Court freezes Nexstar-Tegna merger amid antitrust concerns despite FCC waiver

A U.S. district judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the integration of Nexstar and Tegna, citing potential reduced competition and harm to consumers. The order requires hold-separate management, keeping Tegna independent in decisions over retransmission negotiations, newsroom staffing, and operations, while the case proceeds. The FCC had allowed the deal to exceed the 39% national ownership cap via a waiver, spurring further challenges from DirecTV, state attorneys general, and consumer groups. Nexstar must respond by April 1, and a hearing on a possible preliminary injunction is scheduled for April 7.