Antitrust violation cited in litigation against Nexstar, Tegna

(The Center Square) – North Carolina has joined antitrust litigation filed in California seeking to block Nexstar’s $6.2 billion acquisition of rival Tegna, a move Attorney General Jeff Jackson says will send cable and satellite bills rocketing higher while local newsrooms are gutted.

The first-term Democrat says eight northeastern counties, and the markets around Charlotte and Greensboro have 2 million consumers impacted. The proposal would put 260 television stations in 44 states with reach to 80% of America into a single company.

The national ownership cap, according to the Federal Communications Commission, is 39%.

The U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of California, Sacramento Division, is asked for relief in a permanent injunction blocking the merger under Section 7 of the Clayton Act.

“Nexstar wants to buy one of its biggest competitors, gain more control over local news stations and Sunday afternoon NFL broadcasts, and charge millions of North Carolina families ...