Nexstar has major business before the government and every reason to not want to anger the Trump administration ...

President Donald Trump suggested that US broadcast networks should face scrutiny over their licenses if their content is overwhelmingly critical of him, and defended ABC’s decision to suspend late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s show indefinitely over remarks about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.“That’s something that should be talked about for licensing, too. When you have a network and you have evening shows, and all they do is hit Trump,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “They’re lic ...

Core Viewpoint - Nexstar's unilateral decision to preempt Jimmy Kimmel's show has raised concerns about potential political motivations and the implications for its merger with Tegna [1][2][3] Group 1: Nexstar's Decision - Nexstar stated that the decision to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! was made unilaterally by its senior executive team without prior communication with the FCC or any government agency [1] - The company is facing criticism that the decision was influenced by a desire to gain favor with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, especially as it seeks FCC approval for its merger with Tegna [1][2] - Nexstar's president described Kimmel's comments as offensive and insensitive, asserting that continuing to air the show does not reflect the views of local communities [3] Group 2: Reactions and Implications - Following Nexstar's announcement, Disney suspended the show indefinitely, which has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Hollywood talent guilds and former President Barack Obama [4] - Carr's comments suggested that the FCC may take further action if companies do not address conduct like Kimmel's remarks, indicating potential regulatory scrutiny [2][3]

Core Viewpoint - ABC has indefinitely preempted Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show following controversial comments he made regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, prompted by Nexstar Media Group's decision to stop airing the show [1][11]. Group 1: Company Actions - Nexstar Media Group, which owns 32 ABC affiliate stations, expressed strong objections to Kimmel's comments and announced the preemption of his show for the foreseeable future [2][4]. - ABC, owned by Disney, confirmed the indefinite preemption of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in response to Nexstar's announcement [1][11]. - Nexstar's president stated that continuing to air Kimmel's show is not in the public interest at this time, aiming to foster respectful dialogue [5][4]. Group 2: Company Background - Nexstar Media Group is the largest local television broadcasting group in the U.S., operating over 200 stations and serving 220 million people across 116 markets [6]. - The company owns 75% of The CW network and also operates NewsNation and other digital news outlets [6]. Group 3: Financial Context - Nexstar recently announced a $6.2 billion deal to acquire Tegna, which is expected to enhance local news viability and political advertising revenue [8][9]. - The acquisition requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and will increase Nexstar's affiliate network in key election markets [9]. Group 4: Industry Reactions - FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr supported Nexstar's decision, emphasizing the importance of broadcasters aligning with community values [11][14]. - The move has sparked criticism from free speech advocates, who argue that the FCC should not regulate content based on community standards [15].

(Bloomberg) -- Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr said Jimmy Kimmel’s comments about the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk “appeared to mislead the public about a significant fact.” Speaking on CNBC on Thursday, Carr said: “Jimmy Kimmel is not Johnny Carson. It was not making fun of or pillorying me or the administration or the president. It was appearing to directly mislead the American public about a significant fact” about the assassination. Walt Disney Co.’s ABC netw ...

Group 1 - The ongoing partisan divide in the United States is intensifying, with increasing concerns about the influence of "gatekeepers" in various institutions, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) [1][2] - The rise of the internet and social media has transformed identity politics into a broader "culture war," affecting the business landscape and media discourse [2] - Recent controversies have involved major corporations like Cracker Barrel and ABC, with ABC's decision to pull "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" off the air following controversial remarks, highlighting the intersection of media and political discourse [3][4] Group 2 - FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has indicated that the agency may take action against TV broadcasters to ensure they operate in the public interest, emphasizing the need to avoid partisan bias in programming [4] - The FCC's role in regulating broadcasters is distinct from that of cable channels and streaming services, which do not have the same public interest obligations [4]

The decision comes as Republican President "'Jimmy Kimmel Live' will be pre-empted indefinitely," an ABC spokesperson said, without elaborating. Earlier, Nexstar Media Group Inc, which describes itself as the nation's largest local television and media company, said it would stop airing the show on its 32 ABC affiliates, citing Kimmel's comments. "Mr. Kimmel's comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse," said Andrew Alford, pre ...

