logo
M&A News: Local TV Rivals Sinclair and Tegna Consider Historic Merger

M&A News: Local TV Rivals Sinclair and Tegna Consider Historic Merger

Business Insider13 hours ago
U.S.-based Sinclair Inc. (SBGI) has reportedly proposed a merger of its broadcast TV business with smaller rival Tegna (TGNA). The proposed deal, which could shake up the U.S. media sector, was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. Following the report, SBGI stock rose nearly 4% in pre-market trading on Tuesday, while TGNA jumped 9%.
Elevate Your Investing Strategy:
Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence.
Both Sinclair and Tegna are media companies that own and operate local television stations across the U.S.
More Details About the Potential Deal
According to the report, Sinclair has proposed spinning off its Ventures division and merging its core broadcast TV business with Tegna. For context, the Ventures division includes non-traditional media assets such as the Tennis Channel and other investments. The deal would value Tegna shares at approximately $25 to $30 each, according to sources.
Earlier this month, Sinclair said its board had authorized a strategic review of the company's broadcast operations, including a potential separation of its Ventures portfolio.
Hurdles Ahead of the Deal
Fresh interest in Tegna has emerged while the company is already in advanced talks to sell itself to Nexstar Media Group (NXST), according to reports earlier this month. Interestingly, Sinclair has a market value of about $1 billion but carries over $4 billion in debt, while Nexstar is valued at roughly $6.3 billion, making it a challenging competitor. Furthermore, sources argue that a potential merger between Sinclair and Tegna would face major hurdles due to their combined debt, making a successful closing challenging.
Meanwhile, Tegna has attracted takeover interest from multiple suitors in recent years. In 2022, it agreed to be taken private by hedge fund Standard General in an $8.6 billion deal, including debt, but the transaction collapsed after a series of regulatory hurdles.
What Is the Price Prediction for Sinclair Stock?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Hold consensus rating on SBGI stock based on two Buys, two Holds, and one Sell assigned in the past three months. The average Sinclair stock price target of $18 per share implies a 27% upside potential.
Year-to-date, SBGI stock has declined by 15%.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski launches bid for lieutenant governor
Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski launches bid for lieutenant governor

San Francisco Chronicle​

time2 hours ago

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski launches bid for lieutenant governor

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Democratic Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, who passed up a chance to run for the open governor's seat, announced Wednesday that she instead will go for the No. 2 slot in 2026. Godlewski is the first candidate from either party to announce for lieutenant governor, although others are considering getting in. The seat is open since the incumbent, Sarah Rodriguez, is running for governor. Godlewski, 43, was appointed by Gov. Tony Evers as secretary of state in March 2023 after the incumbent resigned less than three months into his term. Unlike in most states, the office does not run elections in Wisconsin and has almost no official duties. Godlewski previously served as state treasurer from 2019 to 2023, another office with almost no duties, and ran for U.S. Senate in 2022. She dropped out of the race to clear the way for then-Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes to win the nomination. Barnes lost in the general election and is now among those considering a run for governor. The winner of next year's Aug. 11 Democratic and Republican primary election for lieutenant governor will be paired with the winner of each party's primary for governor. They will then run as a ticket in the November election. Evers announced last month that he won't seek a third term as governor in the battleground state, creating an open race next year. Rodriguez, the current lieutenant governor, announced her candidacy for governor last month. Other high profile Democrats considering a run include Attorney General Josh Kaul, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, state Sen. Kelda Roys and Barnes. Longshot candidate Ryan Strnad, who has worked as a beer vendor at Milwaukee Brewer games for nearly 40 years, launched his bid for governor last week. He argues that Wisconsin voters will embrace him as a symbol of the working class because he works two other jobs alongside his vendor gig. Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and manufacturer Bill Berrien are the highest profile announced Republican candidates. But U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a former state senator and close ally of President Donald Trump, is taking steps to run. Evers' decision not to seek reelection is having a domino effect on other constitutional offices. So far, the races for governor, lieutenant governor and now secretary of state will have no incumbent in 2026. If Kaul runs for governor, the attorney general's office would also be open.

