FCC Chair Says Nexstar‑Tegna Merger Still Pending After Court Block

TL;DR: FCC Chair Brendan Carr says the Nexstar‑Tegna merger has not received final approval, and a federal judge’s injunction halts the $6.2 billion deal that could cover up to 80% of U.S. households.

Context The Federal Communications Commission’s Media Bureau cleared the Nexstar‑Tegna transaction on March 19, but the full commission has not voted on the decision. In an April 13 letter to lawmakers, Chair Brendan Carr emphasized that the bureau’s sign‑off is not a final action by the entire FCC.

Key Facts - The merger would combine Nexstar’s and Tegna’s broadcast stations, potentially reaching 80% of U.S. households, far above the 39% ownership cap set by federal rules. - Judge Troy Nunley issued a preliminary injunction on April 17, stopping the deal while antitrust lawsuits proceed. Nexstar has appealed the order to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. - The FCC’s Media Bureau waived the 39% cap, arguing the rule is not a statutory limit. Carr noted the bureau has authority to act under delegated powers. - Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell have voiced concerns that the FCC bypassed a full commission vote. Democratic commissioner Anna Gomez has called for a panel vote. - Multiple states—initially eight, now thirteen—are suing on antitrust grounds, while DirecTV filed a separate challenge. - Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost secured an agreement to keep Cleveland and Columbus stations editorially independent if the merger proceeds, and he is not joining the multistate suit.

What It Means The injunction keeps the $6.2 billion deal in limbo, and the Ninth Circuit’s ruling will determine whether the merger can move forward. If the appeal succeeds, Nexstar could dominate the broadcast landscape, raising concerns about market concentration and local news diversity. The FCC may still need to vote on the bureau’s waiver, a step that could reshape the agency’s approach to future media consolidations. Watch for the Ninth Circuit’s decision and any subsequent full‑commission vote as the regulatory battle unfolds.