Media Ownership and Antitrust

The FCC and Justice Department approved Nexstar’s $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, with the FCC waiving the 39% national TV ownership cap to allow Nexstar to control roughly 259–265 stations across about 44 states (after required divestitures) and imposing certain divestiture, localism and affordability conditions. The deal prompted immediate legal challenges—eight Democratic state attorneys general and DirecTV sued in federal court in Sacramento—and drew criticism from Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez and state AGs, who called it a “broadcast behemoth” approved “behind closed doors,” while Nexstar and supporters argue the merger is necessary to sustain local journalism and counter national programmers.