James Sues to Block Nexstar-Tegna TV Grab

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James isn’t backing down. Today, she joined a multi-state lawsuit aimed squarely at dismantling the proposed merger of Nexstar Media Group (Nexstar) and Tegna, Inc. (Tegna), two media giants poised to choke the life out of local television competition. The feds are alleging this isn’t just about business; it’s about control – control over what viewers see, and how much they pay for it.

The lawsuit, filed today, argues that combining Nexstar and Tegna would create the largest broadcast station group in the nation, a monopoly in all but name. This consolidation threatens to jack up costs for cable customers while simultaneously gutting the quality of local news that millions rely on. Specifically, the complaint points to 31 media markets, including Buffalo, New York, where Nexstar and Tegna currently compete. Attorney General James and her colleagues are demanding a court order to block the merger entirely.

“Competition among local TV stations allows consumers to enjoy a variety of affordable options for quality coverage of news, sports, and more,” Attorney General James stated bluntly. “This illegal merger threatens local news and could raise fees for consumers by combining hundreds of TV stations under the same owner. 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.”

Nexstar, already the biggest player in local broadcasting with over 200 stations reaching 220 million people, would become even more dominant if it swallows Tegna’s 64 stations. The lawsuit alleges that this increased market power will inevitably lead to higher retransmission fees – the payments cable providers like Comcast, DirecTV, and Charter make to broadcast stations for the right to carry their signals. Nexstar, the complaint argues, could essentially hold consumers hostage, threatening blackouts of popular channels unless providers cave to their demands.

But the financial squeeze isn’t the only concern. Attorney General James’ office highlights Nexstar’s history of “news duplication” – airing the same local news content across multiple stations – and its tendency to consolidate newsrooms, slashing jobs and reducing the diversity of coverage. A recent study cited in the lawsuit paints a grim picture, labeling Nexstar as the worst offender in this practice. If the merger goes through, the lawsuit warns, communities across the country will have fewer and fewer sources for independent, reliable local news.

The legal battle centers on violations of the federal Clayton Act, which prohibits mergers that unlawfully limit competition. Attorney General James and the coalition aren’t just asking for a halt to the deal; they’re demanding a full accounting of Nexstar and Tegna’s anti-competitive practices. This isn’t just a business dispute; it’s a fight for the future of local news and the wallets of American consumers. The case is expected to be a long and messy one, but James has made it clear: she’s ready to fight.”