Nexstar Media Group Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Nexstar Media Group (NasdaqGS:NXST) - **Industry**: Media and Broadcasting Key Financial Performance - **2025 Revenue**: Nearly $5 billion, with over $1.5 billion in EBITDA and almost $1 billion in free cash flow, marking record top-line performance compared to previous odd years [3][4] - **2024 Performance**: Also a record year for revenue [4] Core Business Insights - **Broadcasting Strength**: Nexstar emphasizes the strength of broadcast media over cable networks and streaming services, citing high viewership and a comprehensive distribution model that includes paid TV, IP, and over-the-air access [4][5] - **Viewership Growth**: The CW network was noted as the second fastest-growing network in 2025, with significant increases in sports programming viewership, particularly NFL and NBA [5][6] Tegna Merger - **Merger Status**: The merger with Tegna is in active discussions with the FCC and DOJ, with expectations to clear the approval process by the end of Q2 2026 [7][8] - **EBITDA Synergies**: Anticipated $300 million in EBITDA synergies within the first 12 months post-merger, with potential additional value from facility consolidations [12] - **Divestitures**: Any required divestitures are expected to have a minimal financial impact on the overall deal [9][11] Future Focus and Strategy - **Local Market Focus**: Nexstar plans to continue focusing on local media, which is seen as more durable compared to national assets [17] - **Digital Expansion**: The company is exploring opportunities in digital video assets and streaming, emphasizing a multi-platform content distribution strategy [46][52] Pay TV Ecosystem - **Subscriber Trends**: There is a belief in stabilization of pay TV subscriber attrition, aided by new bundling strategies from companies like Charter [20][21] - **Retransmission Negotiations**: 60% of subscribers were up for renewal in 2025, with expectations for successful negotiations in 2026 [22][23] Advertising Market - **Advertising Growth**: Ex-political advertising grew by 4.5% in the most recent quarter, with expectations for flat growth in the first quarter of 2026 [36][37] - **Political Advertising**: Nexstar anticipates capturing a low double-digit percentage share of political advertising dollars in 2026, with no slowdown in spending expected [38][39] The CW Network - **Viewership Increase**: The CW saw a nearly 20% increase in viewership, attributed to a shift towards sports programming, including NASCAR [54][55] - **Profitability Goals**: The CW is expected to reach profitability by Q4 2026, with a focus on expanding its sports rights portfolio [54][57] NewsNation Performance - **Growth Metrics**: NewsNation posted its strongest year in 2025, becoming the fastest-growing cable network in the 25-54 demographic [59] - **Live Programming Strategy**: The network's live programming approach is seen as a competitive advantage over traditional cable news networks [60] Capital Allocation and M&A Strategy - **Post-Merger Focus**: After the Tegna acquisition, Nexstar plans to focus on deleveraging and maintaining a solid balance sheet [62][70] - **M&A as Priority**: M&A remains a top priority for capital allocation, with a focus on accretive opportunities [63] Technological Advancements - **ATSC Transition**: Nexstar is involved in transitioning to ATSC 3.0, which is expected to enhance spectrum monetization and provide new revenue opportunities [72][74] Conclusion - **Investment Thesis**: Nexstar positions itself as a leader in the local media ecosystem, with strong cash flow generation and a focus on growth through M&A and local market expansion [66][69]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, total operating revenues decreased by 1% compared to the previous quarter and by 2% for the full year, with revenues flat year-over-year when excluding divestitures [17][18] - Adjusted EBITDA improved by 6% in Q4, but declined by 6% for the full year due to divestitures and a non-cash adjustment to stock-based compensation in Q1 [18] - Capital expenditures for the full year were $406 million, with a forecast increase to $550 million-$600 million for 2026 [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - TDS Telecom added 58,000 new marketable fiber addresses in Q4, a 39% increase year-over-year, and delivered a total of 140,000 new marketable fiber addresses for the full year [10][11] - Residential fiber net adds were approximately 15,000 in Q4, up 11% from Q4 2024, totaling about 45,000 for the year [11][12] - Cash site rental revenue for Array increased by 64% year-over-year in Q4, with a 96% increase when including T-Mobile interim site revenue [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The divestitures in 2025, including the sale of wireless operations, have concentrated TDS's footprint in economically viable markets for fiber [12] - The company identified 300,000 additional fiber address opportunities, raising its long-term goal from 1.8 million to 2.1 million fiber addresses [13][14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - TDS aims to strengthen its corporate and capital structure, grow TDS Telecom's fiber business, support Array's tower operations, and enhance company culture while delivering strong operational results [4][5] - Array focuses on optimizing tower operations and monetizing spectrum, with significant progress in spectrum monetization agreements with major carriers [21][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about growth prospects for 2026, particularly in fiber and tower operations, despite challenges from legacy revenue declines and divestitures [19][34] - The company is committed to delivering a best-in-class customer experience and achieving operational efficiency through ongoing business transformation efforts [14][15] Other Important Information - TDS repaid $150 million in term loan debt and received $726 million from a special dividend related to the AT&T spectrum sale [6][7] - The company plans to continue disciplined share repurchase activities, with $524 million remaining on its authorization as of the end of 2025 [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is DISH included in the 2026 guidance? - Management confirmed that DISH is completely out of the 2026 guidance, and any settlement would be considered upside [43][44] Question: What is the outlook for tower leasing applications? - Management expressed optimism about growth prospects, expecting significant same-store growth and positive results from insourcing the sales team [45][47] Question: How is TDS Telecom addressing video bundling? - Management emphasized the importance of video in their value proposition and plans to strengthen video bundling alongside broadband offerings [84] Question: What is the growth rate embedded in the revenue guidance for 2026? - Management indicated a growth expectation of around 6% on a same-store basis, excluding DISH revenue [80]

Core Viewpoint - Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc. has successfully closed a transaction with AT&T to sell a portion of its spectrum licenses for $1.018 billion, leading to the declaration of a special cash dividend of $10.25 per share [1][2][3]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The transaction aligns with Array's strategy to monetize spectrum not included in the previous sale to T-Mobile, which was finalized on August 1, 2025 [2]. - The special dividend is set to be paid on February 2, 2026, to shareholders recorded as of January 23, 2026 [2]. Group 2: Company Insights - Array Digital Infrastructure is a prominent owner and operator of shared wireless communications infrastructure in the U.S., with over 4,400 cell towers supporting the deployment of 5G and other wireless technologies [5]. - The company is approximately 82% owned by Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS) [5]. Group 3: Leadership Commentary - The President and CEO of Array expressed satisfaction with the value realized from the sale and emphasized the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders through the special dividend [3]. Group 4: Advisory and Legal Support - Citigroup Global Markets Inc. acted as the lead financial advisor for the transaction, with additional advisory support from Centerview Partners LLC, TD Securities (USA) LLC, and Wells Fargo [4]. - Legal and regulatory counsel was provided by Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, Clifford Chance LLP, and Sidley Austin LLP [4].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total operating revenues decreased by 3% year-over-year, with a 1% decline when excluding divestitures, driven by declines in legacy cable and copper markets, partially offset by fiber growth [31] - Adjusted EBITDA also fell by 3% year-over-year, impacted by divestitures and legacy revenue declines, but supported by disciplined cost control [31] - Capital expenditures increased compared to the previous year due to spending on the EACAM program and higher expansion address delivery, with over 80% of 2025 capital expenditures focused on fiber [31][32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - TDS Telecom achieved a milestone of 1 million fiber addresses, with 42,000 fiber addresses delivered in the quarter, contributing to a 19% growth in residential fiber connections year-over-year [15][23] - Residential fiber net additions were 11,200 in the quarter, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase [30] - The company is behind schedule on its annual address delivery target but expects the fourth quarter to be the strongest [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The fiber business is expected to grow significantly, with a target of 1.8 million marketable fiber service addresses, up from approximately 900,000 [28][84] - The company anticipates achieving gig speeds for at least 95% of its footprint, with 76% currently at gig speeds [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capital allocation decisions, prioritizing investments in fiber, achieving inorganic growth through M&A, and returning capital to shareholders [17][20] - The EACAM program aims to replace legacy copper infrastructure, adding approximately 300,000 new fiber addresses and providing $1.2 billion in regulatory revenue support over 15 years [24][25] - The company plans to pursue edge-out opportunities in adjacent communities without fiber providers, with several hundred thousand potential service addresses identified [18][57] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the fiber business's growth potential and the successful transition to an independent tower company [14][33] - The company is focused on optimizing tower operations and monetizing spectrum, with significant progress made in spectrum monetization [36][38] - Management acknowledged the challenges of transforming the business but emphasized the strong