Newsnation Could Make a Big Impact at the Next Republican Primary Debate

The Republican Primary Debate on Wednesday has the potential to put NewsNation on the map. As the first national debate carried by the network, it is likely to attract millions of first-time viewers. This is a major milestone for NewsNation, which was launched in 2020 by Nexstar Media Group.

The two-hour debate will also be simulcast on the CW broadcast network, attracting even more viewers. And with KTLA Channel 5 in Los Angeles repeating the program at 8 p.m. Pacific, the debate has the potential to reach a wide audience.

Debates are highly valuable properties for networks, as they attract larger audiences than regular news programming. The first GOP event of the 2024 primary season drew 13 million viewers on Fox News, even without former President Donald Trump. The subsequent debate on NBC still attracted 7 million viewers, a significant number in today’s fragmented TV landscape.

For NewsNation, which has struggled to gain traction since its launch, hosting a presidential debate could be a turning point. According to media consultant Tammy Haddad, hosting a debate traditionally brings a lot of attention and could put the network on equal footing with other major networks when it comes to politics.

NewsNation has faced challenges since its launch, with some questioning its mission statement of being an unbiased alternative to other networks. The network also faced backlash for its soft interview with then-President Trump, leading to the departure of top managers at the start-up.

However, Nexstar has remained patient and continued to invest in the network. They have hired top talent from major networks and expanded their Washington coverage through the acquisition of the Hill and the hiring of political director Chris Stirewalt.

Though ratings have remained modest compared to other networks, NewsNation has seen year-to-year growth and has been profitable since its launch. And with the support of Nexstar, the largest owner of TV stations in the U.S., the network has strong leverage in negotiating carriage fees.

In conclusion, the Republican Primary Debate on Wednesday has the potential to bring attention and recognition to NewsNation, putting them on the map in the highly competitive world of cable news. With the network’s continued investments and strategic partnerships, it is poised for growth and success in the future.