Additional local newscasts are now available to Denver-Boulder market viewers, courtesy of the company that hopes to soon complete a game-changing merger with Nexstar Media Groups. Starting today, “9News” telecasts can be seen at both 12:30pm and 5:30pm local time — on TEGNA‘s MyNetwork TV affiliate in the Mile High City.
Thirty-minute newscasts under the “9News” brand debuted today (2/23) on KTVD-20. Each newscast is also available to those using the “9News+” app.
The 5:30pm newscast airs opposite NBC Nightly News on KUSA9.
While TEGNA continues to operate both KUSA-TV and KTVD-TV, all eyes are on Nexstar, which owns and operates FOX affiliate KDVR-31 and The CW Network-aligned KWGN-2.
With rumors rampant that waivers are coming in days from the FCC that will permit Nexstar to purchase TEGNA outright, minus any need for divestments to comply with current FCC ownership limits, the Denver market is among the most scrutinized for the position Nexstar will end up in once consummation of the TEGNA deal arrives.
The waivers would give Nexstar ownership of four properties in Denver — two of which are “Top Four.” With the Eighth Circuit effectively killing the FCC’s Top Four Prohibition, the next matter is whether or not Nexstar can own four fully licensed TV stations in the market. Many say the answer will be yes.
As RBR+TVBR reached its Monday deadline, there was still no indication that the Media Bureau was ready to approve the TEGNA/Nexstar deal on delegated authority.
