ProxyMiner / Diff

NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP, INC. NXST

Comparing the 2025 proxy against the 2026 proxy.

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CEO total Δ

—

No prior-year CEO total to compare

Peer churn

+14 −12

Members added or dropped across all peer groups

Policy + metric churn

5

Disclosures whose value moved or appeared/disappeared

Peer groups

Peer disclosure

  • 2025 Peer Group

    — · 10 → 13 members

    7 kept · +6 · −3

    Added

    CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. /MO/ (CHTR) · COMCAST CORP (CMCSA) · ROKU, INC (ROKU) · Walt Disney Co (DIS) · NEWS CORP (NWSA) · Versant Media Group, Inc. (VSNT)

    Removed

    Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (CCO) · E.W. SCRIPPS Co (SSP) · NEWS CORP (NWSA)

  • 2025 Peer Group

    — · 13 → 6 members

    6 kept · +0 · −7

    Removed

    Fox Corp (FOXA) · Paramount Skydance Corp (PSKY) · Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (CCO) · iHeartMedia, Inc. (IHRT) · OMNICOM GROUP INC. (OMC) · NEWS CORP (NWSA) · Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD)

  • 2025 Peer Group

    — · 11 → 10 members

    9 kept · +1 · −2

    Added

    SIRIUS XM HOLDINGS INC. (SIRI)

    Removed

    NEWS CORP (NWSA) · Liberty Media Corp (FWONA)

  • Peer Group

    — · 0 → 7 members

    0 kept · +7 · −0

    Added

    Fox Corp (FOXA) · CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. /MO/ (CHTR) · COMCAST CORP (CMCSA) · NEWS CORP (NWSA) · ROKU, INC (ROKU) · Walt Disney Co (DIS) · Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD)

Executive pay

Named executive compensation

ExecutiveStatusFromToΔ TotalΔ %Δ At-risk
Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On:Named executive
Changed$35,873,916

2024

$39,509,740

2025

+$3,635,824+10.1%—

Governance

Policy guardrails

  • change in control

    Unchanged

    Not extracted → Not extracted

    “Severance Benefits and Change in Control Provisions”

  • clawback

    Unchanged

    present → present

    “Clawback Policy”

  • compensation committee

    Unchanged

    Compensation Committee → Compensation Committee

    “Compensation Committee annually sets award dollar amount”

  • compensation consultant

    Unchanged

    independent → independent

    “independent compensation consultant to provide advice to and assist the Compensation Committee in designing and administering the structure and mechanics of the Company’s executive compensation program”

  • hedging

    Unchanged

    prohibited → prohibited

    “A general prohibition against hedging or pledging any Company securities.”

  • pledging

    Unchanged

    prohibited → prohibited

    “A general prohibition against hedging or pledging any Company securities.”

  • stock ownership guidelines

    Unchanged

    present → present

    “Stock Ownership Guidelines”

Performance markers

Metric facts

  • ceo pay ratio

    Changed

    517 to 1 → 612 to 1

    Numeric delta: +95.00

    “with Item 402(c)(2)(x) under the Securities Act of 1933. •As indicated in the Summary Compensation Table above, our Chief Executive Officer’s annual total compensation was $39,509,740, using the same definition of total …”

  • median employee compensation

    Changed

    $35,873,916 → $39,509,740

    Numeric delta: +3635824.00

    “of total annual compensation in accordance with Item 402(c)(2)(x) under the Securities Act of 1933. •As indicated in the Summary Compensation Table above, our Chief Executive Officer’s annual total compensation was $39,5…”

  • revenue

    Changed

    $5.4 billion → $4.9 billion

    Numeric delta: -500000000.00

    “In 2025, we delivered another year of solid financial results, while taking bold steps to better compete with big tech and big media by reinforcing our position as the nation’s leading local broadcasting company through …”

  • say on pay

    Changed

    40% → 95.5%

    Numeric delta: +55.50

    “Stockholder Say on Pay Vote”

  • time equity mix

    Removed

    80% → Not extracted

Narrative

CD&A prose similarity

Coarse measure of how much the compensation discussion text moved year-over-year. Not a substitute for reading the actual filings.

37% shingled-prose overlap between the two filings.

