Mirror Review
March 20, 2026
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Justice have officially approved a $6.2 billion deal, creating the biggest broadcast station group in the US.
The Nexstar Media Group purchased rival Tegna, forming an absolute giant in the local television market.
This historic Nexstar Tegna Merger officially closed on March 19, 2026, and shifts the balance of power in American media.
Key Details of the Nexstar Tegna Merger
To understand the scale of the Nexstar Tegna deal, let us look at the numbers.
- Purchase Price: The total cost was $6.2 billion.
- Total Reach: The combined company will reach roughly 80 % of American households.
- Station Count: The network now includes 265 TV stations spread across 44 states and Washington, D.C.
- Pre-Merger Stats: Before the deal, Nexstar controlled over 200 stations in 116 markets. Tegna owned 64 television stations in 51 different media markets.
By reaching 80% of homes, the new company easily passes a 2004 limit set by Congress. That rule restricted broadcasters from reaching more than 39% of viewers.
However, FCC Chair Brendan Carr granted a waiver to allow the TEGNA Merger Agreement to move forward.
Why the FCC Approved the TEGNA Merger Agreement
The broadcast industry has changed drastically since 2004. Broadcasters argue that the old 39% limit is outdated. They say they need to grow larger to compete with massive streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon.
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr strongly supported the Nexstar Tegna Merger. He explained his reasoning for the approval by focusing on the current media environment. “By approving this transaction, which allows Nexstar to own less than 15% of television stations, the FCC acts mindful of the media marketplace that [exists] today, not the one from decades past, and the agency ensures that these broadcasters have the resources to continue investing in their local news operations,” Carr said.
- Nexstar CEO Perry Sook echoed this sentiment regarding the importance of the deal. “This transaction is essential to sustaining strong local journalism in the communities we serve,” Sook noted. He also praised the officials who allowed it to happen. “We are grateful to President Trump, Chairman Carr, and the DOJ for recognizing the dynamic forces shaping the media landscape and enabling this transaction to move forward,” Sook added.
- President Donald Trump had previously endorsed the merger. Trump stated the transaction “will help knock out the Fake News because there will be more competition, and at a higher and more sophisticated level”.
What Conditions Nexstar Had To Agree To
To gain this approval, Nexstar agreed to a few conditions.
The company must divest TV stations in six specific cities within two years. These cities include:
- Denver
- Indianapolis
- New Haven
- Portsmouth
- Slidell
- Rogers
Nexstar also pledged to invest in local news, affordability, and equal opportunity employment.
Lawsuits and Strong Opposition To The Nexstar Tegna Merger
Despite the federal green light, this Nexstar-Tegna merger update includes heavy resistance.
Just hours after the approval, a group of eight Democratic attorneys general sued to block the deal.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta are leading this coalition.
These state leaders argue that the Nexstar Tegna Merger violates antitrust laws by limiting competition.
They claim it will give Nexstar the power to charge higher fees to cable providers, which would then be passed on to everyday subscribers.
Attorney General James stated that this illegal merger threatens local news and could raise fees for consumers by combining hundreds of TV stations under the same owner.
DirecTV also filed a lawsuit to stop the deal. The satellite provider worries that the massive increase in market power will force them to pay higher license fees, causing cable bills to spike.
A Divided Media Landscape
The TEGNA Merger approval process itself drew criticism.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the only Democrat on the commission, slammed the decision. She pointed out that the approval happened without a full commission vote.
Gomez warned that the consequences will mean fewer voices, less competition, and higher costs for consumers.
The merger even sparked a feud among conservative media figures.
While some Trump allies believe a larger Nexstar can push back against liberal networks, others feel threatened.
For instance, Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy strongly opposed the deal. He fears that massive consolidation could hurt independent conservative channels.
End Note
Even with lawsuits pending from several states and DirecTV, the deal has officially closed. Nexstar will now begin integrating Tegna into its massive network.
Historically, courts are much more willing to stop a pending deal than to unwind a completed one.
For now, the Nexstar Tegna Merger has fundamentally changed the business of local television in the United States
Maria Isabel Rodrigues
