Tegna (TGNA) Shares Rise 3.5% on FCC Chairman's Potential Lift of Local TV Station Cap
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 14 2026
0mins
Should l Buy NXST?
Source: seekingalpha
- Stock Movement: Tegna's shares surged 3.5% following reports that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr may lift the local TV station cap, although they have since returned to unchanged levels, indicating market caution regarding policy changes.
- Policy Change Expectations: According to a Dow Jones report, Carr could lift the cap within one to three months, which would facilitate Nexstar Media's proposed acquisition of Tegna, potentially creating significant synergies.
- Acquisition Outlook: Benchmark analyst Daniel Kurnos maintains that despite the surrounding noise, Nexstar will successfully acquire Tegna either through a cap increase or waiver, forming a formidable market presence.
- Support vs Opposition: Carr's support for lifting the cap contrasts with President Trump's late November remarks opposing changes to the TV ownership limit, highlighting the uncertainty in the policy environment that could impact the acquisition process.
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Analyst Views on NXST
Wall Street analysts forecast NXST stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for NXST is 232.25 USD with a low forecast of 204.00 USD and a high forecast of 250.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
4 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 218.100
Low
204.00
Averages
232.25
High
250.00
Current: 218.100
Low
204.00
Averages
232.25
High
250.00
About NXST
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. is a diversified media company with television broadcasting, television network and digital media assets operating in the United States. The Company produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports and entertainment content across its television and digital platforms. The Company’s reportable broadcast segment includes television stations and related local websites that Nexstar owns, operates, programs or provides sales and other services to in various markets across the United States, NewsNation, a national cable news network, two owned and operated multicast networks and other multicast network services, and WGN-AM, a Chicago radio station. The other operating segments, The CW and digital businesses, focused on the national marketplace. The Company’s portfolio of digital assets, including its local TV station websites, The Hill and NewsNationNow.com. Its national television properties include The CW, NewsNation, Antenna TV, and Rewind TV.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Trump Endorses Nexstar's $6.2 Billion Tegna Acquisition
- Trump's Stance Reversal: Trump endorsed Nexstar's $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna on social media, reversing his November opposition, stating that the deal would enhance competition and help combat fake news, highlighting his concern over media competition dynamics.
- Transaction Scale and Impact: Following the acquisition, Nexstar will own over 200 stations, reaching approximately 80% of U.S. households, with the deal expected to close in the second half of 2026, further solidifying Nexstar's leadership in the broadcast news sector.
- Regulatory Challenges: The deal requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission to lift the 39% household reach cap, reflecting the critical impact of regulatory policies on the success of media industry consolidations.
- Financial Metrics Overview: Nexstar has a market capitalization of $6.71 billion, with a 52-week high of $223.43 and a low of $141.66; Tegna's market cap stands at $3.07 billion, with a 52-week high of $21.35 and a low of $14.87, indicating differing market performances and potentials for both companies.
See More
Trump Endorses Nexstar's $6.2 Billion Tegna Acquisition
- Trump's Endorsement: Trump publicly supports Nexstar's $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna on social media, emphasizing that it will enhance competition and combat 'fake news,' indicating a significant shift in his stance on media consolidation.
- Deal Size and Coverage: Through this acquisition, Nexstar will add 64 TV stations, covering approximately 80% of U.S. households, thereby strengthening its position in the media market and enhancing its competitive edge against Big Tech.
- Regulatory Challenges: For the deal to proceed, Nexstar must have the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lift the restriction on companies owning stations that reach more than 39% of households, which poses a potential hurdle for the transaction's completion.
- Industry Consolidation Trend: This acquisition is part of a broader trend of media consolidation, with Nexstar's CEO stating that broadcast news is essential for democracy, and the acquisition will position the company favorably in competition with large tech firms.
See More
Trump Backs Nexstar's $6.2B TEGNA Acquisition
- Trump's Endorsement: Trump expressed his support for Nexstar's $6.2 billion acquisition of TEGNA on social media, asserting that the deal would enhance competition and help combat 'Fake News,' thereby improving the overall quality and transparency of the media industry.
