CT Joins Multistate Lawsuit Seeking To Block Nexstar/Tegna Merger

CONNECTICUT — The state is among several suing to block Nexstar Media Group Inc.’s planned acquisition of Tegna Inc., claiming the deal would harm television news coverage and consumers.

Attorney General William Tong is among eight attorneys general from around the country joining forces in an attempt to stop the deal.

The others are from California, New York, Colorado, Illinois, Oregon, North Carolina and Virginia.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, Tong’s office announced Thursday.

The litigation claims the merger, which has the support of President Trump, would create an illegal monopoly.

“This merger would hand even more power to the largest local television broadcasting company in the country, while threatening to reduce competition, drive up costs, and weaken local journalism,” Tong said.

Nexstar and Tegna are large broadcast companies which own and operate television stations nationwide.

According to Tong, if the deal proceeds, it would create the largest broadcast station group in the U.S. In Connecticut, it would mean Nexstar’s News 8 would combine with Tegna’s Fox 61, leaving only NBC CT and Eyewitness News 3 as independent, Tong said.

According to Tong, less competition could lead to consolidation of newsrooms. He asserted the deal would raise prices, cut local jobs, adversely impact news coverage and harm consumers.

Nexstar has asserted the deal would enhance its position as a leading local media company, positioning it to better compete with other large media companies.