NXST

Locked On Podcast Network Approaches One Billion Listens, Views and Social Engagements

TEGNA's Locked On milestone could lift NXST asset value, modest near-term upside

<section class="insight" data-version="1">
  <section data-block="information">
    <h3>Information</h3>
    <p>&lt;link type=&quot;text/css&quot; rel=&quot;stylesheet&quot; href=&quot;https://www.globenewswire.com/styles/gnw_nitf.css&quot;&gt;&lt;/li...</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-paragraph">
    <h3>AI Summary</h3>
    <p>TEGNA says Locked On will reach one billion listens, views and social engagements by end-2026, its tenth anniversary since acquisition. With 275 daily podcasts and about 90 million monthly engagements, the network highlights Nexstar&#039;s asset diversification; the milestone could bolster NXST investor sentiment, though no immediate earnings impact is expected.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-bullets">
    <h3>Key Points</h3>
    <ul><li>Locked On targets 1,000,000,000 total listens by end-2026 for NXST asset.</li><li>TEGNA&#039;s network spans 275 daily podcasts across major sports.</li><li>Over 90 million monthly engaged listens/views; 2025 streams total 515 million.</li><li>NXST as parent via Hold Separate Order; asset value tied to Locked On performance.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="companies-mentioned">
    <h3>Companies Mentioned</h3>
    <ul><li><strong>Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NXST)</strong>: Parent company; hold-separate order governs TEGNA structure; potential asset-value impact from Locked On.</li><li><strong>TEGNA Inc. (TGNA)</strong>: Subsidiary of NXST; manages Locked On; milestone reflects performance of acquired asset.</li><li><strong>Locked On Podcast Network (N/A)</strong>: Owned by TEGNA; milestone demonstrates scale and cross-platform reach of the asset.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="category">
    <h3>Corporate Developments</h3>
    <p>Category Type: Corporate Developments. Fits as a portfolio asset update tied to NXST via TEGNA, not a direct earnings or M&amp;A event, but relevant to valuation and sentiment around NXST&#039;s media assets.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="market-moving">
    <h3>Market-Moving</h3>
    <ul><li>NXST-related sentiment could improve on TEGNA&#039;s Locked On milestone and asset strength.</li><li>No material near-term earnings impact; focus remains on asset quality and monetization potential.</li><li>Hold Separate Order status may influence any future restructurings of Nexstar&#039;s asset portfolio.</li><li>growth in hyper-local sports content supports broader ad revenue opportunities for NXST.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="key-facts">
    <h3>Key Facts</h3>
    <ul><li>Target: 1,000,000,000 listens/views/social engagements by end-2026.</li><li>Ten-year anniversary since TEGNA acquired Locked On in 2021.</li><li>Network comprises 275 daily podcasts across NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and college.</li><li>Over 90 million monthly listens/views/engagements.</li><li>2025 podcast streams totaled 515 million across apps, YouTube, and OTT.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="trading-thesis">
    <h3>Trading Thesis</h3>
    <p>NXST may see modest near-term upside from stronger asset portfolio; monitor 3–6 months.</p>
  </section>
</section>


<article>
  <header>
    <h1>Locked On Podcast Network Approaches One Billion Listens, Views and Social Engagements</h1>
    <p>MCLEAN, Va., June 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- <strong>TEGNA Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: <strong NXST NXST</strong>) announced today that the Locked On Podcast Network is on track to reach <strong>one billion</strong> listens, views and social engagements by the end of 2026. Today marks the <strong>tenth anniversary</strong> of Locked On, the number one sports podcast network acquired by TEGNA in 2021.</p>
  </header>

