NC joins multi-state lawsuit to block $6B Nexstar merger

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is leading a multi-state lawsuit to block Nexstar’s $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, arguing it will reduce competition in local news markets and lead to higher cable and satellite bills for over two million households in North Carolina. The lawsuit, filed alongside attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, Oregon, and Virginia, contends that the merger would give Nexstar control over a larger share of broadcast television than any company before—reaching 80% of American households, exceeding the FCC’s ownership cap.

According to the complaint, Nexstar expects to collect an additional $135 million in retransmission fees, potentially increasing costs for consumers and leading to blackouts if negotiations with cable and satellite companies fail. The states also fear the loss of independent newsrooms, with stations like WCNC in Charlotte and WFMY in Greensboro potentially rebroadcasting the same content as existing Nexstar stations.

DirecTV has filed a separate lawsuit with similar concerns. Jackson emphasized the importance of state attorneys general stepping in, as federal antitrust enforcers have been less active in challenging such mergers recently. He warned that the merger would “gut local news,” resulting in fewer reporters and less scrutiny of local leaders, a particularly concerning outcome given the decline of local newspapers.

(Source：Salisbury Post)