2025: 78,956 chars · 2026: 70,485 chars

  • Committee Report:90% overlap (1,157 → 1,157 chars)
  • Pay Ratio (Item 402(u)):71% overlap (3,702 → 3,666 chars)
  • Say-on-Pay proposal:4% overlap (2,853 → 1,289 chars)

Narrative

What actually changed in the CD&A

Sentence-level diff between the two filings. New disclosures appear first, then sentences whose wording shifted, then sentences the prior year had that are no longer present.

98 new117 changed148 removed182 unchanged
  • changed2025 2024Executive Compensation Overview
  • changedThis Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the material elements of our executive compensation program for our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and three other most highly compensated executive officers during 2025 2024(collectively, our “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”).
  • changedOur Named Executive Officers for 2025 2024are:
  • new2025 Company Performance
  • newIn 2025, we delivered another year of solid financial results, while taking bold steps to better compete with big tech and big media by reinforcing our position as the nation’s leading local broadcasting company through our acquisition of TEGNA Inc.
  • newKey 2025 accomplishments included:
  • new•Achieved annual net revenue of $4.9 billion, Adjusted EBITDA of $1.6 billion and Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $829 million.
  • new•Entered into a definitive agreement to acquire TEGNA Inc. (“TEGNA”) for $6.2 billion in a transaction expected to be accretive to Nexstar’s standalone Adjusted Free Cash Flow.
  • newThe transaction received the necessary regulatory approvals and closed on March 19, 2026.
  • new•Renewed distribution agreements in the fourth quarter, covering more than 60% of our subscriber base.
  • new•The CW achieved 19% total audience growth compared to the prior year and ranked as the tenth largest and second fastest growing ad-supported network overall.
  • new•NewsNation posted its strongest year ever in total day, primetime, and daytime viewership and, in 2025 and was the fastest growing cable news network in the adult 25-54 demographic.
  • new•In recognition of exemplary local reporting and programming, during 2025, Nexstar journalists and technical staff earned 532 awards, including 1 duPont-Columbia award, 1 Walter Cronkite award, 57 national and regional Edward R.
  • newMurrow awards, 121 regional Emmy awards, 28 Associated Press awards and 324 state broadcasting association awards.
  • changed•Returned $351 $820million of capital to stockholders shareholdersthrough repurchases of common stock of $125 $601million and dividends of $226 $219million supporting our commitment to the enhancement of stockholder shareholdervalue.
  • new•Acquired the assets of WBNX-TV, an independent full power television station serving the Cleveland, OH market for a $22 million cash purchase price.
  • newOn September 1, 2025, the station became affiliated with The CW.
  • new•Completed the refinancing of senior secured credit facilities on June 27, 2025, reducing the interest margin, increasing capacity under our revolver, and extending the maturities.
  • newDuring 2025, the Company repaid $185 million of its debt.
  • changedNexstar Media Group, Inc. 42 2026 2025Proxy Statement
  • changedRefer to Appendix B Afor a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their closest comparable GAAP measures.
  • changedAt our annual meeting of stockholders in June 2025, 2024,our stockholders were asked to cast a non-binding advisory vote to approve our Named Executive Officers’ compensation for the year 2024 2023(“say-on-pay”).
  • changedApproximately 95.5% 40%of the votes cast by our stockholders were in support of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers.
  • newata sourced from 2024 proxy Summary Compensation Tables
  • changedNexstar Media Group, Inc. 43 2026 2025Proxy Statement
  • changedWhat we do: What we don't do: Pay for performance and pay for sustained performance over multi-year performance periods ✘ Guarantee increases to base salaries under employment contracts with Named Executive Officers Establish challenging performance metrics and goals ✘ Guarantee annual bonuses, except in special instances such as recruiting external talent Ensure substantial percentage of pay is at-risk of forfeiture by performance achievement and/or continued service to the Company ✘✘✘ ✘ Provide excessive perquisitesPay dividends on equity-based awards before vestingProvide gross-ups for severance or change of control paymentsReprice stock options without stockholder approval(Company has no stock options outstanding and does not currently intend to grant new awards of stock options or similar instruments) Utilize an independent compensation consultant Cap performance-based incentive payouts at a maximum percentage of base salary Enforce robust stock ownership guidelines for our Chief Executive Officer, our other executives, and our non-employee directors(1) Evaluate officer compensation levels against a peer group of similarly situated media and broadcasting companies Prohibit hedging transactions by directors, officers, other employees(2) Recoup incentive-based compensation that was erroneously received based on any financial restatement(3)
