NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, the largest local television and media company in the United States. Nexstar operates the cable network out of its historic production hub at WGN Studios in Chicago. Rather than starting as an independent broadcast entity, NewsNation was built from the ground up by corporate parent Nexstar in 2021 as a direct rebrand of the former cable station WGN America.
Understanding who owns NewsNation requires looking past the channel's on-air branding to examine a massive media conglomerate. Nexstar controls nearly 200 local television stations, holds a major stake in The CW broadcast network, and owns digital properties like political publication The Hill. This vast corporate infrastructure provides NewsNation with extensive resources, regional news bureaus, and cross-platform promotional power that most standalone cable startups lack.
The Origins of Nexstar Media Group
Nexstar Media Group was founded in 1996 in Irving, Texas, by Perry A. Sook, who serves as the company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The organization began with a single television property—WSCV in Scranton, Pennsylvania. From there, Sook executed an aggressive expansion strategy built on acquiring local television stations across mid-sized and major American media markets.
Two massive corporate transactions cemented Nexstar's position at the top of the American media landscape:
- The Media General Acquisition (2017): This multi-billion-dollar deal dramatically expanded Nexstar's footprint, adding dozens of television stations and solidifying its operational model of regional market dominance.
- The Tribune Media Buyout (2019): Costing roughly $4.1 billion, this acquisition brought major-market powerhouses into the Nexstar fold, including WGN-TV in Chicago and the national cable superstation WGN America.
Owning Tribune Media gave Nexstar direct control over WGN America, a channel that historically relied on syndicated reruns and acquired dramas. Corporate leadership saw an opening in the cable ecosystem for a dedicated news network, prompting the strategic pivot that created NewsNation.
From WGN America to NewsNation
WGN America had a long history as a national superstation, originating from the signal of Chicago's WGN-TV. By the late 2010s, Nexstar executives led by Sean Compton recognized that pure entertainment syndication on cable was facing declining returns due to streaming services. They decided to transform the channel into a 24-hour news and entertainment hybrid, initially launching blocks of news programming in September 2020.
By March 2021, the transformation became permanent with a full rebrand to NewsNation. The network dropped its remaining weekend entertainment obligations over time, shifting entirely toward a format modeled around straight-news reporting, investigative journalism, and nightly talk programming.
Leadership and Editorial Structure
Nexstar exercises corporate oversight over NewsNation, while day-to-day operations and editorial direction are managed by specialized network executives. Key leaders include:
- Perry A. Sook: Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Nexstar Media Group, holding ultimate corporate authority over all company assets.
- Sean Compton: President of Networks for Nexstar Media Group, who spearheaded the original creation and launch of the network.
- Cherie Grzech: President of News and Managing Editor, overseeing newsgathering operations, editorial standards, and broadcast output.
The network maintains its primary headquarters at the WGN Studios facility on Bradley Place in Chicago, while also operating dedicated production studios in major media hubs like New York City and Washington, D.C.
Strategic Integration with Other Nexstar Properties
Nexstar leverages its vast media ecosystem to support NewsNation. Content sharing and cross-promotion occur regularly between NewsNation and The Hill, the Washington-based political website acquired by Nexstar in 2021.
Furthermore, NewsNation draws heavily on Nexstar's nationwide network of local broadcast affiliates. While traditional national cable networks rely heavily on external stringers or affiliate sharing agreements, NewsNation taps directly into video feeds, local reporting teams, and regional expertise from nearly 200 Nexstar-owned local television stations across the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NewsNation publicly traded?
Yes. Nexstar Media Group is a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ exchange under the ticker symbol NXST. This means institutional investors and individual shareholders collectively own the parent company that operates NewsNation.
Where is NewsNation headquartered?
NewsNation is headquartered at the historic WGN Studios facility in Chicago, Illinois. It shares production roots with Chicago's independent broadcast giant, WGN-TV.
When did NewsNation officially launch?
The network officially debuted under the NewsNation name on March 1, 2021, following an initial rollout of news blocks on WGN America that began in September 2020.
Does NewsNation own other media outlets?
NewsNation itself is a subsidiary network rather than a parent company. However, its parent organization, Nexstar, owns hundreds of local TV stations, digital news platforms, and a controlling interest in The CW broadcast network.
