Nexstar And Fox Renew Affiliation Deal

Nexstar Media Group and Fox Broadcasting Co. today announced a multi-year agreement that renews Fox network affiliations for stations that Nexstar owns, operates, programs or provides services to, in 31 markets that reach approximately 8% of the U.S.

In addition, the new agreement will also cover the eight Fox affiliates that Nexstar is acquiring from Tribune Media Co., upon closing of the acquisition. Following its pending acquisition of Tribune, Nexstar will own, operate, program or provide services to Fox affiliates in 39 markets and will be the largest independent operator of Fox-affiliated stations, covering 16% of the U.S. and serving more than 17.5 million households.

“We are delighted to reach this long-term extension of our affiliation agreements with Fox well ahead of the expiration date of the existing contracts and in a manner that mutually recognizes the value of our partnership,” said Perry A. Sook, Nexstar Media Group founder, chairman, president and CEO.

Sook added: “Fox’s marquee sports programming line-up, including NFL Thursday Night Football and Sunday games, MLB, NASCAR, MLS and the soon to launch WWE’s Friday Night Smackdown as well as college football, collectively draw hundreds of millions of fans across the country. Additionally, Fox offers our viewers popular primetime programming such as smash-hit reality competition series, The Masked Singer and Master Chef; critically acclaimed dramas, Empire, 9-1-1 and The Resident; beloved comedies, Last Man Standing and Family Guy; as well as highly-anticipated new series Prodigal Son and Almost Family.

“The combination of Nexstar’s highly-rated local news programming with Fox’s exciting sports and entertainment programming support our goals for delivering great content and information to viewers, while providing effective, multiplatform marketing opportunities for local and national advertisers.”

“We are pleased to continue our affiliation with Nexstar, which is one of our longstanding and valued partners,” added Mike Biard, president, operations and distribution for Fox Corp. “Together Fox and Nexstar deliver leading primetime, sports and local programming to our audiences, and with this new agreement we look forward to continuing to provide consumers with an unrivaled television viewing experience for years to come.”