Broadcasting Giant, Sinclair, Extends Reach of Its Multicast Networks
Sinclair Expands Free Multicast Networks Nationwide
Sinclair's free, over-the-air multicast networks—Charge, Roar, Comet, and The Nest—are making significant strides in reaching more linear and digital audiences. According to Lee Schlazer, senior vice president of distribution at Sinclair, the networks are building momentum through strategic affiliate expansion, upgraded channel placements, and national distribution.
The expansion includes channel upgrades and new multicast affiliate launches in various designated market areas (DMAs) across the U.S. between August and October 2025. The key new DMAs and channel positions by network are:
| Network | New DMAs / Cities | Channel Positions (subchannels) | |---------|-------------------|--------------------------------| | Charge | Austin, TX (KEYE-3) Beaumont, TX (KBTV-2) Boston-Manchester, MA (WFXT-2) Cincinnati, OH (WSTR-3) Dayton, OH (WRGT-2) Greenville-Spartanburg, SC (WMYA-2) Myrtle Beach, SC (WWMB-2) Lincoln & Hastings-Kearney, NE (KHGI-4) Macon, GA (WGXA-4) Wheeling-Steubenville, WV-OH (WTOV-4) | Mostly .2 or .3 subchannels depending on the station | | Roar (formerly TBD) | Included in similar market expansions but part of Sinclair’s broader affiliate launch push. | Changing subchannel positions in some markets, moving to improved channel homes | | Comet | Added affiliates through the deal with Mediacom and OTA stations. Specific DMAs not fully listed. | New affiliations mostly on .2 or .3 channels | | The Nest | Coming to YouTube TV later in 2025 and expanded OTA coverage with affiliations. Specific DMAs not fully listed. | New OTA subchannel arrangements on newer affiliations |
Mediacom, the 5th largest cable TV provider, agreed to carry all four networks nationally on their pay TV systems, enhancing coverage significantly. This move aims to position Sinclair’s multicast networks in better channel slots and increase national footprint to capitalize on the growing free broadcast-multicast ecosystem.
Some affiliates are switching channel positions within markets to improve viewer access, coinciding with Sinclair’s broader strategic moves in optimizing its broadcast portfolio during 2025. For instance, Comet will move to the .2 or .3 channel position with full cable coverage in Reno (KRNV-2) and Cedar Rapids (KFXA-3), and will launch on Full Power stations in St. Louis (KDNL-5) and Austin (KEYE-4).
Roar will launch on new affiliates in Nashville (WNAB-1), San Antonio (KMYS-1), Greenville-Spartanburg (WMYA-1), Dayton (WRGT-1), Wichita-Hutchinson (KMTW-1), Cedar Rapids (KFXA-1), Myrtle Beach (WWMB-1), Beaumont (KBTV-1), Sioux City (KMEG-1), Fresno (KMPH-2), and Tri-Cities, Tenn. (WEMT-2) on August 1. Charge will add affiliates from August 1 to October 1 in Boston-Manchester (WFXT-2), Austin (KEYE-3), Cincinnati (WSTR-3), Greenville-Spartanburg (WMYA-2), Dayton (WRGT-2), Myrtle Beach (WWMB-2), Beaumont (KBTV-2), Lincoln & Hastings-Kearney (KHGI-4), Macon, Ga. (WGXA-4), and Wheeling-Steubenville (WTOV-4).
All four networks (Charge, Roar, Comet, and The Nest) are now available nationally on Mediacom, expanding reach across key regions in the Midwest and Southeast. The Nest will also launch on YouTube TV, the largest vMVPD in the U.S., expanding its reach to digital-first audiences on August 1. The expansion reflects Sinclair’s commitment to grow these broadcast multicast networks beyond their original footprint by enhancing OTA availability and entering cable and streaming platforms nationally. Sinclair aims to deliver on its mission to expand its free, high-quality television footprint nationwide.
- Sinclair's Charge, Roar, Comet, and The Nest networks are aiming to increase their reach to linear and digital audiences, both over-the-air and through cable, by expanding to new markets and improving channel positions.
- The expansion includes the addition of Charge affiliates in cities such as Austin, Cincinnati, and Greenville-Spartanburg, with these networks securing channel positions mostly on subchannels such as .2 or .3.
- Roar, formerly known as TBD, is part of a broader affiliate launch push, with channel positions changing in some markets and improved coverage due to enhanced subchannel placements.
- Comet will move channel positions in Reno and Cedar Rapids, as well as launch on Full Power stations in St. Louis and Austin, increasing its cable coverage in those areas.
- In collaboration with Mediacom, the fifth largest cable TV provider, all four networks will be available nationally, enhancing their reach across key regions in the Midwest and Southeast. Additionally, The Nest will be launched on YouTube TV, expanding its reach to digital-first audiences, further demonstrating Sinclair's efforts to grow these broadcast multicast networks nationwide.
