Nexstar to acquire Tegna

[GoldenShine_10 263]

After over a month, there is no sign of paperwork on the FCC site. For comparison, the Gray acquisitions forthcoming all were up within 2 weeks. I know this is massive, but they either seem to be struggling to figure out how this is being organized, or don't know what they are doing.

[mre29 1967]

Or someone realized that people were now paying attention to Nexstar and the FCC for all the wrong reasons and there's be no way to hide this deal's ugliness except to hold off on putting the paperwork up.

 

[Recovering Producer 410]

3 hours ago, GoldenShine_10 said:

After over a month, there is no sign of paperwork on the FCC site. For comparison, the Gray acquisitions forthcoming all were up within 2 weeks. I know this is massive, but they either seem to be struggling to figure out how this is being organized, or don't know what they are doing.

 

So much of this merger and their plan to keep everything is predicated on rule changes that haven't even been formally proposed yet. Feels like a waste of billable hours to have a comprehensive exhibit document that shows what they'd do under current regulations only to have it all change in likely a short time. 

[nathannah 2792]

I assume Perry is looking for random sketchy used car dealers to run sidecar companies but is having a hard time because of the tariffs (a la Sinclair).

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

5 hours ago, GoldenShine_10 said:

After over a month, there is no sign of paperwork on the FCC site. For comparison, the Gray acquisitions forthcoming all were up within 2 weeks. I know this is massive, but they either seem to be struggling to figure out how this is being organized, or don't know what they are doing.

 

It will be before Sept. 30th, says The Wrap.

[DENDude 259]

https://www.9news.com/article/news/politics/colorado-democratic-lawmakers-fcc-reject-nexstar-media-tegna-acquisition/73-fc917734-b549-4724-9235-9eca46b250dd?fbclid=IwY2xjawNnjcBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjyQTT7KpTxJrVvGpdKczpsrgD7IKhhYzA6nUN6WJoGmERZsqf9_NhrPlJc2_aem_Ikc92VKyf9xhG3MKTGzHUQ&brid=LeD8Zy6a17ATx5nakckMTA   

 

Now this coming from Colorado senators is well shocking to say the least, I say that simply because most of the time the Colorado delegation just stays quiet on most issues, and hell it's tough for most Denver stations to even get an interview with them. 

[GraphicsMan 345]

2 hours ago, DENDude said:

https://www.9news.com/article/news/politics/colorado-democratic-lawmakers-fcc-reject-nexstar-media-tegna-acquisition/73-fc917734-b549-4724-9235-9eca46b250dd?fbclid=IwY2xjawNnjcBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjyQTT7KpTxJrVvGpdKczpsrgD7IKhhYzA6nUN6WJoGmERZsqf9_NhrPlJc2_aem_Ikc92VKyf9xhG3MKTGzHUQ&brid=LeD8Zy6a17ATx5nakckMTA   

 

Now this coming from Colorado senators is well shocking to say the least, I say that simply because most of the time the Colorado delegation just stays quiet on most issues, and hell it's tough for most Denver stations to even get an interview with them. 

 

This is still probably gonna happen, they don't really have the power the FCC does and Brendan Carr is probably gonna approve of this. 

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

As long as the government is shut down, everything seems to be on hold.

 

You can't even access the station's public files on the FCC site because of this...

[mre29 1967]

3 hours ago, tyrannical bastard said:

As long as the government is shut down, everything seems to be on hold.

 

You can't even access the station's public files on the FCC site because of this...

 

Which is dumb, since accessing the files wouldn't require any human involvement on the FCC's end.

 

[DENDude 259]

Ran across this today:  https://rbr.com/fcc-head-reveals-nexstars-tegna-buy-bid-awaits-filing/     Paperwork hasn't even been filed yet, that doesn't seem to be a govt shutdown issue to me.  Seems odd that paperwork hasn't been filed. 

[AmericanErrorist 267]

32 minutes ago, DENDude said:

Ran across this today:  https://rbr.com/fcc-head-reveals-nexstars-tegna-buy-bid-awaits-filing/     Paperwork hasn't even been filed yet, that doesn't seem to be a govt shutdown issue to me.  Seems odd that paperwork hasn't been filed. 

Note that it obviously will not be transmitted for some time, so maybe they knew they had some?

[MicFlag 33]

Anything can and will happen between now and then. Billionaires love to sit around talking about mergers and acquisitions. It is one of their favorite things to do. It makes them feel warm and fuzzy inside to announce to the world they've agreed to one.

