Nexstar Media Group

Not to be confused with NEXTAR or NetStar Communications, the former name of Bell Media's subsidairy, CTV Specialty Television, Inc..
"Nexstar" redirects here. For the telescope brand, see Celestron. For similarly spelled subjects, see Next Star (disambiguation).

Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
FormerlyNexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. (1996–2017)
Company typePublic
IndustryMedia (television stations)
Predecessors
FoundedJune 17, 1996; 28 years ago (1996-06-17)
FounderPerry A. Sook
Headquarters
Area served
United States (nationwide)
Key people
ServicesBroadcasting
RevenueIncrease US$4.5 billion (2020)
Increase US$1.375 billion (2020)
Increase US$808.06 million (2020)
Total assetsIncrease US$2.97 billion (2016)
Total equityIncrease US$284.35 million (2016)
Owner
  • John Muse (largest insider shareholder)
  • Public (controlling)
Number of employees
11,086 (2020)
Divisions
  • Nexstar Broadcasting
  • Nexstar Digital
Websitenexstar.tv
Footnotes / references
[1]

Nexstar Media Group, Inc. is an American publicly traded media company with headquarters in Irving, Texas, Midtown Manhattan, and Chicago. The company is the largest television station owner in the United States, owning 197 television stations across the U.S., most of which are affiliated with the four "major" U.S. television networks and MyNetworkTV in markets as large as New York City and as small as San Angelo, Texas. It also operates all of the stations owned by affiliated companies, such as Mission Broadcasting and Vaughan Media, under local marketing agreements to satisfy existing regulations set in place by the Federal Communications Commission.[2][3][4][5] In addition, Nexstar owns one radio station, WGN in Chicago, and operates major TV network the CW through a 75-percent majority stake where all CW affiliates are directly owned-and-operated stations (O&O),[6][7] two terrestrial television networks airing classic shows, Antenna TV and Rewind TV, one FAST streaming channel airing sports programming, SportsGrid, and has full or partial ownership stakes in three pay television networks (cable news and entertainment network NewsNation and food and cooking networks Food Network and Cooking Channel, the latter two through a 31-percent stake in Television Food Network G.P.).

History

1996–2010: Formation

Nexstar Broadcasting Group logo (June 17, 1996–2006)
Nexstar Broadcasting Group logo (2006–January 17, 2017)

Nexstar Media Group was founded as Nexstar Broadcasting Group on June 17, 1996, initially backed by ABRY Partners.[8] The first television station bought by Nexstar was WYOU in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Nexstar bought WYOU from Diversified Communications.[9] The sale was completed on September 28 of that year.[10] Nexstar promptly fired two beloved anchors and laid off several long-term staff members.[9][11] Nexstar founder Perry Sook said that WYOU would be Nexstar's flagship station, keeping an office off the newsroom for years.[citation needed] In 1998, Nexstar purchased WBRE-TV in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Because this was in the same market as WYOU, WYOU was 'sold' to Mission Broadcasting. This began the first-ever 'shared-services' agreement between stations. WYOU's sales staff was kept in Scranton, while the production and news operations were moved to WBRE's offices in Wilkes-Barre. WYOU staff who were not laid off were fired by Nexstar, hired by Mission, and eventually rehired by Nexstar. Mission Broadcasting then paid Nexstar to operate and control the production and news-gathering operations while Mission kept the sales and management team.[citation needed]

In 1997, Nexstar acquired WJET-TV in Erie, Pennsylvania, from Jet Broadcasting, for which it paid $18.5 million.[12]

On January 12, 1998, Nexstar acquired three stations owned by the U.S. Broadcast Group, including KFDX-TV, KBTV-TV, and KSNF, for $64.3 million.[13] In 1999, Nexstar bought out WROC-TV in Rochester, New York, from Smith Broadcasting.[14]

In 2003, Nexstar acquired Quorum Broadcasting, owner of ten television stations.[15][16][17] Also that year, it purchased KARK-TV and WDHN-TV from Morris Multimedia.[18] In 2006, Nexstar bought out WTAJ-TV and the licensee rights of WLYH-TV from SJL Broadcasting for $56 million.[19]

On March 20, 2009, Nexstar operated television stations that were owned by Four Points Media Group through an outsourcing agreement. However, on September 8, 2011, Sinclair Broadcast Group announced its intent to purchase the Four Points stations outright and took over the MSA for the stations that October upon Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approval of the deal. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave final approval of the group deal on December 21, and the Sinclair purchase of the Four Points stations was completed on January 1, 2012.[20]

In 2011, Nexstar and Fox entered into a dispute over terms of reverse compensation; this occurred as Fox began to aggressively seek shares of earnings from retransmission consent agreements with cable and satellite operators as part of affiliation agreement renewals between station groups with affiliates whose affiliation contracts had already expired (and carrying the network's programming without a contractual agreement) or were near expiration. Reportedly, the amount from retransmission consent fees from cable and satellite operators that Fox wanted its affiliates to pay the network would be 25 cents per subscriber during the first year of the affiliation agreement, increasing to 50 cents by the fourth year.[21] President of affiliate sales and marketing for Fox, Mike Hopkins, had said earlier in the year that the network would consider moving its affiliation to another market station as a last resort if existing affiliates did not agree to the terms for reverse compensation retrans sharing.[22]

