Nexstar accused of violating injunction over Tegna board
A coalition of 13 attorneys general and DirecTV accused Nexstar on Wednesday of violating a court injunction by appointing its executives to Tegna’s board. The station groups were ordered in April to stay independent pending an antitrust trial. Nexstar denies any violation and says Tegna still operates separately.
The accusation lands in a high-stakes antitrust fight over one of the biggest proposed broadcast deals in years. For viewers and pay-TV customers following Streaming & TV Alerts, the dispute goes to whether two major station groups must truly stay apart while a trial proceeds.
Key Takeaways
- Thirteen attorneys general and DirecTV say Nexstar broke a hold-separate injunction by seating its people on Tegna’s board.
- An April court order required Nexstar and Tegna to halt integration and keep independent operations until an antitrust trial ends.
- Nexstar says it has “scrupulously complied,” arguing board service is needed for financial reporting and that day-to-day operations remain separate.
- Plaintiffs want Judge Troy Nunley to clarify the order, speed discovery, and require monthly updates on how Tegna is run.
- California AG Rob Bonta warns further integration could enable higher prices and fewer independent local news outlets.
What did the plaintiffs accuse Nexstar of doing?
According to Variety, the plaintiffs allege Nexstar appointed current and former executives to Tegna’s board after the companies were ordered to remain independent.
“Nexstar cannot simultaneously control TEGNA’s Board and comply with an injunction requiring TEGNA to remain independent,” the plaintiffs wrote. “This should have been obvious.”
They asked Judge Troy Nunley, who issued the order, to clarify that it does not allow Nexstar to oversee Tegna’s operations that way.
How did Nexstar respond to the accusation?
Nexstar said it has “scrupulously complied with the Court’s hold-separate order.” The company argued Tegna still operates independently.
“TEGNA continues to operate independently, and Nexstar has no involvement in TEGNA’s retransmission consent negotiations, content decisions, staffing, or other day-to-day operations,” the company said. It added that executives’ board service is consistent with the order and critical for financial reporting while hold-separate rules remain in place.
Nexstar has appealed the injunction to the 9th Circuit and is awaiting a ruling.
Why does the Tegna board fight matter for viewers?
Plaintiffs pointed to May comments from Nexstar CEO Perry Sook that Tegna would operate as a Nexstar subsidiary, with managers reporting to the board. Those remarks fueled demands for more information about how the companies are run.
The motion alleges Nexstar refused to turn over certain information, answer questions, or remove its executives from Tegna’s board. Plaintiffs also asked for expedited discovery and monthly court updates.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said further integration would defy the court’s directive and, if allowed, could let the companies “control and raise prices, fire journalists, and dominate the broadcast media landscape.”
States argue the merger would give Nexstar undue leverage in retransmission talks with cable and satellite distributors, raising consumer prices, and reduce independent local news outlets when broadcast coverage remains vital for civic life.