States and DirecTV Sue to Block Nexstar-Tegna Merger

Eight States and DirecTV Sue to Block $6.2 Billion Nexstar-Tegna Merger

Attorneys general from California and New York argue the massive media deal would hike consumer prices and damage the quality of local journalism.

Marcus J. Delany

Mar 19, 2026, 4:46 PM PT · 1 min read

Eight state attorneys general and DirecTV filed lawsuits to block the $6.2 billion Nexstar-Tegna

THE RUNDOWN

Eight state attorneys general and DirecTV sued to block the $6.2 billion merger.
Lawsuits were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.
Plaintiffs argue the Nexstar-Tegna deal violates antitrust laws and reduces market competition.
Concerns include higher consumer prices and a negative impact on local journalism diversity.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is among the leaders of the legal coalition.

The media landscape is facing a major legal showdown as a coalition of eight state attorneys general and satellite provider DirecTV filed separate lawsuits to halt the proposed merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna Inc. The $6.2 billion deal, which would unite two of the nation’s largest owners of local television stations, is now under intense scrutiny in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.

Leading the legal challenge are officials from California and New York, including New York Attorney General Letitia James. The lawsuits argue that the merger would violate federal antitrust laws by significantly reducing competition in the broadcasting market. According to the filings, this consolidation would likely lead to higher prices for consumers and increased retransmission fees for cable and satellite providers.

Beyond the financial impact, the coalition expressed deep concerns regarding the future of local reporting. The attorneys general claim that the merger would negatively affect the quality and diversity of local journalism by centralizing control over newsrooms across the country. DirecTV echoed these sentiments in its own filing, asserting that the deal would create a broadcasting giant with too much leverage over the television industry.