Trump-backed television merger moves forward
Critics fear the consolidation will add to strains facing local news and degrade coverage.
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Notable Quotes
"By bringing these two outstanding companies together, Nexstar will be a stronger, more dynamic enterprise—better positioned to deliver exceptional journalism and local programming with enhanced assets, capabilities, and talent."
— Perry Sook , Executive
"concentrating broadcast power in fewer corporate hands, shrinking independent editorial voices, and prioritising national business interests over local needs."
— Anna Gomez , Politician
"If this merger moves forward, cable prices will spike for consumers in New York and across the country."
— Letitia James , Politician
"If you care about local news, you should care about the future of local broadcast stations."
— Brendan Carr , Executive
"We are grateful to President Trump, Chairman Carr and the DOJ for recognizing the dynamic forces shaping the media landscape and allowing this transaction to move forward."
— Perry Sook , Executive
"Local journalism is under extraordinary strain."
— Anna Gomez , Politician
Key People
Anna Gomez is a Democratic commissioner of the FCC.
Brendan Carr is the Chair of the Federal Communications Commission.
Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.
Letitia James is the Attorney General of New York.
Perry Sook is the CEO of Nexstar, the largest local television operator in the US.
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Critics fear the consolidation will add to strains facing local news and degrade coverage.
The Federal Communications Commission approved the $6.2 billion merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna, creating a massive local television conglomerate. This approval came despite immediate legal challenges from attorneys general in eight Democratic-led states and DirecTV, who argue the merger would raise prices and harm local journalism.
Eight U.S. states—California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Virginia—have filed a federal lawsuit to block the proposed $6.2 billion merger of broadcasting giants Nexstar and Tegna. This merger would create the largest local broadcast company in the country and surpass current regulatory limits, requiring a lift on the FCC's cap that bars any single company from reaching more than 39% of U.S. households through its television stations.
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