Nexstar to Acquire Tegna in 6.2 Billion Deal

Nexstar Media Group will buy Tegna in a deal valued at 6.2 billion dollars, pending regulatory approval.

Nexstar Purchases Tegna in $6.2 Billion Deal

Nexstar Media Group has reached an agreement to buy Tegna in a deal valued at 6.2 billion dollars, including Tegna’s net debt and estimated transaction fees. The combined company would operate about 265 full‑power stations in 44 states and Washington, D.C., covering roughly 80 percent of U.S. TV households and nine of the top ten markets. The purchase requires regulatory approval, including from the FCC, and is expected to close in the second half of 2026. Both companies’ boards approved the agreement.

The deal signals a bold push toward scale in local television, a sector facing rising costs and intense competition from digital platforms. Converging Nexstar’s reach with Tegna’s portfolio could shift bargaining power with advertisers and suppliers, while potentially driving efficiency through synergies projected to reach about 300 million dollars within a year. Yet the consolidation faces regulatory scrutiny and political headwinds as lawmakers weigh ownership limits and the public value of local news. The outcome will hinge on how regulators balance market dynamics with the civic role of local broadcasters.

Highlights

Regulators will decide how this consolidation reshapes local news and competition