Nexstar Media Group announced on April 16, 2026, that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Tegna Inc. For approximately $6.2 billion.
The deal, if approved, would supply Nexstar control over more than 80 percent of U.S. Television households, far exceeding the current FCC ownership cap of 39 percent.
Nexstar already owned over 200 local television stations nationwide before the proposed merger.
Tegna operates 64 television stations across 51 markets, reaching about 39 percent of U.S. TV households.
The merger would require the Federal Communications Commission to change its longstanding ownership rule, which Brendan Carr, appointed FCC chairman in 2025 by President Donald Trump, has pledged to eliminate as part of his “Delete, Delete, Delete” deregulatory initiative.
Nexstar argues the consolidation is necessary to compete with digital streaming platforms such as Netflix and YouTube, which have drawn advertising revenue away from traditional linear television.
The company claims the combined entity would strengthen local journalism by providing more resources for newsrooms facing financial pressure.
Critics warn the merger would violate antitrust principles and concentrate editorial control over the majority of local TV news in a single company.
Nexstar’s public alignment with President Trump, including the decision in September 2025 to drop Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its stations after FCC Chairman Carr suggested the FCC could revoke licenses of stations airing the comedian’s remarks about Charlie Kirk, has raised concerns about political influence over editorial decisions.
Despite this alignment, Nexstar has not secured the support of the most powerful factions within the MAGA movement.
How the FCC’s ownership rule change would enable the merger
The FCC’s current rule, established in 2004, prohibits any single entity from reaching more than 39 percent of U.S. TV households. Nexstar and Tegna together would surpass this threshold, requiring regulatory approval to proceed.
Chairman Brendan Carr has stated his intention to remove what he calls unnecessary regulatory burdens, signaling openness to revising the ownership cap.
Without a rule change, the merger would face legal challenges under existing antitrust and communications law.
What critics say about the risks of concentrated local TV ownership
Media watchdogs argue that allowing one company to control over 80 percent of local TV stations undermines competition and diversity of viewpoints.
They warn that such concentration could lead to homogenized news coverage and reduced accountability in local journalism.
The potential for a single entity to dictate editorial direction across the majority of markets raises concerns about undue influence on public discourse.
Will the FCC approve the rule change needed for the merger?
The source does not indicate whether Chairman Brendan Carr will move forward with changing the ownership rule, only that he has pledged to eliminate regulations he deems burdensome.
How would the merger affect local newsrooms if approved?
Nexstar claims the merger would strengthen local journalism by increasing resources, but critics argue it could lead to newsroom closures and reduced local coverage as the company seeks cost savings.