Senator Elizabeth Warren and other Democrats have written to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and DOJ antitrust chief Gail Slater, asking them to closely look at Nexstar Media Group’s plan to buy Tegna Inc. for $6.2 billion. The lawmakers say that the merger would create a “media behemoth” that would own more than 39% of all TV stations in the country. This could raise prices, cost jobs, and hurt local journalism.
Nexstar announced the all-cash deal in August 2025 at $22 per Tegna share, a 31% premium. The goal was to create the largest local media company in the U.S. with 265 stations that reach 80% of TV households. The deal is expected to close in late 2026, but it is facing opposition because of the larger trend of industry consolidation that President Trump is pushing for by rolling back regulations.
- Anticompetitive Risks: The combined company could break federal antitrust laws by taking over local TV markets.
- Public Interest: Lawmakers want the FCC to hold public hearings to make sure the deal is good for viewers, not just shareholders.
- Job and News Impact: Critics are worried about job losses and less independent reporting in a sector that is already under a lot of stress. The letter comes just before an FCC hearing where merger issues could come up, which puts more pressure on the regulators.
