The original post: /r/television by /u/WrongCapital on 2025-09-20 19:00:58+00:00.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of Sinclair and Nexstar’s most important ABC markets.

This is not definitive, just cursory.

Many non-ABC stations are important, if not more important than ABC stations. This is simply an FYI.

Sinclair Media Group

Sinclair’s portfolio of ABC affiliates includes some of the company’s most prestigious and powerful stations.

1. Washington, D.C.

  • Importance Rank: 1
  • DMA Rank (2024-25): 8
  • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WJLA-TV (ABC)
  • Key Strategic Attributes: Flagship station in the nation’s capital; premier news asset.
  1. Seattle-Tacoma, WA =====================
  • Importance Rank: 2
  • DMA Rank (2024-25): 13
  • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): KOMO-TV (ABC), KUNS-TV (Univision)
  • Key Strategic Attributes: Prestigious “Big Four” asset in a Top 15 market; strong news brand.
  1. St. Louis, MO ================
  • Importance Rank: 3
  • DMA Rank (2024-25): 24
  • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): KDNL-TV (ABC)
  • Key Strategic Attributes: Key “Big Four” affiliate in a major Midwest hub.
  1. Columbus, OH ===============
  • Importance Rank: 4
  • DMA Rank (2024-25): 35
  • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WSYX (ABC/Fox), WTTE (LMA), WWHO (CW)
  • Key Strategic Attributes: Powerful triopoly control in a key political swing state capital.
  1. Greenville-Spartanburg, SC =============================
  • Importance Rank: 5
  • DMA Rank (2024-25): 36
  • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WLOS (ABC), WMYA-TV (MyNetworkTV)
  • Key Strategic Attributes: Dominant news leader in a major Carolina growth market.

6. Birmingham, AL

  • Importance Rank: 6
  • DMA Rank (2024-25): 45
  • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WBMA-LD (ABC), WTTO (The CW), WABM (MyNetworkTV)
  • Key Strategic Attributes: Triopoly control with an ABC anchor in Alabama’s largest market.
  1. Little Rock, AR ==================
  • Importance Rank: 7
  • DMA Rank (2024-25): 58
  • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): KATV (ABC)
  • Key Strategic Attributes: Legendary station; dominant, market-leading news operation.
  1. Mobile, AL - Pensacola, FL =============================
  • Importance Rank: 8
  • DMA Rank (2024-25): 57
  • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WEAR-TV (ABC), WFGX (MyNetworkTV)
  • Key Strategic Attributes: “Big Four” duopoly with a strong news presence on the Gulf Coast.
  1. Dayton, OH =============
  • Importance Rank: 9
  • DMA Rank (2024-25): 64
  • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WKEF (ABC), WRGT-TV (Fox)
  • Key Strategic Attributes: Powerful ABC/Fox “Big Four” duopoly in a key Ohio market.
  1. Greensboro, NC ==================
  • Importance Rank: 10
  • DMA Rank (2024-25): 46
  • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WXLV-TV (ABC), WMYV (MyNetworkTV)
  • Key Strategic Attributes: ABC-led duopoly in a core market of a key political swing state.

Nexstar Media Group

Nexstar’s portfolio of ABC affiliates is characterized by strong, often legacy, stations in key regional markets.

While not typically located in the top-10 DMAs where Nexstar’s CW O&O strategy is focused, these stations are vital for their consistent profitability, strong local news brands, and contributions to retransmission revenue.

  • 1. Nashville, TN
    • DMA Rank (2024-25): 26
    • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WKRN-TV (ABC)
    • Key Strategic Attributes: Strong performer in a high-growth cultural and economic hub.
  • 2. Salt Lake City, UT
    • DMA Rank (2024-25): 28
    • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): KTVX (ABC), KUCW (The CW)
    • Key Strategic Attributes: Key ABC/CW duopoly in a major Intermountain West hub.
  • 3. Hartford & New Haven, CT
    • DMA Rank (2024-25): 32
    • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WTNH (ABC), WCTX (MyNetworkTV)
    • Key Strategic Attributes: Connecticut’s first TV station; duopoly in an affluent market.
  • 4. Harrisburg, PA
    • DMA Rank (2024-25): 42
    • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WHTM-TV (ABC)
    • Key Strategic Attributes: Dominant news operation in the capital of a key political state.
  • 5. Grand Rapids, MI
    • DMA Rank (2024-25): 43
    • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WOTV (ABC), WOOD-TV (NBC)
    • Key Strategic Attributes: Powerful “Big Four” duopoly in a Michigan swing region.
  • 6. New Orleans, LA
    • DMA Rank (2024-25): 50
    • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WGNO (ABC), WNOL-TV (The CW)
    • Key Strategic Attributes: ABC/CW duopoly in an iconic cultural and economic center.
  • 7. Richmond, VA
    • DMA Rank (2024-25): 56
    • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WRIC-TV (ABC)
    • Key Strategic Attributes: Strong news presence in the capital of Virginia.
  • 8. Knoxville, TN
    • DMA Rank (2024-25): 60
    • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WATE-TV (ABC)
    • Key Strategic Attributes: Legacy station and key news voice in Eastern Tennessee.
  • 9. Albany, NY
    • DMA Rank (2024-25): 62
    • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WTEN (ABC), WXXA (Fox)
    • Key Strategic Attributes: “Big Four” duopoly in New York’s state capital.
  • 10. Syracuse, NY
    • DMA Rank (2024-25): 88
    • Station(s) & Primary Affiliation(s): WSYR-TV (ABC)
    • Key Strategic Attributes: Top-rated news leader and regional hub for upstate New York.