WJMN Marquette

Nexstar promotes its former WFRV Green Bay, Wis., sales executive to VP-GM of that station as well as WJMN Marquette, Mich.

Nexstar Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate in Marquette, Mich., will debut 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts next month produced from a new broadcast and digital operations center, and hires Cynthia Thompson as news director/anchor.

Steve Shanks will Lead Sales Efforts at CBS Affiliates WFRV Green Bay, Wis., WJMN Marquette, Mich., and the stations’ websites.

The group owner completes the $20-million purchase of CBS affiliates WFRV Green Bay, Wis., and WJMN Marquette, Mich., and names Joseph Denk their VP and general manager.

The longtime GM of the CBS affiliates in Green Bay, Wis., and Marquette, Mich., is retiring upon the completion of the sale of the stations this summer to Nexstar Broadcasting. Nexstar announced it was buying the stations from Liberty Media last month for $20 million.

Nexstar plans to launch local news at WJMN Marquette, Mich., after the group closes on its acquisition of it and WFRV Green Bay, Wis., from Liberty Media, says President-CEO Perry Sook.

The Dallas-based station group is adding WFRV Green Bay-Appleton, Wis., and WJMN Marquette, Mich., to its already bulging station portfolio. CBS Perry Sook says the price is less than five times projected 2010-11 cash flow, which he believes he can grow by being more agressive on retrans and through “synergistic operating improvements.”