- Deal Context Analysis: This acquisition aims to strengthen Nexstar's competitive position in the media market by integrating resources and enhancing content quality, particularly in the face of increasing market competition and regulatory uncertainties.
- Market Reaction Expectations: Trump's backing may alleviate market concerns regarding the deal, boosting investor confidence and potentially attracting more capital to Nexstar, which could drive its stock price higher.
- Industry Competitive Landscape Shift: Upon completion of the acquisition, Nexstar will be able to expand its influence nationwide, enhancing its status in mainstream media, which may trigger a wave of consolidation among other media companies, reshaping the industry landscape.
See More
Capital Management Corp Reduces Nexstar Stake by $5.82 Million
- Share Reduction Details: Capital Management Corp disclosed a reduction of 29,799 shares in Nexstar Media Group during Q4 2022, with an estimated transaction value of $5.82 million, indicating a cautious outlook on the company's future performance.
- Ownership Proportion Change: Following this sale, Capital Management's stake in Nexstar decreased to 127,651 shares, representing 4.25% of its $610.07 million in reportable U.S. equity assets, reflecting a reassessment of its investment portfolio.
- Financial Performance Overview: Nexstar reported $1.20 billion in revenue for the latest quarter, down 12% year-over-year primarily due to a sharp decline in political advertising, although free cash flow remained solid at $166 million, indicating stability even in a non-election year.
- Market Outlook Analysis: Despite the reduction, Nexstar remains one of Capital Management's top five holdings, signaling confidence in its long-term growth potential, especially with the upcoming political advertising cycle expected to yield significant returns.
See More
Nexstar Media Group Declares $1.86 Quarterly Cash Dividend
- Quarterly Cash Dividend: Nexstar's Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.86 per share, payable on February 27, 2026, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to shareholder returns.
- Acquisition Financing Strategy: In anticipation of the upcoming acquisition of TEGNA, Nexstar has opted to maintain its current dividend rate, with excess cash allocated for financing the acquisition or repaying debt, reflecting flexibility in its capital allocation strategy.
- Dividend Yield Positioning: With an annualized dividend yield of 3.59% based on the January 29, 2026 closing price, Nexstar ranks in the 78th percentile among all dividend payers in the S&P 400, showcasing its competitive standing in the industry.
- Future Dividend Outlook: While the company intends to continue paying regular quarterly cash dividends, all future dividends will be reviewed quarterly and declared at the Board's discretion, ensuring adaptability to market conditions.
See More
Nexstar Media Declares $1.86 Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Nexstar Media has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.86 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's stable cash flow and profitability, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 3.59% provides relative attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially boosting shareholder confidence and encouraging long-term stock holding.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend is payable on February 27, with a record date of February 13 and an ex-dividend date also on February 13, ensuring that shareholders receive timely returns and further solidifying the relationship between the company and its investors.
- Market Reaction Expectations: Nexstar's dividend policy reflects confidence in future cash flows, and despite uncertainties surrounding the Tegna deal, the market remains optimistic about the stability of its dividend payouts.
See More
Trump Endorses Nexstar's $6.2 Billion Tegna Acquisition
- Trump's Stance Reversal: Trump endorsed Nexstar's $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna on social media, reversing his November opposition, stating that the deal would enhance competition and help combat fake news, highlighting his concern over media competition dynamics.
- Transaction Scale and Impact: Following the acquisition, Nexstar will own over 200 stations, reaching approximately 80% of U.S. households, with the deal expected to close in the second half of 2026, further solidifying Nexstar's leadership in the broadcast news sector.
- Regulatory Challenges: The deal requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission to lift the 39% household reach cap, reflecting the critical impact of regulatory policies on the success of media industry consolidations.
- Financial Metrics Overview: Nexstar has a market capitalization of $6.71 billion, with a 52-week high of $223.43 and a low of $141.66; Tegna's market cap stands at $3.07 billion, with a 52-week high of $21.35 and a low of $14.87, indicating differing market performances and potentials for both companies.
