Nexstar is no stranger to broadcast power, already commanding 201 stations across 116 markets and holding a firm grip on America’s local screens. But since Tegna's pursuit first emerged in August 2025, that hold has only tightened, with the long-brewing takeover now finally crossing the finish line after approval from the FCC and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Bringing that long-running media play to a decisive close, Nexstar has officially sealed its $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, folding major network ties with ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC into a broader corporate fold. With nearly 260 full-power television stations now under its banner, the company has only tightened its grip as the largest TV station group in the U.S.

In fact, its signal now reaches around 80% of U.S. TV households, though Nexstar would still own less than 15% of the country’s local TV stations. To clear the runway for that sweeping reach, the FCC granted a waiver from its ownership cap rule, which normally prohibits one station owner from reaching more than 39% of American households.

However, the deal has now spilled into federal court, where DirecTV and attorneys general from eight states have moved to block the takeover under Section 7 of the Clayton Act. Adding more fire to it, California Attorney General Rob Bonta came down hard on the merger, calling it illegal and warning it could weaken competition, shrink local voices, and cast a darker cloud over local journalism.

“This merger is illegal, plain and simple, running contrary to federal antitrust laws that protect consumers,” General Rob Bonta said(via Variety).

So, amid the success celebration, could local TV viewers be the ones who end up feeling the heat on their bills?

Will local TV bills take the hit after Nexstar’s $6.2 billion deal win?

With Tegna bringing 64 full-power TV stations, one AM radio station, and one FM radio station into the fold, Nexstar’s already massive television machine is now set to stretch across 265 full-power TV stations in 44 states, Washington, D.C., and 132 of the country’s 210 TV DMAs. That kind of reach is exactly why critics fear this is no small media shuffle, but a deeper consolidation wave that could leave local viewers with fewer choices and a bigger risk of feeling pressure on their TV bills.

Those fears intensify because the two companies already overlap in 35 designated market areas, while also seeking Local Television Ownership rule waivers in 23 DMAs, with the combined company set to own two stations each in 17 of them. And when one broadcaster gains that much more room across the dial, the question critics keep circling back to is simple: whether this broadcast win could slowly turn into a costlier reality for local TV households.

For now, viewers across the U.S. will have to wait and watch whether that feared spike in TV bills actually hits their homes, but for Nexstar, this deal has already pushed its broadcast power into an even bigger league.

What are your thoughts on Nexstar’s $6.2B Tegna deal? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Lisa Roy

Edited by

Itti Mahajan