  • changedNexstar Media Group, Inc. 44 2026 2025Proxy Statement
  • changedDuring 2025, 2024,after taking into consideration the factors listed in Section IM-5605-5(d)(3)(D) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules, the Compensation Committee concluded that neither it nor the Company has any conflicts of interest with Meridian, and that Meridian is independent from management.
  • changedOther than Meridian, no other compensation consultants provided services to the Compensation Committee during 2025. 2024.
  • changedIn making compensation decisions for our Named Executive Officers in 2025, 2024,the “peer group” is comprised of the following companies (the “2025 “2024Peer Group”):
  • newCharter Communications, Inc. (1) Paramount Skydance Comcast Corporation (1) Roku, Inc. Fox Corporation Sinclair, Inc. Gray Media, Inc.(2) SiriusXM Holdings Inc. iHeartMedia, Inc.(2) The Walt Disney Company (1) News Corp. (2) Versant Media Group, Inc. (1) Omnicom Group, Inc. Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (2)
  • changed(1)Included for (2)Forpurposes of any TSR calculations in connection with PSU awards referencing the “peer group” list in this proxy statement, only. thesecompaniesshallbeexcluded.
  • newNot considered for purposes of benchmarking NEO compensation.
  • new(2)Included for purposes of benchmarking NEO compensation only.
  • newNot included for purposes of any TSR calculations in connection with PSU awards referencing the “peer group” list in this proxy statement.
  • changed2025 2024Peer Group Selection
  • changedWe selected our 2025 2024Peer Group based on a number of factors with the primary factor being whether a company has business similarities to Nexstar.
  • changedBecause Nexstar has increased its scale over the years through acquisitions, atthetimeofthe2024PeerGroupdeterminationmany of its traditional local broadcasting peers such as Gray Media, Inc., Sinclair, Inc., TEGNA Inc. (acquired by Nexstar on March 19, 2026), Inc.,The E.W.
  • changedScripps Company, were – and currently are – considerablysmallerthantheCompany.
  • changedNexstar Media Group, Inc. 45 2026 2025Proxy Statement
  • newconsiderably smaller than the Company.
  • changedAs a result, the Company also looked for tolarger companies with similar business models, such as Fox Corporation and Paramount Skydance Corporation, Global,which own television stations and cable networks like Nexstar does.
  • changedOther companies which operate in the media industry more broadly, including Charter Communications, AMCNetworksInc., Comcast Corporation, ClearChannelOutdoorHoldings,Inc.,iHeartMedia, Inc., News Corp., Omnicom Group, Inc., Roku, NewsCorporation,TheInterpublicGroupofCompanies,Inc., SiriusXM Holdings Inc., The Walt Disney Company, Versant Media Group, Inc. and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. were also included to round out the 2025 2024Peer Group.
  • newCertain companies that are no longer publicly traded, are in the process of being acquired or were deemed too small to be comparable were eliminated from the list this year, including AMC Networks Inc., Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., TEGNA Inc., The E.W.
  • newScripps Company, and The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.
  • changedNexstar Media Group, Inc. 46 2026 2025Proxy Statement
  • changedThe Compensation Committee reviewed compensation levels for our Named Executive Officers for 2025 2024and considered various factors, including the executive’s performance, the compensation level of competitive jobs at peer companies and the financial performance of the Company.
  • changedEach year, the Compensation Committee, in consultation with Meridian, reviews the CEO’s total cash compensation levels and Committeesets the amount of RSUs and PSUs to be granted to the CEO based on a review of peer group CEO compensation as well as the CEO’s and Company’s performance.
  • newThe structure of the CEO’s long-term compensation beginning with fiscal year 2026 was amended in connection with his new employment contract.
  • newThe changes are described below.
  • newFor short‑term incentive compensation awarded in 2025, the Company applied the 2023 definition of Adjusted EBITDA for CEO and COO, and applied the current definition of Adjusted EBITDA for all other NEOs.
  • changedRefer to Appendix B Afor the 2023 definition of Adjusted EBITDA and the current definition of Adjusted EBITDA, as well as reconciliations reconciliationto the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures. measure.
  • changedFor purposes of determining eligibility for performance vesting under stock-based long-term incentive awards, the Company utilizes Company total stockholder return against a peer group and Adjusted Free Cash Flow. group.
  • newRefer to Appendix B for the definition of Adjusted Free Cash Flow, as well as reconciliations to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
  • changedNexstar Media Group, Inc. 47 2026 2025Proxy Statement
  • changedThe compensation mix delivered in 2025 2024to the CEO and other NEOs based on the values disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table, was as follows:
  • new30%
  • changedNexstar Media Group, Inc. 48 2026 2025Proxy Statement
