Nexstar Media Group has launched Hill Insider, a new subscription-based streaming service for its political news website, the Hill. The service, which went live Wednesday, offers daily streaming video programs, newsletters, and live interaction with the Hill’s journalists and analysts. Subscribers can engage directly with reporters through live question-and-answer sessions.
Hill Insider is priced at $5.99 per month or $59.99 annually. A premium tier, available for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year, provides an ad-free experience along with access to exclusive live events hosted by the Hill. This marks Nexstar’s first digital subscription product, branching beyond its existing free, ad-supported streaming channel that is available on platforms like Roku.
The Hill, based in Washington, D.C., has established itself as a leading political news website, drawing 1.24 billion page views in 2025, a 7 percent increase compared to the prior year, according to Comscore. The website is known for its comprehensive coverage of legislative and government affairs and is widely referenced by other media outlets. Despite its Washington roots, only about 5 percent of the Hill’s audience is locally based, reflecting a nationwide interest in its content.
Nexstar acquired the Hill in 2021 for $130 million from entrepreneur James Finkelstein. The company also owns NewsNation, a cable news network that utilizes the Hill brand for its political programming, including a Sunday roundtable hosted by the Hill’s politics editor Chris Stirewalt. Stirewalt, along with other Washington-based journalists featured on NewsNation, will appear on Hill Insider. The service will also incorporate content from Decision Desk HQ, the political data firm that notably called the 2024 presidential election for Donald Trump, including a streaming show titled “Data Nerds” focused on polling and analytics.
Bill Sammon, Nexstar’s senior vice president of editorial content, indicated that the new offering is designed for politically engaged viewers seeking deeper analysis. The service aims to provide in-depth discussions and polling data beyond what is typically available in the Hill’s free offering. Stirewalt emphasized the goal of attracting users interested in civic engagement and thorough understanding of politics rather than partisan reinforcement. He described the target audience as those “addicted to good citizenship” who want thoughtful political coverage that respects their intelligence.
Hill Insider enters a competitive market of digital political content, where prominent journalists have recently launched their own podcasts and subscription newsletters. Additionally, the progressive-leaning cable channel MS NOW plans to introduce its direct-to-consumer streaming option later in the year, offering viewers additional programming and live event access outside traditional pay-TV.
The challenge of sustaining original, timely political content on subscription platforms is well-known, with examples such as Fox Nation shifting its focus from live political talk shows to documentaries and lifestyle programming since its 2018 debut. As Nexstar ventures into subscription streaming, it aims to carve out a niche for viewers seeking deeper political insights amid a crowded digital news landscape.