Overview
- U.S. District Judge Troy Nunley issued the order Friday evening, finding eight state attorneys general and DirecTV are likely to succeed on antitrust claims.
- Nexstar must keep Tegna separate as an independently managed, economically viable competitor, and it cannot influence Tegna’s negotiations, newsroom decisions, programming, or pricing.
- The court extended its temporary restraining order through Tuesday, April 21, when the preliminary injunction takes effect, and it has consolidated the states’ case with DirecTV’s suit.
- Nexstar says it closed the $6.2 billion deal on March 19 after DOJ and FCC approvals and plans to appeal, while plaintiffs warn the combined owner of roughly 265 stations reaching about 80% of U.S. households could raise TV bills, increase blackout risks, and cut local news.
- The judge criticized the unusual approval path that included an FCC waiver of the 39% national ownership cap and highlighted how consolidation can boost leverage in retransmission fee talks, which can lead to higher consumer prices and longer program blackouts.