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Nexstar Media Group Reports First Quarter Results

May 7, 2026 7:00 AM

Closed acquisition of TEGNA Inc. on March 19, 2026, following FCC and DOJ regulatory approvals

Transaction positions Nexstar to compete more aggressively with Big Tech and legacy media conglomerates ensuring the preservation of high-quality local journalism and a diversity of viewpoints - upholding the standard Nexstar has set in every prior transaction

Achieved record first quarter net revenue

Returned $56 million to shareholders in dividends in Q1 2026 and repaid $182 million of debt through April 30

IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) ("Nexstar" or the "Company") today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026 as summarized below. Please visit Nexstar’s website to view the full press release.

STATEMENT FROM PERRY A. SOOK, FOUNDER, CHAIRMAN AND CEO

“Next month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Nexstar’s founding - a journey that began with a single station in Scranton, Pennsylvania. While the media landscape has shifted dramatically since then, my conviction that local journalism is vital to democracy remains unchanged. Throughout its history and to this day, Nexstar’s mission is to provide communities of all sizes with premier programming, fact-based news reporting, and innovative digital solutions for our viewers and advertisers. As we have grown, the reach of Big Tech and legacy media conglomerates has expanded exponentially. Today, we still do not match their ubiquitous reach, and we operate with only a fraction of their resources, which directly impacts our ability to compete. Our acquisition of TEGNA is a critical step in solidifying our future and ensuring we can continue providing these essential services to the public.

“As we continue to advocate for this transaction, our primary focus remains on operational excellence - the historical hallmark of Nexstar. Our first-quarter performance underscores this commitment as we delivered record net revenue, surpassing consensus expectations. NewsNation once again secured its position as the fastest-growing ad-supported cable network, ranking 35th in primetime household viewership for the first quarter. In addition, The CW continues its trajectory toward profitability, with sports programming composing nearly half of the network’s total programming hours in 2026."

2026 First Quarter Financial Summary

Includes TEGNA results from March 19 – 31, 2026

Three Months Ended March 31,

($ in millions)

2026

2025

% Change

Distribution

$837

$762

9.8

Advertising

548

460

19.1

Other

11

12

(8.3)

Net Revenue

$1,396

$1,234

13.1

Net Income

$160

$97

64.9

% Margin(1)

11.5%

7.9%

3.6

Adjusted EBITDA(2)

$470

$381

23.4

% Margin(1)

33.7%

30.9%

2.8

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

$289

$337

(14.2)

Adjusted Free Cash Flow(2)

$420

$348

20.7

(1)

Net Income margin is Net Income as a percentage of Net Revenue. Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Net Revenue.

(2)

Please refer to the “Definitions and Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” section herein, the reconciliations at the end of this press release.

Company and Business Highlights

Financial Results

Capital Allocation

($ in millions, shares in thousands)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2026

2025

Cash Used For

Debt repayment

$28

$31

Acquisitions

3,657

22

Stockholder return

56

132

Common stock dividends

56

57

Stock repurchases

-

75

Shares Outstanding

End of period

30,538

30,358

Less: Beginning of period

30,328

30,621

Change in shares outstanding

210

(263)

% Change

0.7%

(0.9%)

Debt, Cash and Leverage

($ in millions)

March 31, 2026

December 31, 2025

Cash on Hand

$379

$280

Secured Credit Facilities

$5,578

$3,622

Secured Notes(4)

3,798

-

Unsecured Notes

2,776

2,711

Total Debt

$12,152

$6,333

(1)

Pursuant to the terms of our credit agreement, in connection with the acquisition of TEGNA in the first quarter, we elected to increase our covenant ratio test to 4.75x (from 4.25x previously). This increased covenant ratio will remain in effect for the next three consecutive fiscal quarters.

(2)

The Company calculates its leverage ratios in accordance with the terms of its credit agreements which, among other adjustments: (i) exclude The CW Network’s operations and cash balance, (ii) beginning in the second quarter of 2025, reflect the average of the last two years of EBITDA to better reflect its business cycle which benefits from additional political advertising revenue in election years, (iii) are calculated on a pro forma basis assuming the TEGNA acquisition occurred on the first day of the period measured, (iv) adjusts for any one-time costs associated with transactions, operational restructurings and costs to achieve cost savings, and (v) adjusts for the run rate costs savings and contractual retransmission revenues expected to be realized within 18 months from the date of any transaction.