  • changedCOMPONENTS OF COMPENSATION, RATIONALE AND PROCESS Component CEO Other NEOs Base SalaryCashFixed •To provide competitive fixed pay for job responsibilities•No contractual increases; Any increases are discretionary and determined annually by the Compensation Committee•Total CEO compensation annually reviewed (but subject to the terms of the employment agreement) by the Compensation Committee with market and other perspective provided by Meridian •To provide competitive fixed pay for job responsibilities•No contractual increases; New contracts and any proposed annual increases as determined by the CEO are discretionary and approved by the Compensation Committee in connection with the annual budget approval process, or ad hoc, as necessary BonusCashPerformance Metric and Discretionary Components •Structured to incentivize financial performance for key financial metrics at or above Board-approved budgeted levels•Performance Metrics and Weighing:– 35% based on Adjusted EBITDA,– 35% based on Net Revenue, and– 30% based on individual performance•Target: 200% of Base Salary•Payout Leverage: 0% to 200% of Target depending on achievement levels•Compensation Committee certifies achievement of financial performance metrics and determines discretionary payout based on key accomplishments and approves overall payout•Total CEO compensation annually reviewed (but subject to the terms of the employment agreement) by the Compensation Committee with market and other perspective provide by Meridian •Structured to incentivize financial performance for key financial metrics at or above Board-approved budgeted levels•Performance metrics typically based on Company-wide or specific division Adjusted EBITDA, Net Revenue and individual performance– For COO: 65% 50%based on Adjusted EBITDA and 35% 50%based on individual performance– For CFO: 50% based on Net Revenue or Adjusted EBITDA and 50% based on individual performance– For President, Networks: 30% 35%basedonNetworksAdjustedEBITDA,35%based on NetworksNet Revenue or Adjusted EBITDA and 70% 30%based on individual performance– For President, Distribution and Strategy: Distribution:100% based on individual performance, informed in part by Company Adjusted EBITDA or Company Net Revenue•Target: – For COO: 125% of Base Salary– For CFO: 100% of Base Salary or such other amount up to 150% of Base Salary as approved by CEO and Compensation Committee
  • changedNexstar Media Group, Inc. 49 2026 2025Proxy Statement
  • changedCOMPONENTS OF COMPENSATION, RATIONALE AND PROCESS Component CEO Other NEOs – For Other NEOs: 100% of Base Salary or such other amount as approved by the CEO and Compensation Committee•Payout Leverage: – For COO: 0% to 200% of Target depending on achievement levels – For Other NEOs: None•CEO determines and recommends discretionary payout•Compensation Committee reviews performance metrics and proposed discretionary payout based on key accomplishments and approves overall payout Restricted Stock UnitsEquityTime-Based Awards •Designed to retain executives and align interest with stockholders•Reflects 50% of equity award in 2025 and 40% of equity award in 2026•Vesting award•VestingPeriod: 2 Years, Ratable annually in 2025 and 3 Years, ratable annually in 2026•Compensation annually•CompensationCommittee annually sets award dollar amount •Total CEO compensation annually reviewed (but subject to the terms of the employment agreement) by the Compensation Committee with market and other perspective provided by Meridian •Designed to retain executives and align interest with stockholders•Vesting Period: 3 4Years, Ratable•Reflects 50% of equity award•CEO recommends annual grants to Compensation Committee which reviews and approves all grants grants•Structurerevisedin2025toreflect3-yearannuallyratablevestingPerformance Restricted Stock UnitsEquityPerformance Metrics •Designed to align pay and performance as they are only earned if specific performance targets are met•Reflects 50% of equity award in 2025 and 60% of equity award in 2026•Performance award•PerformanceMetric: Relative TSR for the 2025 award and Relative TSR and Adjusted Free Cash Flow, weighted 50% each, for the 2026 award •Measurement TSR•MeasurementPeriod: 1 Year for 2025 award and Year;1measurement•VestingPeriod:2 Years, measured Ratableannually•PayoutLeverage:0%to200%ofTargetdependingon a cumulative basis for 2026 achievementlevels(Threshold:35thpercentile,Target:51stpercentile,Stretch:66thpercentile;Max:81stpercentile)•CompensationCommitteeannuallysetstargetaward dollaramount•Designed to align pay and performance as they are only earned if specific performance targets are met•Reflects 50% of equity award•Performance Metric: 50% Metric:−ForCOO:Relative TSR−ForCFO:AchievingmidpointofpeerTSR ranking−ForPresident,Networks:Achieving90%ofbudgetednetrevenueand 50% cumulative Adjusted Free Cash Flow•Measurement Period: 2 Years; Measured on a cumulative basis•Vesting Period: 3 Years, Cliff vesting•Payout Leverage EBITDAfor Relative TSR Component: thenetwork’sdivision−ForPresident,Distribution:Achieving95%ofbudgeteddistributionrevenue
  • changedNexstar Media Group, Inc. 50 2026 2025Proxy Statement
