Attorney Generals James and Bonta challenge Nexstar's purchase of Tegna

Attorney General Tish James, together with California Attorney General Rob Bonta, has entered a legal challenge to prevent Nexstar Media Group from acquiring Tegna, contending that the merger would undermine competition in local news. Their case relies on the premise that the combined entity would dominate a large share of local-news markets, a claim that conflicts with the Federal Communications Commission's recent update to market-dominance rules, which now consider the broader competition from streaming services, YouTube, podcasts and other digital content.

Data cited by opponents indicate Nexstar would control less than 15% of all U.S. local-broadcast stations and under 5% of total TV viewing, far short of the alleged 60% threshold. Nexstar argues the purchase supports its strategy of expanding local journalism, noting a roughly 20% rise in local-news airtime over the last five years, and has secured a deal with Ohio’s attorney general to stay in the lawsuit while committing to continue that approach.

The merger has already received clearance from federal regulators, and DirecTV, which originally sued over the deal, claims the transaction could increase its costs for local-station content. The attorneys general' intervention is viewed by some as a politically motivated effort that could benefit campaign donors.