Fox dropped its affiliation from Nexstar-owned/managed stations in four markets, with three of the replacement stations adding Fox in addition to existing affiliations with the MyNetworkTV programming service (owned by Fox parent company News Corporation). In Indiana, two markets saw Fox go from a primary affiliation of one station to joining an existing MyNetworkTV-affiliated digital subchannel of a competing Big Three station, with MyNetworkTV going to a secondary affiliation: in Evansville, Fox moved from WTVW (which then became an independent station and later joined the CW) to a MyNetworkTV-affiliated subchannel of CBS affiliate WEVV-TV on July 1, while in Fort Wayne, the Fox affiliation moved from WFFT-TV to a MyNetworkTV-affiliated subchannel of NBC affiliate WISE-TV on August 1.[23] The network also moved its affiliation in Springfield, Missouri from KSFX-TV (operated in a duopoly with area CBS affiliate KOLR) to upstart MyNetworkTV affiliate KRBK on September 1, 2011, with both stations becoming independents.[23] Nexstar chose to drop Fox from WFXW in Terre Haute, Indiana and re-affiliate with ABC on September 1, 2011 (becoming the only Nexstar station thus far to affiliate with another network following the removal of the Fox affiliation) as part of a long-term renewal agreement between Nexstar and ABC for the group's nine existing ABC stations, reversing a 1995 switch that saw Terre Haute losing over-the-air carriage of ABC programs (since then, ABC has been seen in the market via Indianapolis affiliate WRTV on area cable and satellite providers);[24][25] the Fox affiliation then moved to a digital subchannel of CBS affiliate WTHI-TV which also added MyNetworkTV as a secondary affiliation. Nexstar's remaining Fox affiliates have since signed a renewal agreement through December 2013;[26] In addition, following the settlement of Nexstar's antitrust lawsuit against WISE-TV's then-owner Granite Broadcasting, WFFT-TV reclaimed the Fox affiliation on March 1, 2013.[27][28] Nexstar would purchase KRBK in late 2018, restoring its ownership of the Fox affiliation in the Springfield, Missouri market.

2012–2019: Expansion by acquisitions

In July 2012, Nexstar agreed to purchase eleven stations and Inergize Digital Media from Newport Television, with two stations going to affiliate Mission Broadcasting.[29] On August 12, 2012, Nexstar sold KBTV-TV to Deerfield Media, which entered into a JSA and SSA with Sinclair Broadcast Group to become a duopoly with KFDM-TV.[30]

On April 24, 2013, Nexstar announced that it would acquire the entire group of Communications Corporation of America, KMSS-TV, KPEJ-TV, and most of the ComCorp-managed stations that are owned by White Knight Broadcasting would be sold to Mission Broadcasting while WEVV-TV and White Knight Broadcasting's KSHV-TV would be sold to a female-controlled company called Rocky Creek Communications, with Nexstar assuming operational control of those stations.[31]

On September 16, 2013, Nexstar announced that it would acquire WOI-DT, KCAU-TV, and WHBF-TV from Citadel Communications for $88 million. Nexstar immediately took over the stations' operations through a time brokerage agreement.[32] The deal followed Phil Lombardo's decision to "slow down," as well as a desire by Lynch Entertainment to divest its investments in WOI and WHBF; Citadel would continue to own KLKN, WLNE-TV, and its Sarasota properties.[33] On March 5, 2014, the Federal Communications Commission approved the sale of these stations to Nexstar outright and the deal was completed on March 13. KCAU continued to use Citadel's standardized news sets, graphics and logos.[citation needed]

On November 6, 2013, Nexstar announced that it would purchase the Grant Broadcasting stations for $87.5 million. Due to Federal Communications Commission ownership regulations, one of the stations, KLJB, was spun off to Marshall Broadcasting Group, but is operated by Nexstar through a shared services agreement.[34] The sale was completed on December 1, 2014.[35] In 2015, Nexstar sold off the licensee assets of WLYH-TV, the CW affiliate to Howard Stirk Holdings.[36]

On March 13, 2014, Nexstar announced that it would purchase Internet Broadcasting, for $20 million. The company had also recently acquired competitor Inergize Digital through its purchase of assets from Newport Television, followed by Enterprise Technology Group, a spun-off joint venture between LIN Media and Fox Television Stations. The providers were merged to form Lakana, led by former ETG CEO Phillip Hyun.[37][38][39][40] On October 23, 2014, Nexstar bought out KASW in Phoenix from SagamoreHill Broadcasting and Meredith Corporation, and it was completed on January 30, 2015.[41][42]

