finance
Thirteen States Amend Federal Lawsuit Challenging Nexstar-Tegna Merger
Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Vermont have joined a federal antitrust lawsuit to block the merger of Nexstar and Tegna. The deal would create the largest operator of local television stations in the U.S., reaching up to 80% of households. California Attorney General Rob Bonta leads the bipartisan challenge, citing risks to prices, journalism and media competition.
Nbc NewsAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Five states joined a federal antitrust lawsuit on Thursday aimed at stopping the merger of Nexstar and Tegna, which would create the largest operator of local television stations in the country. Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Vermont became plaintiffs in the suit, according to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose office is leading the court challenge.
The attorneys general of Indiana and Kansas are Republicans, while the other attorneys general behind the suit are Democrats.
“This is not controversial stuff — this merger is illegal and will give Nexstar and Tegna the ability to control and raise prices, fire journalists, and dominate the media landscape,” Bonta said on Thursday. Nexstar called the state attorneys general misguided and accused them of strangling local journalism with their legal efforts.
“The AGs, none of whom has a track record of advocating for local media, would do well to understand the industry they purport to protect,” Nexstar said.
The company stated that local broadcast station owners need to grow to better compete with Big Tech platforms. “The alternative to this deal is not more independently owned outlets — it’s the demise of your local broadcast station,” Nexstar said. Tegna did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
The original plaintiffs in the lawsuit include state attorneys general for Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Oregon and Virginia. Thirteen state attorneys general filed an amended complaint on Thursday.
