John Oliver explains why your local TV news might be filled with right-wing stories

Sinclair Broadcast Group forces local stations to run some pretty weird stuff.
 By 
Keith Wagstaff
 on 
John Oliver explains why your local TV news might be filled with right-wing stories
Watch Next

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver wants you to think about your local TV news.

On Sunday, he ran a segment about Sinclair Broadcast Group, which could soon complete a merger with Tribune Media that would let it reach 2.2 million households.

The problem? Sinclair sometimes forces its stations to run right-wing stories, commentary, and commercials during local TV news broadcasts.

Sadly, Sinclair stations won't run Last Week Tonight's disclaimer starring Steve Schirripa from The Sopranos.

Mashable Image
Credit: HBO/YouTube

Guess it's up to viewers to figure out why their favorite anchors are suddenly spewing right-wing nonsense.

Mashable Image
Keith Wagstaff

Keith Wagstaff is an assistant editor at Mashable and a terrible Settlers of Catan player. He has written for TIME, The Wall Street Journal Magazine, NBC News, The Village Voice, VICE, GQ and New York Magazine, among many other reputable and not-so-reputable publications. After nearly a decade in New York City, he now lives in his native Los Angeles.


Latest Videos

Stephen Colbert reacts to the Artemis II moon mission
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, gesturing.


'The Daily Show' reacts to judge halting Trump's White House ballroom
Desi Lydic presents "The Daily Show" beside an image of Donald Trump.


A24's 'Mother Mary' trailer is worth it for the FKA twigs track
Anne Hathway is dressed in a red pop star outfit with religious overtones in a film still from "Mother Mary."

Jon Stewart has a brutal reaction to Trump waffling about pens
A man in a suit sitting behind a talk show desk looks angry. In the top left is an image of the president holding up a pen.

Stephen Colbert gleefully recaps the best signs at the 'No Kings' protest
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, smiling. The caption at the bottom reads, "I like that one."

Riz Ahmed is troublingly intense in new 'SNL UK' promo
A close-up of a man grinning in a slightly creepy way.


The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!