A coalition of state attorneys general, led by Letitia James and Rob Bonta, has filed a lawsuit to block a proposed $6.2 billion merger between broadcasting giants Nexstar Media Group and Tegna Inc.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, argues that the deal violates antitrust laws by reducing competition in local media markets and potentially driving up costs for consumers.
“This illegal merger threatens local news and could raise fees for consumers,” James said, warning that consolidation could limit access to independent journalism. “I’m suing to stop Nexstar’s illegal merger with Tegna to keep cable bills down and ensure New Yorkers can access the independent local news options they count on.”
The proposed deal would combine the nation’s largest and fourth-largest broadcast station owners, significantly expanding Nexstar’s reach. Regulators estimate the combined company could reach at least 60% of U.S. households—well above the typical 39% cap, which federal regulators waived to allow the transaction.
Attorneys general from eight states—including New York, California, Colorado, Illinois, Oregon, North Carolina, Connecticut, and Virginia—joined the legal challenge, citing concerns over diminished competition and its impact on local journalism.
“When broadcast media is owned by a handful of companies, we get fewer voices, less competition, and communities lose the critical check on power that local journalism delivers,” Bonta said.
James highlighted specific concerns in Buffalo, where Nexstar-owned WIVB-TV and Tegna-owned WGRZ currently compete. “This competition ensures communities get diverse, affordable, and high-quality TV coverage,” she said. “But if this merger moves forward, cable prices will spike for families.”
She also warned the merger could lead to layoffs and reduced newsroom capacity. “That means fewer journalists on the ground, fewer independent voices, and fewer local perspectives covering the communities that they know best,” James said.
The lawsuit invokes Section 7 of the Clayton Antitrust Act, which prohibits mergers that substantially lessen competition.
Despite the legal challenge, federal regulators under the administration of Donald Trump have approved the merger. The Federal Communications Commission confirmed it had cleared aspects of the deal, including waiving ownership limits, while the Department of Justice also signed off.
However, dissenting voices within the FCC remain. Commissioner Anna M. Gomez criticized the approval process, calling for greater transparency.
“This would unleash a new broadcast behemoth that could gut local news and lead to higher prices,” she said.
The case underscores growing scrutiny of consolidation in the media industry, as regulators and state officials increasingly weigh the balance between corporate growth and preserving competition, affordability, and local journalism.
