Nexstar, Granite Settle Antitrust Lawsuit, Returning Fox Affiliation to Fort Wayne’s WFFT

By Merrill Knox 

Nexstar Broadcasting has settled an antitrust lawsuit against Granite Broadcasting and WISE, Granite’s NBC and Fox affiliate in Fort Wayne, Ind.

As a result of the settlement, Nexstar’s WFFT will once again become a Fox affiliate after 18 months as an independent station.

WFFT lost its Fox affiliation in 2011. WISE picked up the affiliation, giving Granite control of the Fox, NBC, ABC, CW and MyNetworkTV affiliations in Fort Wayne. Claiming Granite was monopolizing local television sales, Nexstar filed suit in 2011.

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In a statement Wednesday, Nexstar said the settlement was “mutually agreed” on, “without any costs being borne by either party.”

“We are looking forward to the return of FOX’s programming to WFFT LOCAL where we are committed to providing the most relevant, compelling and informative content and community-focused programming to our viewers,” VP-GM Bill Ritchhart said in a statement.

Nexstar also announced Wednesday it would acquire KSEE, the NBC affiliate in Fresno, CA from Granite for $26.5 million.

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