Nexstar Media Group and Charter Communications Agree to Provide WWLP-TV Local News to Communities in Berkshire County, MA
Agreement Returns Springfield’s #1 Local News to Charter Subscribers
IRVING, TX and STAMFORD, CT – Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST) and Charter Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHTR) announced today that they have agreed to provide a special feed of local news provided by WWLP-TV (NBC), the Nexstar-owned television station in Springfield, MA (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 U.S. Sens. Edward Markey, (D-MA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA).
The agreement returns Springfield’s #1 news and weather to Charter subscribers in Berkshire County. The leading edge of WWLP-TV’s 24-hour daily programming will be live simulcasts of every WWLP-22 News broadcast, delivering 37 hours of weekly local news to Charter subscribers. The special feed also will carry WWLP-TV’s Mass Appeal lifestyle show, the longest running show of its nature in the market, 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 Executive Vice President, Programming Acquisition.
WWLP-TV has always provided Berkshire news and weather coverage, and with this initiative WWLP-TV 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.
Mass Appeal provides an upbeat and conversational connection to day-to-day life in Western Massachusetts. Featuring cooking, style, festivals, health, family and local businesses, Berkshire residents will be excited to reconnect with all that Mass Appeal has to offer every weekday at 11am. In Focus will shed light on deeper civic issues with dialogue from major local leaders and influences and feature regular episodes targeted to topics of Berkshire interest.
About Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Nexstar Media Group is a leading diversified media company that leverages localism to bring new services and value to consumers and advertisers through its traditional media, digital and mobile media platforms. Nexstar owns, operates, programs or provides sales and other services to 197 television stations and related digital multicast signals reaching 115 markets or approximately 39% of all U.S. television households (reflecting the FCC’s UHF discount). Nexstar’s portfolio includes primary affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, MyNetworkTV and The CW. Nexstar’s community portal websites offer additional hyper-local content and verticals for consumers and advertisers, allowing audiences to choose where, when and how they access content while creating new revenue opportunities. Nexstar also owns WGN America, a growing national general entertainment cable network and a 31.3% ownership stake in TV Food Network, a top tier cable asset. For more information please visit www.nexstar.tv.
About Charter
Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) is a leading broadband communications company and the second largest cable operator in the United States. Charter provides a full range of advanced residential broadband services, including Spectrum TV® programming, Spectrum Internet®, Spectrum Voice®, and Spectrum Mobile™. Under the Spectrum Business® brand, Charter provides scalable, and cost-effective broadband communications solutions to small and medium-sized business organizations, including Internet access, business telephone, and TV services. Through the Spectrum Enterprise brand, Charter is a national provider of scalable, fiber-based technology solutions serving many of America’s largest businesses and communications service providers. Charter’s advertising sales and production services are sold under the Spectrum Reach® brand. Charter’s news and sports networks are operated under the Spectrum Networks brand. More information about Charter can be found at newsroom.charter.com.
Nexstar Media Contact:
Gary Weitman
EVP and Chief Communications Officer
Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
312/513-8562 or gweitman@nexstar.tv
Nexstar Investor Contact:
Joe Jaffoni or Jennifer Neuman
JCIR/212/835-8500 or nxst@jcir.com
Charter Media Contact:
Maureen Huff
Vice President, External Communications
203/428-0300 or Maureen.huff@charter.com