13 States Sue to Block Nexstar-Tegna $6.2B Merger

SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced April 30 that five additional states have joined his lawsuit challenging the $6.2 billion merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna Inc. Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Vermont joined California and seven other states in the coalition.

A federal judge in the Eastern District of California granted a preliminary injunction April 17, halting the merger pending litigation.

The combined company would control 80% of U.S. television households and own half the major network affiliates in both Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto and San Diego.

"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.

The attorneys general cited concerns about job cuts, higher cable bills, and reduced local news coverage. Reports showed Nexstar has fired journalists in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York in recent weeks.

The case has been consolidated with a separate challenge brought by DIRECTV. Nexstar filed an appeal to the Ninth Circuit, with its opening brief due May 20.

The coalition now includes attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Virginia.