v3.26.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Consolidated VIEs (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Jun. 30, 2026
Mar. 31, 2026
Dec. 31, 2025
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 218   $ 280
Accounts receivable, net 1,584   1,075
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 142   57
Total current assets 2,005   1,473
Property and equipment, net 1,849   1,158
Goodwill 5,033   2,910
FCC licenses 5,112   2,949
Network affiliation agreements, net 2,887   1,587
Other noncurrent assets, net 442   373
Total assets [1] 17,715   10,846
Current liabilities:      
Current portion of debt 331   111
Interest payable 107   55
Other current liabilities 90   64
Total current liabilities 1,284   711
Debt 11,413   6,222
Deferred tax liabilities 2,154   1,354
Other noncurrent liabilities 600   497
Total liabilities [1] 15,451   8,784
Network affiliation agreements, net [Member]      
Current assets:      
Network affiliation agreements, net 2,553   1,305
Consolidated VIEs [Member]      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents 4   5
Accounts receivable, net 23   23
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3   4
Total current assets 30   32
Property and equipment, net 46   48
Goodwill 151   151
FCC licenses 200   200
Network affiliation agreements, net 46    
Other noncurrent assets, net 58   56
Total assets 531   538
Current liabilities:      
Current portion of debt 3   3
Other current liabilities 38   36
Total current liabilities 41   39
Debt 344   345
Deferred tax liabilities 53   41
Other noncurrent liabilities 65   64
Total liabilities 503   489
Consolidated VIEs [Member] | Network affiliation agreements, net [Member]      
Current assets:      
Network affiliation agreements, net     51
Non Guarantor VIEs [Member]      
Current assets:      
Total current assets 4   3
Property and equipment, net 9   9
Goodwill 62   62
FCC licenses 200   200
Other noncurrent assets, net 3   2
Total assets 291   292
Current liabilities:      
Total current liabilities 36   34
Noncurrent liabilities 118   105
Total liabilities $ 154   139
Non Guarantor VIEs [Member] | Network affiliation agreements, net [Member]      
Current assets:      
Network affiliation agreements, net   $ 13 $ 16
[1] The condensed consolidated total assets as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 include certain assets held by consolidated VIEs of $291 million and $292 million, respectively, which are not available to be used to settle the obligations of Nexstar. The condensed consolidated total liabilities as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 include certain liabilities of consolidated VIEs of $154 million and $139 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of Nexstar. See Note 2 for additional information.