On February 2, 2015, Nexstar finalized its acquisition of Yashi, a location-focused, video-advertising and programmatic-technology company, for $33 million.[43] On November 17, 2015, Nexstar announced its intent to purchase West Virginia Media Holdings' stations (WOWK-TV in Charleston, WBOY-TV in Clarksburg, WVNS-TV in Ghent, and WTRF-TV in Wheeling) for $130 million. The company took over the stations' non-license assets under a time brokerage agreement in December 2015 pending the formal completion of the deal, expected in late 2016. The two companies viewed the acquisition as being a complement to Nexstar's WHAG-TV, whose coverage area includes the Eastern Panhandle region. Nexstar CEO Perry A. Sook is an alumnus of WOWK.[44] The sale was completed on January 31, 2017.[45]

On August 1, 2018, Nexstar bought out KRBK in Springfield from Koplar Communications for $16.45 million, and also bought out WHDF in Huntsville from Lockwood Broadcast Group for $2.25 million.[46][47][48][49][50][51] On November 1, 2018, Nexstar bought out MyNetworkTV affiliate KFVE in Honolulu from American Spirit Media as part of transactions requiring from the Raycom Media/Gray Television merger.[52]

In spring 2019, Nexstar launched Border Report, a website focusing on news stories from the Mexico–United States border.[53]

On November 5, 2019, it was announced that Nexstar would acquire Fox Television Stations-owned WJZY and MyNetworkTV outlet WMYT-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina for $45 million. In turn, it also announced that it would sell its duopoly of Seattle-based KCPQ and KZJO (along with Milwaukee-based WITI) to FTS in a separate deal worth $350 million. Nexstar made the transactions to pay down debt and consolidate operations in the Southeast. The sale closed on March 2, 2020.[54] As part of a settlement between the parties in litigation over the failed deal, Sinclair had to sell WDKY-TV in Lexington, Kentucky, and the non-license assets of KGBT-TV in Harlingen, Texas, to Nexstar Media Group for $60 million on January 27, 2020.[55] The company's founder, Perry Sook, had once been a principal of Superior Communications, who owned the WDKY property, making the sale to Nexstar a homecoming of sorts. WDKY's transaction was completed on September 17, 2020.[56]

2015–2017: Acquisition of Media General

On September 28, 2015, Nexstar announced that it had presented an unsolicited offer to buy Media General for $4.1 billion (including debt). Per share, shareholders of Media General would receive $10.50 in cash and 0.0898 shares of Nexstar, a total equivalent of $14.50 per share. Nexstar's offer was seen by analysts as a maneuver to torpedo the merger of Media General with Meredith Corporation (announced on September 8). If Media General agreed to the counteroffer within a 20-day period, Nexstar would expand its portfolio to 114 television stations, pending spinoffs in markets where both own stations and federal approval.[57][58][59][60][61] On November 16, Media General rejected the offer but agreed to negotiate after concluding its merge with Meredith.[62]

On January 27, 2016, Media General announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Nexstar in a deal valued at $17.14 per share, valuing the company at $4.6 billion plus the assumption of $2.3 billion debt. The combined company became known as Nexstar Media Group, and owns 171 stations, serving an estimated 39-percent of U.S. households. The company paid Meredith Corporation (whom Media General had previously proposed a merger with) a termination fee of $60 million and gave Meredith right of first refusal to acquire any broadcast or digital properties that may be divested during the purchase. The deal also included contingent value rights for Media General shareholders if it sold spectrum from its stations during the FCC's spectrum incentive auction (a clause that Meredith did not exercise).[63][64]

On May 27, 2016, Nexstar announced the sales of five stations. WCWJ in Jacksonville, Florida, along with WSLS-TV in Roanoke, Virginia, was sold to the Graham Media Group; and KADN-TV, as well as KLAF-LD in Lafayette, Louisiana, was sold to Bayou City Broadcasting, with KREG-TV in Glenwood Springs, Colorado going to Marquee Broadcasting as part of a series of divestitures required following Nexstar's acquisition of Media General due to Federal Communications Commission ownership caps (the sale of the Roanoke and Lafayette stations are required as Media General and Nexstar both own stations in those markets).[65] On June 3, 2016, it was announced that Nexstar would spin off WBAY-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin and KWQC-TV in Davenport, Iowa to Gray Television for $270 million.[66][67]

On June 13, 2016, Nexstar announced that it would sell WFFT in Fort Wayne, Indiana; KQTV in St. Joseph, Missouri; KIMT in Rochester, Minnesota; WTHI-TV in Terre Haute; and WLFI in Lafayette, Indiana to Heartland Media, through its USA Television MidAmerica Holdings joint venture with MSouth Equity Partners, for $115 million. The divestitures were in order to allow Nexstar to comply with FCC ownership rules (specifically pertaining to national market coverage for station owners) in advance of the approval proceedings of the merger of both groups (Nexstar already owned NBC affiliate WTWO and operates ABC affiliate WAWV-TV in Terre Haute, and planned to acquire Media General-owned CBS affiliate WANE-TV in Fort Wayne).[68]