[Megatron81 343]

That the government shutdown is coming to an end, I think Nexstar will be sending the paper work into The FCC before Thanksgiving in my opinion.

[GoldenShine_10 263]

https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076f919a75226c019a9a0057dc0ff5

 

The paperwork is up. It relies on endless waivers and uncertainties, and obsesses with Big Tech. Ideally, the deal should be declared illegal, but these are a minimum that I would accept.

 

How I would respond to the waiver markets:

 

Dallas-Fort Worth: Accept WFAA and one of the non-top 4, but require removal of the third signal.

Houston: Accept KHOU and one of the non-top 4, but require removal of the third signal.

Washington DC: Accept WUSA and one of the non-top 4, but require removal of the third signal.

Tampa: The market seems too large for the 2nd and 3rd place stations to combine. I'd initially order one of WTSP or WFLA for sale, and if no buyer after 90 days, then remove WTTA.

Phoenix: Approve as proposed and maintain status quo with KNAZ as a satellite.

Denver: Require the sale of one of the two duopolies (which would have to include either KUSA or KDVR). They would have too much power in the market.

Cleveland: Require removal or sale of one station - say WBNX. Market share not an issue here as WJW and WKYC are 3rd and 4th ranked.

Charlotte: Require removal or sale of one station - say WMYT (and that would be an easy one as a trade with Gray would solve that). Market share not an issue here as WCNC and WJZY are 3rd and 4th ranked.

Portland: Require removal or sale of one station - say KRCW. Market share not an issue here as KOIN and KGW are 3rd and 4th ranked

St. Louis: Require the sale of either KSDK or KTVI. They would have far too much market share otherwise and leave the market with only one other news operation (KMOV, the market leader).

Indianapolis: Require the sale of one station. They would own the top 3 stations in the market, which should be an absolute no-no.

San Diego: An interesting situation. They would have the market leader KFMB and 3rd-ranked KSWB. KUSI would warrant removal. However, the presence of Mexican stations muddies the water here. Still, KUSI should have to shut off its signal.

Hartford-New Haven: Require removal or sale of two stations which can be the low ranked ones. Market share not a significant issue here as WTNH and WTIC are 2nd and 4th ranked.

Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo: Conditionally approve, making WZZM and WOTV satellites of each other.

Norfolk-Hampton Roads: Require the sale of either WAVY or WVEC. They would own 3 of the top 4 stations in the market, which should be an absolute no-no, and market share would be too high otherwise.

New Orleans: Require removal or sale of two stations. Market share not an issue here as WWL and WGNO are 3rd and 4th ranked.

Memphis: Require removal or sale of one station - say WLMT. Market share not a significant issue here as WREG and WATN are 2nd and 4th ranked.

Buffalo: Require the sale of either WIVB or WGRZ. They would have far too much market share otherwise and leave the market with only one other news operation (WKBW).

Little Rock: Require the sale of KTHV. They would have far too much market share otherwise and leave the market with only one other news operation (KATV). Additionally, they would control 5 stations, which would be an extreme problem. The paperwork ignores the fact that they control 2 other stations, which should be a red flag.

Des Moines: Ideally, the sale of either WOI or WHO would be required, as it would leave the market with only one other news operation. However, KCCI is the 100-ton gorilla in the market. There may be a case here since combined they do not reach KCCI's levels. They would have to sell off or shut off KCWI though.

Huntsville: Require removal or sale of one station - say WHDF. Market share not a significant issue here as WHNT and WZDX are 1st and 4th ranked.

Fort Smith-Fayetteville: Require the sale of KFSM. Yes, there are unique circumstances through satellites, but not enough to control 4 stations even with the satellite authorization kept intact.

Quad Cities: Require the sale of one station that they would own outright. Yes, KWQC is much above all of them, but they would otherwise control 4 stations and directly own 3. The paperwork ignores the fact that they control KLJB, which should be a red flag.

 

Elsewhere, not mentioned but in Scranton, I would also order one station sold or the termination of the LMA as they would otherwise have a monopoly and fail to mention their LMA, which should be completely unacceptable. In other top-4 combination markets:

 

Sacramento: Approve as KXTV actually ranks 5th!!

Austin: Place either KXAN or KVUE up for sale for 90 days to see if a buyer comes forward. They rank 1st and 2nd and combine for too much, but if no buyer found, then approve.

