WCIA D.4

Station Profile

In 2001, Nexstar acquired WCIA, a CBS affiliate located in Champaign. WCIA had been operated by Nexstar under a time brokerage agreement since July of 1999. WCIA has traditionally dominated area viewing due to possessing the only VHF signal in the market. Nexstar has built on that tradition by emphasizing sales projects and better inventory management. The station has also expanded sales operations in Springfield, the state capital of Illinois. The station’s syndicated programming includes Oprah, Ellen Rachael Ray and Inside Edition. WCIA benefits from operating a duopoly with WCFN, the market’s MNTV affiliate.

Market Profile

Champaign / Springfield, IL is in the 91st largest DMA in the United States, with a population of approximately 847,146 and 373,250 television households, as reported by Nielsen Media.

Cable/ADS penetration in the market is estimated to be 89% (49%, wired, 40% ADS). Champaign County is a leader in education, health care, government, high technology, light industry and agriculture. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of the topmost employers in the Champaign region. With an annual enrollment of approximately 38,000 undergraduate students, the University provides a significant part-and full-time labor force. The other key employers in the Champaign county include Carle Foundation Hospital, Champaign Unit #4 School District, Kraft Foods, Inc., Parkland College and Provena Covenant Medical Center amongst others.