HARRISBURG – PA Attorney General Dave Sunday and a coalition of attorneys general have filed a lawsuit to stop a merger of Nexstar and TEGNA, two major media companies. The complaint alleges that the merger violates anti-trust law by eliminating broadcast TV options and would increase costs for consumers. Nexstar is the country’s largest local television broadcasting group, controlling more than 200 stations in 116 U.S. markets. TEGNA is the nation’s third-largest broadcasting group, controlling 64 television stations in 51 different media markets. If the merger is not undone, 31 media markets across the country where Nexstar and TEGNA each own competing stations – including in central and northeast PA – would see diminished competition. Attorney General Sunday said Pennsylvanians are seeing rising TV service subscription costs and this merger would only push those budgets closer to breaking points. He and the other attorneys general are seeking a market that offers competition and diversity in local TV options for news, sports, and other programming.
DAVID SUNDAY