- Five more states—Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Vermont—joined California AG Rob Bonta’s lawsuit challenging Nexstar Media Group’s $6.2 billion acquisition of TEGNA, making the coalition bipartisan.
- As previously reported, AG Bonta originally led eight Democratic AGs in suing to block the merger, alleging that the deal would create a “broadcasting behemoth.”
- In the amended complaint, the states assert that the merger would create the largest broadcast station group in the United States, giving Nexstar control over 265 television stations across 44 states and D.C., increasing its power to raise retransmission-consent fees and reduce the quality and quantity of local broadcast content.
- The states seek a permanent injunction remedying and unwinding the transaction, plus costs, fees, and other relief. The district court granted a preliminary injunction while litigation proceeds, which defendants have appealed to the Ninth Circuit.