  <section aria-label="Network scope and milestones">
    <h2>Network scope and milestone milestones</h2>
    <p>Built on the idea that every fanbase deserves a daily, dedicated podcast and that hyper-local coverage could draw large audiences, Locked On evolved from a single show in 2016 into a network of <strong>275 daily podcasts</strong> covering every NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL team, and major college sports programs daily. Earning <strong>more than 90 million</strong> combined listens, views, and social engagements each month, the Locked On Podcast Network produces the most total episodes and has the largest podcast audience of any native sports network.</p>
    <ul>
      <li><strong>275</strong> daily podcasts across teams and conferences</li>
      <li><strong>90 million</strong> combined listens, views, and social engagements per month</li>
      <li>Largest audience of any native sports network</li>
    </ul>
  </section>

  <section aria-label="Executive quotes and leadership perspective">
    <h2>Executive insights on growth and philosophy</h2>
    <p>“Locked On's founding principle, ‘Your Team. Every Day,' has remained constant," said David Locke, president, Locked On Podcast Network. "We fully committed to the idea that sports fans are fans of their team first and have never wavered from that belief. We have proven we can be successful delivering daily team-specific coverage for passionate fans. Across 275 shows and 10 uninterrupted years, that idea has held true."</p>
  </section>

  <section aria-label="Recent initiatives and new offerings">
    <h2>Innovations and new initiatives expanding reach</h2>
    <p>In recent years, the podcast network has continued to build momentum with a slate of new initiatives, including Postcasts and Squad Shows, FAST TV channels, programming in partnership with Amazon Fire TV, including Bracket Breakdown and College Football Kickoff, and rapid expansion across social channels which has generated millions of views. In addition, a new, free NBA Draft Guide will debut this week, to immerse fans more fully in the draft.</p>
  </section>

  <section aria-label="Additional executive perspective">
    <p>“Our first decade proved that sports fans want more depth, more insights, and more of the voices that share their deep commitment and loyalty to their teams,” said Carl Weinstein, chief operating officer, Locked On Podcast Network. "The next chapter is about delivering that in new ways. We're excited to continue growing and engaging fans, wherever they are, with innovative coverage every day."</p>
  </section>

  <section aria-label="About Locked On Podcast Network">
    <h3>About Locked On Podcast Network</h3>
    <p>Founded in 2016, Locked On produces <strong>more than 275 podcasts</strong>, providing in-depth coverage of every NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL team, plus major college sports teams and conferences daily. The number one sports podcast network generates <strong>over 90 million</strong> listens, views, and social engagements each month. Its podcasts were streamed <strong>515 million</strong> times in 2025 across the major podcast audio apps and for video on YouTube and leading OTT platforms.</p>
  </section>

  <section aria-label="About TEGNA and corporate structure">
    <h3>About TEGNA</h3>
    <p>TEGNA Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST), operating independently of Nexstar consistent with the "Hold Separate Order" issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California on April 17, 2026. TEGNA is a multiplatform media company operating 64 local television stations in 51 U.S. markets, and hundreds of websites, mobile and Connected TV (CTV) apps, and Premion, a leading Connected TV and Over-the-Top (OTT) advertising platform.</p>
  </section>

  <section aria-label="Contact and media inquiries">
    <h3>Media inquiries</h3>
    <p><strong>For media inquiries, contact:</strong><br/>Molly McMahon<br/>Director, Corporate Communications<br/>703-873-6422<br/><a href="mailto:mmcmahon@tegna.com">mmcmahon@tegna.com</a></p>
  </section>

  <section aria-label="Media assets">
    <p><img alt="" class="__GNW8366DE3E__IMG" src="https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ti?nf=OTc0NzkzOCM3NjY0NDkxIzIwMjAzMzk="></p>
  </section>
</article>

TEGNA says Locked On will reach one billion listens, views and social engagements by end-2026, its tenth anniversary since acquisition. With 275 daily podcasts and about 90 million monthly engagements, the network highlights Nexstar's asset diversification; the milestone could bolster NXST investor sentiment, though no immediate earnings impact is expected.

Locked On Podcast Network Approaches One Billion Listens, Views and Social Engagements

AI Summary

Sentiment Rationale

Trading Thesis

Market-Moving

Key Facts

Companies Mentioned

Corporate Developments

Related News