Columbus: Place either WCMH or WBNS up for sale for 90 days to see if a buyer comes forward, but if no buyer found, then approve. They would leave the market with only one other news outlet otherwise.

Harrisburg et. al.: Approve as they rank 3rd and 4th, with WGAL well above both of them combined. There's no other stations in the way.

Greensboro-Winston-Salem: Place either WFMY or WGHP up for sale for 90 days to see if a buyer comes forward, but if no buyer found, then approve. They would leave the market with only one other news outlet otherwise.

Knoxville: Place either WBIR or WATE up for sale for 90 days to see if a buyer comes forward, but if no buyer found, then approve. They would leave the market with only one other news outlet otherwise.

Tyler-Longview: Approve on the condition that the LMA with KFXK is either terminated or that station is shut down (which is not mentioned). KLTV is the 100-ton gorilla and far exceeds KETK and KYTX COMBINED, and the market is quite small for 3 news operations as it is, but the LMA with KFXK and lack of mention is the red flag here.

Midland-Odessa: Approve as KMID actually ranks 5th!!

Abilene: Approve on the condition that one station they own or control is sold (likely to a non-commercial outlet) or shut down. The market is much too small for 3 news operations, and there isn't a clear dominant station.

Edited November 19, 2025 by GoldenShine_10

[ColtFromGulfcoast 869]

1 hour ago, GoldenShine_10 said:

https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076f919a75226c019a9a0057dc0ff5

 

The paperwork is up. It relies on endless waivers and uncertainties, and obsesses with Big Tech. Ideally, the deal should be declared illegal, but these are a minimum that I would accept.

 

How I would respond to the waiver markets:

 

Dallas-Fort Worth: Accept WFAA and one of the non-top 4, but require removal of the third signal.

Houston: Accept KHOU and one of the non-top 4, but require removal of the third signal.

Washington DC: Accept WUSA and one of the non-top 4, but require removal of the third signal.

Tampa: The market seems too large for the 2nd and 3rd place stations to combine. I'd initially order one of WTSP or WFLA for sale, and if no buyer after 90 days, then remove WTTA.

Phoenix: Approve as proposed and maintain status quo with KNAZ as a satellite.

Denver: Require the sale of one of the two duopolies (which would have to include either KUSA or KDVR). They would have too much power in the market.

Cleveland: Require removal or sale of one station - say WBNX. Market share not an issue here as WJW and WKYC are 3rd and 4th ranked.

Charlotte: Require removal or sale of one station - say WMYT (and that would be an easy one as a trade with Gray would solve that). Market share not an issue here as WCNC and WJZY are 3rd and 4th ranked.

Portland: Require removal or sale of one station - say KRCW. Market share not an issue here as KOIN and KGW are 3rd and 4th ranked

St. Louis: Require the sale of either KSDK or KTVI. They would have far too much market share otherwise and leave the market with only one other news operation (KMOV, the market leader).

Indianapolis: Require the sale of one station. They would own the top 3 stations in the market, which should be an absolute no-no.

San Diego: An interesting situation. They would have the market leader KFMB and 3rd-ranked KSWB. KUSI would warrant removal. However, the presence of Mexican stations muddies the water here. Still, KUSI should have to shut off its signal.

Hartford-New Haven: Require removal or sale of two stations which can be the low ranked ones. Market share not a significant issue here as WTNH and WTIC are 2nd and 4th ranked.

Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo: Conditionally approve, making WZZM and WOTV satellites of each other.

Norfolk-Hampton Roads: Require the sale of either WAVY or WVEC. They would own 3 of the top 4 stations in the market, which should be an absolute no-no, and market share would be too high otherwise.

New Orleans: Require removal or sale of two stations. Market share not an issue here as WWL and WGNO are 3rd and 4th ranked.

Memphis: Require removal or sale of one station - say WLMT. Market share not a significant issue here as WREG and WATN are 2nd and 4th ranked.

Buffalo: Require the sale of either WIVB or WGRZ. They would have far too much market share otherwise and leave the market with only one other news operation (WKBW).

Little Rock: Require the sale of KTHV. They would have far too much market share otherwise and leave the market with only one other news operation (KATV). Additionally, they would control 5 stations, which would be an extreme problem. The paperwork ignores the fact that they control 2 other stations, which should be a red flag.

Des Moines: Ideally, the sale of either WOI or WHO would be required, as it would leave the market with only one other news operation. However, KCCI is the 100-ton gorilla in the market. There may be a case here since combined they do not reach KCCI's levels. They would have to sell off or shut off KCWI though.

