Virginia AG alleges Nexstar, Tegna are violating court order halting merger

Tysons-based broadcaster Tegna and Nexstar Media Group are in apparent violation of a court order demanding halt to the merger process between the media companies, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones alleges. 

In April, Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California blocked the $6 billion merger of Tegna and Nexstar until an antitrust lawsuit filed by multiple states (including Virginia) is resolved. 

Jones joined a bipartisan, 13-state coalition that filed a motion Thursday asking the court to clarify that its preliminary injunction issued in April prohibits current and former Nexstar personnel from serving on Tegna’s board of directors. The attorneys general claim that five former and current Nexstar executives comprise Tegna’s board and allege the companies are thus violating the court order to stop the merger while litigation proceeds. 

Specifically, the attorneys general claim Tegna’s board is composed of Nexstar Chairman and CEO Perry Sook, President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Biard, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Elizabeth Ryder and former President Timothy Busch.  

Previously, in March, the?Federal Communications Commission?approved the acquisition, leading Nexstar to announce it had completed the transaction, which would expand Nexstar’s reach to about 80% of U.S. TV households. 

In a Thursday news release, Jones framed the case as one with First Amendment implications. 

“Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of our democracy, and the reality is the free press is under attack,” Jones said. “Fewer local newsrooms mean fewer opportunities for the pursuit of the truth and reduced public accountability. This merger further jeopardizes journalistic integrity and independence of our media at a time when it is needed most.” 

Nexstar announced its intention to acquire Tegna in August 2025. When the FCC approved the merger, it waived a federal rule that restricts a single owner from owning television stations that reach a combined audience of more than 39% of national television households. The FCC is set to vote on eliminating the restriction, which was first enacted in 1941 for radio stations, on Aug. 6. 

If the merger is completed, the combined Nexstar/Tegna entity would have overlapping stations in several markets. The FCC waiver required Nexstar to divest stations in six markets within two years. 

Jones’ office alleges the merger, which would create the largest television broadcast station group in the country, would cut jobs, increase cable bills for consumers and pose a significant impact to the delivery of news and other content. 

“If allowed to proceed, this multibillion-dollar deal would combine the nation’s largest and third-largest television station conglomerates, creating a titan covering 80% of U.S. television households,” Jones’ office said in a statement. 

On its website, Tegna says it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexstar, “operating independently of Nexstar consistent with the ‘Hold Separate Order’ issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of?California?on April 17.”  

Tegna operates 64 local television stations in 51 U.S. markets and hundreds of websites, mobile and connected TV apps. On June 1, former Fox Television Stations executive Patrick Paolini started as CEO of Tegna. 

Tegna did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.