economy
FCC Approves Nexstar's Purchase of Tegna, Creating Broadcast Giant Hours After Lawsuits Sought to Block Deal
Updated on: March 19, 2026 / 9:37 PM EDT / CBS/AP
TL;DR
- The FCC approved the $6.2 billion merger of Nexstar and Tegna.
- Eight state attorneys general and DirecTV filed lawsuits to block the deal, citing potential price increases for consumers and harm to local journalism.
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr stated Nexstar agreed to conditions including divesting stations and increasing localism.
- Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez opposed the approval, calling it a 'broadcast behemoth' that violates ownership rules.
- Nexstar argues the merger is essential for sustaining local journalism and allows it to compete with larger media companies and Big Tech.
- The lawsuits, filed in the U.S. District Court in Sacramento, California, argue the merger would violate antitrust laws.
- President Trump had previously endorsed the merger, stating a need for more competition against 'Fake News National TV Networks'.