Huntsville: Require removal or sale of one station - say WHDF. Market share not a significant issue here as WHNT and WZDX are 1st and 4th ranked.

Fort Smith-Fayetteville: Require the sale of KFSM. Yes, there are unique circumstances through satellites, but not enough to control 4 stations even with the satellite authorization kept intact.

Quad Cities: Require the sale of one station that they would own outright. Yes, KWQC is much above all of them, but they would otherwise control 4 stations and directly own 3. The paperwork ignores the fact that they control KLJB, which should be a red flag.

 

Elsewhere, not mentioned but in Scranton, I would also order one station sold or the termination of the LMA as they would otherwise have a monopoly and fail to mention their LMA, which should be completely unacceptable. In other top-4 combination markets:

 

Sacramento: Approve as KXTV actually ranks 5th!!

Austin: Place either KXAN or KVUE up for sale for 90 days to see if a buyer comes forward. They rank 1st and 2nd and combine for too much, but if no buyer found, then approve.

Columbus: Place either WCMH or WBNS up for sale for 90 days to see if a buyer comes forward, but if no buyer found, then approve. They would leave the market with only one other news outlet otherwise.

Harrisburg et. al.: Approve as they rank 3rd and 4th, with WGAL well above both of them combined. There's no other stations in the way.

Greensboro-Winston-Salem: Place either WFMY or WGHP up for sale for 90 days to see if a buyer comes forward, but if no buyer found, then approve. They would leave the market with only one other news outlet otherwise.

Knoxville: Place either WBIR or WATE up for sale for 90 days to see if a buyer comes forward, but if no buyer found, then approve. They would leave the market with only one other news outlet otherwise.

Tyler-Longview: Approve on the condition that the LMA with KFXK is either terminated or that station is shut down (which is not mentioned). KLTV is the 100-ton gorilla and far exceeds KETK and KYTX COMBINED, and the market is quite small for 3 news operations as it is, but the LMA with KFXK and lack of mention is the red flag here.

Midland-Odessa: Approve as KMID actually ranks 5th!!

Abilene: Approve on the condition that one station they own or control is sold (likely to a non-commercial outlet) or shut down. The market is much too small for 3 news operations, and there isn't a clear dominant station.

They don't mention Waco in the filing either 

[JRyan 694]

I have to say that my home market of Knoxville is not looking too good based on the paperwork.  Nexstar should do the right thing and sell either WBIR or WATE.

 

And this quote I must argue borders on outright deception.

 

Quote

Following the Transaction, nine other full power television stations will continue to serve the Knoxville DMA. Several stations in the Knoxville DMA broadcast local news.

 

Several provide local news?  I live in the Knoxville market and only WVLT actually provides news besides WBIR and WATE.  Unless they're counting radio stations (i.e. WUOT, the NPR affiliate owned by University of Tennessee, and WOKI, the news talk station owned by Cumulus Media), the numbers from this quote simply do not add up.  WTNZ and WBXX air news from WBIR and WVLT respectively.  So I'm not sure where they got the idea "several" actually provide local news.

Edited November 19, 2025 by JRyan

[ColtFromGulfcoast 869]

1 hour ago, GoldenShine_10 said:

Indianapolis: Require the sale of one station. They would own the top 3 stations in the market, which should be an absolute no-no.

I'd go as far as saying they can either keep the two they currently have as is snd sell WTHR or if they want WTHR, they have to sell WXIN and WTTV, and to separate owners. 

[GoldenShine_10 263]

7 minutes ago, JRyan said:

I have to say that my home market of Knoxville is not looking too good based on the paperwork.  Nexstar should do the right thing and sell either WBIR or WATE.

 

And this quote I must argue borders on outright deception.

 

 

Several provide local news?  I live in the Knoxville market and only WVLT actually provides news besides WBIR and WATE.  Unless they're counting radio stations (i.e. WUOT, the NPR affiliate owned by University of Tennessee, and WOKI, the news talk station owned by Cumulus Media), the numbers from this quote simply do not add up.  WTNZ and WBXX air news from WBIR and WVLT respectively.  So I'm not sure where they got the idea "several" actually provide local news.

 

That should be noted!! Also, in Scranton, they mention "several" when NO ONE ELSE does.

 

If they are deceiving, a court would need to step in. WVLT would be the only other source.

