Who Owns WGN America (NewsNation)? – Parent Company, Media Ownership & Broadcast Governance

In the ever-evolving landscape of American cable news, one network has undergone a remarkable transformation from a beloved superstation to a dedicated 24/7 news powerhouse. If you’re searching for answers to “Who owns NewsNation?” or “WGN America ownership history,” you’ve come to the right place. Today, NewsNation—formerly known as WGN America—is wholly owned by Nexstar Media Group, Inc., a dominant force in the U.S. media industry. This ownership shift has not only redefined the network’s identity but also positioned it as a key player in delivering what it calls “unbiased” national news coverage. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the ownership details, historical evolution, and current status of NewsNation, ensuring you get a clear, factual overview optimized for understanding the complexities of media ownership in 2025.

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The Roots of WGN America: From Chicago Superstation to National Cable Icon

To grasp who owns NewsNation today, it’s essential to trace its origins back to the late 1970s. Launched on November 9, 1978, as Superstation WGN, the network began as a satellite-distributed feed of Chicago’s WGN-TV, owned by the Tribune Company. This innovative move by United Video Inc. allowed cable and satellite subscribers across the U.S. to access WGN-TV’s eclectic programming, including Chicago Cubs and White Sox baseball games, Bulls basketball, local news, movies, and syndicated shows like The Jerry Lewis Show. By the 1980s, syndication exclusivity rules forced divergences between the local and national feeds, but Superstation WGN quickly became a cultural staple, reaching millions with its mix of sports, entertainment, and Chicago-centric flavor.

The network’s evolution continued under Tribune Broadcasting’s stewardship. In 2008, it rebranded to WGN America, shedding the “Superstation” moniker to emphasize its growing national footprint as a basic cable channel. This period marked a pivot toward acquired programming, original dramas, and reality series, distancing it from its local news simulcasts. By December 2014, WGN America fully transitioned into a conventional cable network, focusing on entertainment while occasionally dipping into news specials. At this stage, Tribune Media remained the proud owner, leveraging WGN America’s reach to over 75 million U.S. households.

However, the media landscape was shifting rapidly, with consolidation waves reshaping ownership structures. Enter Nexstar Media Group—the current owner of what would become NewsNation. In 2019, Nexstar completed a landmark $6.4 billion merger with Tribune Media (including $4.1 billion in cash and $2.3 billion in debt), acquiring WGN America in the process. This deal, approved by the U.S. Department of Justice and the FCC after extensive divestitures to competitors like E.W. Scripps and Tegna, catapulted Nexstar to the top of the television station ownership rankings. Today, Nexstar’s ownership of NewsNation reflects a strategic bet on national cable news amid declining linear TV viewership.

Nexstar Media Group: The Powerhouse Behind NewsNation’s Ownership

Who owns Nexstar Media Group? As a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: NXST), Nexstar is owned by its shareholders, but its leadership and strategic direction are steered by founder and CEO Perry A. Sook. Established on June 17, 1996, in Irving, Texas, Nexstar started modestly with a single station purchase—WYOU in Scranton, Pennsylvania—and grew aggressively through local marketing agreements and acquisitions. By 2025, it boasts 197 full-power television stations in 118 markets, serving 39% of U.S. households, plus affiliations with major networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox. Nexstar also holds a 31.3% stake in TV Food Network, operates The CW (75% ownership since 2022), and manages digital assets like BestReviews and The Hill.

The company’s revenue trajectory underscores its dominance: In 2024, Nexstar reported $5.4 billion in revenue, up significantly from prior years, with operating income at $1.3 billion and net income reaching $722 million. Assets total $11.5 billion, supported by 13,005 employees across 110 newsrooms. Key to its NewsNation ownership is the Networks Division, led by President Sean Compton, who oversees NewsNation, Antenna TV, Rewind TV, and WGN Radio in Chicago. Nexstar’s philosophy emphasizes local journalism fueling national narratives, drawing from over 6,000 journalists to inform its cable properties.

Nexstar’s acquisition spree has been relentless. Post-Tribune merger, it snapped up stations like WJZY in Charlotte (2019) and KUSI-TV in San Diego (2023). In 2021, it acquired The Hill for $130 million, integrating its political coverage into NewsNation. As of October 2025, Nexstar announced a $6.2 billion bid to acquire Tegna Inc., potentially expanding to 265 stations and reaching 80% of U.S. TV households—if approved by regulators. This move highlights Nexstar’s strategy of vertical integration, where local stations feed content to national outlets like NewsNation, creating a seamless ecosystem for advertisers and viewers alike.

