Judge Finds Nexstar Violated Court Order Freezing TV Merger
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 10, 2026
Contact: comms@ncdoj.gov
919-538-2809
RALEIGH — In Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s ongoing antitrust lawsuit against the Nexstar/Tegna deal, a judge found that Nexstar violated the preliminary injunction that ordered the two companies to freeze their merger and operate as separate entities. The judge ordered a special master or magistrate judge to be appointed to ensure that Nexstar and Tegna comply with the freeze going forward.
“The court ordered this merger frozen, and Nexstar didn’t follow that order,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “Now the judge is putting a monitor in place to make sure Nexstar follows the order. Our case to block this merger is still moving ahead, and we’re going to see it through.”
In May, Attorney General Jeff Jackson filed a lawsuit to block Nexstar’s proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, which would put Nexstar in 80% of American homes and likely lead to higher cable bills and local newsroom layoffs. After Nexstar raced to close the deal, a judge granted a preliminary injunction ordering Nexstar and Tegna to keep operating separately while the antitrust case continues, with separate management and separate newsrooms.
Attorney General Jeff Jackson went back to court alleging that Nexstar was violating the freeze by putting Nexstar executives, including its CEO, president, CFO, and general counsel – on Tegna’s Board of Directors.
Nexstar tried to argue that installing its executives on Tegna’s board did not violate the terms of the court order. The judge disagreed. In his order, Judge Troy Nunley found that “it is shocking that Defendants think installing a Board of Directors comprised primarily of Nexstar executives would not create influence over Tegna management.” Judge Nunley also criticized Nexstar’s “lack of candor” about its actions.
The judge is ordering Nexstar to make several immediate changes. In addition to requiring oversight, Nexstar must:
- Remove its officers from Tegna’s board and come into compliance with the freeze.
- Submit documents monthly to show its compliance to Attorney General Jackson and the other states.
- File a status report with the court in 10 days.
North Carolina is among the most affected states in the country because the merger creates overlaps in some of the state’s largest TV markets.
In Charlotte, Nexstar owns WJZY/Queen City News (FOX) and would acquire Tegna’s WCNC (NBC). In the Triad, Nexstar owns WGHP (FOX) and would acquire Tegna’s WFMY (CBS). In the Norfolk-Newport News market – which serves eight counties in northeastern North Carolina – Nexstar owns WAVY (NBC) and WVBT (FOX) and would acquire Tegna’s WVEC (ABC).
Together, these markets represent over two million TV households.
The trial in this case is scheduled for July 6, 2027.
###
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
