CBS is undergoing a significant realignment of its broadcast television affiliations in six key markets across the United States, transitioning these partnerships from Nexstar Media Group-owned stations to those operated by Hearst Television and Forum Communications Company. This strategic shift, slated to take effect on August 1, signifies a complex interplay of network priorities, affiliate negotiations, and evolving media landscapes. While CBS is extending its long-standing relationship with Nexstar in 36 other markets, the decision to move affiliations in these six locations underscores the dynamic nature of broadcast television partnerships.
The affected markets represent a diverse geographic spread, including Albuquerque, New Mexico; Birmingham, Alabama; Greenville, South Carolina; Jackson, Mississippi; Bismarck, North Dakota; and Rapid City, South Dakota. In each of these areas, a formerly Nexstar-affiliated CBS station will cede its affiliation to a Hearst or Forum Communications property. Simultaneously, Nexstar is set to reconfigure its programming in these markets, often elevating The CW network to primary channel status and bolstering local news offerings. This intricate dance of network and station group realignments highlights the ongoing negotiations and strategic decisions that shape the accessibility of major broadcast networks for viewers nationwide.
Background and Context of the Affiliation Changes
Broadcast television affiliation agreements are the bedrock of how national networks reach audiences through local stations. These agreements, typically multi-year contracts, dictate which network’s programming a local station will broadcast. Historically, these relationships have been mutually beneficial, with networks providing popular content and stations offering local news, community engagement, and distribution. However, the economics of the broadcast industry, including affiliate fees, advertising revenue, and the increasing competition from streaming services and digital platforms, have placed considerable pressure on these traditional models.
The shifting landscape of media consumption, marked by cord-cutting and a growing preference for on-demand content, has intensified negotiations between networks and their affiliates. Affiliate fees, the payments made by networks to stations for carrying their programming, have become a significant point of contention. Networks are increasingly seeking higher fees, while station groups, facing their own financial pressures, are pushing back. This dynamic can lead to renegotiations, terminations, and, as seen in this case, a complete shift in affiliations.
Furthermore, regulatory bodies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have played a role in shaping these discussions. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has publicly expressed concerns that national networks may wield too much leverage over local broadcasters, potentially impacting the diversity and availability of local news and programming. While not directly cited as a cause for these specific changes, such regulatory scrutiny provides a backdrop to the ongoing power dynamics within the industry.
Chronology of the Affiliation Realignment
The decision to reassign CBS affiliations in these six markets is the culmination of recent negotiations between CBS (owned by Paramount Global) and the station groups involved. While the exact timeline of the discussions is not public, the announcement of the changes taking effect on August 1 indicates that the negotiations would have concluded in the preceding months to allow for the necessary operational and programming adjustments.
- Pre-August 1, 2024: Negotiations between CBS, Nexstar Media Group, Hearst Television, and Forum Communications Company regarding affiliation agreements in various markets.
- Recent Weeks/Months: Agreement reached on extending CBS affiliations with Nexstar in 36 markets. Simultaneously, agreements finalized for CBS to affiliate with Hearst and Forum Communications stations in six specific markets.
- August 1, 2024: The new affiliation agreements officially go into effect. CBS programming will cease to be broadcast on the former Nexstar-affiliated stations in the six affected markets and will commence on the newly affiliated Hearst and Forum Communications stations. Nexstar will implement its revised programming strategies in these markets, including elevating The CW and expanding local news.
The initial reporting of these significant changes was first brought to light by TheDesk.net, a publication focused on the media industry, underscoring the specialized interest and detailed reporting within this sector.
Detailed Breakdown of Market-Specific Changes
The impact of these affiliation shifts varies by market, with specific programming adjustments announced by Nexstar to fill the void left by the departing CBS affiliation.
Albuquerque, New Mexico:
- New CBS Affiliate: KOAT-TV, owned by Hearst Television. This marks a direct transfer of the CBS affiliation from a Nexstar station to a Hearst property.
- Nexstar’s Strategy: Nexstar’s KRQE-TV, which previously carried CBS programming, will see its Fox affiliation upgraded from a digital placement to its primary channel. This move signifies Nexstar’s commitment to strengthening its Fox presence in the market.
Birmingham, Alabama:
- New CBS Affiliate: WVTM-TV, owned by Hearst Television. Similar to Albuquerque, the CBS affiliation transitions to a Hearst-owned station.
- Nexstar’s Strategy: Nexstar’s WIAT-TV will no longer be the CBS affiliate. The company has stated its intention to expand local news programming in Birmingham, leveraging the scheduling flexibility gained from this affiliation change.
Greenville, South Carolina:
- New CBS Affiliate: WYFF-TV, owned by Hearst Television. This represents another instance of CBS moving to a Hearst station.
- Nexstar’s Strategy: WSPA-TV, previously affiliated with CBS, will undergo changes. Nexstar plans to enhance its local news content in the Greenville/Spartanburg area, a strategic move to capitalize on the new operational landscape.