  • changedCOMPONENTS OF COMPENSATION, RATIONALE AND PROCESS Component CEO Other NEOs •Vesting •MeasurementPeriod: 2 1Year;Measuredeachyear•VestingPeriod:4Years, Ratable annually for 2025 award; and 3 Years, Cliff vesting for 2026 award•Payout annually•PayoutLeverage: 0% to 200% of Target depending on achievement levels (Threshold: 35th percentile, Target: 51st percentile, Stretch: 66th percentile; Max: 81st percentile)•Compensation Committee annually sets target award dollar amount •Total CEO compensation annually reviewed (but subject to the terms of the employment agreement) by the Compensation Committee with market and other perspective provided by Meridian •Other changes applicable to 2026 grant (not described above): – Payout for Relative TSR component capped at the “target” level if absolute TSR is negative – For COO: 0% to 200% of Target depending on achievement levels (Threshold: 35th percentile, Target: 51st percentile, Stretch: 66th percentile; Max: 81st percentile)– For Other NEOs: 0% to 150% of Target depending on achievement levels (Threshold: 25th percentile, Target: 50thpercentile, Max: 75th percentile)– Payout capped at the “target” level if absolute TSR is negative•Payout Leverage for LTIP Adjusted Free Cash Flow: – 0% to 150% of Target depending on achievement levels (Threshold: 85%, Target: 100%, Max: 115%)•CEO None(allornothing)•CEOrecommends annual grants to Compensation Committee which reviews and approves all grants grants•Structurerevisedin2025toreflect3-yearvesting,a2-yearperformanceperiodand2metricsincludingrelativeTSRandcumulativeAdjustedFreeCashFlow,payoutleverageforotherNEOsfrom50-150%andacaponpayoutifabsoluteTSRisnegativeSeverance and Change in Control Provisions •Change-in-Control (“CIC”) cash severance double trigger •Cash severance: 2x base salary and target bonus•Automatic acceleration of equity vesting in the event of a qualifying termination or in the event of a change in control•No gross up of excise taxes •CIC cash severance double trigger for change in control event•Cash severance: − COO: 2x base salary and target bonus− Other NEOs: 1x base salary and target bonus•Automatic acceleration of equity vesting in the event of change of control•No gross up of excise taxes OtherPerquisites and other compensation, health benefits •Perquisites include use of a Company automobile, cell phone stipend, personal use of private plane stipend, and 401(k) plan•Health benefits are consistent with those provided to all employees of the Company •Perquisites include an automobile stipend, cell phone stipend, and 401(k) plan•Health benefits are consistent with those provided to all employees of the Company
  • changedNexstar Media Group, Inc. 51 2026 2025Proxy Statement
  • changedAs of December 31, 2025, 2024,the annual base salary of each of the Company’s Named Executive Officers are as follows:
  • newOur NEOs base salaries were not increased in 2025.
  • changedThe targets and actual cash bonuses earned by our Named Executive Officers for the year 2025 2024are as follows:
  • changedNEO Base Salary Target Bonus(% of Base Salary) Financial Weighting DiscretionaryWeighting WeighingDiscretionaryWeighingFinancialPerformance(% of Target) DiscretionaryPerformance(% of Target) Bonus Payout Perry A.
  • changedSook $3,000,000 200% 70% 30% 97% 150% $6,785,072 78%95%$5,001,668Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Biard 2,000,000 125% 65%(a) 35%(a) 98% 125% 2,678,993 50%50%74%95%2,106,497President and Chief Operating Officer Lee Ann Gliha 1,000,000 100% 50% 50% 100% 150% 1,250,000 95%975,000EVP and Chief Financial Officer Dana Zimmer 1,200,000 100% N/A 100% N/A 110% 1,320,000 95%1,140,000President, Distribution and Strategy Sean Compton 1,000,000 100% 30%(b) 70%(b) 70%30%100% 110% 1,070,000 95%985,000President, Networks
  • new(a)In 2025, Mr. Biard’s bonus was calculated based on 65% financial components and 35% discretionary components.
  • newThis is a change from 2024, when his bonus was calculated based on 50% financial components and 50% discretionary components.
  • newThis change was contemplated in connection with Mr. Biard’s employment contract which commenced in August 2023.
  • newThe rationale for the increase in financial components in the 2025, the second full year of his employment, is that he would have been able to have a greater impact on the financial performance of the company in his second year than in his first.
  • new(b)In 2025, Mr. Compton’s bonus formulation was adjusted to better align his financial targets with the other NEOs.
  • newHis 2025 financial targets were based on the Company’s Net Revenue and/or Adjusted EBITDA performance, similar to the targets of the CEO, COO and CFO.
  • newHis 2025 discretionary targets included a number of goals regarding the businesses he oversees as described herein.
  • changedNexstar Media Group, Inc. 52 2026 2025Proxy Statement
  • changedAnnual Bonus Opportunity and 2025 2024Actual Results – Mr. Sook
  • changedAs provided in his employment agreement, as amended on August 1, 2022 (which was further amended effective April 1, 2026), 2022,Mr. Sook is eligible to receive an annual bonus with a “Target” amount equal to 200% of his annual base salary, subject to increase or decrease based on the criteria set forth in the tables below and approval of the Compensation Committee.
  • changed(a)As defined in Mr. Sook’s prior employment agreement in effect until April 1, 2026, which is consistent with the Company’s presentation of non-GAAP financial metrics during 2023.

