NewsNation Parent Nexstar Raises Dividend Despite Q1 Revenue Decline, Stock Soars
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 08 2025
0mins
Source: Benzinga
Financial Performance: Nexstar Media Group reported a 3.9% decrease in first-quarter FY25 net revenue to $1.234 billion, with advertising revenues down 10.2% year-over-year, while adjusted EBITDA fell by 15.7%. However, the company beat EPS expectations at $3.37.
Strategic Initiatives: The Board raised the quarterly cash dividend by 10% to $1.86 per share and repurchased $75 million in shares, as CEO Perry A. Sook emphasized plans for renewing distribution contracts and enhancing profitability for The CW and NewsNation.
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Analyst Views on NXST
Wall Street analysts forecast NXST stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 184.400
Low
204.00
Averages
232.25
High
250.00
Current: 184.400
Low
204.00
Averages
232.25
High
250.00
About NXST
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. is a diversified media company with television broadcasting, television network and digital media assets operating in the United States. The Company produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports and entertainment content across its television and digital platforms. The Company’s reportable broadcast segment includes television stations and related local websites that Nexstar owns, operates, programs or provides sales and other services to in various markets across the United States, NewsNation, a national cable news network, two owned and operated multicast networks and other multicast network services, and WGN-AM, a Chicago radio station. The other operating segments, The CW and digital businesses, focused on the national marketplace. The Company’s portfolio of digital assets, including its local TV station websites, The Hill and NewsNationNow.com. Its national television properties include The CW, NewsNation, Antenna TV, and Rewind TV.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Nexstar Charitable Foundation Doubles Grants to $300,000
- Grant Total Doubled: Nexstar Charitable Foundation has doubled its financial commitment to $300,000 for its '30 Days of Giving' initiative, which will award $5,000 each to 60 nonprofit organizations throughout June, demonstrating the company's strong commitment to community support.
- Employee Engagement Drive: The initiative, driven by nominations from Nexstar's 13,000 employees who submitted over 100 organizations, highlights the enthusiasm and involvement of staff in community service, further strengthening the company's ties with local communities.
- First Grant Recipients: The Opry Heritage Foundation and Spartanburg Humane Society are the first to receive $5,000 grants, with the former focused on transforming the lives of low-income children through music education and the latter dedicated to providing shelter and care for homeless animals, reflecting Nexstar's attention to diverse social needs.
- Enhanced Community Impact: Founder Perry Sook noted that expanding the '30 Days of Giving' initiative allows the company to support more organizations, thereby enhancing its impact in serving communities and advancing its strategic goals in corporate social responsibility.
See More
Nexstar Media Group Wins 34 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards
- Award Recognition: Nexstar Media Group's 20 television stations collectively earned 34 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, with KXAN-TV and KHON-TV recognized for 'Overall Excellence,' highlighting the company's leadership in local news.
- Multiple Wins: KXAN-TV secured awards in four categories, including Digital, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Innovation, and Podcast, showcasing its excellence in diverse and innovative reporting, which enhances brand image and audience loyalty.
- Industry Impact: CEO Perry Sook emphasized the critical role of strong local journalism amid competition from Big Tech and streaming giants, and this achievement is expected to bolster the company's competitiveness in the media landscape.
- Future Outlook: Nexstar plans to continue investing in news production and distribution to meet audience demand for high-quality content, which is anticipated to further drive growth in market share and brand influence.
See More
TEGNA Inc. Receives 50 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards
- Significant Award Count: TEGNA Inc.'s stations received a total of 50 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, with KGW in Portland winning the Overall Excellence award, highlighting the company's leadership in local news reporting.
- Writing Excellence Recognized: KARE in Minneapolis earned nine awards, including Excellence in Writing, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to high-quality content creation and journalistic standards.
- Multiple Stations Honored: A total of 16 TEGNA stations were recognized, with KING in Seattle receiving seven awards and KUSA in Denver six, indicating the company's influence and quality of news across various markets.
- Industry Recognition: The Edward R. Murrow Awards, sponsored by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), honor outstanding achievements in broadcast and digital journalism, further enhancing TEGNA's reputation within the industry.
