A U.S. judge ordered Nexstar to temporarily separate Tegna's assets pending an antitrust review of their $3.54B acquisition.
DirecTV and eight states, including California and New York, filed lawsuits arguing the merger would drive up consumer costs, reduce local competition, and increase blackouts of key local sports. The judge cited market concentration as a violation concern.
Nexstar and Tegna are now required to maintain Tegna as an independent entity and avoid sharing competitively sensitive information. An April 7 hearing will determine if a preliminary injunction is needed.