Removed from 2025

  • 2024 Company Performance
  • Fiscal 2024 was another successful year for Nexstar as we delivered $5.4 billion in total net revenue – the highest in our Company’s 28-year history.
  • The continued strength and consistency of our financial results and stockholder returns in the face of a dynamic market environment highlights the value of our business model and the advantages of our unique competitive positioning as America’s largest local television broadcaster.
  • Broadcast television is the foundation for every multichannel pay television service and every political campaign.
  • During 2024, we delivered strong results across key financial performance metrics and achieved strategic operating goals, as follows:
  • •Record annual net revenue of $5.4 billion.
  • •Net income of $683 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $2.0 billion.
  • •Net cash flow from operating activities of $1.25 billion and Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $1.2 billion.
  • •Reduced our debt by $327 million.
  • •Renewed affiliation agreements with CBS and NBC.
  • •Firmly established NewsNation as a formidable player in the cable new landscape with top-tier talent, reliable unbiased reporting and in 2024, fully transitioning to news programming to 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
  • •Continued the transformation of The CW into a top-tier broadcast network, driven by our strategy focusing on high-quality entertainment, unscripted, live events and sports programming, which now represents approximately 40% of the hours delivered by the network, up from 0% when we acquired the business.
  • In addition, we reduced losses at The CW by almost 50% during the year.
  • •Achieved our near-term target of reaching over 50% of U.S. television households with an ATSC 3.0, or NextGen TV, signal from a Nexstar or partner owned or operated station.
  • Compensation Discussion and Analysis
  • Summary of Key Actions Taken and Changes Made to Long-Term Incentive Program as a Result of Stockholder Feedback
  • Subsequent to our 2024 Annual Meeting and based on the results of our “say-on-pay” vote, we (i) engaged our compensation consultant, Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”), to complete a comprehensive analysis of our short and long-term incentive plan design including in comparison to the 2024 Peer Group (as defined below in the section of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis entitled “Defining the Market – Benchmarking”) and (ii) conducted an extensive stockholder outreach program to gather feedback from our stockholders, as discussed above in the section entitled “Stockholder Outreach—2024 Stockholder Outreach.” Using these insights, we have made a number of changes to the long-term incentive compensation program (LTIP) for our senior executives starting in 2025, excluding our CEO whose employment contract governs the terms of his compensation program including short and long-term incentive structure, and is not set to expire until March 31, 2026, to better align with peers and respond to stockholder preferences as described in this proxy statement.
  • Mr. Sook, however, has agreed to changes, responsive to stockholder requests, to the structure of his long-term incentive awards in connection with any extension, renewal, or replacement of his current CEO employment contract upon its termination.
  • The changes that Mr. Sook has agreed to make are outlined below.
  • Key Changes Made to the Nexstar Non-CEO Senior Executive LTIP
  • •Conforming performance restricted stock unit (or “PSU”) metrics across the entire senior executive team
  • •Implementing 3-year cliff vesting for PSUs with a 2-year performance measurement period designed to mirror the Company’s business cycle in which the Company’s generates a significant amount of incremental cash flow from increased advertising activity in political election years (full implementation will occur in 2026 with partial implementation in 2025 to bridge senior executives from the old structure to the new structures) (1)
  • •Increasing number of performance metrics to two
  • •Using Cumulative Adjusted Free Cash Flow and Relative TSR as performance metrics which align with our Company’s goals and are the two most commonly used metrics among the 2024 Peer Group
  • •Weighting the Cumulative Adjusted Free Cash Flow and Relative TSR performance metrics equally, consistent with the common practice we observed among the 2024 Peer Group