Group 1 - The president of Nexstar's broadcasting division criticized Jimmy Kimmel's remarks regarding Charlie Kirk's death as "offensive" and "insensitive" [1]

PresentationMichael NgResearch Analyst Great. Thank you, everybody. Welcome to the Nexstar fireside chat at the Goldman Sachs Communicopia and Technology Conference. I have the privilege of introducing Perry Sook, Chairman and CEO at the Nexstar Media Group. And alongside him is Lee Ann Gliha, who's the CFO of Nexstar. Perry founded Nexstar in 1996 and has over 40 years of professional experience in the television broadcasting industry. This is actually the first time Goldman has hosted the company at the c ...

Nexstar Media Group Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Nexstar Media Group (NasdaqGS:NXST) - **Event**: Goldman Sachs Communications and Technology Conference - **Date**: September 08, 2025 - **Key Speakers**: Perry Sook (Chairman and CEO), Lee Ann Gliha (CFO) Key Points Industry Context - The media landscape is significantly impacted by big technology companies entering consumer video services and sports rights traditionally held by local broadcasters [4][5] - Local television faces existential threats from big tech, which is aggregating local content and advertising [5][6] Financial Performance - Nexstar's revenue increased from $2.8 billion in 2018 to $5.4 billion in 2024, nearly doubling in six years [1] - The proposed acquisition of Tegna could increase Nexstar's scale to over $8 billion in revenue with an EBITDA of approximately $2.6 billion [2] Regulatory Environment - Nexstar is pursuing regulatory relief to lift ownership caps that currently limit local television stations to reaching 39% of the U.S. population [5][9] - The Trump administration and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr are seen as supportive of deregulation, which is crucial for Nexstar's acquisition plans [8][10] Acquisition of Tegna - The acquisition of Tegna is expected to expand Nexstar's reach to 80% of U.S. TV households [12] - The merger is projected to generate $300 million in annual synergies, primarily from operational efficiencies and reduced corporate overhead [13][16] - The integration plan is well-prepared, leveraging Nexstar's extensive experience in previous acquisitions [14] Local Journalism and Content Strategy - Nexstar emphasizes the importance of local journalism, with a commitment to producing 450,000 hours of local news annually post-acquisition [12] - The company aims to enhance local news coverage in major cities, addressing the public interest in maintaining a free and independent press [6][22] Competitive Landscape - The broadcasting industry is expected to consolidate, with only a few major players remaining, potentially leading to stronger companies that can sustain credible local journalism [28][30] - Nexstar's strategy focuses on local content, which is seen as a durable and sticky part of the media ecosystem [24][34] NewsNation and Audience Growth - NewsNation has transitioned from an entertainment network to a news-focused platform, achieving significant audience growth [40][42] - The network aims to fill a gap in the cable news environment by providing centrist, fact-based reporting [40][43] Spectrum Utilization - Nexstar holds a substantial spectrum portfolio and is transitioning to the ATSC 3.0 standard, allowing for more efficient data transmission and potential monetization opportunities [44][46] Advertising Environment - Approximately 60% of Nexstar's advertising revenue comes from services-based businesses, which are less affected by economic downturns compared to goods-based businesses [50] - Non-political advertising was down only 2.5% in the second quarter, indicating resilience in the advertising market [51] Strategic Priorities - Nexstar's immediate focus is on obtaining regulatory approval for the Tegna acquisition and achieving projected synergies [53] - Future M&A opportunities will be considered once the integration is underway, with a focus on maintaining a strong capital position [53][54] Additional Insights - The company believes that local broadcasters play a crucial role in addressing media bias and misinformation, maintaining a commitment to unbiased reporting [25][26] - Nexstar's local market strategy allows for tailored content that meets the specific needs of diverse communities across the U.S. [34]