Yesterday Nexstar Media Group has closed on its purchase of Tribune Media Company for $6.4 billion. This deal will add more than 40 stations including KTLA in Los Angeles, WPIX in New York and WGN-TV in Chicago to Nexstar’s list of locals. (Note WGN-TV has been up for sale separately and it at the time of this posting its inclusion is uncertain.)
As part of the DOJ merger, Nexstar will be selling some locals. This means one or more of your local TV stations may be sold as part of this deal if you live in the following areas: Davenport, Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa; Ft. Smith, Ark.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Harrisburg, Penn.; Hartford, Conn.; Huntsville, Ala.; Indianapolis; Memphis; Norfolk, Va.; Richmond, Va.; Salt Lake City Ut; and Wilkes-Barre, Penn. Now we have learned that these locals will be broken up between E.W. Scripps, TEGNA, & Circle City Broadcasting.
Update here are the stations Scripps purchased today:
- WPIX, the CW affiliate in New York City. (Scripps has granted Nexstar the option to buy back WPIX in New York City. The option is exercisable from March 31, 2020, through the end of 2021.)
- KASW, the CW affiliate in Phoenix (which joins the Scripps ABC affiliate there)
- WSFL, the CW affiliate in Miami–Fort Lauderdale (adjacent to the Scripps NBC affiliate in West Palm Beach, Florida)
- KSTU, the Fox affiliate in Salt Lake City
- WTKR, the CBS affiliate, and WGNT, the CW affiliate, in Norfolk, Virginia
- WTVR, the CBS affiliate in Richmond, Virginia
- WXMI, the Fox affiliate in Grand Rapids, Michigan
“Today, the Nexstar team is comprised of more than 13,000 talented team members across America united by a common vision focused on localism, innovation and growth as well as a passion for professional excellence. Sean, Dana and Gary are recognized leaders in their respective fields and we welcome them to the Nexstar senior management team,” said Mr. Sook. “These appointments reflect our proven integration strategy of marrying best of breed practices from our existing operations with those from acquired entities. Our long-term strategy of appointing proven broadcast and digital media leaders has driven our industry-leading innovation, distribution and core revenue growth, seamless M&A integration and enterprise-wide cost management all of which are fundamental to our consistent growth.
“Nexstar has a deep, capable team of operations, finance, content, digital, and legal executives and our stations are led by experienced, results-oriented broadcast executives. With the executive appointments announced today, Nexstar is positioned to extend our legacy of delivering exceptional service to the local communities where we operate and value to our stockholders.”
Nexstar has not announced which locals are being sold to what companies at this time. We will update this story as we learn more.
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