NewsNation Further Expands News Programming

Rhea-AI Summary

NewsNation, owned by Nexstar Media, is set to expand its programming with an additional 12 hours of live news weekly by June. This expansion will increase original programming from 21 hours to 61 hours each week. Changes include a new 11 PM weeknight newscast, extending weekend evening broadcasts to three hours, and an enhanced morning news block that will now feature four hours daily. These efforts are aimed at providing continuous, unbiased news coverage, especially regarding significant global events like the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Positive

• Weekly original programming increasing to 61 hours from 21 hours.
• New 11 PM weeknight newscast will enhance viewer engagement.
• Expanded coverage during weekends to attract more viewers.
• Increased focus on global events like the war in Ukraine, improving content relevance.

Negative

• Joe Donlon, a key anchor, will leave NewsNation on March 25, which may impact viewer loyalty.

11 PM Newscast Joins Schedule, Morning News Block Adds Fourth Hour

RUSH HOUR Expands to Two Hours, Weekend Evening Newscasts Expand to Three Hours

NewsNation to Offer More Than 60 Hours of Live News, Analysis, and Talk Every Week

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NewsNation, Nexstar Media Inc.’s wholly-owned news and entertainment cable network reaching 75 million U.S. television households, today announced its latest expansion plans, adding 12 hours of live news programming weekly by early June. Once the expansion is complete, the network’s weekly original programming will increase from 21 hours at its launch in September 2020, to a total of 61 hours of live news, analysis, and talk every week.

The programming expansion got underway in late February, when the network added an hour to its weekend newscast, “NEWSNATION PRIME,” which now airs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET on Saturdays and Sundays. NewsNation’s live late evening national newscast, which debuted with the outbreak of war in Ukraine, will permanently join the network’s programming line-up weeknights from 11 p.m. to 12 a.m. ET. The show will continue being anchored by Marni Hughes and Leland Vittert and feature the latest developments from the war and other late-breaking news, as well as in-depth reporting by some of Nexstar’s more than 5,500 journalists across the country. In June, NewsNation’s live, national morning news programming will expand to four hours each weekday. This expanded block of programming will now begin at 6 a.m. ET, with “MORNING IN AMERICA” airing from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET.

“NewsNation is well down the path to becoming a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week cable news network, and this latest expansion is a clear demonstration of our commitment to making that a reality,” said Sean Compton, President of the networks division of Nexstar Media Inc. “The appetite for balanced, unbiased news has never been greater, especially in light of the war in Ukraine. Thanks to our incredible staff, we’re able to provide ongoing live coverage from the war zone and special programming regarding the latest developments in the region. As a result, more and more viewers are relying on NewsNation for the kind of news, analysis, and talk that they can’t get anywhere else.”

Beginning Monday, March 28, “RUSH HOUR,” NewsNation’s early evening newscast anchored by Nichole Berlie, will expand one hour and air weeknights from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Joe Donlon, who has anchored “THE DONLON REPORT” since spring of 2021, has decided to leave NewsNation; his last show will be Friday, March 25. The show’s staff will be redeployed to “RUSH HOUR” and other NewsNation broadcasts.

“It has been an honor to occupy this seat for the past year. Not many people get to host a national show like this, and I will always appreciate the opportunity. I have learned more than I ever could have imagined. I want to thank the incredible team at ‘The Donlon Report’ for all their hard work. I have the utmost respect for what everyone at NewsNation is trying to accomplish, and I wish my friends there nothing but the best moving forward.”

About NewsNation

NewsNation is a national news and entertainment cable network reaching 75 million television households across the United States. Formerly known as WGN America, the network is owned and operated by Nexstar Media Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST). NewsNation is America’s source for unbiased news, where engaged citizens get news that represents the full range of perspectives across the country. The network draws on the local market, regional and national expertise of Nexstar’s 5,500 local journalists in 110 local newsrooms across the country. NewsNation is available across a variety of cable and satellite providers, streaming platforms, online, and on the NewsNationNow app.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220314005608/en/

Media Contact:

Gary Weitman

EVP & Chief Communication Officer

Nexstar Media Group, Inc.

972/373-8800 or gweitman@nexstar.tv



Investor Contact:

Joseph Jaffoni or Jennifer Neuman

JCIR

212/835-8500 or nxst@jcir.com

Source: NewsNation

FAQ

What is the new programming schedule for NewsNation as of March 2023?

NewsNation is expanding its programming to 61 hours of live news weekly, including an 11 PM weeknight newscast and four hours of morning news starting in June.

When will the 12-hour programming expansion for NewsNation be completed?

The programming expansion is expected to be completed by early June 2023.

What will happen to the 'Donlon Report'?

Joe Donlon will leave the show on March 25, 2023, and his staff will be reassigned to other NewsNation broadcasts.

How many television households does NewsNation reach in the US?

NewsNation reaches 75 million television households across the United States.

What key event is driving NewsNation's programming expansion?

The ongoing war in Ukraine is a significant factor driving the increased demand for unbiased news coverage.