culture and commitment of associates [16] Other Important Information - A $500 million share repurchase program was announced, reflecting the board's confidence in the company's long-term strategy [20][60] - The company expects to declare a special dividend of approximately $10 per share following the closing of the AT&T transaction [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on fiber plan and cohort analysis - Management acknowledged the request for cohort analysis and plans to provide updates in February regarding fiber opportunities and market performance [54][56] Question: Stock buyback program significance - The board's authorization of the buyback program reflects confidence in the company's strategy and is seen as a balanced approach alongside business investments [60] Question: SG&A expenses and wind down costs - Management indicated that SG&A costs are expected to remain high through the first half of next year, with ongoing efforts to rationalize expenses [64][65] Question: Naked tower strategy and land leases - The strategy involves leasing up towers and rationalizing ground rents, with minimal long-term commitments on land leases [75][78] Question: Leverage target and fiber passings impact - The leverage target is set to maximize flexibility, with current leverage at 1.4 times, and future updates on fiber goals will be provided in February [82][84] Question: M&A strategy and edge-out opportunities - Current focus is on operational execution rather than M&A, with potential future opportunities being evaluated [107]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company completed the sale of U.S. Cellular wireless business and certain spectrum assets to T-Mobile for $4.3 billion, which strengthens the balance sheets of both Array and TDS [5][12] - TDS's debt was reduced to approximately $364 million post-transaction, with $1.7 billion in debt assumed by T-Mobile [12] - A special dividend of $23 per share was declared, with TDS expected to receive approximately $1.63 billion [13] - The average cost of debt for TDS is projected to decrease to just over 6% after redeeming $1.1 billion in debt [13] - S&P raised TDS's credit rating to BBB- from BB, reflecting a strong balance sheet and growth outlook [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Array's tower business has approximately 4,400 towers and is expected to grow colocations and margins due to increasing demand for data services [6][8] - Third-party tower revenues increased by 12%, and the number of third-party colocations rose by 6% year-over-year [26] - Fiber service addresses grew by 19% year-over-year, with 10,300 net additions in the quarter [35][41] - Total operating revenues decreased by 1% year-over-year, but excluding divestitures, revenue increased by 1% [43] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focusing on expanding its fiber footprint, targeting 1.8 million marketable fiber service addresses, with 968,000 addresses at the end of the quarter [36] - The company aims for 80% of total addresses to be served by fiber, currently at 53% [37] - Demand for higher broadband speeds is increasing, with 83% of residential broadband customers taking 100 meg or higher [41] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on its tower and fiber businesses, with plans to optimize ground leases and drive revenue growth through new colocations [24][26] - A capital allocation strategy is being developed, focusing on fiber investments, M&A opportunities, and shareholder returns [16][17] - The company aims to maintain a conservative balance sheet while pursuing growth opportunities in fiber and tower businesses [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving the target of 150,000 new fiber addresses for the year, with significant growth expected in the second half [34][59] - The company is optimistic about the competitive landscape in its expansion markets, which were selected for their favorable characteristics [77] - Management acknowledged the challenges of transitioning from a wireless service provider to an independent tower company, with expected wind-down costs impacting profitability in the near term [30] Other Important Information - The company is working to monetize remaining spectrum assets, with agreements to monetize approximately 70% of Array's total spectrum holdings [21] - The new master license agreement with T-Mobile is expected to significantly strengthen the tower business, with commitments for colocations [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on TDS Telecom's fiber expansion - Management is excited about the opportunities for fiber expansion and expects to share more details in upcoming quarters [54] Question: Long-term leverage stabilization for TDS Telecom - TDS Telecom is expected to maintain leverage below 1.5 times while evaluating opportunities [56] Question: Access to construction resources for fiber expansion - Management is confident in meeting the 150,000 service address goal, with ramping construction efforts [59] Question: Cohort analysis for fiber penetration - Management plans to share cohort analysis soon, expecting 25-30% penetration by month 12 in new markets [63] Question: Update on mobile launch and pricing strategy - TDS Mobile was launched in select markets, with aggressive pricing strategies being tested [86][88] Question: M&A opportunities focus - The company is considering fiber opportunities that synergize with existing properties [89]