See More
Trump Endorses Nexstar's $6.2 Billion Tegna Acquisition
- Trump's Endorsement: Trump publicly supports Nexstar's $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna on social media, emphasizing that it will enhance competition and combat 'fake news,' indicating a significant shift in his stance on media consolidation.
- Deal Size and Coverage: Through this acquisition, Nexstar will add 64 TV stations, covering approximately 80% of U.S. households, thereby strengthening its position in the media market and enhancing its competitive edge against Big Tech.
- Regulatory Challenges: For the deal to proceed, Nexstar must have the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lift the restriction on companies owning stations that reach more than 39% of households, which poses a potential hurdle for the transaction's completion.
- Industry Consolidation Trend: This acquisition is part of a broader trend of media consolidation, with Nexstar's CEO stating that broadcast news is essential for democracy, and the acquisition will position the company favorably in competition with large tech firms.
See More
Trump Backs Nexstar's $6.2B TEGNA Acquisition
- Trump's Endorsement: Trump expressed his support for Nexstar's $6.2 billion acquisition of TEGNA on social media, asserting that the deal would enhance competition and help combat 'Fake News,' thereby improving the overall quality and transparency of the media industry.
- Deal Context Analysis: This acquisition aims to strengthen Nexstar's competitive position in the media market by integrating resources and enhancing content quality, particularly in the face of increasing market competition and regulatory uncertainties.
- Market Reaction Expectations: Trump's backing may alleviate market concerns regarding the deal, boosting investor confidence and potentially attracting more capital to Nexstar, which could drive its stock price higher.
- Industry Competitive Landscape Shift: Upon completion of the acquisition, Nexstar will be able to expand its influence nationwide, enhancing its status in mainstream media, which may trigger a wave of consolidation among other media companies, reshaping the industry landscape.
See More
Capital Management Corp Reduces Nexstar Stake by $5.82 Million
- Share Reduction Details: Capital Management Corp disclosed a reduction of 29,799 shares in Nexstar Media Group during Q4 2022, with an estimated transaction value of $5.82 million, indicating a cautious outlook on the company's future performance.
- Ownership Proportion Change: Following this sale, Capital Management's stake in Nexstar decreased to 127,651 shares, representing 4.25% of its $610.07 million in reportable U.S. equity assets, reflecting a reassessment of its investment portfolio.
- Financial Performance Overview: Nexstar reported $1.20 billion in revenue for the latest quarter, down 12% year-over-year primarily due to a sharp decline in political advertising, although free cash flow remained solid at $166 million, indicating stability even in a non-election year.
- Market Outlook Analysis: Despite the reduction, Nexstar remains one of Capital Management's top five holdings, signaling confidence in its long-term growth potential, especially with the upcoming political advertising cycle expected to yield significant returns.
See More
Nexstar Media Group Declares $1.86 Quarterly Cash Dividend
- Quarterly Cash Dividend: Nexstar's Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.86 per share, payable on February 27, 2026, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to shareholder returns.
- Acquisition Financing Strategy: In anticipation of the upcoming acquisition of TEGNA, Nexstar has opted to maintain its current dividend rate, with excess cash allocated for financing the acquisition or repaying debt, reflecting flexibility in its capital allocation strategy.
- Dividend Yield Positioning: With an annualized dividend yield of 3.59% based on the January 29, 2026 closing price, Nexstar ranks in the 78th percentile among all dividend payers in the S&P 400, showcasing its competitive standing in the industry.
- Future Dividend Outlook: While the company intends to continue paying regular quarterly cash dividends, all future dividends will be reviewed quarterly and declared at the Board's discretion, ensuring adaptability to market conditions.
See More
Nexstar Media Declares $1.86 Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Nexstar Media has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.86 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's stable cash flow and profitability, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 3.59% provides relative attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially boosting shareholder confidence and encouraging long-term stock holding.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend is payable on February 27, with a record date of February 13 and an ex-dividend date also on February 13, ensuring that shareholders receive timely returns and further solidifying the relationship between the company and its investors.
- Market Reaction Expectations: Nexstar's dividend policy reflects confidence in future cash flows, and despite uncertainties surrounding the Tegna deal, the market remains optimistic about the stability of its dividend payouts.
See More