[ColtFromGulfcoast 869]

2 minutes ago, GoldenShine_10 said:

 

That should be noted!! Also, in Scranton, they mention "several" when NO ONE ELSE does.

 

If they are deceiving, a court would need to step in. WVLT would be the only other source.

Is WOLF still producing that excuse for a newscast?

[GoldenShine_10 263]

Just now, ColtFromGulfcoast said:

Is WOLF still producing that excuse for a newscast?

 

Don't know, and it's not local anyway.

[ColtFromGulfcoast 869]

The deception here is loud. You really expect us to believe that WWMT, WOIO and several Christian, PBS and low powered stations probably (literally) ran out of people's basement are a threat?? And wanting to own 5 stations in Little Rock? It's honestly a miracle KATV didn't go the way of it's little brother in Tulsa. That was a second place station and used to be dominant and Sinclair merged it with an also ran in Oklahoma City who in the mornings, even manages to get beat by a newly minted CW station. 

 

I quite literally laughed out loud reading this. And we thought Sinclair and Tribune were a threat.....

 

To use Sinclairs own words to describe the Nexstar-Tegna deal, this is dangerous to our democracy. That and them buying Scripps. 

Edited November 19, 2025 by ColtFromGulfcoast

[JRyan 694]

Reading the part about Fort Smith/Fayetteville (NW Arkansas), I almost can't believe what Nexstar is claiming there.  Post-merger, they claim three other stations will compete with them.   What are the three stations?  Basically all they have left (worth considering) is 40/29 KHBS/KHOG.  That's technically two stations but they operate as a single unit.  You do have Arkansas PBS (KAFT), but that's a public media broadcaster and that's different from a commercial broadcaster (goes without saying).

 

Nexstar is playing a numbers game.

Edited November 19, 2025 by JRyan

[GoldenShine_10 263]

1 minute ago, ColtFromGulfcoast said:

The deception here is loud. You really expect us to believe that WWMT, WOIO and several Christian, PBS and low powered stations probably (literally) ran out of people's basement are a threat?? 

 

I quite literally laughed out loud reading this. And we thought Sinclair and Tribune were a threat.....

 

To use Sinclairs own words to describe the Nexstar-Tegna deal, this is dangerous to our democracy. That and them buying Scripps. 

 

They are obsessed with Big Tech and streaming here. But that's also a part of Nexstar ignoring it for so long - they are the worst TV company when it comes to streaming. Give some of the others credit as they have attempted to make a move in the field.

 

Really, this is almost impossible to rectify. This is WORSE than Sinclair-Tribune. I know Gray requested waivers but most are rectifiable (they could make trades) and only a couple of markets are highly problematic (Louisville for one). But asking for over 30 waivers is unbelievable.

 

What also hurts is that, if they are forced to put stations up on the market, there will be very few options for their acquisition.

We need to all find these issues, and file an objection. Make clear of the problems.

So far, some of the problems:

 

* Ignoring their own LMA and SSA stations and treating them as "competition" when in reality they are financially tied to Nexstar and run by them in all but license. That's deception right there.

 

* Not having backup plans in key markets.

 

* Lying about there being other options in markets where the number of news producers would drop to 1 (or, in one case, 0).

 

* Focusing on Big Tech when the FCC doesn't even regulate it.

[ColtFromGulfcoast 869]

The loudest part of the deception is what they're not saying. 

 

They're not mentioning the SSAs, they don't have spinoff plan for certain stations like KVUE and WBNS, and they didn't mention Waco at all, which, although, I personally wouldn't have an issue with it, is loud in itself. They could have at least name checked Waco. Obviously, they're treating KWKT and KYLE as one and saying it's justifiable to merge with KCEN.

 

At least PRETEND like you intend to follow the rules. 

Edited November 19, 2025 by ColtFromGulfcoast

[GoldenShine_10 263]

2 minutes ago, ColtFromGulfcoast said:

The loudest part of the deception is what they're not saying. 

 

They're not mentioning the SSAs, they don't have spinoff plan for certain stations like KVUE and WBNS, and they didn't mention Waco at all, which, although, I personally wouldn't have an issue with it, is loud in itself. They could have at least name checked Waco. Obviously, they're treating KWKT and KYLE as one and saying it's justifiable to merge with KCEN. 

 

Admittedly, in Columbus and Austin, they would only have to spin off if a court overturns the top-4 decision from a previous court, or a court finds they would have too much market share, since neither of the current stations are part of duopolies in those markets.