Nexstar, Charter Create WWLP Local News Deal

Nexstar Media Group and Charter Communications today agreed to provide a special feed of local news provided by Nexstar’s NBC affiliate WWLP Springfield, Mass. (DMA 111), to Charter subscribers in the communities of Berkshire County in Western Massachusetts.

The special feed is set to launch in the next 30 to 60 days. The parties reached the agreement with the assistance of Sens. Edward Markey, (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.).

The leading edge of WWLP’s 24-hour daily programming will be live simulcasts of every WWLP news broadcast, delivering 37 hours of weekly local news to Charter subscribers. The special feed also will carry WWLP’s Mass Appeal lifestyle show, and In Focus, a weekly public affairs program.

“WWLP-TV 22 News is prepared to deliver much-needed breaking news and severe weather alerts to the Berkshires at any moment 24-hours a day,” said Tim Busch, president of Nexstar Broadcasting. “Providing high-quality, live local news and content to the communities we serve is core to Nexstar’s mission. We are extremely pleased to be returning WWLP-TV’s News 22 local newscasts and programming to Charter subscribers in Berkshire County.”

“We are pleased to have reached this creative agreement with Nexstar to bring their high-quality, local news programming to our subscribers in the Berkshire communities in a way that will not impact our customers’ bills,” said Tom Montemagno, Charter’s EVP, programming acquisition.

WWLP said that it has always provided Berkshire news and weather coverage, and now will “immediately elevate that commitment by providing a Berkshire-specific weather forecast in every newscast and by dedicating one journalist to provide regular coverage of issues affecting these communities. WWLP-News 22 also will expand news coverage of the Massachusetts State Legislature on issues of key relevance to Berkshire communities.”