On June 30, 2016, Nexstar announced that it would sell KASA-TV in Santa Fe, to Ramar Communications, owner of Telemundo affiliate KTEL-CD (channel 15), Movies! affiliate KUPT-LD (channel 16), and MeTV affiliate KRTN-LD (channel 33), for $2.5 million.[69] KASA and KRQE were both ranked among the top four stations in the Albuquerque market during the November 2015 sweeps period, which meant that the company had to divest one of the two stations to comply with the FCC duopoly rules.[70]

The transaction was approved by the FCC on January 11, 2017, and the sale was completed on January 17.[71]

2017–2019: Merger with Tribune Media

On April 30, 2017, The Wall Street Journal reported that there were competing bids for Tribune Media from Nexstar and a partnership between 21st Century Fox and private equity firm Blackstone Group.[72][73][74][75] However, on May 8, 2017, it was announced that Tribune reached a deal to be acquired by Sinclair Broadcast Group.[76] On May 26, 2017, it was reported by DealReporter that Nexstar might be considering a bid to acquire Tegna Inc., although such a deal would likely require significant divestments due to ownership conflicts and exceeding the ownership cap.[77]

On November 14, 2018, after Tribune cancelled its proposed sale to Sinclair, it was reported that Nexstar was a leading bidder to acquire Tribune.[78] On December 3, 2018, Nexstar announced its intent to merge with Tribune Media for $6.4 billion ($4.1 billion for all of Tribune's shares in cash and $2.3 billion of Tribune's debt).[79] The merger would give the company 216 stations in 118 markets, placing it just below the FCC's market cap of 39-percent of TV households and making it the largest owner of television stations in the United States. Nexstar planned to divest some stations and "non-core" assets as part of the merger.[80][81][82]

On March 20, 2019, Nexstar announced that it would divest 19 stations to the E. W. Scripps Company and Tegna Inc. for a total sum of $1.32 billion, with Scripps receiving eight stations (WPIX, WSFL-TV, WTKR and WGNT, WTVR-TV, WXMI, KSTU, and KASW), and Tegna eleven (WATN-TV and WLMT, WTIC-TV and WCCT-TV, WOI-DT and KCWI, WNEP, WPMT, WQAD-TV, WZDX, and KFSM-TV). Of those stations, only WPIX was not associated with a duopoly, but rather its market size (an outright acquisition under current FCC rules would cause Nexstar to exceed the 39 percent cap). The transaction involving WPIX included a $75 million option condition allowing Nexstar to buy WPIX back between March 31, 2020, and the end of 2021. In the summer of 2020, the option was transferred to Mission Broadcasting (whose station acquisitions are largely funded by Nexstar) and exercised shortly thereafter. Nexstar stated that these divestitures would be used to help fund the sale and cover debt.[83][84] On April 8, 2019, Nexstar announced that it would sell 2 additional stations (WISH-TV and WNDY) to Circle City Broadcasting for $42.5 million.[85]

On April 3, 2019, Marshall Broadcasting Group sued Nexstar for breach of contract, alleging that the company was trying to "undermine" its operations so it could buy back the stations at a later date and lower cost in the present regulatory environment. The company also accused Nexstar of using the divestiture of stations to a minority-owned broadcaster as a token to gain FCC approval for the associated acquisitions.[86][87] A carriage dispute with AT&T resulted in the removal of more than 120 Nexstar stations across 97 markets from AT&T's DirecTV, DirecTV Now and U-verse platforms, which began at 11:59 p.m. on July 3, 2019, and ended on August 29, 2019.[88][89]

On August 1, 2019, the United States Department of Justice approved the deal between Nexstar Media Group and Tribune Media.[90][91] The merger was approved by the FCC on September 16, and would be consummated three days later.[92]

2020–present: Launch of NewsNation and acquisition of the CW

See also: NewsNation Prime

On January 15, 2020, Nexstar announced a national newscast called NewsNation on WGN America.[93] The program launched September 1, 2020.[94] On March 1, 2021, the WGN America channel was renamed NewsNation.

On October 22, 2020, Nexstar underwent a corporate reorganization, under which its primary subsidiaries of Nexstar Broadcasting and Nexstar Digital were merged into the operating subsidiary Nexstar, Inc.[95]

A carriage dispute with Dish Network began on December 2, 2020, and ended by Christmas Eve, which resulted in the removal of at least 164 Nexstar stations in 115 markets, covering about 63-percent of TV homes, from its services.[96][97]

On December 16, 2020, Nexstar announced it was purchasing BestReviews from Tribune Publishing for $160 million.[98]

On May 20, 2021, the CW network and Nexstar announced that they have reached multi-year agreements to renew network affiliation for the CW in 37 markets in across the country (including KTLA in Los Angeles and WDCW in Washington, D.C.).[99]

On August 20, 2021, Nexstar acquired political news website The Hill for $130 million.[100]

