Sacramento television station KOVR-TV is changing channels in the political stream: The conservative-leaning Sinclair Broadcast Group is selling the CBS affiliate to Viacom.

Flipping station ownership means Sinclair Vice President Mark Hyman and his commentary program, “The Point,” will no longer have an arena in California. Sacramento’s KOVR-TV (CBS-13) was the only Sinclair-owned television studio in the state.

Hyman was not available to comment on the sale.

Sinclair Broadcast Group reported the sale Dec. 2 in an Internet press release. Viacom, parent company of CBS, agreed to buy the station for $285 million. Representatives of the Sacramento television station could not comment on the sale but said they await the change.

KOVR-TV is the third station Sinclair has sold since announcing its “asset rationalization program” in 2001. Last month, Sinclair sold KSMO, a Kansas City CBS affiliate, to Meredith Corporation.

David Smith, chief executive office of Sinclair, said his corporation is acting in the best interest of investors.

“Since we launched our asset rationalization program three years ago, we have sold $443.5 million of assets that were either at a competitive disadvantage or where we were not able to create a duopoly,” said Smith in a prepared statement. “In the case of KOVR, one of our most successful stations, Viacom’s recognition of the station’s value to their television group is an endorsement of the long term value of broadcast television and, since Viacom also owns the UPN affiliate in Sacramento, it signifies the importance of building a market franchise to effectively compete alongside the cable and satellite giants.”

Before approving the KOVR-TV sale application, the Federal Communications Committee is taking public comment on the transaction. Information on contacting the FCC is available at their Web site, www.fcc.gov.

Reaction to the news is varied. As conservatives lionized Sinclair for its on-air support of President Bush in his re-election campaign against Democratic Sen. John Kerry, liberals blasted the media giant for its political slant.

The fervor came to a head when Sinclair announced it would show the anti-Kerry film, “Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal,” on all its 62 television stations. Sinclair planned to air the program only weeks before the Nov. 2 election, and during primetime.

Kerry supporters and anti-war activists protested outside KOVR-TV’s West Sacramento office, demanding the filming be canceled. After pressure from advertisers and political groups, Sinclair chose not to run the program, airing a tribute to Vietnam veterans instead.

But, the damage was done. Anti-Sinclair movements sprung up around the country, dividing the viewing population between those who find Hyman’s reports informative and those who think he’s a Republican propagandist.

Pat Driscoll, head of Veterans for Peace and the Green Party candidate for Congressional District 5, said he is pleased to see Sinclair go. Had the sale not occurred, Driscoll said he planned to challenge the station’s license renewal.

“I think [Sinclair’s political messages] has defiantly hurt the quality of broadcasting in Sacramento,” he said.

Still, Driscoll is skeptical about embracing the new leadership; Viacom is “another media giant” like Sinclair.

“I don’t think it really changes anything from that prospective,” Driscoll said. “But from a political standpoint, the situation might move a little back to the center.”

Some conservative residents do not share Driscoll’s opinions. Hyman fan and 1380 AM radio talk show host Eric Hogue will have the Sinclair executive on his morning program next week. For station information and opinions on Hyman, visit Houge’s blog site at www.hogueblog.blogspot.com or 1380 AM online at www.ktkz.com.

In a Dec. 27 blog, Hogue claimed television executives possibly censored Monday’s broadcast of “The Point” during the KOVR-TV News at 10 p.m. As Hyman blasted CBS News anchor Dan Rather, the screen froze, went black, and then cut to a commercial. When the show returned, news anchors ignored comment on the blackout. Hogue points to the sale as a possible reason. 

“Considering that Sinclair Broadcasting has sold KOVR-TV to CBS, is this a revelation of some sensitivity by the management at KOVR? Did they censor a political commentary because it was ‘negative’ on Rather and CBS,” Hogue wrote. “Is this the first of many programming events where CBS will begin to censor their news content on KOVR in Sacramento? Do we have new GM’s and OM’s who are preparing for the ‘mainstream media news’ rules?”

Hogue said would talk with Hyman about the possible “political censorship.” KOVR-TV representatives did not comment on the on-air blackout.

Sinclair and Viacom representatives expect the KOVR-TV sale approved and concluded early next year.