  • •Including a payout leverage mechanic of 50% at threshold (zero below threshold) and 150% at maximum, consistent with the common practice we observed among the 2024 Peer Group(2)
  • •Capping any payout related to the Relative TSR at 100% if absolute TSR is negative, in response to stockholder requests, despite this term being off market relative to the 2024 Peer Group
  • •Moving RSU vesting to 3-year, annually ratable vesting, consistent with observed practices among the 2024 Peer Group
  • •Reducing number of PSU and RSU grants issued in 2025 from the number issued in 2024 on a pro rata basis for change from 4-year vesting to 3-year vesting
  • (1)New vesting structure will begin with 2026 grants, while 2025 grants reflect a hybrid vesting structure to bridge senior executives from their prior 4-year annually ratable vesting to new 3-year cliff vesting.
  • The PSUs granted in 2025 will vest in three annual tranches as follows: a first tranche of 25% vests after one year, a second tranche of 25% vests after two years and a third tranche of 50% vests after three years.
  • The performance measurement period for the second and third tranches is a cumulative two-year period ending December 31, 2026, while the performance measurement period for first tranche is a one-year performance measurement period ending December 31, 2025.
  • In 2026, the PSU vesting and measurement will follow the go-forward LTIP structure as described above (i.e., all PSUs subject to 3-year cliff vesting with a 2-year performance measurement period).
  • (2) Pursuant to his employment contract, the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer’s threshold performance for payout is the 35th percentile and payout leverage is subject to a threshold of 80% and a maximum of 200% for the relative TSR metric.
  • Rationale for Changes
  • The adjustments adopted to our LTIP structure for our non-CEO senior executives are aligned with feedback we received from stockholders in our outreach discussions and are consistent with the practice of the 2024 Peer Group.
  • The structure of the new LTIP is also now consistent across the non-CEO senior executives of the Company who receive PSUs.
  • Previously, non-CEO senior executives had different LTIP metrics, however, this new structure will align the senior management team to the same goals.
  • The new LTIP plan provides for three-year annually ratable vesting for RSUs consistent with peers.
  • It also provides for three-year cliff vesting for PSUs, versus the Company’s pre-existing four-year, ratable vesting structure, providing a longer-term incentive.
  • The new structure includes two performance metrics for PSUs, measured over a two-year period, mirroring the Company’s business cycle, intended to diversify the basis on which its senior executives earn the performance portion of their long-term compensation.
  • The two metrics are based on (i) the market performance of the Company’s stock relative to peers and (ii) the ability of the Company to achieve its Cumulative Adjusted Free Cash Flow target.
  • We believe these metrics are appropriate as (a) the Relative TSR reflects the impact the Company’s performance and capital allocation activities have on the stock price, aligned with how many of our stockholders assess performance, and (b) the Cumulative Adjusted Free Cash Flow metric measures the management team’s ability to achieve its Cumulative Adjusted Free Cash Flow targets to generate cash to use to create stockholder value, a core focus for Nexstar.
  • The new plan enables the Compensation Committee, consistent with past practice, to adjust the target to reflect the impact of significant occurrences such as changes in capital allocation, unbudgeted or un-forecasted mergers, acquisitions or divestitures, other specified corporate transactions, accounting or tax law changes, and other extraordinary or non-recurring events.
  • We chose not to reflect the Cumulative Adjusted Free Cash Flow metric on a per share basis, as per share metrics are not consistent with our peer group.
  • In addition, we believe that capital allocation strategies may change based on stock price and opportunities that are available to the Company.
  • Therefore, per share impacts of capital allocation strategies are better reflected in the Relative TSR metric.
  • In addition, both metrics are distinct from the metrics used to determine senior executive short term incentive compensation.
  • Nexstar Media Group, Inc. 40 2025 Proxy Statement