Former WTHR employee concerned acquisition between TEGNA and Nexstar may lead to layoffs
Former WTHR employee concerned acquisition between TEGNA and Nexstar may lead to layoffs

Indianapolis Star

time7 hours ago

  • Indianapolis Star

Former WTHR employee concerned acquisition between TEGNA and Nexstar may lead to layoffs

Heath Benfield, a former marketing producer at WTHR, was not shocked when he saw the announcement that the Nexstar Media Group, the largest local television company in the country, intended to acquire its competitor, TEGNA, for nearly $6.2 billion. However, he fears that this acquisition could mean future layoffs at the Indianapolis station that Tegna operates. Neither Nexstar Media Group nor TEGNA has announced any layoffs if the acquisition is approved by the Federal Communications Commission. IndyStar reached out to Nexstar Media Group and TEGNA but did not hear back from either company at the time of publication. IndyStar also reached out to Jason Burcham, the union representative of employees at WTHR. He said that the union is aware of the acquisition, but did not have an official statement at this time. However, Benfield's personal experience makes him nervous. In 2019, he experienced a similar situation when Nexstar Media Group acquired Tribune Media, and in turn all of its stations, including WTTV (CBS 4) and WXIN (FOX 59), as part of its $4.1 billion deal. At the time, Benfield worked at a Tribune Media news station in New York owned by Tribune Media and had heard of layoffs throughout the company. Roughly three months after that acquisition was finalized, Nexstar laid off about two dozen employees at Fox affiliate WXIN-59 and WTTV-4. "I did hear about a lot of the consolidation once Nexstar came in (to Indianapolis) because they did quite a big round of layoffs here in this market," said Benfield, now a local film director. On top of that, Benfield said he does not think the merger will benefit the Indianapolis community, as the city will be left with one fewer news source. If the acquisition were to be approved by the Federal Communications Commission, Nexstar would become the sole operator of WTTV (CBS 4) and WXIN (FOX 59), and WTHR (NBC 13) "This (acquisition) means contraction and consolidation because the business is just in a horrible place," Benfield said. "TV is in a rough space. But this is also symptomatic of an industry that was too slow to adapt to the changes of the market and refused to get in line with new technologies." "This (acquisition) is something that more or less has to happen for the industry to survive." Shortly after the news of the acquisition broke, fans of WTHR's programming began sharing their concern about the future of the news channel on social media. "I think WTHR has the best anchors, reporters, weather personel (sic).....I have watched the competition and always watch WTHR as I just do not like the other channels," Stephen Moore said in the comment section on a Facebook post. "I hope there are no downsizing in the way of layoffs or buyouts.....I (sic) been a fan of WTHR for many years." Many of the commenters shared that they are loyal to WTHR due to the news station's personalities, weather anchor and reporting style. "I can't imagine what you all are going through. We love you and don't want to lose you," said Melody Heffner Statzer in the comment section on a Facebook post. "Change is never easy! Prayers for all of you and hope for the best outcome! Thank you for keeping your fans updated."

M&A News: Local TV Rivals Sinclair and Tegna Consider Historic Merger
M&A News: Local TV Rivals Sinclair and Tegna Consider Historic Merger

Business Insider

time13 hours ago

  • Business Insider

M&A News: Local TV Rivals Sinclair and Tegna Consider Historic Merger

U.S.-based Sinclair Inc. (SBGI) has reportedly proposed a merger of its broadcast TV business with smaller rival Tegna (TGNA). The proposed deal, which could shake up the U.S. media sector, was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. Following the report, SBGI stock rose nearly 4% in pre-market trading on Tuesday, while TGNA jumped 9%. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Both Sinclair and Tegna are media companies that own and operate local television stations across the U.S. More Details About the Potential Deal According to the report, Sinclair has proposed spinning off its Ventures division and merging its core broadcast TV business with Tegna. For context, the Ventures division includes non-traditional media assets such as the Tennis Channel and other investments. The deal would value Tegna shares at approximately $25 to $30 each, according to sources. Earlier this month, Sinclair said its board had authorized a strategic review of the company's broadcast operations, including a potential separation of its Ventures portfolio. Hurdles Ahead of the Deal Fresh interest in Tegna has emerged while the company is already in advanced talks to sell itself to Nexstar Media Group (NXST), according to reports earlier this month. Interestingly, Sinclair has a market value of about $1 billion but carries over $4 billion in debt, while Nexstar is valued at roughly $6.3 billion, making it a challenging competitor. Furthermore, sources argue that a potential merger between Sinclair and Tegna would face major hurdles due to their combined debt, making a successful closing challenging. Meanwhile, Tegna has attracted takeover interest from multiple suitors in recent years. In 2022, it agreed to be taken private by hedge fund Standard General in an $8.6 billion deal, including debt, but the transaction collapsed after a series of regulatory hurdles. What Is the Price Prediction for Sinclair Stock? Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Hold consensus rating on SBGI stock based on two Buys, two Holds, and one Sell assigned in the past three months. The average Sinclair stock price target of $18 per share implies a 27% upside potential. Year-to-date, SBGI stock has declined by 15%.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store