Judge says Nexstar breached injunction and orders board dissolution

U.S. District Judge Troy N. Nunley rebuked Nexstar Media Group for breaching a preliminary injunction that barred the company from integrating its newly acquired Tegna assets. He described Nexstar's conduct as "brazen" and required the firm to submit monthly compliance reports while a special master will monitor the antitrust proceedings. The judge also ordered the dissolution of Tegna's board, which had been populated by Nexstar officers such as CEO Perry Sook and CFO Lee Ann Gliha.

The injunction was originally issued after California Attorney General Rob Bonta and other states sued, claiming the merger would reduce competition and threaten local news outlets. Despite the legal challenge, Nexstar proceeded with the acquisition, prompting the court to enforce stricter separation of the two entities. The decision underscores ongoing scrutiny of media consolidation in the United States.