(3)

As described further in our 10-Q expected to be filed today, we are currently involved in legal proceedings with various parties seeking to enjoin our acquisition of TEGNA. Any adverse outcome in such lawsuits and any other lawsuits or legal challenges could have an adverse impact, which may be material, on the Company and could, among other things, require the Company to (i) divest assets (with no guarantee that such divestitures would be completed on commercially reasonable terms), (ii) continue to hold TEGNA or certain TEGNA assets separate, (iii) incur substantial additional costs, (iv) modify, restrict or terminate certain aspects of the Company’s integration plans with respect to TEGNA and/or (v) take other remedial actions. Such remedies could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to realize anticipated benefits and synergies from the Merger.

(4)

Includes certain senior notes assumed in connection with the TEGNA acquisition which are in the process of being secured in accordance with the indenture governing the terms thereof.

First Quarter Conference Call

Nexstar will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. ET today. Senior management will discuss the financial results and host a question-and-answer session. To access the conference call, interested parties may dial 1-877-407-9208 or 1-201-493-6784, conference ID 13759681 (domestic and international callers). Participants can also listen to a live webcast of the call through the “Events and Presentations” section under “Investor Relations” on Nexstar’s website at nexstar.tv. A webcast replay will be available for 90 days following the live event at nexstar.tv.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication includes forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. Forward-looking statements include information preceded by, followed by, or that includes the words “guidance,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “could,” or similar expressions. For these statements, Nexstar claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements contained in this communication, concerning, among other things, future financial performance, including changes in net revenue, operating expenses and cash flow and the Company’s ability to integrate TEGNA and realize anticipated synergies, involve risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various important factors, including the impact of changes in national and regional economies, the ability to service and refinance our outstanding debt, successful integration of business acquisitions (including achievement of synergies and cost reductions), the outcome of the pending litigations related to the TEGNA acquisition, pricing fluctuations in local and national advertising, future regulatory actions and conditions in the television stations’ operating areas, competition from others in the broadcast television markets, volatility in programming costs, the effects of governmental regulation of broadcasting, industry consolidation, technological developments and major world news events. Nexstar undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this communication might not occur. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. For more details on factors that could affect these expectations, please see Nexstar’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Definitions and Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net income, plus or (minus): transaction, other one-time and restructuring expenses, stock-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization expense (excluding amortization of broadcast rights), amortization of basis difference of equity method investments, (gain) loss on asset disposal, impairment charges, interest expense, net, pension and other postretirement plans costs (credit), income tax expense (benefit) and other operating and non-operating expense (income). We consider Adjusted EBITDA to be an indicator of our assets’ operating performance.

Free Cash Flow is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow is calculated as Free Cash Flow plus or (minus): transaction, other one-time and restructuring expenses, changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions (excluding changes in income tax payable), taxes paid on sale of assets, pension and other postretirement plans costs (credit), (payments) for capitalized software obligations, proceeds from disposal of assets and insurance recoveries and other expense (income), cash contribution from (distribution to) noncontrolling interests and other items. We consider Adjusted Free Cash Flow to be an indicator of our liquidity. We consider Adjusted Free Cash Flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business that can be available for use in ongoing operations, debt payments, pension contributions, dividends, share repurchases, acquisitions and other items. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is not intended to represent the amount of cash flow available for discretionary expenditures as certain items and non-discretionary expenditures, such as changes in working capital, mandatory debt service requirements and pension contributions, are not deducted from this measure.

For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measurements to the GAAP financial results cited in this news announcement, please see the supplemental tables at the end of this release.

About Nexstar Media Group, Inc.

Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) is a leading diversified media company that produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports and entertainment content across its television and digital platforms. For more information, please visit nexstar.tv

Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in millions, except for share and per share amounts, unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2026

2025

Net revenue

$

1,396

$

1,234

Operating expenses:

Direct operating

611

551

Selling, general and administrative

221

205

Corporate

106

52

Amortization of broadcast rights

72

88

Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets

121

117

Other

-

1

Total operating expenses

1,131

1,014

Income from operations

265

220

Income from equity method investments, net

4

8

Interest expense, net

(120

)

(97

)

Pension and other postretirement plans credit, net

7

8

Other expenses, net

(3

)

(1

)

Income before income taxes

153

138

Income tax benefit (expense)

7

(41

)

Net income

160

97

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

4

11

Net income attributable to Nexstar Media Group, Inc.

$

164

$

108

Net income per share available to common stockholders:

Basic

$

5.22

$

3.41

Diluted

$

5.09

$

3.37

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

Basic (in thousands)

30,371

30,532

Diluted (in thousands)

31,166

30,927

Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
($ in millions, unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2026

2025

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$

160

$

97

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Amortization of broadcast rights

72

88

Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets

121

117

Stock-based compensation expense

20

18

Deferred income taxes

(51

)

(16

)

Payments for broadcast rights

(62

)

(80

)

Income from equity method investments, net

(4

)

(8

)

Distribution from equity method investments – return on capital

84

114

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

Accounts receivable

34

(2

)

Prepaid and other current assets

(6

)

(8

)

Other noncurrent assets

(5

)

3

Accounts payable

(31

)

(16

)

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

(78

)

(21

)

Income tax payable

43

54

Other noncurrent liabilities

(13

)

(13

)

Other

5

10

Net cash provided by operating activities

289

337

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property and equipment

(22

)

(35

)

Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

(3,341

)

(22

)

Proceeds received from life insurance policies

51

-

Other investing activities, net

(1

)

(4

)

Net cash used in investing activities

(3,313

)

(61

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from debt issuance, net of debt discounts

9,381

-

Repayments of long-term debt

(6,026

)

(31

)

Payments for debt financing costs

(85

)

-

Premium paid on debt extinguishment

(13

)

-

Purchase of treasury stock

-

(75

)

Common stock dividends paid

(56

)

(57

)

Cash paid for shares withheld for taxes

(18

)

-

Other financing activities, net

(3

)

(4

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

3,180

(167

)

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

156

109

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

280

144

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$

436

$

253

Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP Measure)
($ in millions, unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2026

2025

Net income

$

160

$

97

Add (Less):

Transaction, other one-time and restructuring expenses(1)

42

-

Stock-based compensation expense

20

18

Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets

121

117

Amortization of basis difference of equity method investments

18

18

Interest expense, net

120

97

Pension and other postretirement plans (credit), net

(7

)

(8

)

Income tax (benefit) expense

(7

)

41

Other

3

1

Adjusted EBITDA

$

470

$

381

(1)

Primarily includes legal and other direct expenses associated with our acquisition of TEGNA, direct expenses associated with financing transactions, severance and other direct expenses associated with restructuring activities.

Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP Measure)
($ in millions, unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2026

2025

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

289

$

337

Add (Less):

Capital expenditures

(22

)

(35

)

Free Cash Flow

$

267

$

302

Add (Less):

Transaction, other one-time and restructuring expenses(1)

64

-

Changes in operating assets and liabilities(2)

56

3

Changes in income tax payable(3)

43

54

Pension and other postretirement plans (credit), net

(7

)

(8

)

Payments for capitalized software obligations

(3

)

(3

)

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

$

420

$

348

(1)

Primarily includes legal and other direct expenses associated with our acquisition of TEGNA, direct expenses associated with financing transactions, severance and other direct expenses associated with restructuring activities.

(2)

Removes the impact of changes in operating assets and liabilities (including changes in income tax payable), net of acquisitions.

(3) Includes changes in income tax payable to reflect all tax payments.

Investor Contacts:

Lee Ann Gliha

EVP and Chief Financial Officer

Nexstar Media Group, Inc.

972/373-8800

Joe Jaffoni, Jennifer Neuman

JCIR

212/835-8500 or [email protected]

Media Contact:

Gary Weitman


EVP and Chief Communications Officer

Nexstar Media Group, Inc.

972/373-8800 or [email protected]

Source: Nexstar Media Group, Inc.

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