Nexstar Stations In Chicago, Norfolk, Lafayette, La., To Become CW Affils

Starting Sept. 1, WGN Chicago; WVBT Norfolk, Va.; and KLFY Lafayette La., will carry CW’s primetime entertainment, live sports, and special event programming

Nexstar Media Group today announced that its owned and operated WGN Chicago (DMA 3); WVBT Norfolk, Va. (DMA 43); and KLFY Lafayette, La. (DMA 125), will become affiliates of The CW Network on Sept. 1.

Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, said: “The addition of these Nexstar-owned stations as affiliates — two of which are among the country’s Top-50 largest markets, highlighted by Chicago, at No. 3 — will bring the number of Nexstar-owned CW stations to 42, covering more than 36% of U.S. TV households. As The CW’s No. 1 affiliate group, Nexstar is very pleased to be bringing the network’s programming to these stations this fall, especially with NASCAR Xfinity series racing and the WWE’s NXT joining a very robust lineup of sports programming, including LIV Golf and ACC college football and basketball. Adding the CW’s programming to them will offer advertisers a variety of new linear and digital opportunities to reach millions of viewers.”

The current CW affiliate in Chicago, WCIU, will return to its previous branding as “The U,” owner Weigel Broadcasting said today, adding shows including The Conners, Bob Hearts Abishola, and Modern Family plus a new first-run game show, The Flip Side, with Jaleel White, this fall. In addition, Judge Judy, Seinfeld, Mathis Court with Judge Mathis and The Neighborhood all will continue on the station.

The CW, which is 75% owned by Nexstar, reaches 100% of U.S. households, and delivers a variety of live sports and 14 hours per week of primetime entertainment programming; beginning in 2025, the network will carry 500 hours of sports programming. The fully ad-supported CW App, with more than 96 million downloads to date, is available for free to consumers.