CNN vs Nexstar Media Group

Cable News Ratings: MS NOW Leads Primetime Demo

On Monday, October 26, 2026, Nielsen ratings (Big Data + Panel) showed Fox News (FNC) leading total primetime viewers with 1.743 million, while MSNBC (MS NOW) topped the Adults 25-54 demo with 141,000. During the week of October 19, FNC averaged 1.747 million total viewers and 140,000 in the demo, remaining most-watched. MS NOW saw double-digit growth in the demo, surpassing CNN for second place, and posted a 30% year-over-year increase in total viewers. CNN averaged 632,000 total viewers that week, up 1%, but had only 516,000 on Monday. Top programs included MS NOW's 'The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell' and FNC's 'The Five'.

• MS NOW led the primetime A25-54 demo on Oct. 26 with 141,000 viewers, and Fox News had the most total viewers (1.743 million).
• During the week of Oct. 19, Fox News averaged 1.747 million total viewers and 140,000 in the demo.
• MS NOW gained 19% in the primetime A25-54 demo week-over-week, surpassing CNN for second place.

CNN International builds for agentic ad market with Q1 launch

Apple's Safari restrictions on identity resolution are accelerating the ad industry's shift toward server-side infrastructure. Companies like ID5 are moving parts of their identity functions server-side to avoid direct browser blocking, while many publishers are rallying behind IAB Tech Lab's Trusted Server Framework. These changes have impacted identity providers such as Audigent, LiveRamp, Permutive, and The Trade Desk, though adoption of iOS 27 remains low. A study found that 83.76% of analyzed websites transmitted an Extended Identifier (EID) in May 2025, with concerns about consent compliance on EU sites. Meanwhile, CNN International is pressing forward with agent-based ad selling, targeting Q1 2027 for its first agent-sold dollars. Stagwell has acquired Freestar, integrating it into its Owned Media division, raising transparency questions. These developments reflect growing platform influence and holding companies' control over ad tech, though concerns persist about durability, potential fingerprinting, and whether these approaches truly address privacy.

• Apple's Safari/WebKit restrictions block network calls for cross-site user identification, affecting ad tech companies such as Audigent, ID5, LiveRamp, Permutive, and The Trade Desk.
• ID5 is preparing to migrate more of its identity infrastructure server-side to avoid direct browser blocking.
• Publishers are rallying behind IAB Tech Lab's Trusted Server Framework, introduced in March 2025.

CNN Redesigns Homepage, Showcases New Video Offerings

CNN has launched a major redesign of its website homepage, effective Wednesday. The new layout features a video carousel at the top to showcase live channels and on-demand content from its DTC subscription service, All Access. The redesign is informed by audience insights gathered since All Access launched a year ago, aiming to enhance the homepage as a central hub for CNN's digital experiences. Key updates include a new 'Developing' section for breaking stories, updated live story packaging, and vertical video formats. The homepage now provides clearer pathways to premium All Access content, making live coverage more prominent and offering more visual and engaging ways to interact with CNN's journalism. The redesign is part of CNN's broader digital transformation focused on building direct relationships with its audience.

• CNN launched a redesigned homepage on Wednesday at 5 a.m. ET.
• The redesign introduces a video carousel showcasing All Access live channels and on-demand content.
• CNNs digital team used audience insights from the All Access subscription service to inform the redesign.

DIRECTV Accuses Nexstar of Illegal Price-Fixing

DIRECTV has filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeking to compel Nexstar Media Group and its co-defendants to produce documents withheld under attorney-client privilege. The case, initiated in March 2023, alleges that Nexstar used sidecar stations Mission Broadcasting and White Knight Broadcasting to evade ownership limits and coordinated retransmission consent pricing through negotiator Eric Sahl. DIRECTV argues that Sahl shared confidential pricing information with Nexstar executives, constituting a horizontal price-fixing conspiracy violating the Sherman Act. The motion requests the court to apply the crime-fraud exception and award attorney's fees. A hearing is scheduled for November 4, 2026, before Magistrate Judge Robert Lehrburger.

• DIRECTV filed a motion on October 30, 2026, to compel Nexstar to produce documents in the price-fixing lawsuit.
• The lawsuit, filed in March 2023, alleges Nexstar used Mission and White Knight to evade ownership limits.
• DIRECTV claims Eric Sahl funneled confidential pricing information to Nexstar executives, including CEO Perry Sook.

FCC Lifts Ownership Cap, Accelerating Local TV Consolidation

The number of independent owners of local TV stations affiliated with ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC has fallen from over 150 in 2006 to roughly 62 by 2023, with further declines since. This consolidation has concentrated control in the hands of three major companies: Nexstar Media Group, Sinclair Broadcast Group, and Gray Television. In a significant regulatory shift, the FCC voted on August 6, 2026, to eliminate the national audience-reach cap of 39%, replacing it with case-by-case reviews. This move, combined with the earlier approval of Nexstar's acquisition of Tegna, is expected to accelerate the acquisition of remaining independent affiliates by the top three broadcasters. The trend reduces the number of independent voices in local news, though proponents argue larger companies can better compete for advertising dollars against streaming and online platforms.

• Number of independent local TV owners fell from over 150 in 2006 to 62 by 2023.
• FCC voted on August 6, 2026, to eliminate the national audience-reach cap.
• Nexstar's acquisition of Tegna was approved earlier in 2026, giving Nexstar over 250 full-power stations.

Nexstar Media Group and DAZN Announce Agreement To Televise and Live Stream 15 Indiana Pacers Games for Fans Across Central Indiana

Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) and DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, announced an agreement to televise and live stream 15 Indiana Pacers games for fans across Central Indiana. Games will stream for free on DAZN and be broadcast over-the-air on Nexstar’s local TV stations in Indianapolis, Evansville, and Champaign, Illinois. First over-the-air broadcast will be October 23 when the Pacers take on the Dallas Mavericks.