See below for a press release from AG Jay Jones’ office regarding an emergency motion being filed, following the Trump’s FCC approving the merger of local television owners Nexstar and Tegna. Note that this merger, if it goes through, would result in “Nexstar and its partners…oversee[ing] 265 television stations in 44 states and Washington, reaching about 80 percent of U.S. households and cementing the company’s position as the largest owner of local television stations in the United States.” Which, as the press release from AG Jones points out, would “put more broadcast programming in the hands of fewer people, cut local jobs, increase cable bills, and significantly impact the delivery of news and other media content to Americans nationwide.” Not good at all, in other words.
Attorney General Jay Jones Files Emergency Motion to Stop Nexstar/Tegna Merger
Action follows lawsuit filed by AG Jones and coalition last night to block the merger and protect Virginia Consumers
Richmond, VA – Attorney General Jay Jones today joined coalition of eight attorneys general in filing a motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop the merger of Tegna Inc. (Tegna) and Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nexstar), after the broadcasting giants received merger approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). On Wednesday night, Attorney General Jones filed a lawsuit to block the merger, a deal that is expected to create the largest broadcast station group in the United States, put more broadcast programming in the hands of fewer people, cut local jobs, increase cable bills, and significantly impact the delivery of news and other media content to Americans nationwide.
“Giving one company the control to decide what we see on TV and how much we pay for it erodes public trust and threatens to raise prices for consumers at a time when Donald Trump’s reckless and illegal policies are already making life unaffordable for most Virginians,” Attorney General Jones said. “My office will never stop fighting for fairness and affordability for Virginians, and this action today reinforces that commitment.”
If approved, this multibillion-dollar deal would combine the nation’s largest and third-largest television-station conglomerates, creating a titan covering 80% of U.S. television households. This acquisition of Tegna would allow Nexstar to control three major affiliates in the Norfolk television market alone. Reports show that over 65% of Virginians trust local news to report accurately, compared to less than 46% for national news. Both Nexstar and Tegna operate stations affiliated with ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. Nexstar also owns the CW network and the NewsNation cable network.
The Trump Administration has shown states and consumers that it is more concerned with protecting corporate interests than in doing its job to defend the public and uphold consumer protection and antitrust laws that help make life more affordable for American families. Attorney General Jones has responded by continuing to fight for a better deal for consumers after U.S. DOJ settled days into the much-awaited Live Nation/Ticketmaster trial — an action promptly rejected by a bipartisan group of attorneys general.
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