Outlet profile

WAVY

U.S. local news, mostly neutral

Owned byNexstar Media Group, the largest U.S. local TV station owner, which also owns Fox affiliate WVBT in the same market as a duopoly

FundingLocal and national television advertising, retransmission/carriage fees paid by cable and satellite providers, and digital advertising

On the administrationmostly neutral

Background

WAVY-TV signed on September 1, 1957, making it one of Hampton Roads' oldest stations; it was originally owned by Tidewater Teleradio along with sister radio station WAVY. In 1968 it was acquired by LIN Broadcasting, which held the station for decades through several corporate name changes (LIN TV, LIN Media). Richmond-based Media General bought LIN Media in a roughly $1.6 billion deal completed in December 2014, bringing WAVY under common ownership with Virginia Beach Fox affiliate WVBT. After a failed merger attempt with Meredith Corporation, Media General was itself acquired by Nexstar Broadcasting Group in 2016, forming Nexstar Media Group, which owns WAVY today. Nexstar has faced national criticism, including from media watchdogs and some of its own local anchors, over corporate-mandated segments (e.g., must-run commentary and, at NewsNation, coverage choices) seen as favoring Republican and Trump-administration talking points, though such content is distinct from WAVY's local news programming. WAVY has built a reputation as a leading Hampton Roads news source for military, hurricane, and regional coverage, with no major partisan controversies tied specifically to its local newsroom.

Sources

Profile compiled 2026-09-28; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.

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