Statement on Nexstar Merger: Customers Forced to Pay More

ATLANTA, Jan. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Statement by Cox Communications on the proposed merger of Nexstar and Media General:

Cable TV/satellite customers forced to pay more with Nexstar merger

Nexstar announced yesterday its intent to purchase Media General for $4.6 billion. Cox Communications strongly urges the public to voice its opposition of the merger to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Nexstar is demanding Cox Communications customers pay triple the current price for retransmission consent or Nexstar will remove their signal from the Cox Communications lineup on January 29.  Nexstar won't even accept the very same rate that stations they manage agreed to just two weeks ago.  As reported in Broadcasting and Cable Magazine, "...Nexstar sees the merger as a way to improve retransmission consent renegotiations... The new Nexstar Media Group's 171 full power broadcast stations will be the most of any television group in the nation." Nexstar should not be allowed to become a larger company, which would force more cable TV/satellite companies and ultimately customers to pay higher fees for retransmission consent. This merger is bad for business, bad for consumers and is not in the public interest.

*  http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/nexstar-media-general-mesh-complementary-stations-little-market-overlap/147313

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) contact information: https://www.fcc.gov/about/contact.

About Cox Communications
Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and home security and automation services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and digital media advertising. Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For eight years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity 10 times, including the last nine years. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

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SOURCE Cox Communications

For further information: Todd Smith, Director, Media Relations, (404) 269-3124, tsmith@cox.com