IRVING, Texas—Nexstar Media Group, Inc. has agreed to acquire the assets of KUSI-TV in San Diego from McKinnon Broadcasting Company and Channel 51 of  San Diego for $35 million. 

The independent station in the 30th largest U.S. TV market is expected to become a CW affiliate. 

KUSI-TV broadcasts more than nine hours of local news each weekday and nearly 60 hours of  local news every week. Together with Nexstar’s currently owned and operated KWSB-TV (Fox) in San  Diego, the two stations will offer more local news and information programming in the market than all of  the other local stations combined, Nexstar reported. 

In addition to expanded local news, the planned acquisition of KUSI-TV strengthens Nexstar’s local television broadcasting, news, and digital  media platforms in San Diego, while presenting numerous opportunities for operating efficiencies, Nexstar said. 

The  transaction, subject to regulatory and other customary approvals, is expected to close later this year. 

“KUSI-TV’s established local news operations serving viewers and advertisers across the San Diego  community is a perfect fit with our station group and existing San Diego operations at KSWB-TV,” said  Tom Carter, Nexstar’s president and chief operating officer. “Their mission of serving the community by  delivering the most local news in the market is consistent with Nexstar’s commitment to providing  consumers expansive local content on linear and digital platforms.” 

“I have known Perry Sook, Nexstar’s chairman  and chief executive officer, for more than 30 years,” added Mike McKinnon, owner & CEO of KUSI-TV. “He is a great broadcaster who has built a tremendous  organization. We have a great team of news people at KUSI-TV, and joining these two companies will  create one of the most dynamic news organizations in all of Southern California.” 

Kalil & Co. Inc. was the exclusive broker for McKinnon Broadcasting Company and KUSI-TV.

WOODBURY, N.Y.—San Diego’s KUSI-TV has picked up five new cameras from Hitachi Kokusai to support its live news productions. The Z-HD6000 HDTV cameras were brought in to replace the station’s first-generation HD cameras.

The HD6000s feature a 2/3-inch, 2.6 megapixel MOS sensor as well as advanced digital signal processing. The cameras are connected by SMPTE fiber to Hitachi Kokusai CU-HD500 camera control units with RU-1200JY remote controls. A built-in communications channel is able to integrate with the station’s intercom system, while teleprompters and talent monitors run off the power provided by the camera control units. The new cameras also enable through-the-lens teleprompting.

Hitachi Kokusai Electric America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Kokusai. KUSI-TV is owned by McKinnon Broadcasting.