Critics often point to Nexstar’s conservative leanings, noting right-leaning political contributions and carriage disputes (e.g., with Dish Network in 2020 and DirecTV in 2023). Yet, the company maintains a centrist editorial stance for its national brands, distinguishing it from more overtly partisan players like Sinclair Broadcast Group.

The Rebranding to NewsNation: A Bold Pivot Under Nexstar Ownership

Under Nexstar’s ownership, WGN America’s transformation accelerated. In January 2020, the network announced NewsNation Prime, a three-hour prime-time newscast launching on September 1, 2020—born from research revealing viewer fatigue with opinion-heavy cable news on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. This block leveraged Nexstar’s vast local reporting resources, promising “straight news” without punditry.

The full metamorphosis came on March 1, 2021, when WGN America rebranded entirely to NewsNation, severing ties with the 43-year-old WGN legacy to focus on news expansion. Programming ballooned to nine hours daily, featuring anchors like Joe Donlon and Ashleigh Banfield in shows such as NewsNation Now and NewsNation Prime. Entertainment slots dwindled as syndication deals expired, replaced by news blocks. Carriage deals with YouTube TV, Hulu, FuboTV, Sling TV, and others boosted accessibility to nearly 65 million households.

By 2022-2023, NewsNation hired heavyweights like Michael Corn (former MSNBC executive) as President of Programming and Cherie Grzech as Managing Editor. Opinion shows emerged with hosts Leland Vittert, Dan Abrams, and Adrienne Bankert, while Chris Cuomo joined in October 2022 for his eponymous evening program. April 2023 marked a milestone: Overnights shifted to news repeats, and weekdays adopted a 24-hour all-news format with a new New York City studio. Weekend entertainment, like reruns of Blue Bloods, persisted but was phased out.

The crowning achievement arrived on June 1, 2024, when NewsNation became a full 24/7 cable news network, extending all-news to weekends with editions of Morning in America, NewsNation Live, and The Hill Sunday. This eliminated remaining non-news blocks, including religious programming and marathons. In September 2024, it began carrying CW sports overflows, like college football. NewsNation’s star turn came on November 6, 2024, when it and Decision Desk HQ first projected Donald Trump’s presidential victory— a coup for its growing credibility.

Special series like Missing in America (launched 2021 post-Gabby Petito case) and extensive UFO/UAP coverage (e.g., David Grusch interview in 2023) have driven ratings spikes. Politically, it hosted the fourth Republican debate (December 2023) and a Democratic primaries forum (January 2024). Radio integration via WGN 720 AM headlines (since 2020) further amplifies its reach.

NewsNation’s Mission, Reach, and Leadership in 2025

NewsNation’s mission, as stated by Nexstar, is to be “America’s source for engaging and unbiased news,” reflecting diverse perspectives and validated by independent watchdogs. Available on major providers, streaming apps (YouTubeTV, Hulu, etc.), its website, and mobile app, it prioritizes fact-based reporting over sensationalism. Leadership under Michael Corn (President of Programming), Cherie Grzech (President and Managing Editor), and Tim Wolff (Digital Managing Editor) ensures a blend of seasoned talent and innovative producers.

Yet, controversies linger. Early 2021 saw staff exits over alleged right-wing pressures, despite centrist claims—exacerbated by hiring ex-Fox News consultant Bill Shine. A 2023 correction on UFO whistleblower David Grusch’s mental health drew scrutiny. Nexstar CEO Perry Sook has reaffirmed a centrist pivot, but analysts note a subtle rightward tilt in guest lineups.

As of October 19, 2025, NewsNation thrives amid Nexstar’s Tegna pursuit, which could supercharge its content pipeline. Weekend programming includes Morning in America Weekend with Hena Doba, NewsNation Now with Anna Kooiman, and NewsNation Prime with Natasha Zouves—solidifying its role in a fragmented news ecosystem.

Conclusion: Why Ownership Matters for NewsNation’s Future

Nexstar Media Group’s ownership of NewsNation (ex-WGN America) has fueled a renaissance, turning a nostalgic superstation into a modern news contender. From 1978’s Chicago roots to 2025’s 24/7 dominance, this journey underscores media consolidation’s impact on content and access. For viewers seeking “unbiased” alternatives, NewsNation offers a compelling option—backed by Nexstar’s journalistic muscle. As regulatory battles loom, stay tuned: The network’s story is far from over.