Sinclair , the second-biggest U.S. TV station group owner, disclosed that it has acquired an 8.2% stake in the E.W. Scripps Co. and has been in talks for several months about buying Scripps. Sinclair, which operates and/or provides services to 185 TV stations in 85 markets, said it has “engaged in constructive discussions with [Scripps] for several months regarding a potential combination of the two companies” in a filing with the SEC Monday. Scripps has more than 60 stations in 40-plus markets.