refund policy. Further, the representative confirmed to him the subscription would not renew on July 3, 2023.
  
  Based on the following facts, this subscription is not eligible for a refund: 1) Subscription not canceled within policy; 2) Subscribers first contact with CLEENG for assistance with subscription was 10 months after the purchase date; 3) According to the email sent to the subscriber on July 5, 2022 the subscriber has had access to the subscription content during the 10 months; and 4) The subscriber could have contacted CLEENG any time during the 10 months for assistance on how to access his Tennis Channel Plus content.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/08/2023

   
  Complaint: 20131664
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I did attempt to cancel the subscription within 24 hours (1 day after paying for a 1 year subscription) but the date was July 4th, 2022.  The day that I attempted to cancel on July 4th, I received an error message that said that my E-Mail address was NOT in the system and that I was NOT a member.  The next day, July 5th, the system was updated and accepted my E-Mail address but declined to refund my one year subscription.  I believe that the Tennis Channel's one day refund policy is quite unfair and potential subscribers should be warned that they have little or no chance of receiving a refund as in my case. 

   

   

   

   

  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** ******

  Business Response

  Date: 06/09/2023

  Regarding the consumer's statement "The day that I attempted to cancel on July 4th, I received an error message that said that my E-Mail address was NOT in the system and that I was NOT a member.", there is no record of him contacting CLEENG for assistance to access his account or cancel his subscription. The only time the consumer contacted CLEENG was after having access to the Tennis Channel Plus content for 10 months on May 26, 2023 9:10 PM GMT as stated in our original response.

  
  If the consumer can provide verification that he sought assistance with his Tennis Channel Plus subscription prior to May 26, 2023, we would be willing to reconsider our decision. However, at this time there is no evidence the consumer is entitled to a refund as the subscription was not cancelled within policy and the consumer has had access to the subscription content for the past 10 months.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/12/2023

   
  Complaint: 20131664
  
  I am rejecting this response because:  Of course there was NO record of my attempting to cancel my subscription on July 4th, 2022, a national holiday.  I would not be surprised to learn that the offices of the Tennis Channel were closed on July 4th, 2022.   All in all, very poor customer support by the Tennis Channel.  I suggest that the BBB down grade the approval rating for the Tennis Channel and Sinclair Broadcasting Company to a D-. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** ******