See More
TEGNA Inc. Receives 50 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards
- Award Recognition: TEGNA Inc. stations received a total of 50 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, with KGW in Portland winning the Overall Excellence award, highlighting the company's leadership in local news reporting.
- Writing and Investigative Reporting: KARE in Minneapolis earned nine awards, including Excellence in Writing, while KUSA in Denver was recognized with six awards for Investigative Reporting, demonstrating TEGNA's ongoing commitment to high-quality news content creation.
- Multiplatform Coverage: TEGNA operates 64 local television stations across 51 U.S. markets and provides extensive news coverage through websites, mobile apps, and CTV applications, enhancing its influence in the digital news landscape.
- Industry Recognition: The Edward R. Murrow Awards, sponsored by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), honor outstanding achievements in broadcast and digital journalism, further elevating TEGNA's reputation within the industry.
See More
TEGNA Appoints New CEO Amid Acquisition Challenges
- New CEO Appointment: TEGNA has appointed former Fox TV executive Patrick Paolini as its new CEO effective June 1, replacing Mike Steib, who stepped down following Nexstar's acquisition announcement, aiming to enhance operational efficiency during a transitional period.
- Acquisition Context: Steib's resignation came as Nexstar faces an antitrust challenge from eight state attorneys general and DirectTV, with Paolini's leadership expected to maintain TEGNA's independent operations amidst these legal hurdles.
- Court Order Requirements: A 'Hold Separate Order' issued by the U.S. District Court in April mandates Nexstar to operate TEGNA as a distinct business unit, ensuring its economic viability and competitive stance, despite the acquisition being finalized.
- Antitrust Lawsuit Impact: California Attorney General Rob Bonta highlighted that the merger could create the largest local TV operator in the U.S., potentially harming consumers and local news, placing additional pressure on Paolini to drive TEGNA's independent growth.
See More
Tegna Appoints New CEO to Tackle Merger Challenges
- New CEO Appointment: Tegna appointed veteran Patrick Paolini as CEO on Tuesday to address a court order blocking a $6.2 billion merger with rival Nexstar, demonstrating the company's commitment to navigating merger challenges.
- Extensive Industry Experience: Paolini brings over three decades of local broadcast leadership experience, having served as executive vice president of advertising sales at Fox Television Stations since 2023, which is expected to provide Tegna with valuable market insights and sales strategies.
- Significant Merger Value: The merger involves a substantial $6.2 billion transaction, which, if successful, would significantly enhance Tegna's market position in the media industry, increasing its competitiveness and market share.
- Need for Strategic Adjustment: Given the legal challenges, the leadership change at Tegna is not only a direct response to current issues but may also provide new perspectives and momentum for future business development and strategic direction.
See More
Nexstar Charitable Foundation Doubles Grants to $300,000
- Grant Total Doubled: Nexstar Charitable Foundation has doubled its financial commitment to $300,000 for its '30 Days of Giving' initiative, which will award $5,000 each to 60 nonprofit organizations throughout June, demonstrating the company's strong commitment to community support.
- Employee Engagement Drive: The initiative, driven by nominations from Nexstar's 13,000 employees who submitted over 100 organizations, highlights the enthusiasm and involvement of staff in community service, further strengthening the company's ties with local communities.
- First Grant Recipients: The Opry Heritage Foundation and Spartanburg Humane Society are the first to receive $5,000 grants, with the former focused on transforming the lives of low-income children through music education and the latter dedicated to providing shelter and care for homeless animals, reflecting Nexstar's attention to diverse social needs.
- Enhanced Community Impact: Founder Perry Sook noted that expanding the '30 Days of Giving' initiative allows the company to support more organizations, thereby enhancing its impact in serving communities and advancing its strategic goals in corporate social responsibility.
See More
Nexstar Media Group Wins 34 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards
- Award Recognition: Nexstar Media Group's 20 television stations collectively earned 34 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, with KXAN-TV and KHON-TV recognized for 'Overall Excellence,' highlighting the company's leadership in local news.
