BALTIMORE, June 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexstar Media
Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) ("Nexstar"), Sinclair Broadcast Group,
Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) ("Sinclair"), and Univision Local Media, Inc.
("Univision") (together referred to as "the Parties") announced
today that Northwest Broadcasting ("Northwest") has agreed to the
terms and is the first affiliate member of the consortium that will
promote spectrum aggregation, innovation and monetization and
enhance their abilities to compete in the wireless data
transmission sector. The consortium has agreed to collaborate
on a non-exclusive basis and continues to welcome the inclusion of
other television broadcasting entities. Together, the four
broadcasters that are party to the consortium reach approximately
90% of the country.
The consortium will promote innovation and develop and explore
products and services associated with ATSC 3.0 and monetization
opportunities such as spectrum utilization, virtual MVPD platforms,
multicast channels, automotive applications, single frequency
networks and wireless data applications, among others.
Chris Ripley, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. commented, "On
behalf of Sinclair, Nexstar and Univision, we are excited as we
gain momentum in growing the list of broadcasters partnering in the
consortium through the addition of Northwest. We invite other
broadcasters to join us as we continue to advance the Next
Generation Broadcast Standard for our industry."
Brian Brady, Chief Executive
Office of Northwest, added, "The consortium will provide
broadcasters the ability to control their future rather than having
it dictated by others. We are excited to be at the table with
the industry's leading broadcasters as we collaboratively reimagine
that future."
About ATSC 3.0
Upon adoption of ATSC 3.0, consumers
will be able to integrate video content and data across numerous
"smart" devices, to more effectively and efficiently address their
information and entertainment needs. With the proper
technology and data gathering methodologies, Nexstar, Sinclair,
Univision and Northwest expect to capture significant and
meaningful information relating to consumers' actual viewing and
consumption behaviors. As a result, broadcasters will no
longer have to rely on expensive third party measurement services
with small sample sizes and unverified results. The value of
this captured data across all Next Gen-enabled devices and their
users can be monetized several ways. For advertisers, it will
provide greater efficiency for their spend with elevated
addressability, personalization and accountability. Similarly
broadcasters will realize greater efficiencies in reaching and
monetizing a significantly larger advertising market.
About Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI)
Sinclair is one of the largest and most diversified television
broadcasting companies in the country. Pro forma for the Tribune
acquisition (before any related divestitures) and all previously
announced pending transactions, the Company will own, operate
and/or provide services to 233 television stations in 108
markets. The Company has multiple emerging networks as well
as being affiliated with all the major networks. Sinclair is a
leading local news provider in the country and a producer of live
sports content. Sinclair's content is delivered via
multiple-platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video
program distributors, and digital platforms. The Company regularly
uses its website as a key source of Company information which can
be accessed at www.sbgi.net.
About Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Nexstar Media Group
is a leading diversified media company that leverages localism to
bring new services and value to consumers and advertisers through
its traditional media, digital and mobile media platforms. Nexstar
owns, operates, programs or provides sales and other services to
170 television stations and related digital multicast signals
reaching 100 markets or nearly 39% of all U.S. television
households. Nexstar's portfolio includes primary affiliates of NBC,
CBS, ABC, FOX, MyNetworkTV and The CW. Nexstar's community
portal websites offer additional hyper-local content and verticals
for consumers and advertisers, allowing audiences to choose where,
when and how they access content while creating new revenue
opportunities. For more information please visit
www.nexstar.tv.
About Univision Communications Inc.
Univision
Communications Inc. (UCI) is the leading media company serving
Hispanic America. The Company, a leading content creator in the
U.S., includes Univision Network, one of the leading networks in
the U.S. regardless of language and the most-watched
Spanish-language broadcast television network in the country
available in approximately 91% of U.S. Hispanic television
households; UniMás, a leading Spanish-language broadcast television
network available in approximately 85% of U.S. Hispanic television
households; Univision Cable Networks, including Galavisión, the
most-watched U.S. Spanish-language entertainment cable network, as
well as UDN (Univision Deportes Network), the most-watched U.S.
Spanish-language sports cable network, Univision tlnovelas, a
24-hour Spanish-language cable network dedicated to telenovelas,
ForoTV, a 24-hour Spanish-language cable network dedicated to
international news, and an additional suite of cable offerings - De
Película, De Película Clásico, Bandamax, Ritmoson and Telehit;
Univision Local Media, which owns and/or operates 59 television
stations and 64 radio stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and
Puerto Rico; and Univision Now, a
direct-to-consumer, on demand and live streaming subscription
service. The Company also includes the Fusion Media Group (FMG), a
division that serves young, diverse audiences. FMG includes two
cable networks: news and lifestyle English language network FUSION
TV and UCI's interest in El Rey Network, a general entertainment
English language cable network; Univision.com, the most-visited
Spanish-language website among U.S. Hispanics; Uforia, a music
application featuring multimedia music content; as well as a
collection of leading digital brands that span a range of
categories: technology (Gizmodo), sports (Deadspin), music
(TrackRecord), lifestyle (Lifehacker), modern women's interests
(Jezebel), news and social justice (FUSION.net), African American
news and culture (The Root), gaming (Kotaku), and car culture
(Jalopnik). FMG also includes the Company's interest in comedy and
news satire brands The Onion, Clickhole and The A.V. Club.
Headquartered in New York City,
UCI has content creation facilities and sales offices in major
cities throughout the United
States. For more information, please visit
corporate.univision.com.
About Northwest Broadcasting, Inc.
Northwest
Broadcasting, Inc. is a television broadcasting company which owns
and operates twelve television stations in six markets throughout
the country including stations in California, Idaho, Mississippi, New
York, Oregon and
Washington.
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SOURCE Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.