On August 25, 2021, Nexstar Media Group announced a partnership with SportsGrid Inc. to offer the latter's sports betting- and fantasy sports-focused FAST streaming channel SportsGrid as a digital multicast network starting September 1, 2021.[101]

A new digital subchannel network, Rewind TV, was launched on September 1, 2021, featuring classic TV shows from the 1980s and 1990s.[102][103]

The Wall Street Journal reported on January 5, 2022, that Nexstar was a potential leading buyer of the CW, as the network's then-co-owners ViacomCBS (now known as Paramount Global) and WarnerMedia (since spun-off from AT&T and merged with Discovery, Inc. to form Warner Bros. Discovery) explored options in selling a majority stake in the joint venture network; the three companies had yet to comment on the WSJ report.[104] In late August, as confirmation to another WSJ report made last June,[105][106] Nexstar announced that it has "entered a definitive agreement" to acquire 75-percent ownership in the network, while Paramount and WBD would each retain 12.5-percent ownership.[107] Based on media industry reports, Nexstar would reportedly assume "a significant portion" of the network's current losses. The deal did not require regulatory approval, but had to perform financial closure conditions at the company's fiscal third quarter, i.e. by the start of October 2022, in order to complete the transaction; thus, Nexstar took over operations of the network on August 15.[108] The transaction was completed on October 3.[109]

Following Nexstar's purchase of the CW, Paramount's CBS News and Stations division was given the right to have its eight CW stations (WPSG in Philadelphia, WUPA in Atlanta, KBCW in San Francisco, KSTW in Seattle, WTOG in Tampa Bay, WKBD in Detroit, KMAX in Sacramento, and WPCW in Pittsburgh) disaffiliate from the network; such right was announced on May 5, 2023, when the aforementioned stations would become independent on September 1. Nexstar responded to the move by stating that it would find replacement CW affiliates, noting that "Paramount's decision affects a limited portion of The CW's nationwide reach."[110][111] The company announced on May 8 that it would buy KUSI-TV from McKinnon Broadcasting for $35 million, pending approval from the FCC; the purchase, which was closed on September 2, created a duopoly with Nexstar's Fox affiliate KSWB-TV, and is set to replace KFMB-DT2 as San Diego's CW station.[112][113] Between June 14 to August 31, Nexstar announced that it would convert MyNetworkTV affiliates in the displaced Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Tampa Bay markets (WPHL-TV, KRON-TV, and WTTA, respectively) into CW stations,[111] and signed several CW affiliation renewals (such as that with Gray, whose Atlanta-based WPCH-TV station would replace WUPA as that city's CW affiliate) to cover the remaining displaced markets.[114][115][116]

Nexstar implemented a blackout on its stations from DirecTV, U-verse and DirecTV Stream on July 2, 2023,[117] causing DirecTV to complain to the FCC. Nexstar responded to DirecTV's complaint by stating that DirecTV was streaming Nexstar stations after the contract expired in November 2022. Nexstar and DirecTV renewed their contract on September 17, 2023.[118]

On May 19, 2023, Ray Cole, COO of Citadel Communications, announced that WSNN-LD in Sarasota, Florida, the lone remaining station under Citadel ownership, would be sold to Nexstar for $1 million.[119][120] The sale was completed on July 20.[121]

