8 states, including California and New York, sue to block $6.2B Nexstar-Tegna merger

California, New York and six other states filed a lawsuit late Wednesday seeking to block television station owner Nexstar’s proposed $6.2 billion takeover of rival company Tegna.

California, New York and six other states filed a lawsuit late Wednesday seeking to block television station owner Nexstar’s proposed $6.2 billion takeover of rival company Tegna, arguing the tie-up violates federal antitrust laws.

“When broadcast media is owned by a handful of companies, we get fewer voices, less competition, and communities lose the critical check on power that local journalism delivers,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a news release.

In filing the suit, Bonta and New York Attorney General Letitia James were joined by the attorneys general of Colorado, Illinois, Oregon, North Carolina, Connecticut and Virginia.

Nexstar and Tegna did not respond to requests for comment about the lawsuit.

Trump administration regulators formally approved the merger on Thursday evening. Nexstar said it had secured regulatory sign-off from the Department of Justice, and the FCC said it had approved the sale of certain Tegna stations to Nexstar.