Trump administration approves Nextstar takeover of Tegna
MS NOW • • general
Key Points:
- The Trump administration approved Nexstar's $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, allowing Nexstar to own 265 local TV stations across 44 states and operate in about 132 of the 210 U.S. TV markets, following waivers to the National Television Ownership Rule.
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Justice Department approved the merger despite an antitrust lawsuit filed by eight state attorneys general aiming to block the deal due to concerns about media consolidation and reduced competition.
- Nexstar CEO Perry Sook thanked President Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr for enabling the merger, with Trump reversing his initial opposition after Nexstar removed Jimmy Kimmel’s show from its lineup and later advocating for the deal as a way to combat "fake news
