David D. Smith

David Deniston Smith (born September 1, 1950), COB, President, and CEO of Sinclair Broadcast Group.

Married to Donna M. Smith (born June 21, 1954). They live in Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland with their son.

Executive chairman of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. since January 1, 2017, and CEO and President of Sinclair Television Group, Inc. President and CEO of Sinclair Broadcast Group from 1988 to January 1, 2017. Founded Comark Communications in 1978.

According to a Baltimore Police Department arrest report, Smith was arrested on August 13, 1996, for solication and indecent acts involving a Baltimore streetwalker named Mary DiPaulo. The incident occurred during a police sting operation.

The Sinclair Broadcast Group has been controversial due to Smith's broadcasting decisions. Smith airs what many believe to be only right-wing viewpoints and has cancelled news reports that do not lend themselves to support of the President George W. Bush White House, as with the Ted Koppel Nightline broadcast in 2004 on soldiers killed in Iraq.

Further controversy has been provided by the commentaries of the network's Mark Hyman, which aired on the local news shows of Sinclair Broadcast Group affiliates across the nation until Hyman ended his daily commentaries on November 2006.

Sinclair stations have a conservative tilt and support Donald Trump.

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