Attorney General Jeff Jackson filed a lawsuit on Mar. 19 to stop Nexstar’s proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, which would combine two major television broadcast companies and affect millions of North Carolina households.
The case is significant because it could impact cable and satellite bills for over two million TV households across Charlotte, the Triad, and northeastern North Carolina. The merger would also reduce the number of independent local newsrooms in these regions.
Jackson said, “Nexstar wants to buy one of its biggest competitors, gain more control over local news stations and Sunday afternoon NFL broadcasts, and charge millions of North Carolina families more for television. That’s exactly why antitrust laws exist, and I’m going to court to stop it.”
If approved, the deal would result in a single company owning more than 260 television stations across 44 states—reaching about 80 percent of American households—which is double the Federal Communications Commission’s national ownership cap. In affected areas like Charlotte and Greensboro, Nexstar already owns key stations and would acquire additional ones from Tegna, removing competition in those markets.
According to the official website, the North Carolina State Executive Attorney General aims to prevent crime, assist law enforcement, protect consumers and defend state residents’ rights. Jeff Jackson heads this office as attorney general according to the official website. The office extends its services statewide according to the official website and has authority to represent state agencies in court as well as prosecute criminal appeals according to the official website. It acts as a government entity authorized for legal and regulatory matters on behalf of North Carolina according to the official website and provides services including legal representation, criminal prosecution support, and consumer protection according to the official website.
The lawsuit seeks a permanent block on the merger under Section 7 of the Clayton Act due to concerns about higher prices for consumers and fewer independent newsrooms. Jackson is joined by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, Oregon, and Virginia.
Observers say that if such mergers are allowed without challenge, they could set precedents affecting media competition nationwide.
