Nexstar Broadcasting Expands Local News in Portland
Following Acquisition of KRCW-TV, Portland’s CW, Nexstar Will Expand 10 PM News to One Hour and Launch Sunday Night Sports Highlights Show, “Game On!”
IRVING, TEXAS and PORTLAND, OR —Nexstar Media Group (Nasdaq: NXST) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (“Nexstar” or the “Company”), will expand local news at its recently acquired Portland (DMA #22) television station, KRCW-TV, “Portland’s CW.” Nexstar will expand the station’s 10 PM newscast to a full hour beginning tonight, and will also add “Game On!”, a 30-minute sports highlights show on Sunday nights, beginning Oct. 27. Both broadcasts will continue to be independently produced for KRCW-TV by its sister station in Portland, KOIN-TV (CBS).
“Nexstar is committed to serving its local communities with informative, engaging and exclusive local content,” said Tim Busch, President of Nexstar Broadcasting. “This additional programming is just the beginning of Nexstar’s ambitious plans to add more local content to KRCW-TV now and again in 2020. Expanding the 10 PM news broadcast and adding ‘Game On!’ provides new locally-produced programming for our viewers and delivers additional opportunities for our marketing partners to reach consumers.”
The expanded newscast will be anchored on weeknights by KOIN-TV’s main anchor team of Jeff Gianola and Jennifer Hoff, with Natasha Stenbock handling weather, and Adam Bjaranson manning the sports desk. The broadcast will feature a variety of exclusive lifestyle segments specially tailored for the station, as well as the latest news, weather and sports. On Sunday nights, “Game On!” will begin at 10:30 PM and will be hosted by Bjaranson and weekend sports anchor, A.J. McCord.
“Expanding local news is core to our mission of serving the local communities of the greater Portland area,” said Patrick Nevin, Vice President and General Manager of KRCW-TV and KOIN-TV. “The additional 30 minutes at 10 PM enables KRCW to add meaningful local news content and new features that highlight Portland’s unique character and some of the area’s most interesting people and places. On Friday nights, we’ll highlight local high school sports and talented young athletes.”
Some of the new segments that will launch on the expanded KRCW 10 PM news include “Positive Vibes,” hosted by KOIN-TV morning anchor Jenny Hansson, featuring uplifting stories of Portland citizens making a positive impact in the community, and “Community Champions,” where viewers nominate people providing outstanding service to the area and rewards the winners with recognition on-air. Other planned segments will highlight Portland’s thriving food cart business, preview the weekend’s upcoming events with weekly “What’s on Tap” segments, and include a variety of unique digital features. “Game On!” will offer in-depth analysis on local and professional sports, providing the audience with a go-to resource for scores, highlights and live interviews.
Also beginning tonight on KRCW-TV, the popular off-network situation comedy, “Seinfeld,” will move to 11 PM Monday-Sunday.
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.
Nexstar Media Contact:
Gary Weitman
EVP & Chief Communication Officer
312/222-3394 (office)
Investor Contact:
Joe Jaffoni or Jennifer Neuman
JCIR
212/835-8500
KRCW-TV Contact Info:
Melinda Carlson-Smith
Creative Services Director KOIN-TV, KRCW-TV
503/464-0822