Nexstar Media Group has strongly condemned a joint legal effort by multiple state attorneys general and DIRECTV to halt its planned acquisition of Tegna, asserting that the challenge is effectively strangling local journalism at a critical time. The media company argues that the lawsuit, which seeks to prevent the creation of a stronger entity capable of sustaining broadcast news operations, ignores the severe economic realities facing local media outlets nationwide.
Nexstar sent Cord Cutters News a statement about the lawsuit:
By aligning with private equity-backed DIRECTV, these misguided attorneys general are strangling local journalism – the most trusted source of independent, fact-based news available to Americans. The AGs, none of whom has a track record of advocating for local media, would do well to understand the industry they purport to protect. They should also recognize the binding commitments Nexstar has made to increase the amount of local news coverage in many markets, including today’s settlement with the Ohio Attorney General. And they should be far more wary of the real drivers of the decline of local news: the unchecked rise of Big Tech platforms, the spread of misinformation on social media, and the economic pressures that have already led to widespread newsroom closures. Tellingly, none of them appeared on local broadcast news to discuss this issue, but their social media posts were immediate.
In today’s media landscape, multi-billion-dollar technology companies compete directly with local broadcasters while facing none of the same ownership, reach, or size constraints, putting untenable pressure on the economic model that supports local news. The alternative to this deal is not more independently owned outlets – it’s the demise of your local broadcast station.
According to Nexstar, the alignment of these attorneys general with the private equity-backed satellite television provider DIRECTV represents a misguided intervention that undermines the most trusted source of independent and fact-based news for Americans. The company maintains that none of the attorneys general involved have established records of supporting local media, and they would benefit from gaining a deeper understanding of the broadcasting industry they claim to safeguard.
In response to the legal action, Nexstar has highlighted its binding commitments to expand local news coverage across various markets. This includes a recent settlement reached with the Ohio Attorney General that ensures continued investment in newsrooms serving Cleveland and Columbus. Such pledges demonstrate the company’s dedication to bolstering rather than diminishing journalistic resources following the merger.
Nexstar points to the true culprits behind the ongoing decline of local news. Unchecked growth of massive technology platforms has created intense competition for local broadcasters, all while those tech giants operate without comparable restrictions on ownership, audience reach, or operational scale. The proliferation of misinformation through social media channels further erodes public trust and traditional revenue models. Compounding these issues are broader economic forces that have already triggered numerous newsroom closures and reductions in staffing at stations across the country.
The media operator emphasizes that the attorneys general chose not to engage directly with local broadcast audiences by appearing on stations to discuss their concerns. Instead, their communications appeared rapidly on social media platforms. This approach, in Nexstar’s view, underscores a disconnect from the communities and the medium they are attempting to influence through litigation.
The proposed merger between Nexstar and Tegna, valued at over six billion dollars, would combine operations to form the nation’s largest local television station group. With approvals already secured from federal regulators including the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice, the deal was positioned as essential for preserving local broadcasting in an increasingly challenging environment. The combined entity would operate hundreds of stations serving a vast majority of American households.
Without the merger, Nexstar warns, the outcome will not be a landscape filled with thriving independently owned outlets. Rather, many local broadcast stations could face extinction as financial pressures mount. Local television remains a vital pillar of community information, delivering critical updates on weather, public safety, government accountability, and regional events that digital alternatives often fail to replicate with the same depth or reliability.
Industry observers note that retransmission consent fees and advertising revenues have become harder to secure amid fragmentation of audiences and rising competition. Nexstar has argued consistently that consolidation is necessary to maintain the infrastructure required for high-quality local programming. The company’s track record includes investments in news production and community outreach that support this position.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in California, alleges potential harms to consumers and competition in the media market. However, Nexstar counters that blocking the transaction overlooks the benefits to local journalism and fails to address root causes of industry distress. As the case proceeds following a preliminary injunction, the future of numerous local news operations hangs in the balance.
Supporters of the deal point to similar consolidations in other sectors that have enabled sustainability without sacrificing service quality. For local news, the stakes involve not just business viability but the informed citizenry essential to democratic processes at the community level.
Nexstar continues to defend the merger as a proactive step toward securing the long-term health of local broadcasting. By committing resources to enhance coverage, the company believes it can counteract the erosive effects of technological disruption and economic shifts. The ongoing legal battle highlights tensions between regulatory oversight and the operational needs of traditional media in a rapidly evolving digital age.
This situation brings into sharp focus the challenges confronting local journalism. As attorneys general and corporate entities like DIRECTV pursue their respective agendas, the voices calling for preservation of trusted local sources urge a careful consideration of all factors influencing the industry’s survival. In an era where information flows instantly across borders, the stability of hometown broadcasters ensures that communities retain access to reporting grounded in accountability and relevance rather than algorithmic trends or distant corporate priorities. Nexstar’s position underscores a broader industry conviction that strategic partnerships offer the best path forward against overwhelming external forces threatening the viability of fact-based local coverage.