Jackson, Mississippi:
- New CBS Affiliate: WAPT-TV, owned by Hearst Television. The CBS network finds a new home with a Hearst station in this market.
- Nexstar’s Strategy: Nexstar’s WJTV-TV will transition from its CBS affiliation. The station is slated to replace CBS programming with The CW network, moving it from a digital subchannel to its primary broadcast slot. This is a significant elevation for The CW in Jackson.
Bismarck, North Dakota:
- New CBS Affiliate: KBMY-TV, owned by Forum Communications Company. This marks the entry of Forum Communications into a new partnership with CBS.
- Nexstar’s Strategy: Nexstar’s KXMB-TV, formerly the CBS affiliate, will also see The CW network elevated to its primary channel, mirroring the strategy in other markets where Nexstar is shifting its focus.
Rapid City, South Dakota:
- New CBS Affiliate: KNBN-TV, owned by Forum Communications Company. Forum Communications also secures the CBS affiliation in this market.
- Nexstar’s Strategy: Nexstar’s KCLO-TV will follow a similar path to KXMB-TV in Bismarck, elevating The CW network to its main channel. This consistent approach across multiple markets suggests a coordinated strategy by Nexstar to leverage The CW’s growing reach.
Official Statements and Reactions
Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, expressed satisfaction with the new affiliation agreements. A spokesperson for Paramount stated, "We are pleased to have entered into several new CBS Television Network affiliation agreements, including extending our long-standing partnership with Nexstar, expanding our relationship with Hearst Television and welcoming Forum Communications Company into the CBS family. CBS has an unwavering commitment to our audience, and we are excited to continue to deliver our leading sports, news and entertainment programming to viewers across the country." This statement emphasizes the network’s focus on viewer continuity and its diversified approach to affiliate partnerships.
Nexstar Media Group, a major player in local broadcasting, also commented on the restructuring. A Nexstar spokesperson detailed the company’s perspective: "We will be replacing the CBS affiliation with a CW affiliation in at least three markets (Jackson, MS, Bismarck, ND and Rapid City, SD) and promoting FOX to replace CBS as our primary network in Albuquerque, NM. We will be elevating the CW affiliations from the digital subchannels they currently occupy to a premiere slot widely available over-the-air and across all major paid platforms. In addition, we look forward to expanding our local news in Greenville/Spartanburg, Birmingham, and several of these markets with the new scheduling flexibility these transitions will afford." This indicates Nexstar’s proactive strategy to maximize its existing assets and expand its local news footprint in these markets.
Hearst Television and Forum Communications Company have not issued separate public statements regarding these specific affiliation changes, but their inclusion in the new CBS partnerships signifies a strategic expansion of their broadcast portfolios and their role in distributing major network programming.
Broader Impact and Implications
The CBS affiliation shifts have several notable implications for the broadcast industry and for viewers in the affected markets.
For Viewers: The primary impact for viewers will be the change in channel number or availability for CBS programming. In markets where CBS is moving to a different station, viewers will need to rescan their televisions to find the new affiliate. For those who rely on over-the-air broadcasts, this could mean a change in signal strength or reception depending on the new station’s transmitter location and power. For viewers who subscribe to cable or satellite services, the transition is generally more seamless, as the service providers will update their channel lineups accordingly. The continuation of local news and other programming from the incumbent Nexstar stations, albeit with different network affiliations, also means that viewers may have to adapt to new news anchors or programming schedules from their established local outlets.
For Nexstar Media Group: The decision to lose CBS affiliations in six markets is a strategic move that allows Nexstar to consolidate its network partnerships and focus on markets where it can achieve greater synergy. By elevating The CW and potentially expanding local news, Nexstar aims to enhance its local advertising revenue and build stronger brand identities for its stations. The multi-year agreement to extend affiliations in 36 markets demonstrates a continued strong relationship with CBS, indicating that the six markets were likely subject to unique negotiation dynamics or strategic re-prioritization.
For Hearst Television and Forum Communications Company: These companies gain valuable network affiliations, strengthening their competitive positions in their respective markets. Securing a CBS affiliation often brings a significant audience base and a consistent stream of popular programming, including live sports and primetime hits. For Forum Communications, this represents a notable expansion of its network partnerships.
Industry Dynamics: This realignment serves as a stark reminder of the constant flux within the broadcast television ecosystem. Network affiliation agreements are not static; they are subject to economic pressures, strategic objectives, and competitive landscapes. The trend of networks seeking more favorable terms and station groups optimizing their programming portfolios is likely to continue. The FCC’s ongoing scrutiny of network leverage suggests that the regulatory environment may also play a more prominent role in future affiliation discussions.
Ultimately, these affiliation changes underscore the complex business of broadcasting. While networks strive to maximize their reach and revenue, local station groups must adapt to evolving market conditions and affiliate relationships. For viewers, these shifts necessitate a degree of adaptability, but the core offering of national network programming, supported by local news and community engagement, remains a vital component of the media landscape. The strategic realignments by CBS, Nexstar, Hearst, and Forum Communications will undoubtedly shape the broadcast television experience in these six markets for the foreseeable future.
