Local TV giant Nexstar Media Group is acquiring rival broadcaster Tegna in a $6.2 billion takeover, a massive wager that hinges entirely on the Trump administration gutting federal media ownership rules to allow the deal to proceed.
A regulatory game of chicken: The all-cash transaction would create a behemoth operating 265 TV stations, reaching 80% of all U.S. households. The deal faces just one major hurdle: federal rules currently prohibit it. The FCC caps a single broadcaster’s national audience reach at around 40%, meaning Nexstar is betting the agency will double the limit to approve the merger.
Saving local news, or killing it: Nexstar and Tegna frame the deal as necessary to preserve local journalism against Big Tech, but critics of media consolidation fear it will lead to more uniform, generic news coverage. That skepticism is fueled by research showing Nexstar is already the industry’s “biggest duplicator” of news, casting doubt on whether a larger footprint will create more unique local content.
Not a done deal: The acquisition, expected to close in late 2026, isn't a sure thing. Rival broadcast giant Sinclair had also made a competing offer for Tegna, as first reported by The Wall Street Journal, suggesting the fight to consolidate local media is only just beginning.
This deal is a test case for the future of American media ownership. If the regulatory dam breaks for Nexstar, expect a flood of similar consolidation plays to follow. Elsewhere, the broadcast industry is in a period of major flux, with Sinclair also exploring strategic alternatives for its TV business. The deal's reliance on a favorable regulatory environment is notable, especially since Tegna’s previous merger attempt was abandoned last year amid scrutiny from the Biden administration's FCC. Meanwhile, a coalition of press freedom groups and broadcast unions are urging regulators to block further consolidation, citing concerns over journalism quality and worker pay.
