TEGNA Inc. - TGNA STOCK NEWS

TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) announced an expansion of its VERIFY initiative to combat disinformation and appointed Jonathan Forsythe as the managing editor to lead this effort. VERIFY, which has significantly increased its web traffic by 423% in 2020, will grow into a standalone brand in 2021 with new digital products and broader social media presence. Forsythe, with over 20 years of journalism experience, will oversee content creation and team management, enhancing the initiative's mission to provide accurate information and fight misinformation.

TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) responded to Standard General’s nominations for the 2021 Annual Meeting, stating that their Nominating and Governance Committee will evaluate the proposed nominees and later recommend to the full Board. The statement emphasizes the commitment to act in the best interests of TEGNA shareholders.

The company notes potential risks that could impact its operations, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on revenues, particularly in non-political advertising, and regulatory challenges that may affect TEGNA's future plans.

TEGNA (NYSE: TGNA) and FreeWheel, a Comcast Company (Nasdaq: CMCSA), have announced a multi-year agreement aimed at automating TEGNA's advertising transactions, including through the CTV/OTT platform Premion. The deal involves enhancing operations via FreeWheel’s Strata platform for processing electronic orders through ePort. This partnership will increase efficiency and access for over 1100 agencies to Premion's inventory from 125+ publishers, while also focusing on innovative marketplace technology for programmatic transactions.

TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is set to announce its fourth quarter and full-year 2020 earnings on March 1, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. ET. A conference call will follow, accessible to investors and the public via phone and webcast. The earnings announcement will precede the market opening on the same day. Post-call, a replay will be available on TEGNA's website until March 15. TEGNA operates 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, reaching about 39% of U.S. television households and providing innovative marketing solutions.

TEGNA reported preliminary Q4 and full-year 2020 financial results, anticipating record revenues of $932-$937 million, up 34-35% year-over-year. Key drivers include $264 million in political advertising and improved subscription revenue. The company expects GAAP net income of $246-$251 million, a 193-199% increase. TEGNA renewed a share repurchase program of up to $300 million over three years, signifying confidence in its financial health. For 2021, guidance shows mid-to-high teens revenue growth with a projected Adjusted EBITDA of over $1 billion, underscoring operational resilience amidst COVID-19 challenges.

Nielsen (NYSE: NLSN) has announced a multi-year renewal agreement with TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) to provide local television ratings services across 34 TEGNA markets. This renewal includes ongoing support for Nielsen's comprehensive suite of services such as Nielsen Arianna and Portable People Meter (PPM). The agreement aims to enhance TEGNA's ability to measure media buys and understand audience behavior effectively. This partnership underscores Nielsen's commitment to delivering advanced measurement methodologies and data analytics to the local broadcast industry.

TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) and NBC have announced a multi-year agreement that renews station affiliation for 20 TEGNA markets, covering 17% of the U.S. audience and nearly 21 million households. This agreement secures full carriage of NBC's broadcast network, including popular programming like 'TODAY,' 'Sunday Night Football,' and the Olympic Games. TEGNA, as the largest independent NBC affiliate owner, emphasizes its commitment to delivering premium content alongside local news and community service. The renewal includes major markets such as Atlanta, Phoenix, Seattle, and Minneapolis.

KARE 11 has appointed Stacey Nogy as the new News Director, effective December 31, 2020, succeeding Stuart Boslow, who moves to KHOU in Houston. Nogy, with 28 years at KARE 11, will lead the News Division's vision and strategy. She has received numerous awards, including the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism. KARE 11, owned by TEGNA, is a leader in local news serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

TEGNA Inc. (TGNA) reported a strong third quarter for 2020, with total revenue soaring 34% year-over-year to $738 million, driven by record political advertising at $116 million. Subscription revenue also increased by 32% to $317 million, bolstered by rate hikes and acquisitions. Net income reached $132 million, more than double compared to Q3 2019, with an Adjusted EBITDA of $259 million, up 65%. Despite challenges from COVID-19, the company anticipates continued growth in revenues, particularly in subscription services, and is enhancing its balance sheet through proactive refinancing.