Perry Sook: Coronavirus Quarantine Could Be Good for TV Stations

Nexstar CEO Perry Sook says there could be an upside to the coronavirus.

“If you’re quarantined in your home and one of the few things you can do is watch television, I think advertisers see the benefit in that,” said Sook during the Nexstar earnings call Wednesday.

Sook said a coronavirus epidemic in the U.S. could boost television viewership and advertising revenue.

“We don’t think it will have a negative impact on our operations,” Sook said. “In fact, if it becomes more widespread in the United States and there’s more quarantine in home and all of that, then it could potentially benefit our business because we’d be the primary source of entertainment.”

I’m guessing that Uncle Perry hasn’t heard of Netflix or HULU.

Also, if people are quarantined in their homes, they are not going to be shopping for cars, headed to the stores or out to eat. So, there would be no reason for companies these companies to buy ads, when the viewer can’t venture out of their house.

Not sure Uncle Perry thought this through, before weighing in.

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