  • Sook Compensation
  • Mr. Sook Has Agreed to Make Changes to the Structure of his LTIP in any New, Renewed or Extended CEO Employment Contract
  • Mr. Sook’s current employment contract, which contains the structure of his long-term incentive compensation, extends through March 31, 2026 and cannot be unilaterally reset without Mr. Sook’s agreement.
  • Given the limited duration of his employment contract, the potential disruption of renegotiating its terms at this point in time, and the importance of Mr. Sook to the Company, a sentiment echoed by many of the stockholders we spoke to in connection with our annual stockholder outreach, the Compensation Committee decided not to ask Mr. Sook to amend the terms of his employment contract or long-term incentive compensation at this time.
  • Mr. Sook’s current employment contract expires on March 31, 2026.
  • If that agreement is extended, renewed or replaced, Mr. Sook has agreed to make the following changes to the structure of his LTIP that are responsive to our stockholder’s input.
  • Those changes include:
  • •Extending the measurement period for the TSR performance metric beyond one year,
  • •Capping the payout related to the LTIP TSR metric at the “target” level if absolute TSR is negative,
  • •Extending the vesting period for the LTIP beyond two years, and
  • •Including more than one performance-based metric in the structure of the LTIP award.
  • Mr. Sook’s Pay is Aligned with Stock Performance
  • Mr. Sook is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and is also the Company’s founder and third largest stockholder, which we believe aligns his interests with the Company’s other stockholders.
  • Mr. Sook’s leadership has been responsible for the Company’s strong historical growth, driven by a thoughtful acquisition strategy and strong operational execution.
  • As a result of that growth, the Company’s stock price has significantly outperformed relative to peers.
  • In fact, Nexstar was recognized by Quarter in 2024, as a “100-Bagger”, and the third best performing stock in all of North America and Europe with market capitalizations greater than $500 million, over the last fifteen years.
  • As we are potentially embarking on a new era of consolidation, which Mr. Sook is working to enable for both the industry and the Company, we feel it is important to keep Mr. Sook properly incentivized.
  • Even more recently, in a period without significant M&A, Mr. Sook’s compensation is well aligned with stock performance.
  • Using the 2024 Peer Group of 14 media and entertainment companies used to determine and/or compare compensation, Meridian analyzed the 3-year TSR through December 31, 2024 in comparison to 3-year cumulative compensation as reported in the “Summary Compensation Table” of these companies in their 2024 proxy statements.
  • The analysis demonstrates that Nexstar’s CEO’s compensation is aligned with stock performance, as shown in the graph below.
  • Nexstar Media Group, Inc. 41 2025 Proxy Statement
  • 3-Year CEO Pay versus Performance Comparison
  • Percentile 3-Year Cumulative CEO Compensation (SCT) 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Performed Worse, Paid Higher Company C Company D Company A NXST Performed Better, Paid Higher Company E Company F Company G Company H Company I Company K Company L Performed Worse, Paid Lower Company N Company O Company J Company M Performed Better, Paid Lower 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Percentile 3-Year Cumulative TSR Peer compensation data sourced from 2024 proxy Summary Compensation Tables
  • Nexstar Equity Compensation Share Use
  • Meridian also completed an analysis comparing Nexstar’s use of equity compensation versus the 2024 Peer Group as a percentage of market capitalization and shares outstanding for the 2021 – 2023 period.
  • Nexstar’s use of equity compensation is below the median of the 2024 Peer Group, as shown in the graph below.
  • Equity Dilution Analysis
  • 2.5% 2.0% 1.5% 1.0% 0.5% 0.0% 1.3% 1.7% 1.7% 2.1% 3-Year Average Annual Burn Rate 2023 Sharing Ratio Nexstar Peer Group Median
  • Definitions:
  • Annual Burn Rate: Shares and Options Granted / Basic Weighted Average Shares OutstandingSharing Ratio: Grant date fair value of LTIP awards / Fiscal year end market capitalization
  • Scripps Company Omnicom Group Inc. SiriusXM Holdings Inc.(3) News Corporation(2) Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.

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