NewsNation, Nexstar Media Group, Inc.’s wholly-owned cable network reaching 75 million U.S. television households, today announced that Emmy award-winning veteran journalist Adrienne Bankert is joining the network as an anchor/correspondent effective immediately. Ms. Bankert will initially cover national affairs and deliver special reports across the network’s prime-time weeknight news broadcasts. Later this year, she will begin anchoring a new national newscast, as NewsNation continues moving forward with plans to expand its news programming to all time periods.
As a New York-based national correspondent for ABC News since 2015, Ms. Bankert covered breaking news on both the East and West Coast of the United States, and some of the most significant stories of the last decade, including the 2016 and 2020 Presidential campaigns, the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the rescue of a youth soccer team trapped in a Thailand cave, and the murder of rapper Nipsey Hussle. She has also reported extensively on the entertainment industry, interviewing such giants as Lady Gaga, Dwayne Johnson, Brad Pitt, Viola Davis, Harrison Ford, and Will Smith.
“Joining NewsNation is truly exciting,” said Ms. Bankert. “People are asking for news delivered without opinion. Now, more than ever, viewers need a place to turn for all sides of the story. They want news they can rely on and trust, along with respect, kindness, and civil discourse. I am thrilled to continue delivering unbiased journalism with a company that truly is on the cutting edge. I’m honored to join the Nexstar family.”
During her tenure at ABC News, Ms. Bankert’s groundbreaking stories were featured across all of the network’s broadcast and digital platforms, including Good Morning America, World News Tonight, and Nightline. From 2017 to 2019, she served as part of the weekend anchor team for Good Morning America.
“Adrienne is a great addition to NewsNation—a talented, experienced journalist who has covered breaking news and important national issues and knows how to tell a story in a compelling fashion,” said Sean Compton, President, Networks, Nexstar Inc. “In addition, Adrienne will play a critical role in our plans to expand our news programming even further, assuming anchoring duties on a new national newscast we intend to launch later this year.”
In addition to her distinguished career in journalism, Ms. Bankert also is the author of “Your Hidden Superpower: The Kindness that Makes You Unbeatable at Work and Connects You with Anyone.” She graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Communication and Media Studies.
Viewers can find Ms. Bankert’s special reports on NewsNation weeknights from 6 to 10 p.m. ET (see here for where you can watch or stream) and 24/7 on the NewsNationNow app and at NewsNationNow.com.
About NewsNation
NewsNation is a national news and entertainment cable network reaching 75 million television households across the United States. Formerly known as WGN America, the network is owned and operated by Nexstar Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, Inc (Nasdaq: NXST.) NewsNation is America’s source for unbiased news, where engaged citizens get news that represents the full range of perspectives across the country. It is the home of the country’s only live prime-time national newscast, NEWSNATION PRIME WITH MARNI HUGHES, ROB NELSON, AND ALBERT RAMON, as well as BANFIELD and THE DONLON REPORT. The network draws on the local market, regional and national expertise of Nexstar’s 5,400 local journalists in 110 local newsrooms across the country. NewsNation is available across a variety of cable and satellite providers, streaming platforms, online and on the NewsNationNow app.
About Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Nexstar Media Group (NASDAQ: NXST) is a leading diversified media company that leverages localism to bring new services and value to consumers and advertisers through its traditional media, digital and mobile media platforms. Its wholly owned operating subsidiary, Nexstar Inc., consists of three divisions: Broadcasting, Digital, and Networks. The Broadcasting Division operates, programs, or provides sales and other services to 198 television stations and related digital multicast signals reaching 116 markets or approximately 39% of all U.S. television households (reflecting the FCC’s UHF discount). The division’s portfolio includes primary affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, MyNetworkTV and The CW. The Digital Division operates 120 local websites and 284 mobile apps offering hyper-local content and verticals for consumers and advertisers, allowing audiences to choose where, when and how they access content and creating new revenue opportunities for the company. The Networks Division operates NewsNation, formerly WGN America, a national news and entertainment cable network reaching 75 million television homes, multicast network Antenna TV, and WGN Radio in Chicago. Nexstar also owns a 31.3% ownership stake in TV Food Network, a top tier cable asset. For more information, please visit www.nexstar.tv.