- Multiple Wins: KXAN-TV secured awards in four categories, including Digital, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Innovation, and Podcast, showcasing its excellence in diverse and innovative reporting, which enhances brand image and audience loyalty.
- Industry Impact: CEO Perry Sook emphasized the critical role of strong local journalism amid competition from Big Tech and streaming giants, and this achievement is expected to bolster the company's competitiveness in the media landscape.
- Future Outlook: Nexstar plans to continue investing in news production and distribution to meet audience demand for high-quality content, which is anticipated to further drive growth in market share and brand influence.
See More
TEGNA Inc. Receives 50 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards
- Significant Award Count: TEGNA Inc.'s stations received a total of 50 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, with KGW in Portland winning the Overall Excellence award, highlighting the company's leadership in local news reporting.
- Writing Excellence Recognized: KARE in Minneapolis earned nine awards, including Excellence in Writing, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to high-quality content creation and journalistic standards.
- Multiple Stations Honored: A total of 16 TEGNA stations were recognized, with KING in Seattle receiving seven awards and KUSA in Denver six, indicating the company's influence and quality of news across various markets.
- Industry Recognition: The Edward R. Murrow Awards, sponsored by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), honor outstanding achievements in broadcast and digital journalism, further enhancing TEGNA's reputation within the industry.
See More
TEGNA Inc. Receives 50 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards
- Award Recognition: TEGNA Inc. stations received a total of 50 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, with KGW in Portland winning the Overall Excellence award, highlighting the company's leadership in local news reporting.
- Writing and Investigative Reporting: KARE in Minneapolis earned nine awards, including Excellence in Writing, while KUSA in Denver was recognized with six awards for Investigative Reporting, demonstrating TEGNA's ongoing commitment to high-quality news content creation.
- Multiplatform Coverage: TEGNA operates 64 local television stations across 51 U.S. markets and provides extensive news coverage through websites, mobile apps, and CTV applications, enhancing its influence in the digital news landscape.
- Industry Recognition: The Edward R. Murrow Awards, sponsored by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), honor outstanding achievements in broadcast and digital journalism, further elevating TEGNA's reputation within the industry.
See More
TEGNA Appoints New CEO Amid Acquisition Challenges
- New CEO Appointment: TEGNA has appointed former Fox TV executive Patrick Paolini as its new CEO effective June 1, replacing Mike Steib, who stepped down following Nexstar's acquisition announcement, aiming to enhance operational efficiency during a transitional period.
- Acquisition Context: Steib's resignation came as Nexstar faces an antitrust challenge from eight state attorneys general and DirectTV, with Paolini's leadership expected to maintain TEGNA's independent operations amidst these legal hurdles.
- Court Order Requirements: A 'Hold Separate Order' issued by the U.S. District Court in April mandates Nexstar to operate TEGNA as a distinct business unit, ensuring its economic viability and competitive stance, despite the acquisition being finalized.
- Antitrust Lawsuit Impact: California Attorney General Rob Bonta highlighted that the merger could create the largest local TV operator in the U.S., potentially harming consumers and local news, placing additional pressure on Paolini to drive TEGNA's independent growth.
See More
Tegna Appoints New CEO to Tackle Merger Challenges
- New CEO Appointment: Tegna appointed veteran Patrick Paolini as CEO on Tuesday to address a court order blocking a $6.2 billion merger with rival Nexstar, demonstrating the company's commitment to navigating merger challenges.
- Extensive Industry Experience: Paolini brings over three decades of local broadcast leadership experience, having served as executive vice president of advertising sales at Fox Television Stations since 2023, which is expected to provide Tegna with valuable market insights and sales strategies.
- Significant Merger Value: The merger involves a substantial $6.2 billion transaction, which, if successful, would significantly enhance Tegna's market position in the media industry, increasing its competitiveness and market share.
- Need for Strategic Adjustment: Given the legal challenges, the leadership change at Tegna is not only a direct response to current issues but may also provide new perspectives and momentum for future business development and strategic direction.
See More