Assets

Main article: List of assets owned by Nexstar Media Group

References

  1. ^ "Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NXST) Ownership Summary". NASDAQ.com. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  2. ^ "Virtual Duopolies Coming Under Fire". TV News Check. June 9, 2010. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  3. ^ Stelter, Brian (May 28, 2012). "Local TV Stations Cut Costs by Sharing News Operations". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  4. ^ Malone, Michael (June 6, 2014). "Nexstar Plans Sale of Three Fox Affiliates For $58.5 Million". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  5. ^ "Fcc Revises Local Television Ownership Rules". Fcc.gov. August 5, 1999. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  6. ^ Channick, Robert (September 16, 2019). "Tribune Media sale to Nexstar approved by FCC; WGN-Ch. 9 no longer Chicago's very own". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on September 17, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  7. ^ Hayes, Dade (August 15, 2022). "The CW Poised To Get New Corporate Home As Nexstar Confirms Plan For 75% Ownership Stake; Mark Pedowitz To Remain CEO". Deadline. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  8. ^ "Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. Profile". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  9. ^ a b Mates, Rich (September 17, 1996). "Sale of WYOU-TV is approved". Tribune and Scranton Times. Times-Shamrock. p. A3. ISSN 1062-5844. ProQuest 369026562.
  10. ^ Application Search Details CDBS Public Access, Federal Communications Commission, Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  11. ^ Adams, Bonnie (August 14, 1998). "Ex-Anchor Sues Over Her Firing Debbie Dunleavy Worked At Local TV Station From 1978 To 1996". Times Leader. Civitas Media. p. 3A. Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  12. ^ "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting. October 16, 1997. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  13. ^ "The Big Deals Club" (PDF). Broadcasting. February 2, 1998. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  14. ^ "Sold!" (PDF). Broadcasting & Cable. March 29, 1999. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  15. ^ "Nexstar to acquire Quorum Broadcasting". Dallas Business Journal. September 12, 2003.
  16. ^ "Press Release". sec.gov. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  17. ^ "Nexstar Broadcasting Completes Acquisition of Quorum Broadcast Holdings". Business Wire. December 31, 2003. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  18. ^ Tilley, Leadership changes announced for U. S. Marshals Museum Foundation boardMichael; Tilley, Arkansas River tonnage up more than 3%; Hurricane Ida damages downstream infrastructureMichael (July 21, 2003). "Nexstar In Line?". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved October 19, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ "Press Release of Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc". www.sec.gov. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  20. ^ Malone, Michael (March 23, 2009). "Nexstar Managing Four Points Stations". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  21. ^ Bednarski, P.J. (April 12, 2011). "Fox Gives No Ground On Retrans Sharing". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheckMedia, LLC. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  22. ^ Malone, Michael (May 11, 2011). "Fox Inks New Affiliation Agreements, Scraps Others". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  23. ^ a b "Fox Moves Afills In Springfield, Ft. Wayne". TVNewsCheck. June 20, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
  24. ^ "Nexstar's WFXW Switching From Fox To ABC," from Broadcasting & Cable, June 28, 2011 Archived July 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ Jessell, Harry A. (June 28, 2011). "Nexstar Drops Fox For ABC In Terre Haute". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  26. ^ McAvoy, Kim (April 15, 2012). "Fox Is TV's New Station Group Leader". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved April 17, 2012. Nexstar renewed its remaining eight Fox affiliates through December 2013.
  27. ^ Knox, Merrill (February 6, 2013). "Nexstar, Granite Settle Antitrust Lawsuit, Returning Fox Affiliation to Fort Wayne's WFFT". TVSpy. Archived from the original on March 4, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  28. ^ Malone, Michael (February 6, 2013). "Nexstar's WFFT Fort Wayne Back in Fox Fold". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  29. ^ "Newport Sells 22 Station For $1 Billion". TVNewsCheck. July 19, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  30. ^ "Application For Consent To Assignment Of Broadcast Station Construction Permit Or License". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  31. ^ "Nexstar, Mission Buy 19 Stations For $270M". TVNewsCheck.com. April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  32. ^ Malone, Michael (September 16, 2013). "Nexstar to Acquire Citadel's Iowa Stations for $88 Million". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  33. ^ Hicks, Lynn (September 16, 2013). "Nexstar buys WOI, other Citadel TV stations in Iowa". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on September 16, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  34. ^ Malone, Michael (November 6, 2013). "Nexstar to Acquire Seven Grant Stations For $87.5 Million". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  35. ^ Consummation Notice,CDBS Public Access Federal Communications Commission, Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  36. ^ "Application For Consent To Assignment Of Broadcast Station Construction Permit Or License (KVMY)". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2015. In Addition, HSH Lancaster (WLYH), LLC and HSH Lancaster (WLYH) Licensee, LLC, Owned by Howard Stirk Holdings II, LLC, will be filing an Assignment of License Application to acquire the license WLYH-TV, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Facility ID No. 23338, from Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
