Nexstar Media Group is the largest owner of local television stations in the United States, operating over 200 stations across the country and reaching approximately 39% of U.S. television households. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, the company has grown through strategic acquisitions to become a dominant force in local broadcast television.

Political Programming

Nexstar’s political coverage primarily occurs through its local television stations and its national cable news network NewsNation, launched in 2020.

Local News Coverage: Individual stations provide local political coverage including elections, municipal issues, and regional political developments. Coverage approaches vary by market and local newsroom policies.

NewsNation: The company’s national cable news network positions itself as providing “unbiased news coverage” and alternative programming to traditional cable news networks.

Digital Strategy: Local stations maintain websites and digital platforms for news distribution, while NewsNation operates across multiple digital platforms including streaming services.

Digital Era Adaptation

Nexstar has adapted its local television model to incorporate digital distribution and engagement:

Platform Integration: Local stations maintain social media presence and digital news platforms, while NewsNation distributes content across streaming platforms and social media.

Content Strategy: The company emphasizes local news content while expanding national programming through NewsNation to compete with established cable news networks.

Audience Engagement: Local stations engage with communities through digital platforms, while NewsNation targets audiences seeking alternatives to traditional cable news programming.

Political Influence

Nexstar Media Group’s influence on political discourse includes:

Local Coverage Impact: As the largest local television station owner, Nexstar’s newsrooms influence how political stories are covered in markets across the country, affecting local elections and issues.

National Programming: NewsNation’s positioning as an alternative to traditional cable news networks represents an attempt to capture audiences seeking different approaches to political coverage.

Market Consolidation: The company’s extensive ownership of local stations has raised regulatory questions about media concentration and its impact on local news diversity.

Political Advertising: Nexstar stations serve as major platforms for political advertising during election cycles, making the company a significant player in political campaign strategies.

The company represents the ongoing consolidation trend in local television ownership and the challenges facing traditional broadcast media in adapting to digital distribution while maintaining local news operations across diverse markets.