When Bigger Isn’t Better

Join the growing opposition to the illegal Nexstar-TEGNA Merger

Image Credit: Ann Telnaes

Here’s a brain-teaser: When has a merger between two already powerful media companies pushed by partisan government interests benefited the American people?

While you’re wracking your brain on that one, consider our current example—the attempted merger between Nexstar Media and TEGNA, Inc. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Media Bureau approved the merger in March, despite the fact that it blatant violates their own rules. So far, the deal has been successfully blocked by the courts. We are delighted to report that yesterday five more Attorneys General have joined the lawsuit to block the merger, so there is now a bipartisan coalition of 13 states opposing it.

You may remember Nexstar which, along with Sinclair Broadcast Group, was instrumental in removing Jimmy Kimmel’s show from the airwaves last fall. They’re already the largest television broadcasting company in the United States, with more than 200 TV stations nationwide delivering programming and content to 116 markets.

An empire such as that might seem pretty substantial to you and me, but as with many powerful, wealthy corporations, “enough” never is. So Nexstar wants to merge with TEGNA, a competitor that owns or operates 68 television stations in 54 markets. According to Nexstar, the merger would lead to them controlling 265 stations in 44 states and Washington D.C.—a staggering 80% of American households—blatantly violating the 39% cap set by Congress.

But President Trump burped “GET THAT DEAL DONE” and FCC Chairman Carr followed his orders. Carr told the FCC Media Bureau to approve the merger in an “unlawful” way designed to subvert judicial oversight. We are very glad the effort to evade review in the courts is failing. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez has actively opposed the deal, stating on the record that:
“This merger was approved behind closed doors with no open process, no full Commission vote, and no transparency”.

The charge of every broadcasting station is to serve the public interest. As our newspapers rapidly disappear or become the bullhorn of wealthy interests, it’s more important than ever that television broadcast news fills that gap by providing local, impartial stories that Americans can use to make informed decisions. Mergers such as these work against that.

The 39% Cap

Thankfully, there’s an additional roadblock standing in its way. In 2004, Congress passed legislation that prohibits any one owner from controlling stations that reach more than 39% of US households. Allowing Nexstar, already the largest owner of local TV stations to merge with #3 TEGNA would create a conglomerate far exceeding the legal limit.

Effects of the Merger

Would Americans benefit from the merger? Carr and Trump argue that eliminating the cap would boost local broadcasting by increasing the company’s bottom line, enabling them to put more resources to local coverage. However, these companies already reap enormous profits that could be used to bolster local programming if they chose to. Nexstar reported a 2025 third quarter net revenue of $1.20 billion, and the acquisition of TEGNA would cost Nexstar $6.2 billion. If it wants to improve local broadcasting, the money is there.

Rather than help local news, such mergers have historically resulted in layoffs that diminish local news capacity and reduce the variety of local content. That content is then replaced by homogenous programming that doesn’t meet the community’s needs. And analyses have shown that the largest US media companies tend to compromise their editorial position to align with those of politicians in power. In a democracy, variety isn’t just the spice of life, it’s the main ingredient. By limiting input from the rich spectrum of American voices, the power of the people to maintain democracy falters.

Elimination of the 39% cap would also have far-reaching consequences, enabling future mega-mergers that will result in even fewer diverse voices to enrich our lives and hold the government accountable. It would also increase already high levels of concentration in local TV markets, which would likely lead to higher cable and satellite prices nationwide.

Opposition to the Cap Change and Merger

In December 2025, a Petition to Deny the proposed merger of Nexstar and TEGNA was filed by Free Press, Communications Workers of America, United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry, and Public Knowledge. MAD was part of a coalition of 28 consumer protection groups, antitrust groups, public interest organizations, labor unions, and civil rights organizations submitted a regulatory comment opposing the merger. In March, broadcast networks, including some on the right wing, also filed suit.

Fortunately, the AGs lawsuit is making progress. A judge has blocked the merger from proceeding, has ordered them to reverse the steps they already took to merge, and will hear the case The coalition is growing but we need to maintain the momentum.

Protect Your Airwaves—Join the Opposition!

By law, television licensees serve the public interest. That’s you!

Here are MAD Actions that you can (and should) take to support the fight against media consolidation:

1. Find out if you have local stations owned by Nexstar or TEGNA – it matters! Use this spreadsheet as a resource. It is organized by state and locality and also includes Sinclair-owned stations, which teamed up with Nexstar in an attempt to boot Kimmel’s show off the air.

2. Reach out to your state Attorney General. This spreadsheet has social media for your state’s AG and indicates whether they have joined the lawsuit. If you reside in CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, KS, MA, NY, NC, OR, PA, VA, or VT thank your Attorney General for already being a part of the effort to stop this unlawful merger! Otherwise, urge them to join the lawsuit.

3. Reach out to your state legislators and ask them to urge your AG to join the lawsuit (if they are not one of the 13 states that have already done so).

4. Contact the FCC and let them know that you oppose the Nexstar-TEGNA merger, as well as the elimination of the 39% cap. It is important for them to know the public cares and is paying attention.