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Democrats Call for Tough Review of Nexstar-Tegna Merger

By  |  December 16, 2025

A group of prominent Congressional Democrats, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, is urging federal regulators to closely scrutinize Nexstar Media Group’s proposed acquisition of Tegna, warning that the deal could harm consumers, workers, and local journalism, according to Hollywood Reporter.

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    In a letter sent late Monday to Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr and Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Gail Slater, the lawmakers argue that the merger would significantly expand Nexstar’s influence over local television while undermining competition. Per Hollywood Reporter, the letter was signed by Warren, Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada, and Reps. Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, Maxwell Frost of Florida, and Doris Matsui of California, who serves as ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

    The lawmakers raise multiple concerns about the proposed deal, including the sheer size of a combined Nexstar-Tegna operation and the potential impact on local newsrooms. According to Hollywood Reporter, they contend that the merger would “increase costs, drive job losses, and harm local journalism,” while also pushing the company beyond the 39 percent national television ownership cap established under the Telecommunications Act.

    Related: Nexstar to Acquire Tegna in $6.2 Billion Deal, Testing US Media Ownership Rules

    In the letter, the lawmakers state, “Nexstar’s proposed acquisition of Tegna would create a media giant that would likely raise prices, drive layoffs, and reduce independent news coverage.” They further warn that approval of the deal would allow the nation’s largest TV station owner to dramatically expand its reach. “If your agencies approve the deal, the country’s largest TV station owner would double its audience reach to 80% of TV households and cement a market-dominant position,” the letter continues. The lawmakers add that consolidation efforts aimed at boosting executive profits often come “at the expense of viewers across the country and independent, local TV journalism.”

    The group is calling on regulators to take an aggressive approach. “We urge the FCC to carefully review the deal, including by holding public hearings, and block it if Nexstar cannot affirmatively prove that the deal will benefit the public, not just its shareholders,” the letter states. It also presses the Justice Department to intervene if necessary, saying, “We additionally urge the DOJ to consider the anticompetitive effects of a Nexstar-Tegna merger as it scrutinizes this deal and block the acquisition if it illegally harms competition in violation of federal law.”

    The timing of the letter is notable. Per Hollywood Reporter, it arrives just one day before Carr and fellow FCC commissioners Anna Gomez and Olivia Trusty are scheduled to testify at an FCC oversight hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday. The committee is chaired by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, and the Nexstar-Tegna proposal is expected to be among the issues discussed, along with other high-profile media matters likely to draw scrutiny during the hearing.

    Source: Hollywood Reporter