Sinclair, iHeartmedia Join In UNCF Fundraiser

Sinclair Broadcast Group and iHeartMedia announced joint media support for the United Negro College Fund through its annual televised show, UNCF An Evening of Stars, a celebrity-packed evening of entertainment that raises money and awareness for minority higher education.

Sinclair will air the show in all of its 78 television markets, reaching almost 40% of the country, beginning on June 6. In addition, in each of Sinclair’s news markets where there is a historically black college or university (HBCU), Sinclair will produce a news feature on that school leading up to the show.

iHeartMedia will begin promoting Sinclair’s broadcast of the UNCF television show on 156 of its radio stations in Sinclair’s markets starting the week of June 1.

UNCF has partnered with leading artists and their personal foundations to deliver on UNCF’s motto: “A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in.” This year’s show highlights 20 students and presents more than $500,000 to students attending HBCUs. Over its 36-year history, UNCF An Evening of Stars has raised more than $200 million and has helped hundreds of thousands of students attend and graduate from college.

Sinclair and iHeartMedia said they are committed to strengthening and serving their communities with quality programming that raises awareness of important civic issues. They said they “are united today with this joint commitment to UNCF’s goal of increasing the number of minority students and graduates from UNCF member institutions, HBCUs and all U.S. colleges and universities.”

“We are proud to broadcast this important fundraiser to almost half the country, including markets where this show has never aired before,” said Sinclair VP of Programming Bill Butler. “By offering our footprint to extend UNCF’s message of educational opportunity almost nationwide, we hope to open new doors for the scholarship fund, as well as future UNCF beneficiaries.”

“iHeartMedia believes in the power of UNCF and has been a longtime supporter of the organization,” said Richard Lewis, Market President for iHeartMedia Philadelphia.  “For the last several years we have partnered with UNCF to drive viewership for the nationally televised UNCF An Evening of Stars, and, through our newly formed partnership with Sinclair Broadcast Group, we will help expand the show’s reach even further by attracting a broader, more local audience.”