US judge halts Nexstar-Tegna merger

Nexstar Media

18/04/2026 01:54

By David Thomas and Mike Scarcella

April 17 (Reuters) - A U.S. federal judge on Friday halted Nexstar's NXST.O acquisition of rival broadcast station owner Tegna, issuing a preliminary injunction that freezes the deal while antitrust challenges brought by DirecTV and a group of states proceed.

Chief U.S. District Judge Troy Nunley in Sacramento said the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on their claims that the $3.54 billion deal will substantially lessen competition in dozens of local television markets.

The court’s order bars Nexstar from consolidating its operations with Tegna, but does not unwind the transaction.

 (Reporting by David Thomas and Mike Scarcella; Editing by Jasper Ward)

 ((Email: d.thomas@thomsonreuters.com; Phone: 646 823 0937))