  37. ^ Jessell, Harry A. (April 16, 2012). "Fox Stations Moving to WorldNow Platforms". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheckMedia, LLC. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  38. ^ "Fox Marketing New Web Platform To All". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheckMedia, LLC. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  39. ^ Jessell, Harry A. (March 31, 2015). "Nexstar Rolls Up Its 3 CMS Units Into Lakana". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheckMedia, LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  40. ^ "Nexstar Buys Internet Broadcasting Systems". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheckMedia, LLC. March 13, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  41. ^ Consummation Notice, CDBS Public Access, Federal Communications Commission, Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  42. ^ "Nexstar Buying KASW Phoenix For $68M". October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  43. ^ "Nexstar Broadcasting Acquires Yashi, Leading Local Digital Video Advertising and Programmatic Technology Company, for $33 Million in Accretive Transaction". Marketwatch. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  44. ^ "Nexstar Buys 4 W.Va. TVs For $130M". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheckMedia, LLC. November 17, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  45. ^ Consummation Notice, CDBS Public Access, Federal Communications Commission, Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  46. ^ Jason Rima (August 2, 2018). "Nexstar Buys FOX 5 KRBK In Springfield". KTTS-FM. E. W. Scripps Company. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  47. ^ "Nexstar Broadcasting Enters Into Definitive Agreements to Acquire Two Stations in Accretive Transactions for $19.45 Million". Nexstar Media Group (Press release). August 2, 2018.
  48. ^ Stephen Herzog (August 2, 2018). "Local TV stations connected after purchase". Springfield News-Leader. Gannett Company. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  49. ^ Adam Jacobson (August 2, 2018). "Nexstar's Goes For Three In Ozark's Queen City". Radio-Television Business Report. Streamline-RBR, Inc.
  50. ^ "Station Trading Roundup: 1 Deal, $16.5M". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheck Media. August 7, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  51. ^ Stephanie Tsoflias Siegel (August 2, 2018). "Nexstar Announces Acquisition of Two Stations for $19.45 Million". TVSpy. Beringer Capital. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  52. ^ Asset Purchase Agreement
  53. ^ Winter, Meaghan (July 20, 2020). "Nexstar Nation". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  54. ^ Miller, Mark K. (November 5, 2019). "Nexstar, Fox Buy/Sell Five Stations". TV News Check. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  55. ^ Eggerton, John (January 27, 2020). "Sinclair Pays Nexstar $60M, Some Assets, to Settle Tribune Suit". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  56. ^ "Consummation Notice", CDBS Public Access, Federal Communications Commission, September 18, 2020, Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  57. ^ "Nexstar Offers $4.1 Billion For Media General". tvnewscheck.com. March 5, 2024.
  58. ^ Roy, Abhirup; Maan, Lehar (September 28, 2015). "UPDATE 3-Broadcaster Nexstar offers to buy Media General in $4.1 bln deal". Reuters. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  59. ^ "Nexstar Broadcasting Proposes To Acquire Media General – Nexstar Broadcasting" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 29, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  60. ^ Bray, Chad (September 28, 2015). "Nexstar Offers to Buy Media General for $1.85 Billion". The New York Times. p. B7. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  61. ^ "Business: Washington Post Business Page, Business News". bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  62. ^ Lieberman, David (November 16, 2015). "Media General Rejects Nexstar's $1.9B Offer, But Agrees To Talk". Deadline. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  63. ^ "Nexstar-Media General: It's A Done Deal". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  64. ^ Picker, Leslie (January 27, 2016). "Nexstar Clinches Deal to Acquire Media General". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  65. ^ "Nexstar Selling Five Stations in Four Markets". TVNewsCheck. May 27, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  66. ^ Miller, Mark K. (June 3, 2016). "Gray Buying Two Nexstar Spinoffs For $270M". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  67. ^ Marszalek, Diana (June 3, 2016). "Gray Buys Nexstar Stations in Green Bay, Davenport". Broadcasting & Cable, LLC. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  68. ^ "Prather Buys 5 TVs From Nexstar-Media Gen". TVNewsCheck. June 13, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  69. ^ "Application For Consent To Assignment Of Broadcast Station Construction Permit Or License". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  70. ^ "Comprehensive Exhibit". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. March 2016. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  71. ^ "Nexstar Broadcasting Group Completes Acquisition of Media General Creating Nexstar Media Group, The Nation's Second Largest Television Broadcaster". Nexstar Media Group, Inc. January 17, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  72. ^ Flint, Joe (May 1, 2017). "Possible Bidding War Emerges for Tribune Media". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  73. ^ Saba, Jennifer (May 1, 2017). "In Fox Bid for Tribune, a Return to Erratic Murdoch Deal Making". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  74. ^ de la Merced, Michael J.; Steel, Emily (April 30, 2017). "21st Century Fox and Blackstone Said to Be Interested in Buying Tribune Media". The New York Times. p. B3. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  75. ^ "Reports: Fox News owner joins race to buy Tribune Media". Chicago Tribune. May 1, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  76. ^ Thomas, Lauren (May 8, 2017). "Sinclair Broadcast to buy Tribune Media in $3.9 billion deal". CNBC. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  77. ^ Aycock, Jason (May 26, 2017). "Report: Nexstar may eye bid for Tegna in stations buyout". Seeking Alpha. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  78. ^ "Bidding War for Tribune Media Taking Shape". TV Week. November 14, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  79. ^ Mullin, Benjamin; Flint, Joe (December 2, 2018). "Nexstar Reaches Deal to Buy Tribune Media for $4.1 Billion". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  80. ^ Lafayette, John (December 3, 2018). "Nexstar Announces Deal To Buy Tribune for $6.4B". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  81. ^ "Nexstar to buy Tribune Media, becoming the largest US TV station operator". CNBC. December 3, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  82. ^ White, Peter; Hayes, Dade (December 3, 2018). "Nexstar Confirms $4.1B Tribune Media Acquisition To Become Leading Local TV Station Owner". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  83. ^ Farrell, Mike (March 20, 2019). "Scripps, Tegna to Buy 19 Nexstar Stations". Multichannel. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  84. ^ Hayes, Dade (March 20, 2019). "Nexstar Sells Off TV Stations Worth $1.3B, Including New York's WPIX". Deadline. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  85. ^ Ryckaert, Vic (April 8, 2019). "Indianapolis native buys WISH-TV and WNDY-TV for $42.5 million". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  86. ^ "Marshall Broadcasting Group claims Nexstar 'undermined' prospects in new suit". Dallas Business Journal. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  87. ^ Maddaus, Gene (April 3, 2019). "Nexstar Accused of Sabotaging Black-Owned TV Station Group". Variety. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  88. ^ Tyko, Kelly (July 4, 2019). "Nexstar stations blacked out on AT&T DirecTV and U-verse amid contract dispute". USA Today. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
  89. ^ Hayes, Dade (August 29, 2019). "AT&T And Nexstar Settle Carriage Dispute That Blacked Out Stations In 97 Markets". Deadline. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  90. ^ Feder, Robert (August 1, 2019). "Justice Department approves Nexstar deal for Tribune Media". RobertFeder.com. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  91. ^ Channick, Robert (August 1, 2019). "Tribune Media - Nexstar merger one step closer after DOJ approval". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  92. ^ Channick, Robert (September 16, 2019). "Tribune Media sale to Nexstar approved by FCC; WGN-Ch. 9 no longer Chicago's very own". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  93. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (January 15, 2020). "Nexstar to Launch National Primetime Newscast on WGN America". Variety. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  94. ^ Johnson, Ted (September 1, 2020). "WGN America Launches Primetime Newscast With A Promise: Just The Facts". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  95. ^ Miller, Mark (October 22, 2020). "Nexstar Makes Operational Realignment". TV News Check. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  96. ^ Rivera, Josh (December 2, 2020). "Dish Network customers lose Nexstar's local TV stations in 115 markets over failed negotiations". USA Today. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  97. ^ "DISH And Nexstar Announce Multi-year Carriage Deal, Restores Local Nexstar Stations On DISH". NASDAQ. December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  98. ^ "Irving-based Nexstar to buy product review site BestReviews from Tribune Publishing for $160 million". Dallas News. December 17, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  99. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 20, 2021). "The CW Renews Agreement With Top Affiliate Nexstar Media Group". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  100. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (August 20, 2021). "Nexstar Media Buys Political News Hub, The Hill, For $130 Million". Deadline Hollywood.
  101. ^ "Nexstar Launching Sports Wagering Diginet". TVNewsCheck. August 25, 2021.
  102. ^ Lafayette, Jon (April 26, 2021). "Nexstar to Launch Rewind TV, Digital Channel Airing Classics". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  103. ^ "Nexstar Media Inc. to Launch "Rewind TV" on September 1". Nexstar.TV. April 26, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  104. ^ Flint, Joe (January 5, 2022). "WarnerMedia and ViacomCBS Are Exploring Possible Sale of CW Network". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  105. ^ Flint, Joe (June 29, 2022). "WSJ News Exclusive | Nexstar Nears Deal to Acquire Majority Control of CW Network". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  106. ^ "(Comicbook.com) The CW: Nexstar Reportedly Closing Deal For Majority Control of Network". Nexstar Media Group, Inc. June 30, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  107. ^ Hayes, Dade (August 15, 2022). "The CW Poised To Get New Corporate Home As Nexstar Confirms Plan For 75% Ownership Stake; Mark Pedowitz To Remain CEO". Deadline. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  108. ^ Miller, Mark (August 15, 2022). "Nexstar Management Of CW Is Immediate". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  109. ^ Hayes, Dade (October 3, 2022). "New Day Dawns For Broadcast TV As Nexstar Closes Deal For Control Of The CW". Deadline. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  110. ^ "Eight CBS Stations to Ditch CW and Go Independent This Fall". May 5, 2023.
  111. ^ a b Lafayette, Jon (June 14, 2023). "3 Nexstar Stations To Add The CW Affiliations on Sept. 1". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  112. ^ Miller, Mark (May 8, 2023). "Nexstar Buying Independent KUSI San Diego For $35 Million". TV News Check. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  113. ^ Keys, Matthew (September 2, 2023). "Nexstar finalizes purchase of KUSI-TV in San Diego". The Desk. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  114. ^ Lafayettepublished, Jon (August 1, 2023). "Hearst's KQCA To Become The CW Affiliate in Sacramento". Broadcasting Cable. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  115. ^ Bishop, Chad. "CW Network announces new Atlanta affiliate". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  116. ^ Hayes, Dade (August 31, 2023). "The CW To Launch On New Affiliate Stations In Seattle And Pittsburgh As Part Of Broader Deal With Sinclair Timed To Start Of College Football". Deadline. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  117. ^ Tinoco, Armando (July 2, 2023). "Nexstar Media Group Stations Go Dark On DirecTV As Carriage Dispute Begins". Deadline Hollywood.
  118. ^ James, Meg (September 17, 2023). "Nexstar TV stations blackout on DirecTV ends after 76 days". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  119. ^ "WFLA-TV & WTTA-TV to expand leading local news presence in 3-county region with Nexstar's acquisition of WSNN-LD in Sarasota". WFLA.com. May 22, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  120. ^ "Station Trading Roundup: 1 Deal, $1,000,000". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheck Media. May 31, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  121. ^ "Notification of Consummation". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nexstar Media Group.
  • Official website
  • Business data for Nexstar Media Group: